The Capistrano Dispatch

YO UR BEST SOURCE F OR LOC A L N EWS, EV EN TS , S P O R TS A N D M O R E

A U G U S T 1 0 –2 3 , 2 0 1 2 VOLUME 10, ISSUE 15

Lights, Camera, Action!

The West Coast Film Festival returns to San Juan for an encore performance E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 6

West Coast Film Festival co-founders Stephanie Heredia and Bob Kline have expanded the festival into new venues in its second year.

Photo by Brian Park

Inaugural Rodeo Week to Showcase San Juan’s Western Heritage

San Juan Native Kessy Wins Silver Medal at London Olympics

Doheny Surf Festival Kicks Off Saturday

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 5

SPORTS/PAGE 26

SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

EYE ON SJC

1

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SAN CLEMENTE San Clemente received a $20,000 state grant and will match it with $8,000 of its own funds to find ways to reuse the boarded-up Miramar Theater and bowling alley. The city learned July 9 that it was awarded the grant from the State Office of Historic Preservation. City Planner Jim Pechous said the city is working with property owner Marc Spizzirri. “We were definitely excited and hope this would be a catalyst to facilitate the rehabilitation of the property and the structures,” said John Ciampa, staff planner on the project. The funds will be used to assess the building on El Camino Real as a historic resource, consider its current condition and offer ways to rehabilitate it. Grant funding arrives October 1, and the final report is slated for completion by May 25.

NEWS

NEXT DOOR WH AT ’S GO I N G O N I N OU R NE IG H B O R I N G TOW N S

DANA POINT A group of Capistrano Beach residents organized to lobby City Council to ban vacation rentals. They’ve “had enough” they said, and the short-term rentals are not only disruptive, but illegal. The issue has been discussed since 2007, but at the April 3 meeting, council directed staff to perform a statistically valid survey of voters to assist in deciding how to proceed. According to a 2009 study, 134 homes were being advertised as short-term vacation rentals despite not being expressly allowed by the zoning code. Mayor Lara Anderson said survey results will be ready in time for the September 18 council meeting and will be on the agenda. “Whether we decide to enforce the codes or change the codes, it’s time to make a decision on what we want to do as a city,” Anderson said.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS

What’s Up With...

1

… Ghost Trains and Freeway Construction?

THE LATEST: The results of a study on the ghost train issue, as requested by the City Council, will be available this week, Orange County Transportation Authority CEO Will Kempton told the council at its Tuesday, August 7 meeting.

“I can tell you sincerely that I am resolved to solving this issue,” Kempton said.

The council also received updates on Interstate 5 during Kempton’s presentation. OCTA plans on extending the southbound I-5 carpool lane from San Juan Creek Road to Avenida Pico. The project has been divided into three parts.

Segment 3 of the project, from San Juan Creek Road to Pacific Coast Highway, will cost $70 million and also includes the addition of new sound walls, retaining walls and landscaping.

WHAT’S NEXT: Metrolink is currently developing a version of Positive Train Control, a train traffic monitoring and control system, which will be available in 2014. Kempton believes the system will be a possible solution to the ghost train problem.

FIND OUT MORE: To view the presentation, visit sanjuancapistrano.org.

—Brian Park

2

…City Council Election?

THE LATEST: A new member on next year’s San Juan City Council is assured, after incumbent Councilwoman Laura Freese announced she will not be running for reelection this November.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 10–23, 2012

“It has been my honor to serve on your City Council these past four years,” Freese said in a statement. “My decision is based primarily on a newly diagnosed health condition of my husband. It is time to focus on the family.”

As of press time, Melissa Abbott, former Mayor Roy Byrnes and Tom Marantz were the only candidates to file their nomination papers with the required 20-30 signatures. Papers for incumbent Councilman Sam Allevato, Planning Commissioners Robert Williams and Ginny Kerr and resident Kim McCarthy were still outstanding. Joe Love, a retired serviceman and current student, pulled papers on Thursday, August 9.

WHAT’S NEXT: Freese’s decision not to run for reelection automatically pushes the deadline to file papers to Wednesday, August 15 at 5:30 p.m.

FIND OUT MORE: For updates, visit thecapistranodispatch.com —BP

3

…Sun Ranch Drainage Project?

THE LATEST: Construction can now begin on the Sun Ranch Drainage Project after the City Council accepted a contractor’s bid on Tuesday, August 7.

The council unanimously accepted Santa Maria, Calif.-based Spiess Construction Co., Inc.’s $2,094,645 bid to install 1,500 feet of buried 48-inchdiameter pipeline near the Sun Ranch neighborhood. The project is part of a 2010 legal settlement between the city and the Scalzo Family Trust.

Spiess’ bid was $789,605 less than what city staff had projected. Under an old state law, the city is required to

accept the lowest responsible bid for any project over $125,000—the city never updated that figure when the state changed it to $175,000, according to City Attorney Omar Sandoval.

WHAT’S NEXT: Work is expected to begin by September, and the city has given Spiess until February 2013 to finish construction. The settlement requires the city to complete the project by June 30, 2013.

FIND OUT MORE: For updates, visit thecapistranodispatch.com. —BP

4

…Crossing Guards?

THE LATEST: The City Council approved an agreement on Tuesday that will provide crossing guards at six locations near San Juan Capistrano schools.

Crossing guards from American Guard Services, Inc. will be situated near Ambuehl Elementary, Del Obispo Elementary, Kinoshita Elementary, San Juan Elementary and Marco Forster Middle School during the regular school year and as needed during summer school sessions.

Councilmembers approved the agreement by a 3-1 vote, with Mayor Larry Kramer absent. Councilman Derek Reeve, who provided the nay vote, was concerned that the city was footing the bill for a service he believed the school district should pay for, even though the district isn’t required to do so.

“The way the school district is run, we’re going to be providing teachers for them soon,” Reeve said.

The new agreement lasts one year and 10 months, costing the city no more than $62,000 for each school year or a total of $124,000 for the entire 22

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months.

WHAT’S NEXT: The agreement is effective September 1 until June 30, 2014.

FIND OUT MORE: For the full story, visit thecapistranodispatch.com —BP

5

… SONGS?

THE LATEST: Activists want the California Public Utilities Commission to forge ahead quickly with its investigation of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and the costs to ratepayers for the outage of its two reactors.

Last week, five groups, including the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, sent a letter to commissioners, saying little information about the costs to plant owner Southern California Edison has been made public. The commission postponed the investigation from its Thursday, August 2 agenda.

For its part, SCE said in a statement that its cost to purchase power in the absence of San Onofre’s reactors was $117 million as of June 30. Some of the costs with the two reactors, which have been offline since January, may be covered by the original 2005 authorization to replace the steam generators for $665 million in current dollars, the company said.

SCE also indicated that the steam generators are covered by warranty, and the company also carries outage insurance.

WHAT’S NEXT: The investigation of SONGS is on the Wednesday, August 23 agenda for the California Public Utilities Commission.

FIND OUT MORE: For updates, visit thecapistranodispatch.com.

—Stacie N. Galang www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo Gets its Own Week in 2012

RODEO WEEK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

City hopes to benefit from popularity of the Rodeo with weeklong celebration in August

By Brian Park The Capistrano Dispatch

I

t’s that time of the year again.

The Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo is back in San Juan Capistrano for the 12th consecutive year, but this time around, it will be a weeklong affair.

In an effort to showcase the city’s Western community and build up to the actual rodeo, Rancho Mission Viejo has worked with the San Juan Chamber of Commerce, the city and other civic leaders to create the first-ever Rodeo Week, from Saturday, August 18 through Sunday, August 26.

“This is the San Juan Capistrano Rodeo. This is the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo. This is a community-wide event,” Rancho Mission Viejo President and CEO Tony Moiso said at a media preview on Friday, August 3 at The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding.

Since its inception in 2011, the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo has drawn significant tourism and sales tax revenue for the city, according to a news release.

Rodeo Week provides an opportunity for other local businesses to benefit from the rodeo’s popularity, and, in turn, set the tone for the two-day main event.

“We’ve got an awful lot of history in this town,” Mayor Larry Kramer said.

“It’s great now that we’re bringing people into town for a whole week.”

“I think 10 years from now this will be the biggest thing we can do,” said Mark Bodenhamer, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. “We want to make this a central part of what we do.”

