June 28, 2013

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OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE JUNE 28–JULY 11, 2013 FOUNDED IN 2002

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 12

New Neighbors Rancho Mission Viejo debuts with its first village, Sendero E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 4

South Orange County’s newest community, Rancho Mission Viejo, will debut with its first village, Sendero. Prospective buyers will get a chance to view the new homes during a grand opening on Saturday, June 29 to Sunday, June 30. Photo by Brian Park

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Council Delays Lios Rios Alcohol Decision, Councilman Objects to Commissioner and More

Planning Commission Continues Apartment Plans Following Surprise Offer

San Juan Hills Stallions Spring Football Recap

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 6

SPORTS/PAGE 18

EYE ON SJC

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LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

SAN CLEMENTE Brad Malamud, one of the lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit against San Clemente’s beach parking fund, said he was negotiating with the city in an attempt to resolve the dispute before the case goes to court. At issue is whether the city can use money from a beach parking mitigation fund paid into by residents from non-coastal developments like Forester Ranch and Talega to alleviate a projected parking crunch at the city’s beaches. Malamud maintains that since the city has not used the funds in a timely manner, to add additional parking, it must return the money to the residents of those areas. The city has proposed adding additional beach parking at North Beach, where the city owns two properties that could potentially be used for parking.

Malamud says there is no parking shortage at North Beach.

DANA POINT

NEWS

NEXT DOOR WH AT ’S GOI N G O N I N OU R NE IGH B O R I N G TOWN S

The Dana Point City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the coastal development permit allowing changes to be made to the street and landscape improvement plans of the Town Center project, expected to save the project $1.7 million. The council originally approved the permit in January to reshape Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado Avenue streetscapes, providing for a pedestrian friendly, downtown corridor. After the February adoption of a phased construction approach, to be completed in conjunction with the South Coast Water District, city staff reviewed engineering plans and made changes to the Del Prado portion of the project, including decreased sidewalk width, smaller planters and the addition of planter medians. SCWD is expected to break ground on underground utility improvements along Pacific Coast Highway this fall.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS

What’s Up With...

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…Alcohol in Los Rios?

THE LATEST: The San Juan Capistrano City Council last Tuesday delayed its decision regarding Hummingbird House Café owner Monica Mukai’s request to allow alcohol sales on her Los Rios Street property, over concerns that such a move would lead to significant changes in the neighborhood.

Mukai sought a zone amendment for her restaurant, located at the Lupe Combs House in the Los Rios Historic District. The council voted 2-1 to continue the public hearing to allow city staff more time to find alternative options that would completely, or partially, grant Mukai’s proposal while avoiding the spread of alcohol sales in the combined residential and commercial neighborhood.

“This is a residential community first and that is the heart and soul of its draw and character, as far as tourism is concerned,” said Councilman Derek Reeve, who voted against the change outright. “If we’re going to allow alcohol in more facilities, it’s going to alter Los Rios.”

WHAT’S NEXT: The council will vote on the final resolution on Tuesday, July 16.

FIND OUT MORE: For the full story and updates, visit www.thecapistranodispatch. com. – Brian Park

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...the Objected Commissioner?

THE LATEST: San Juan Capistrano City Councilman Derek Reeve last Tuesday objected to the reelection of Open Space, Trails and Equestrian Commissioner Tom Ostensen after learning of a filmed The Capistrano Dispatch June 28-July 11, 2013

altercation between Ostensen and a local resident.

During the council’s appointments for city commissioners and committees, Reeve said he felt Ostensen was unfit for the role. He cited a video of Ostensen in an argument with Clint Worthington, a member of Capistrano Common Sense, a group of local residents often critical of council policies and decisions.

“My concern is Mr. Ostensen is representing the city as a commissioner and his behavior is unacceptable and putting the city at a potential liability,” Reeve said.

The incident occurred in the city’s northwest open space, where Ostensen, a board member on the Open Space Foundation, was working with others to build the Dr. Joe Cortese Memorial Dog Park. Reeve said Worthington was taking photos in the area when Mr. Ostensen made a gesture and approached him.

Mayor Pro Tem Sam Allevato, who was volunteering with the Open Space Foundation at the time, said an altercation did occur but that it didn’t get physical.

WHAT’S NEXT: All commissioners recommended by council subcommittees were approved, including Ostensen.

…the Design Review Committee?

THE LATEST: The San Juan Capistrano City Council last Tuesday unanimously voted to do away with the city’s Design

WHAT’S NEXT: The committee met for the final time on June 6.

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

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FIND OUT MORE: For the full list of new commissioners, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org. – BP

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Review Committee in hopes that it would simplify the city’s development process for existing and prospective businesses.

The committee was made up of two Planning Commissioners and two atlarge members. Initially, the council was asked to consider reorganizing the committee, including making it a subcommittee of the Planning Commission or consolidating their meeting times.