Heralded as the “richest two-day rodeo in the nation,” the rodeo regularly draws top competitors in events such The City Council convened on Tuesday, August 7. Mayor Pro Tem John Taylor oversaw the meeting in place of Mayor Larry Kramer, who was absent. Here are some of the decisions the council reached: u The council came to a unanimous decision to comply with the Brown Act, despite its three-year suspension at the state level. A 2012 state law suspended portions of the Brown Act, including the

CITY COUNCIL NOTES

The Capistrano Dispatch August 10–23, 2012

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23

Kickoff Country BBQ Historic Town Center Park, 31806 El Camino Real. 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The week begins with a barbecue, Western-themed activities and live country music provided by Justin Foutz and Brad Johnson & The Killin’ Time Band. Admission is free.

Western Art Walk 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Artists will display their original Western-themed artwork for the public in two of San Juan’s most historic neighborhoods, the Los Rios Historic District and the Historic Capistrano Depot.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19

West Coast Film Festival Regency Theatre, 26762 Verdugo Street. 7 p.m.

The West Coast Film Festival presents the critically acclaimed Western film The Wild Bunch. The film was selected by the National Film Registry to be preserved in the Library of Congress.

Tickets cost $15 and are available online at westcoastfilmfest.com.

Cowboys & Chrome San Juan Hills Golf Course, 32120 San Juan Creek Road. 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. A car show and barbecue buffet. Equestrians can even ride their horses to Orange County’s only golf course with its own corral.

Live music will be performed by the band Family Style. Tickets cost $20 per person, which includes a meal.

MONDAY, AUGUST 20 West Coast Film Festival San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real. 8 p.m. The West Coast Film Festival presents the John Wayne classic The Searches, critically regarded as the greatest Western film of all time. Tickets cost $10 and are available online at westcoastfilmfest.com.

Rancho Mission Viejo President and CEO Tony Moiso, Miss Rodeo California Mackenzie Cayford and Gilbert Aguirre, Rancho Mission Viejo’s vice president of ranch operations and president of the Rodeo Committee. Courtesy photo

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 as bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping. This year’s purse total is more than $200,000.

“These people who compete here are the best of the best,” Moiso said. “We’re really thrilled to bring the sport of rodeo to South Orange County.”

In its history, the rodeo has donated more than $1.1 million to charitable causes. This year, the primary beneficiaries will be The Shea Center and Camino Health Center.

For more information, visit facebook. com/sjcrodeoweek. CD

Tequila Tasting El Adobe de Capistrano, 31891 Camino Capistrano.

5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tequila tasting in a Mexican-themed setting. Tickets cost $20 per person and include appetizers.

preparation and posting of city agendas 72 hours before regular meetings, disclosure of items discussed in closed session during open meetings and the provision of certain closed session documents to the public. The city will continue to provide such information to the public for the sake of transparency.

“I just want to bring this to the public so they know we’re tougher on ourselves to keep it more transparent for all of our residents,” Councilwoman Laura Freese said. u The council approved a two-year agreement with the Boys & Girls Clubs

of Capistrano Valley to provide an afterschool recreational program. The agreement will cost the city no more than $78,058 each year, beginning September 1, 2012. The Boys & Girls Club also receives a reduced fee to use the city’s gymnasium, from $60.01 per hour to $43.34 per hour.

Councilman Derek Reeve supplied the lone nay vote in what was a 3-1 decision. “I oppose this not because I’m opposed to the Boys & Girls Club, but in my mind, it’s either a charity or a very expensive service,” Reeve said. u San Juan will continue its partner-

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 Cowboy Music and Poetry Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real.

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Acclaimed “cowboy singer” Rusty Richards performs some of his original songs.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 ZooFest Zoomars Petting Zoo, 31791 Los Rios Street. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. This family-oriented event will feature live country music, line dancing and children’s activities. Admission is free.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 – SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, 30753 La Pata Road. Gates are open from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. A celebration of early California history and the traditions of the old American West. Rodeo events begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for children between 4 and 12 and free for children 3 and under. Parking is available for $5. Tickets can be purchased online at rmvrodeo.com or by visiting these locations: Swallow’s Inn, Hennessey’s Tavern in Dana Point, Boot Barn in Lake Forest, Ortega Tack & Feed and Jerry’s Dogs in Ladera Ranch.

ship with Pepperdine University, which will provide gang prevention counseling for at-risk youth at San Juan Elementary, Kinoshita Elementary, Del Obispo Elementary, Marco Forster Middle School and San Juan Hills High School. The agreement is good for one year and 10 months and will cost the city $114,200.

In a 3-1 vote to approve, Councilman Reeve voted against the agreement because of its high cost and the fact that the city’s police services added a crime prevention specialist to the staff in January 2012. CD —Brian Park www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Lights, Camera, Action!

The West Coast Film Festival returns to San Juan Capistrano for an encore performance

By Brian Park The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he birth of a film franchise is conditional, based on the success of its initial foray.

Had The Godfather flopped in 1972, fans of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro wouldn’t have seen the two actors in the same film until Heat in 1995. The world would have been denied the likes of Clubber Lang and Ivan Drago had Rocky and Rocky II failed to land a successful one-two combination in the box office. And if the force had not been with George Lucas’ original Star Wars, Luke Skywalker’s parentage would be of little to no concern, and Han Solo would have avoided his unfortunate experience with carbonite altogether.

The same principle that gave rise to those popular franchises and countless others—that is, critical acclaim and commercial success at the genesis—is what has also guided the West Coast Film Festival into its second year in San Juan Capistrano.

When co-founders, San Juan residents and husband-and-wife team Bob Kline and Stephanie Heredia brought the film festival to the city last year, they had no illusions of grandeur; they owned no fantastic master plan to turn San Juan into another Park City, Utah, home of the Sundance Film Festival. Surely, they wanted to make it an annual event the city could be proud of, but before they could even consider a second year, Kline and Heredia knew the first installment had to be a hit with the people of San Juan.

“The challenge of the first one was to do it well and do it successfully—to promote it, sell it and get the community to feel a sense of pride,” Kline said.

“In order to have a second year, you got to have a successful first year or else you’re in the dustbin of the annals of history.”

In its inaugural year, the film festival staved off such a fate and laid the groundwork for its sequel. Kline and Heredia speak glowingly of the response they received last year. The two received praise and thanks from city officials and residents, some who previously had no idea what a film festival entailed.

“What was really fun for me was people on the street would come up to me and say, ‘Stephanie, I didn’t know what a film festival was, but I’m really looking forward to next year,’” Heredia said. “I wanted the first film festival to

The Capistrano Dispatch August 10–23, 2012

Festival co-founders and husband-and-wife team Bob Kline and Stephanie Heredia have continued the festival’s relationship with Regency Theatre. Photo by Brian Park

be able to attract supporters and for it to really grow into the fabric of San Juan Capistrano.”

New Films, New Venues This year, the festival will truly be the community event Kline and Heredia believed it could be “so many beers ago,” according to Kline. The first festival was featured at only one venue—the Regency Theatre. This year, however, the festival has expanded to four other venues, including St. Margaret’s Episcopal School’s recently completed performing

arts center, the La Sala Auditorium at the San Juan Capistrano Library, the Camino Real Playhouse and the Ocean Institute in Dana Point.

Kline and Heredia began planning for the second year almost immediately after the first. Even as they were in the midst of a family vacation in Lake Arrowhead, the two began discussing ideas for how they could improve the festival and by the fall, the real legwork began.

When the Regency Theatre reopened in May 2010, Kline and Heredia recog-

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nized its potential as a home for the film festival. With its three viewing rooms and VIP room with stadium seating and a café modeled and named after Rick’s Café from the classic film Casablanca, the Regency was the exact location the film festival needed for its first year.

“We were held back because we didn’t have a venue in town, but when the Regency opened, we finally did,” Kline said. “People were starting to come to downtown to see movies at the theatre again.”

Although the Regency Theatre remains a hallmark venue and a base-ofoperations of sorts, Kline and Heredia still wanted to expand the scope of the festival. They began to reach out to several venues in and around San Juan that they felt would not only be able to support a full week of shows but embodied the spirit of the festival as well.

Among the first to be contacted was St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, which recently completed construction of its $18 million performing arts center. The 45,000-square-foot building will operate as an educational arts center and teaching facility during the school year.

It features an intimate, black box theater with seating for 125 people and a main, presidio-style theater that can seat 450 people.

Although the center’s ribbon-cutting ceremony isn’t until the first day of school on August 29, the film festival will be the first event to break-in the venue on Sunday, August 19.

“We had absolutely known of the West Coast Film Festival. It was just such a huge success in the community, and we thought it was a great addition,” said Anne Dahlem, director of communications and marketing at St. Margaret’s.

“It just seemed like a perfect fit and a perfect opportunity for us to participate, contribute in a community event by making the space available.”

Kline sold St. Margaret’s staff further on the idea of hosting the festival by proposing the Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire.

“It being the 30th anniversary edition, digitally remastered; the tie-in with the music aspect and tying that into our community to the arts; and the wonderfully timed connection to an Olympic year in London—we also take pride in our 2011 CIF State Champion cross country team … I think we all agreed instinctively that it just felt so right,” Dahlem said.

(Cont. on page 8) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC (Cont. from page 6) The same can be said for many of the festival’s other films and their respective venues. The Ocean Institute will screen two family-friendly films that will surely fit into the venue’s oceanic setting: Dolphin Tale and Happy Feet Two. Heredia has even gone so far as to book a live penguin to appear during the showing on Wednesday, August 22.

The festival will also showcase several classic movies at a venue that’s become a community favorite for move screenings—the La Sala Auditorium at the San Juan Capistrano Library. Kline and Heredia cited retired librarian Teri Garza, who started the popular First Friday Film series, as a catalyst in bringing the festival to the library. Films to be showcased include the 1968 thriller Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen and the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.

The festival will also take a break from the visual, during a screenplayreading session of Academy Awardwinning scripts at the Camino Real Playhouse on Monday, August 20.

Kline and Heredia worked with the San Juan Chamber of Commerce to avoid any scheduling conflicts with the inaugural Rodeo Week, which will overlap with the festival. However, in keeping with their desire to make the festival a community event, Kline and Heredia have arranged for showings of two Western classics, The Searchers and The Wild Bunch, as tributes to Rodeo Week and the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo.

business and this art form.”

An interior view of the main theatre of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School’s new Performing Arts Center. The West Coast Film Festival will debut at the center on Sunday, August 19 with Chariots of Fire. Courtesy photo

As for the number of quality films the festival features, Kline said the film festival would be far different if it weren’t for the commitment of Warner Bros. Kline, who previously served as vice president of Fox Television and co-founder of Lifetime Television, is a known name within the film industry and has a track record for producing quality films and film festivals. He helped Craig Prater and Sonny Bono start the Palm Springs International Film Festival and was chairman of the Charleston International Film Festival in South Carolina.

Like last year, Kline reached out to his colleague, Warner Bros. executive Jeff

Baker, who gave the festival the rights to screen several films. After visiting last year’s festival and witnessing soldout screenings, Baker did not hesitate to continue Warner Bros.’ relationship with Kline and Heredia.

“The real beauty of the film festival is happy faces on everyday people who are seeking an escape from life’s daily challenges, in a darkened theater, seeing a story for the first time,” Baker said in an email. “I met and encountered people like that last year in San Juan Capistrano. There was a level of excitement and enthusiasm that, for me, just reinforces my love for this

WEST COAST FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

How the West Was Won 10 a.m., La Sala Auditorium at the San Juan Capistrano Library.

WEDNESDAY 8.22

This summer, the West Coast Film Festival is showcasing at five theaters in and around San Juan Capistrano from Sunday, August 19 through Thursday, August 23.

Below is the full schedule of the West Coast Film Festival:

Shakespeare High 2 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

SUNDAY 8.19 Dolphin Tale 1 p.m., Ocean Institute.

Chariots of Fire 3 p.m., Performing Arts Center at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School.

A reception will precede the movie, which will begin at 5 p.m.

The Manzanar Fishing Club 7 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

MONDAY 8.20 Mary Pickford & the Soul of Rafael 10 a.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 10–23, 2012

Deliverance 7 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

West Coast Film Fest Screenplay Tribute 7:30 p.m., Camino Real Playhouse.

TUESDAY 8.21 Old Goats 1 p.m., La Sala Auditorium at the San Juan Capistrano Library.

Space Jam/Looney Tunes/Tom & Jerry 1 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

Dreams by Akira Kurosawa 4 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

Special Warner Bros. Premiere 7 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café. An exclusive preview of a Warner Bros. film.

Bullitt 11 a.m., La Sala Auditorium at the San Juan Capistrano Library.

The Brothers Warner by Cass Warner 1 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

Kinyarwanda 3 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

Happy Feet Two 4:30 p.m., Ocean Institute.

Viva Las Vegas 7:30 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

Jeremiah Johnson 8 p.m., La Sala Auditorium at the San Juan Capistrano Library.

THURSDAY 8.23 Bonnie and Clyde 12 p.m., La Sala Auditorium at the San Juan Capistrano Library.

Natural Selection 1:30 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

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A Labor of Love Ultimately, that has always been the goal of Kline and Heredia—excitement and enthusiasm for film at the community level. Not long after the first festival, residents approached Heredia to ask if they could volunteer for the next installment. This year, at least 20 volunteers have helped plan and coordinate events, and many will aid venue staff throughout the week.

“That’s what’s wonderful about San Juan Capistrano,” Heredia said. “There’s so much work that goes into it. It’s unbelievable the amount of detail … We’re striving hard to make it a fun, memorable film festival.”

Kline and Heredia are currently trying to register the film festival as a nonprofit. Up to this point, the two have funded it on their own.

“Normally, the first five years of film festivals lose money,” Klein said. “This is not a business. We’re doing this as a labor of love.”

As for how much more the festival can grow, the next step, according to Klein, is to build more alliances within the community. Beyond that, Klein and Heredia hope the festival will forever be a small, community event. What they hope to see grow is the community’s knowledge of and passion for quality films.

“We understand the challenge, but people still go to movies,” Klein said.

“There’s a closeness here. San Juan is a jewel.” CD A Not So Still Life 4 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

The Wild Bunch 7 p.m., Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café.

LOCATIONS Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real. 949.489.8082; Performing Arts Center at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School’s, 31641 La Novia Avenue. 949.661.0108; Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274; Regency Theatre and Rick’s Café, 26762 Verdugo Street. 949.661.3456; La Sala Auditorium at the San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real. 949.493.1752 Special lodging is also available at the Marriott Residence Inn, located at 33711 Camino Capistrano. For reservations, call 949.443.3600. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit westcoastfilmfest.com.

Compiled by Brian Park www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY KEVIN DAHLGREN 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, August 7 DISTURBANCE Via Monterey, 26100 Block (6:47 p.m.)

Several juvenile males were seen tossing lounge chairs from the pool deck into the swimming pool. The caller believed the boys had no supervision and feared one of them may seriously injure themselves.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT Camino Capistrano, 31400 Block (2:41 p.m.) An elderly woman complained of a sharp pain in her back after her car was rear-ended while stopped at a red light.

Orange County Fire Authority was requested, and the woman was transported to Mission Hospital for evaluations.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Morningstar Lane, 27600 Block (3:00 a.m.) Five to six males were seen carrying items out of a residence and into a dark-colored pickup truck. The caller stated the residence had an eviction notice on the front window, but she did not recognize any of the men moving the items as residents of the home.

Monday, August 6 DEFRAUDING AN INNKEEPER La Zanja Street/Camino Capistrano (7:53 p.m.) A taxi driver called police to report a passenger who was refused to pay the taxi fare. The driver could see the man sitting near the railroad tracks behind a commercial business.

INDECENT EXPOSURE Ortega Highway, 27700 Block (3:51 p.m.) Police were dispatched to the area to look for a white male in his mid-50s who was seen revealing himself to people walking on the sidewalk. The man was last seen walking in the grass near Arroyo Park.

HIT AND RUN PARKED CAR REPORT San Juan Creek Road, 33400 Block The Capistrano Dispatch August 10–23, 2012

(11:19 a.m.) A silver Volkswagen Passat was seen side-swiping a parked car on San Juan Creek Road. The female driver of the Passat was witnessed pulling off the road to inspect her vehicle before departing the scene without leaving any information on the parked vehicle.

DRUNK DRIVING Camino Capistrano/Avenida Aeropuerto (9:22 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for a silver Dodge van swerving all over the road and into oncoming traffic.

The driver of the car was believed to be inebriated and was last seen pulling into a mobile home park.

Sunday, August 5

Thursday, August 2

GRAND THEFT Ortega Highway, 26900 Block (11:30 p.m.) A man called police from a gas station to report that his ex-girlfriend had stolen a large amount of jewelry and cash from his vehicle. A similar incident occurred about eight months ago.

DISTURBANCE Paseo San Gabriel, 26400 Block (8:17 p.m.) A young woman called police to report that her 32-year-old brother, who was in an argument with the caller’s father, was becoming increasingly agitated. The caller stated her brother had a history of domestic violence and was visibly angry.

TRESPASSING San Juan Creek Road, 32100 Block (7:34 p.m.) Employees of San Juan Hills Golf Club called to report two males fishing from the irrigation pond on the driving range. The two men were asked to leave approximately three hours prior to the 911 call but had since returned.

DRUNK IN PUBLIC Paseo Espada/Rancho Viejo Road (11:48 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for a male walking towards the business park from Rancho Viejo Road. The caller reported the man appeared to be heavily intoxicated and was having extreme trouble maintaining his balance.

Saturday, August 4 SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Paseo Acacia, 31100 Block (6:24 p.m.)

Several unknown juveniles were sitting in a silver Nissan Altima for nearly three hours. The caller stated that he had tried to see if they needed help, but when the juveniles saw the caller approach the vehicle, they sped off eastbound on Via Los Pajaros.

CITIZEN ASSIST Compass Way, 25600 Block (11:11 a.m.)

A man called police to report that for the last several weeks he had been receiving very unorthodox phone calls from a carpet cleaning company. The man could not find the company after searching for a website and believed it may be a “Ponzi scheme.”

Friday, August 3 MISSING JUVENILE Eastview Court, 26300 Block (6:52 p.m.) A woman called police after she had not heard from her 17-year-old daughter in almost three days. The woman stated her daughter had a cell phone, but attempts to call her were going straight to voicemail.

PETTY THEFT Camino Capistrano, 32100 Block (3:51 p.m.) A manager at Rite Aid called police to report an unknown male who had taken a bottle of alcohol without paying.

The man was described wearing a blue and white baseball hat, blue and white jacket, gray shirt and black jeans. He was last seen walking towards Ross Stores.

BURGLARY IN PROGRESS Del Obispo Street, 31800 Block (3:42 p.m.) Employees of Marshalls called police after a woman was caught shoplifting. The woman was being held in the loss prevention office and had admitted she was intending on stealing some shirts.

ILLEGAL PARKED VEHICLE Via Cristal/ Via Solana (8:42 a.m.)

Two unattached box trailers were reported parked on the street for two weeks. The caller believed one trailer was parked too close to the corner, making it difficult for cars to turn onto the street. The owner of the trailers was contacted and asked to move them.

Wednesday, August 1 DISTURBANCE-FAMILY DISPUTE Paseo Carolina, 32100 Block (10:49 p.m.) A man reported that his daughter and her boyfriend were having a very loud and heated argument downstairs.

The father believed that the boyfriend had hit the caller’s daughter once.

MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATIONS La Novia Avenue/Valle Road (6:54 p.m.)

A man in a red Ford pickup truck was spotted dumping unknown items onto the side of the road. The man was described wearing a brown shirt and light-colored pants.

Page 10

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Calle Roberto/Paseo Rita (1:23 a.m.)

Several juvenile males were spotted sitting in a silver or tan Mercedes station wagon parked on the street. The boys were seen passing something between them and possibly smoking marijuana.

Tuesday, July 31 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE Stonehill Drive/Camino Capistrano (7:39 p.m.) A black Ford truck with one male inside was reportedly parked under a tree in an empty lot owned by the city. The caller stated there is an access road to the lot from Stonehill Drive.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Park Avenue, 25700 Block (11:38 a.m.)

A report was received of a man riding in circles on his bike in a cul-de-sac.

Shortly after the original 911 call, the man left the area and did not return.

VANDALISM REPORT Alipaz Street/Del Obispo Street (9:12 a.m.) A man was seen unscrewing a sign from a fence near a hiking trail.

The man was last seen walking across the train tracks on Del Obispo Street.

Monday, July 30 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE Via Fernando, 28300 Block (11:40 p.m.) A patrol check was requested after a black two-door sedan was seen parked on the street, occupied by two unknown persons. The caller stated he had never seen either man in the car before, and they appeared to be on some kind of stakeout.

ILLEGAL PARKED VEHICLE Calle Reynalda/Del Obispo Street (7:14 p.m.) Five unknown vehicles were spotted parked in a tow-away zone in an alley. No contact could be made with any of the vehicles’ owners.

KEEP THE PEACE Calle Santa Barbara, 26500 Block (3:23 p.m.) Police were requested to settle a dispute that started when a young woman’s television was taken without her permission by her roommates. The young woman called police after several attempts to retrieve the television had failed.

DRUNK DRIVING Junipero Serra Road/Camino Capistrano (3:14 p.m.) A black Toyota pickup was seen swerving into oncoming traffic near JSerra Catholic High School.

The driver was last spotted travelling northbound on the I-5 Freeway. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

to the program for a chance to perform at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

Compiled by Brian Park and Sara Gold

PROPS, RECOGNITIONS AND MORSELS OF INFO

Mission Receives $6,000 for Gate House Preject Mission San Juan Capistrano recently received a $6,000 donation from Citizens Business Bank that will go toward its Gate House Preservation Project.

The Mission was one of six Orange County nonprofit organizations and charities to receive a donation through the Citizens Bank Charity Golf Classic, which raised more than $35,000 on June 4 at Yorba Linda Country Club.

The Gate House Preservation Project will preserve the historical elements of the current gatehouse while also making it safer and more accessible to visitors.

The project will also relocate the gift shop from the Sala building to the street-front so it can be available after hours.

The Mission had already raised $2 million but needed another $400,000 to complete the project, said George O’Connell, president of the Mission Preservation Society Foundation, in a news release following the Mission’s “Ground Broken” event on June 27. To donate to the project, contact Mission Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence-Adams at 949.234.1311 or visit missionsjc.com.

Ecology Center to Host Outdoor Dining Event The Ecology Center is bringing back its popular outdoor dining event, Green Feast, on Saturday, September 8 at 4 p.m.

Notable chefs, organic farmers, ranchers, fishermen and vintners will serve more than 200 guests hors d’oeuvres made from farm-grown, locally sourced artisanal ingredients in addition to a family-style, four-course dinner. The outdoor feast will commence with the “Eco App Off,” during which guests will select their favorite appetizer prepared by 12 chefs.

The event also includes a silent auction where guests can win dinners prepared by participating chefs and other items as well. Funds generated from the event will support eco-educational programs at The Ecology Center. Tickets cost $180 for

Guests enjoy outdoor dining at last year’s Green Feast at The Ecology Center. Courtesy photo

The Capistrano Dispatch August 10–23, 2012

City Accepting Applications for CERT Program

Ecology Center members and $225 for non-members. To purchase tickets, call The Ecology Center at 949.443.4223 or visit theecologycenter.org.

Creative Creatures & Co. co-founders Kameron Campbell and Melissa Salazar at their “Blue View” art exhibit on Saturday, July 14 at the Los Rios Rock School. Courtesy photo

Boys & Girls Club Welcomes New Board President Mike Chambers, a banker and resident of Aliso Viejo, has been installed as the new board president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley.

Mike Chambers.

Chambers has served on Courtesy photo the board for the past four years, most recently as the resource development chair. He volunteered at the club as a basketball coach before joining the board.

Chambers takes over for Bill Cole, who initially recruited Chambers to the board four years ago. Chambers will serve as president for the next two years.

“We are excited about Mike coming in and taking over from Bill, who has done a wonderful job directing the club through some difficult economic times,” said James Littlejohn, the club’s executive director. “We know that Mike will provide the strong leadership necessary for our organization to continue to provide our valuable services to the many communities that we serve.”

Pony League Registration Underway for San Juan Youth Registration for Dana Point Youth Baseball PONY Fall Ball is open until August 31. All players ages 8-14 (as of May 1, 2013) from San Juan, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel and San Clemente are welcome to join. Cost of registration is $85. For more information on signing up, visit dpyb.org.

Youth Art Show Raises More than $1,000 for Charity Creative Creatures & Co., a local young artist collective, raised more than $1,000 for a charitable cause at its “Blue View” art exhibit on Saturday, July 14. More than 100 guests arrived at the Los Rios Rock School to buy children’s artwork and enjoy live music. Every piece of art was sold, and the children decided that the proceeds would be donated to Art of Elysium, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing art and music to children battling serious medical conditions.

San Juan resident Kameron Campbell

developed Creative Creatures & Co. with Melissa Salazar as a way to teach art to children while also promoting eco and moral responsibility. “We aspire to motivate young artists to think imaginatively, live sustainably and interact with their communities,” Campbell said in a news release.

Creative Creatures & Co. is offering multiple summer workshops. For more information, visit creativecreaturescompany.com.

August Events Start at the Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy If you missed the conservancy’s last Bat Walk on July 14, there will be another event on Saturday, August 11. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., bat biologist Stephanie Remington will host an evening walk. Participants will experience “bat detectors,” which convert ultrasonic bat sounds to frequencies audible to humans, while learning about the history of local bats. All participants must be at least 8 years of age.

General admission costs $15 and $10 for supporters of the conservancy.

On Saturday, August 18, the conservancy will host a tarantula walk at 6:30 p.m., followed by an astronomy night at 8:30 p.m. The following morning, there will be a family nature walk on Sunday, August 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Admission for all three events is $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 8 and older and free for supporters. A flashlight is recommended for the tarantula walk, and astronomy night attendees are advised to bring warm clothing, a red cellophaned flashlight, binoculars and an optional beach chair.

The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy is located at 28672 Ortega Highway and can be reached by phone at 949.489.9778.

San Juan Hills Choir Performs at Disneyland San Juan Hills High School choir members got the chance to perform at Disneyland on June 15, as part of the Disney Performing Arts Program. Dance groups, choirs, ensembles and marching bands from around the world apply

Page 12

Applications are now available for the city’s next Community Emergency Response Team program, which begins September 5. This seven-week course will prepare participants to respond properly during disaster situations. Michael Cantor, the city’s safety and emergency services manager, will cover topics such as fire suppression, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, team organization, terrorism and disaster. Participants will receive 20 hours of training. The program is free for San Juan residents and businesses and $25 for non-residents. Seating is limited to 30. For more information, including the class schedule and application, contact Cantor at 949.234.4565.

OC Breakers Visit Local Senior Community

Orange County Breakers Lindsay Davenport, Travis Parrott, John-Patrick Smith, Jana Juricova and head coach Trevor Kronemann applaud as Atria San Juan resident Clifton Jackson demonstrates her tennis stroke. Courtesy photo

The Orange County Breakers, a professional tennis team in the World TeamTennis league, visited the senior residents of Atria San Juan on Thursday, July 26 to talk about the health benefits of tennis. Breakers head coach Trevor Kronemann and players Lindsay Davenport, Anna-Lena Groenefeld, Jana Juricova, Travis Parrott and John-Patrick Smith took photos with residents and gave a presentation on how tennis is the “sport of a lifetime.”

World TeamTennis is a coed professional tennis league co-founded by Billie Jean King, and the Breakers are one of eight teams across the country. The Breakers finished the 2012 regular season with the best record in the league and will play against the Sacramento Capitals in the Western Conference Championship on Friday, September 14 in Charleston, S.C. Have something interesting for the community?

Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more. Forward a picture along, too!

We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your info to bpark@thecapistranodispatch.com.

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

HOW TO REACH US CITY REPORTER STORIES, NEWS, CALENDAR, ETC.

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34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.thecapistranodispatch.com The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 10, Issue 15. 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 2012. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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GUEST OPINION: Mark Speros, Mission Springs, San Juan Capistrano

Shea Homes Shows Council How ‘Monopoly’ is Really Played

I

magine your neighbor has a crazylarge lot right across the street from yours—20 acres, in fact. Half of that lot was always designated open space, which happens to be directly adjacent to your property. You have an unparalleled view, adjacent to the creek, where you watch cyclists, dog walkers, joggers and equestrians enjoy this same space daily. Over the 30 years, the neighbor develops a world class sports arena—but it’s totally private. Sure, it’s been host to an Olympic event, and it really is a great facility, but only for patrons.

But the sports business slows down or maybe the owner’s health declines.

The estate goes up for sale and a large developer recognizes the potential. But there’s just one problem—a big one though. The only legal area that can be developed lies sandwiched between Ortega Highway and the middle of the estate.

What’s a developer to do? Bring in the spin doctor, of course.

“First, look accommodating. Loudly declare that you’d never develop to the

full extent that the area is zoned for.

Instead, pick a slightly lower number of homes—say 29. You’re looking good.

You never let on that with all the required setbacks, easements for fuel and power lines, you could never develop more than 29 anyway, so double win for you.

Second, designate an icon. Make this sports area into one of the Seven Wonders of the World, constructed with materials so exotic, it should be declared a national treasure. And this will be the centerpiece of your development. Don’t mention that no San Juan Citizens will ever be able to set foot in it or that the 80 commercial patrons all live outside the city and pay handsomely to use this facility. Make it look like it’s all free and open to everyone.

Third, dazzle them with a slightof-hand. Show them pictures (lots of pictures) of dazzling homes and estatelike landscaping and make it look like a Hollywood set. Make sure to keep the focus totally within the boundaries of the property—lots of aerial shots.

Fourth, paint beautiful images with

Letters to the Community LET THE TRUTH PREVAIL, ROY BYRNES —Laura Freese, City Councilwoman, San Juan Capistrano In July, Roy Byrnes wrote a letter to the editor published in the three local newspapers. The majority of his long diatribe is simply wrong. In this rebuttal to Roy Byrnes, I want to identify just one section of his 830-word accusation as an example of his ability set aside The Capistrano Dispatch August 10–23, 2012

facts, including his own statements, as a political tool.

In his letter, he refers to the “faulty Downtown Business Plan that will only obliterate our unique historic atmosphere and transform San Juan into a faux plastic ‘Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive’?” Those words are the convenient new sound bites to stir up the residents of San Juan Capistrano. But the truth is that Dr. Byrnes was in favor of the plan.

Roy Byrnes attended the April 3,

words and pictures but provide no information whatsoever. You learned your lesson with the Planning Commission.

Less information means fewer aspects to fight. Look wistfully at the pictures and imply that’s what you’ll get.

Fifth, divide and concur. Even though the shift adds less than 1 percent additional open space, sell that aspect hard to the Open Space Committee.

They’ll eat it up because more is always better. Make sure you hit all the athletic (equestrian) groups too because you’re saving this athletics-oriented (equestrian-oriented) parcel. (You may even get one of the City Council members to support your efforts, just from that aspect.)

Finally, create a high urgency to get this approved now. Since you got voted down by a huge majority of the Planning Commission, sidestep that bothersome, toothless group entirely and go straight to the City Council. You will positively beam at the thought of killing two birds with one stone: The current owner’s health is failing and this would be a nightmare to work through probate, and you just saved yourself $80,000 by not

having to pay for a special election, shifting all the costs to the citizens of San Juan Capistrano.”

Don’t be fooled by this Wizard of Oz act. Look behind the curtain! On Tuesday, July 17, the City Council elected to deny the developer’s request for reallocation of open space but only until the developer supplied more information for consideration, which could be as soon as today. While we agree with the council’s comments that the property owner has the right to build on their property, what’s the point of open space designation if it can be shifted or transferred on a whim? This sets a dangerous precedent that any open space may not be safe from development.

Be prepared for an epic public relations campaign from Shea, as the profit potential is irresistible to pass up. The spin doctor is only getting warmed up. Please join us in affirming all open space is sacrosanct. CD

2012 meeting on the downtown plan, and these are the exact words that he said into the microphone, for the public record: “Two years ago, I had some doubts regarding this plan with innocuous desuetude. I’ve become a Christian believer. I’m impressed. I congratulate you. I urge you to pass this plan.”

So what has changed since April

3rd? It is election time and printed lies are effective, convenient weapons. Roy Byrnes, just like the rest of his group, does not care if he tells lies, as long as it frightens the people of San Juan Capistrano into voting their way. Lies are the oldest political weapon on earth.

It is well worth it for the residents of the city to do the research and find out what is true and what isn’t.

Page 17

PLEASE NOTE: The opinions offered here are those of the guest columnist and may or may not be shared by The Capistrano Dispatch staff. We appreciate their willingness to share their views, and we invite responses to be sent to letters@ thecapistranodispatch.com.

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. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

AT THE MOVIES: KILLER JOE IS CRAZY, WILD AND STUPID Filmmaker William Friedkin isn’t a newcomer to shocking his audiences, this is the same man who brought us the horror film classic The Exorcist (1973) and won an Oscar for The French Connection (1971). But he has really outdone himself by adapting the notoriously strange and dark play Killer Joe by Tracy Leets into a full-length NC-17 rated film. The film centers around a whole family of rejects in a seedy Dallas neighborhood. Drug dealer Chris Smith (Emile Hirsch) is in debt with a shady client and comes up with the idea to kill his own abusive mother so he can pay it back with her insurance money. Dad Ansel (Thomas Haden Church), sister Dottie (Juno Temple) and stepmom Sharla (Gina Gershon) all think it’s a fine idea. And the best guy to do it is a cop that moonlights as a hit man named Killer Joe Cooper (Matthew McConaughey). A few scenes of full frontal nudity by Temple and Gershon and two pretty violently intense sequences of Hirsch getting a rough beating account for the NC-17 rating. McConaughey and Temple share an eerie bond that results in two of the better performances in the film. Killer Joe is alarming, satirical and unpredictable throughout its 103 runtime, but one of those films that sticks with you and leaves you wondering what the heck you just watched. —Megan Bianco

YOUR TWO-WEEK EVENT PLANNER

Matthew McConaughey in Killer Joe. Courtesy of LD Entertainment

THE LIST

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

friday

MOVIES IN THE PARK 6 p.m.10 p.m. Enjoy a free screening of “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmeron” at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. There will be activities and food for a fee. Gates open at 6 p.m., movie at 8 p.m. 30753 La Pata Ave., San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber.com.

10

BOOK READING AND SIGNING 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Lauren Bledsoe & author Linda Pyle present a reading and book signing with Bridget Hoida, San Clemente author of “So L.A.” at Peet’s Coffee. Open mic follows. 801 Avenida Talega, San Clemente, 949.294.4145, www.lindampyle.com.

ADRYON GROSS 7:45 p.m.-11 p.m. Live music at The Vintage Steak House. 26701-B Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.3400, www.thevintagesteakhouse.com.

saturday

11

SECOND SATURDAY ART FAIR 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Artists and artisans line the streets of downtown San Juan Capistrano with art, crafts and much more.

949.493.4700, www.sjcartfair.org

BARK & BREAKFAST 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Bring the family and your dog(s) to Bella Collina for a free continental breakfast and coffee, and there will be snacks for the dogs too. A veterinarian will be visiting as well. 200 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente, 949.498.6604, www.bellacollinagolf.com.

DOHENY SURF FESTIVAL 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Two-day festival at Doheny State Beach with live music, exhibits, surf demonstrations, environmental education, outrigger & SUP exhibitions, food and drink, and more. Tickets $29 presale, $35 day of. VIP also available. Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 619.954.4276, www.dohenysurffest.com.

ILLUMINATION OF HOPE 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Fundraiser for the American Cancer Society at The Strand at Headlands Private Beach Club, featuring entertainment, food, and an auction. $125. 27 Strand Beach Drive, Dana Point, 949.567.0612, http://gala.acsevents.org/illumination.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 10–23, 2012

SUCCULENTS CLASS 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Goin Native hosts a class on designing a succulent garden. $35. Price includes container, plants and rock top dressing.

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

KIDS’ ACTING CAMP: PETER PAN’S ADVENTURES 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Camino Real Playhouse hosts a week-long acting camp all summer for kids. Themes change weekly.

Cost $250 for the week. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.actingacademyforkids.com.

SECOND STAGE STAND UP 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Live comedy at Camino Real Playhouse. Admission $12.

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

CRAFTS FOR KIDS 11 a.m.1 p.m. The Mission offers events for children ages 6-12 with various crafts through Aug. 31. Tuesday is a “Miniature Adobe Brick House” craft.

Free for members or $3 per child in addition to admission.

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

DURAN DURAN 8 p.m. The famed English pop-rock band in concert at the OC Fair. Tickets start at $39.75.

88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.1500, www.ocfair.com.

LIVE MUSIC 2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Dalton Gang; 8:30 p.m.

Terry Hanson Band at Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

sunday

12

MURDER BY THE MISSION 6:30 p.m. Murder mystery dinner at Sarducci’s. $59.

26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.9593, www.capistranodepot.com.

THE VAQUETONES 2:30 p.m. Live music and Sunday Funday at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

TOOLS FOR CHANGE 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The Ecology Center’s ongoing interactive exhibition, featuring sustainable household products, a play area and learning space for children, and weekend events. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

JAMES DURBIN WITH DELTA ROSE 8 p.m. The Coach House. $17.50. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

monday

13

SLAM IN THE RIBS POETRY NIGHT 8 p.m. Open mic at The Rib Joint Roadhouse.

34294 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, 949. 661.9500, www.ribjointdanapoint.com.

STORYTIME 11 a.m. Join the Sunshine Readers of the National Charity at this energetic and lively weekly storytime for kids of all ages at the library. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

Page 19

tuesday

14

KALEIDO-KIDS: LEGO PLAYTIME 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Every Tuesday is a fun event for kids at the Kaleidoscope for their summer event series. Free. 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy., Mission Viejo, www.gokaleidoscope.com.

wednesday

SAN JUAN SUMMER NITES CONCERT & EXPO 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Swing and jazz concert with Close Harmony and a business expo with activities, food booths, drinks, local businesses, and more all at Historic Town Center Park. 31806 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber.com.

15

OLD CAPISTRANO FARMERS MARKET 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

At El Camino Real and Yorba; 949.493.4700.

NATIVE AMERICAN BASKET WEAVING 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Experience the art of basket weaving at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Free with admission of $5-$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

thursday

GARDEN ANGELS 9 a.m.11 a.m. Meet the first & third Thursdays at Los Rios Park to volunteer at the park, meet friends and more. Bring gloves.

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

16

PUSSYCAT PALOOZA The San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter is having a adoption event through August.

Cats can be adopted for $50. 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente, 949. 492.1617, www.petprojectfoundation.org.

(Cont. on page 20) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT JOHN SOLONE SINATRA TRIBUTE 7:45 p.m.-11 p.m.

Live music at The Vintage Steak House. 26701-B Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.3400, www.thevintagesteakhouse.com.

SJC ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR 10 a.m.

A 90-minute weekly tour starting at Verdugo at the train station in San Juan Capistrano that features the architecture of Los Rios Street, the downtown area including the Michael Graves Library, the Mission Basilica and more.

Cost $5 per person; proceeds support Friends of the Library. For information: 949.489.0736.

LUNCH WITH LEAGUE 12 p.m. The League of Women Voters luncheon at Coco’s Restaurant with the topic: Overturning ‘Citizens United’ - The Next Constitutional Amendment. RSVP. 3446 Pacific Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, 949-400-2183, orangecoast.ca.lwvnet.org.

BACKYARD SKILLS: WORM BIN CONSTRUCTION 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Workshop at The Ecology Center on how to compost with worms, plus create your own bin Cost $27.50-$32.50. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

(Cont. from page 19)

friday

17

WHALE WATCHING 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Dana Wharf has daily two-hour whale watching trips departing throughout the day. Cost $30-$45. Times may vary. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

MOVIES IN THE PARK 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Enjoy a free outdoor screening of the movie “Dreamer” at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. There will also be games, activities and food for a fee. Gates open at 6 p.m., movie at 8 p.m.

30753 La Pata Ave., San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber.com.

ABBA FAB 8 p.m. The ultimate ABBA tribute at The Coach House. Tickets $20. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

saturday

SAN CLEMENTE ART CRAFT FAIR 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The San Clemente Art Association holds its 52nd annual fair at the San Clemente Community Center August 18-19 featuring more than 100 artists and artisans and their works. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, 949.369.8343, www.scartgallery.com.

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MUSIC UNDER THE STARS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. The Mission’s outdoor concert series continues with Rolling Stones tribute, Jumping Jack Flash. Cost $24-$30 for lawn tickets. 26801 Ortega Hwy., 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

HART & SOUL 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music with songs from the Great American Songbook at Thai Juan On. 31878 Del Obispo St, #109, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.0322, www.hartandsoulmusic.com.

ASTRONOMY NIGHT 8:45 p.m.-10:45 p.m. Gaze into the night sky through the telescopes of our volunteer astronomers at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Donation $5-$10. Call for info and directions, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org.

4TH ANNUAL CAMINOVATIONS AWARDS 5:30 p.m.

Camino Real Playhouse celebrates the actors, staff, crew and more in a formal red carpet event with a buffet dinner and much more fun. Tickets $15-$20. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

BLUE WHALE SAFARI 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Whale watching tour offered by the Ocean Institute. Cost $49-$55.

24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

EVITTE PALMER 7:45 p.m.-11 p.m. Live music at The Vintage Steak House. 26701-B Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.3400, www.thevintagesteakhouse.com.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 10–23, 2012

sunday

RODEO WEEK San Juan Capistrano celebrates it’s western roots August 18-26 with a week of western themed events leading up to the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo August 25-26. See a full list of local daily events online on the SJC Chamber website. 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber.com.

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SECOND ANNUAL WEST COAST FILM FESTIVAL Various films showing Aug. 19-23 at Regency Theatres San Juan Capistrano and Rick’s Cafe, SJC Library’s La Sala Auditorium, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School’s Performing Arts Center and Ocean Institute. Ticket prices range from $10 to $20. View full schedule with movies, times and location at www.westcoastfilmfestival.com.

COAST CULTURE EXHIBITION: FOSSILS, SHELLS, AND SEA COWS 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Last day to see Casa Romantica’s exhibition that explores the diverse marine, plant, and wildlife of the southern California coast dating back 45 million years to the Eocene epoch. Admission $5.

415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

FAMILY NATURE WALK 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Enjoy the beautiful, natural morning scenery at The Reserve/ Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Donation $5-$10. Call for info and directions, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org.

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.

monday

GARDEN BITES’ GRILLING CLASS 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Goin Native hosts four nights of a “Delicious Revolution: Garden Bites” Grilling Class on how to create healthy dishes with organic meat and produce. Cost $60. Price includes food to sample, recipes and more. Register online; space limited.

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

20

COUNTRY DANCIN WITH PATRICK & FRIENDS 6:30 p.m. Every Monday at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

OUTDOOR SOCCER CAMP 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Jaime Arroyo Soccer Academy hosts a three-day skills camp for ages 5-14 at Vista Hermosa Sports Park. Cost $100. 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, 949.291.2678, www.jasocceracademy.com.

Page 20

tuesday

NATURAL JEWELRY MAKING IN THE GARDEN 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Diane Ferruzzo teaches a class at Goin Native on making custom jewelry both Tuesday and Wednesday. $35. Class includes beads, tools and design board. 31661 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.606.6386, www.goinnative.net.

21

FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT 6 p.m.-8 p.m. The Ocean Institute hosts a family-friendly event featuring a distinguished local scientist, activities for kids and a lab. Cost $7 each or $25 per family. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

ART EXHIBIT: THE RACERS 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Exhibit on endurance car racing with vintage photos at KONA Gallery and Photojournalism Center. 412 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.481.3747, www.thekonagallery.com.

LUNCH LOCAL 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Chamber lunch at Hummingbird House Cafe. 26711 Verdugo St., 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber.com.

wednesday

FESTIVAL OF ARTS 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The 80th anniversary of the outdoor fine art exhibition with works by nearly 150 award-winning artists.

General admission $7-$10. 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.1145, www.lagunafestivalofarts.org.

22

KARAOKE 7 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.

JAZZ AT THE CASA: THE HOTEL WOLVERINE 7 p.m. Casa Romantica presents jazz night featuring traditional swing jazz music of the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s. Tickets $20-$25, kids/students $10. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

thursday

HOT BUNS CONTEST & MUSIC 8 p.m. Wear your tightest jeans for a contest with prizes at Swallow’s Inn plus live music

by Chancey Williams & The Younger Brothers Band. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

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BASIC NEEDS: SPEAKER SERIES 6:30 p.m. Join The Ecology Center for an oceanic conversation with internationally acclaimed filmmaker, surfer/diver, and founder of One World One Ocean, Greg Mac Gillivray. $10-$20; drinks and light fare included. RSVP. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

MISSION READERS BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP 10:30 a.m. Meet at the library to discuss “Painted House”

by John Grisham. Copies available. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

SAN CLEMENTE BEACH CONCERT 6 p.m. Enjoy a free concert by the San Clemente Pier featuring reggae by Common Sense. 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org. *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

Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY The only directory featuring San Juan Capistrano businesses exclusively MORTGAGE

ELECTRICIANS

ACCOUNTING/TAX San Juan Financial, LLC 949.496.1151 31726 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. 115, will@sjfllc.com

Excel Electric 949.493.7769 32238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, www.excelelectric.com

949.493.7769 Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.1321 Excel Electric - CA #793860 32238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, www.excelelectric.com 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd., Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

INSURANCE

BANKING Independence Bank 32291 Camino Capistrano, Suite A, www.independence-bank.net

949.373.8963

949.697.9454

JEWELER

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

COMPUTER SERVICES San Clemente Computer & Network Services daniel@sanclementecomputer.com 949.276.1581

COINS GraCorp Coins & Collectibles www.gracorpcoins.com

Capistrano Health & Life www.capistranohealthlife.com

949.350.4692

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

LANDSCAPING Vermeulen’s Landscaping Inc. bvland@cox.net

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT 949.697.9454

YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly

PHOTO & DIGITAL LAB

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Capistrano Health & Life www.capistranohealthlife.com

PLUMBING A to Z Leak Detection 949.499.4464 www.atozleakdetection.com Chick’s Plumbing 949.496.9731 www.chicks-plumbing.com SCP Plumbing/ CuraFlo of O.C. 949.493.2426 27126 Paseo Espada STE. 705, www.curaflo.com

PRINTING

Printing OC 949.388.4888 949.661.0967 27134 Paseo Espada #B 203, www.printingoc.com

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

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

Locals Only Business Spotlight for only

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

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

$100! Write-up of 50 words with logo.

Call Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or e-mail aedwards@thecapistranodispatch.com

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

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

WINDOW CLEANING/PRESSURE WASHING Bayside Window Cleaning 949.215.2323 www.baysidewindowcleaning.com Clear Windows 949.485.8793 San Clemente, www.clearwindows-llc.com

LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN “LOCALS ONLY” This handy, go-to reference tool keeps your business in front of potential customers 24/7. Call Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or email aedwards@thecapistranodispatch.com.

CLASSIFIEDS SUBMIT YOUR CLASSIFIED AD ONLINE AT WWW.THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@thecapistranodispatch.com Deadline 5pm Monday

HELP WANTED MAINTENANCE/FACILITIES MANAGER Orange County Arts facility is seeking a self motivated part time/full time facilities manager. Successful applicant would be responsible for maintenance of historic building and grounds. Responsibilities include but are not limited to grounds keeping, cleaning, handyman work, electrical, plumbing, preventative maintenance, tile and carpentry work, banquet and event set up and tear down and other functions as required. May require some evening and/or weekend hours. Information Technology or audio experience a bonus. Drug/alcohol test and references required. Please send employment and wage history to crccghr949@gmail. com.

WEEKEND/NIGHT SITE SUPERVISOR: Orange County Arts facility is seeking a flexible individual interested in performing maintenance and setup/teardown for Exhibitions and Private events. Duties include day of event support, routine groundskeeping and cleaning. Weekend and night work is a requirement. Drug/Alcohol test and references required. Please send employment and wage history to crccghr949@gmail.com.

Do you want to reach 24,150+ people in the San Juan Capistrano area? *2.1 readership per 11,500 copies distributed

Then you need to be in The Capistrano Dispatch. Call us today!

949.388.7700 ext. 104

SJC LIVING

4

LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Friday 8.10

Thursday 8.16

Tuesday 8.21

Coffee Chat 8 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues, hosted by Jonathan Volzke. Occurs every Friday. All are welcome. El Adobe Restaurant, 31891 Camino Capistrano.

Design Review Committee Meeting 4:30 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

Utilities Commission Meeting 8 a.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

Tuesday 8.14

Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Commission 6 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

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

Monday 8.20

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

Friday 8.24 Next regular issue of The Dispatch publishes

ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50: Tom Blake

Santa Barbara: A Romantic Weekend Getaway M

y partner Greta and I have been a couple for 14 years. When I planned a surprise weekend getaway July 28 and 29, the details seemed to easily fall into place.

ON LIFE AND I booked two concert LOVE AFTER 50

By Tom Blake tickets to see one of our favorite entertainers, country singer Alan Jackson, at the Santa Barbara Bowl on July 28. Then, I booked two seats on Amtrak departing from San Juan Capistrano that morning for Santa Barbara. She loves the train.

But, finding a place to stay was impossible. During the peak summer months, Santa Barbara hotels and motels require a two-night stay. I couldn’t book a room; I feared we’d have to cancel.

For help, I was referred to Ruth McCombs, who has been finding hard-toget accommodations in Santa Barbara for 20 years. She assured me she’d find us a room in the final days leading up to July 28, when the hotels ease their twonight requirement. True to her word, McCombs booked us into the Castillo Inn, a boutique motel, near the beach.

On Saturday the 28th, we boarded the northbound train at 7:34 a.m. The four-hour ride was enjoyable. We arrived in Santa Barbara just before noon.

The Castillo Inn was a 10-minute stroll from the train station. Dan Fitz, the general manager, gave us helpful walking maps of Santa Barbara, and he pointed out the stop locations of the electric trolley shuttle that runs along the beach and up State Street, the thrivThe Capistrano Dispatch August 10–23, 2012

La Super-Rica Taqueria is a popular Santa Barbara restaurant. Courtesy photo

ing commercial area. The trolley fare for seniors is a quarter.

At 4:30 p.m., my Jackson, Mich., high school classmate of 55 years ago, Carm, and his girlfriend Sally picked us up at the inn and took us for an early dinner at the La Super-Rica Taqueria, a locals’ favorite that has no exterior sign. Julia Child went here often and helped make it famous.

The wait to order was just 20 minutes; I’m told it’s usually much longer. I knew the food would be excellent when the owner, an older Mexican gentleman, took our order at the walk-up window.

He said they’ve been there 32 years.

Nothing fancy: cash only, menu on a chalk board, daily specials, paper plates, plastic cutlery, inexpensive.

Tastiest Mexican food I’ve ever had.

I hate to think of what the cheese and bacon soup did to my cholesterol level, but it sure pleased my taste buds. I am particularly partial to restaurants that aren’t part of a chain.

Our friends dropped us off at the Santa Barbara Bowl for the Alan Jackson concert. His eight-piece band is amazingly talented and he’s very personable.

“Summertime Blues” is one of Jackson’s best songs.

Sunday morning, after a refreshing sleep at the quaint, clean and delightful Castillo Inn, we caught the 9:38 a.m. train back. Amtrak service is vastly improved and includes complimentary Wi-Fi. By taking the train, we saved 10 hours of driving.

Catching the train in San Juan Cap-

Page 24

istrano is convenient for South County residents. Overnight parking is available on the top deck of the parking structure.

Keep McCombs’ telephone number— you might need her to find you a room.

Santa Barbara travel contacts and websites: www.hotspotsusa.com Ruth McCombs, 800.793.7666; www.sbcastilloinn.com Dan Fitz, General Manager, 805.965.8527 CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS

5

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

GIRLS SOFTBALL PLACES THIRD IN CAL STATE GAMES

The Capo 14U girls All-Star softball The team stayed hot and placed sevteam went all the way to the California enth at the Southern California District Tournament July 14-15, tallying a 3-2 State Games July 20 and placed third in the prestigious tournament at Hickman record. The girls’ seventh-place finish earned them a spot at the California State Field in San Diego. Sixteen of the state’s top softball teams were vying for the top Games, where they stepped up their play spot at the California State Games, one and left with a bronze medal.

The Capo 14U All Stars are: Alivia of the premier amateur sporting events in all of California.

Holbrook, Madison Jones, Mikela SimpThe Capo 14U Girls All-Star softball team. son, Olivia Farber, Elena Farber, Davina The high placement at the California Courtesy photo State Games was the end of a hot streak Moreno, Kiele Crawford, Katie Camarena, for the Capo All-Stars. In the last two tournaments prior to Kayla Barry, Savannah Sweet-Buhler, Kacie Tatman and the games, the girls finished no worse than seventh.

Jessica Scotty. They were coached by Catrina Crawford, Mary Beth Camarena and Therese Holbrook. Randall In the Los Angeles/South Bay District Tournament, the Holbrook was the team’s manager. —Steve Breazeale team placed third after going 5-2 over a seven-game stretch.

Home Sweet Home San Juan Hills High School opens new athletic stadium

By Steve Breazeale The Capistrano Dispatch

I

t took almost five years but San Juan Hills High School finally has a stadium they can call their own.

On August 1 the finishing touches of paint were put on the track and field lines that loop around the stadium, completing a saga that started the first year the school opened back in 2007.

Co-Athletic Director and head football coach Aaron Flowers is entering his fi fth year at San Juan Hills. He was an assistant principal for three of them and became a full-time teacher and coach last year, all the while hearing talks of stadium plans and blueprints. “(The Stadium) has been in the works for a lot of years and there have been a lot of people involved in trying to get it done, and we appreciate the work everybody’s done to get it completed,” Flowers said.

Duo Earns Silver in Olympic Beach Volleyball

A

fter dropping the first of three sets to the top-seeded Brazilian beach volleyball team, San Juan Capistrano native Jennifer Kessy and her teammate April Ross dug in deep and rallied back to an incredible, 2-1 semi-final victory at the 2012 London Olympics on Tuesday, August 7.

The win over Brazil put the Americans in the gold medal match against a familiar opponent.

Kessy and Ross faced off against the top-seeded American duo of Misty MayTreanor and Kerri Walsh, the two-time defending gold medalists, in an all-American The Capistrano Dispatch August 10–23, 2012

The stadium and surrounding track have yet to be worn in, and the school’s signature navy blue and gold color schemes used throughout the stadium pop. The field has two tints of green that alternate every 10 yards on the playing surface, which is made up of synthetic turf, and the letters SJH emblazon the center of the field at the 50 yard line.

A large grandstand has been placed on the home side of the field, which can easily seat hundreds of fans. A considerable number of bleachers have been placed on the visitors’ side as well. The stadium also has a brand new electronic scoreboard that stands on the west side of the field, past the end zone.

Perhaps the most unique thing about the stadium is the natural amphitheater it sits in. There are hills to the north, southeast and west of the stadium, and the home-side grandstand sits right up against one of them. When the Stal-

showdown August 8. May-Treanor and Walsh were able to win 2-0 and claim their third consecutive gold medal, while Ross and Kessy won the silver.

Kessy and Ross tried to keep it close in the gold medal game, but in each set, Walsh and May-Treanor were able to pull away.

Kessy and Ross made it all the way to the final match in their first Olympic tournament, not an easy feat to accomplish.

It was in their semi-final matchup against Brazil that Kessy and Ross were put to the test.

Larissa and Juliana of the Brazilian team were favored heading into the match, having never lost a set in the 2012 Olympics.

After coming out firing in the first set, it

View from the home grandstands at the new San Juan Hills High School stadium, which officially opened August 1. Photo by Kevin Dahlgren

lion football players take the field for their first-ever home game on August 31 against Canyon, the cheers from the crowd will bounce around the valley and create a noise that has yet to be heard at 29211 Vista Montana.

School isn’t in session yet, but the Stallion football players are already enjoying the benefits of their new home, and practice is in full swing.

The Stallions have had to drive eight miles up Antonio Parkway to Tesoro High School to play their “home” football games in years past.

“I think the atmosphere here will be a lot better (than at Tesoro)…I feel like the team has something to play for now,” senior receiver and cornerback

Scott Hoover said.

Hoover had heard the rumors of the school getting a stadium since he was a freshman; he touched on the fact that the sense of home and ownership the stadium brings to the team will be a motivating factor in the Stallions’ upcoming season.

Aside from playing on the road at Viewpoint High August 21 in the Stallions’ season opener, it’s easy to guess what Hoover is looking forward to in the near future.

“I’m sure (the game against Canyon) will be packed. It’s our first-ever home game, so there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be…I’m going to remember it for the rest of my life,” Hoover said. CD

looked like the Brazilians’ perfect streak was going to continue as they won easily, 21-15.

Larissa and Juliana remained in control halfway through the second set and held a slim 14-12 lead over Kessy and Ross when all of a sudden, the Americans found their groove, tying the set at 15 apiece. It was then that Kessy took over at the net. As the Brazilians tried to work their offense, the 6 foot tall Kessy greeted them with outstretched arms, blocking back-to-back volleys on consecutive possessions, giving the Americans a 17-15 lead they would not let go of. Kessy and Ross won the second, 21-19.

As the match entered the third set, the unpredictable London rain drenched the competitors and those in attendance, caus-

ing the playing surface to be less than ideal, according to the NBC announcers.

But Kessy and Ross were able to ignore the elements and maintain their momentum by not allowing Brazil to take the lead in the third set. An authoritative spike from Kessy ended the set and match, 15-12, and propelled the duo into Wednesday’s gold medal match.

After winning the gold medal, MayTreanor announced that she will retire from beach volleyball, bringing an end to her and Walsh’s dominant stretch. With Kessy and Ross’ impressive Olympic rookie campaign, the door might be open for them to become the new dominant U.S. beach volleyball team for years to come. CD —Steve Breazeale

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