However, the council had problems with how difficult the development process was, especially when the committee’s recommendations conflicted with the Planning Commission.

“When the Design Review Committee is designing projects for the applicant, that is troublesome,” Mayor John Taylor said. “The other concern I have is when the committee gives the recommendations, the applicant spends time and a lot of money to revise their plans, and then the Planning Commission denies it.”

…CUSD Safety?

THE LATEST: A group tasked with formulating a response to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School last year made a report to the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees Wednesday detailing a number of recommendations for steps the district could take to maintain the safety of students.

Mike Beekman, the district’s executive director of safety and student services, told the board the task force

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was primarily looking at feasible actions the district could take, such as improving fencing, creating standard visitor and staff badges and increasing the number of lockdown drills. Beekman also said it was important to allow for multiple points of staff access to the public address system, in case of an incident in the school’s office.

WHAT’S NEXT: In addition to these recommendations, Beekman suggested purchasing “lockdown kits” for each school. To implement all of the suggestions, Beekman said it would cost the district approximately $275,000.

FIND OUT MORE: For more on the story, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. – Jim Shilander

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…the 241 Toll Road?

THE LATEST: The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board on June 19 voted 3-2 to reject the Transportation Corridor Agency’s application for a permit to extend the SR-241 toll road.

The permit was one of the final steps necessary for the TCA to embark on a 5.5-mile extension from the toll road’s current terminus at Oso Parkway, just south of Rancho Santa Margarita, to Cow Camp Road, just east of San Juan Capistrano. Parts of south Orange County that would be affected fall under the jurisdiction of the San Diego board.

WHAT’S NEXT: TCA officials indicated they may consider appealing the decision to the state.

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

– Andrea Swayne www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

New Neighbors Rancho Mission Viejo debuts with its first village, Sendero

By Brian Park The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he development company behind Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Las Flores and Ladera Ranch is set to unveil the first part of its final contribution to the south Orange County cityscape this weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday, Rancho Mission Viejo LLC will host a grand opening for Sendero, the first village of a 14,000-home community called Rancho Mission Viejo.

It’s what company executives have called “the last ride.” Over the next 20 to 25 years, the ranch will build up 6,000 developable acres of its remaining 23,000 acres of property. The other 17,000 acres, known as The Reserve, will be permanently preserved as open space and will be combined with county land to form the 33,000-acre Southern Subregion Habitat Preserve.

The case for open space was resolved following the county’s 2004 approval of the company’s long-term strategy for their remaining land, the Ranch Plan, and after subsequent lawsuits filed by environmental groups were settled in 2005.

But although the Ranch Plan has drawn praise for its foresight from local leaders and elected officials, questions about Rancho Mission Viejo’s impact on schools and traffic, as well as future governance, remain.

RESIDENTIAL VILLAGES Sendero, also known as Planning Area 1, is the first of at least five villages that will make up Rancho Mission Viejo.

Planning Areas 6 and 7 were eliminated as part of the ranch’s 2005 settlement with environmental groups.

Development plans for Planning Area 8, an approximately 500-acre area located east of San Clemente’s Talega development, are up in the air while the ranch undergoes a five-year study on the migratory patterns of the Arroyo toad.

“We won’t know whether it will be available for us to put anything there for several years,” said Charlie Ware, the ranch’s director of governmental and community relations. “It will probably be one of the last places we develop along the Ranch Plan way down the line.”

In English, Sendero means path or trail. Ware said the ranch designed its first village to serve as a gateway into Rancho Mission Viejo for travelers coming east on Ortega Highway from San Juan Capistrano and south on Antonio Parkway from Ladera Ranch.

At 690 acres, Sendero will be one of Rancho Mission Viejo’s smaller villages, according to Ware. About 1,230 attached and detached homes, spread throughout 11 different neighborhoods, are being built. The majority are grouped on the northwest corner of Ortega Highway and Antonio Parkway, adjacent to the ranch’s headquarters. The rest are located just across the highway to the east.

At the heart of the village is El Prado, which includes a 3,900-square-foot clubhouse and a community hall that, in the early going, will serve as a welcome center for potential buyers. Other amenities include Sendero The Capistrano Dispatch June 28-July 11, 2013

A view of San Clemente’s Talega development from inside the ranch. About 17,000 acres of the ranch’s remaining 23,000 acres will remain open space. Photo by Brian Park

Sendero’s El Prado, a 3,900-square-foot clubhouse and community hall, will serve as a welcome center for potential buyers in the early going.

Photo by Brian Park

Field, a 15-acre park with sports fields and community gardening plots, and The Outpost, an outdoor recreation center with a patio, bar and pool.

Within the larger community, Sendero will also feature a gated enclave of 290 single-story homes specifically for residents 55 and older called Gavilan.

Those residents will have access to all of Sendero’s amenities while having exclusive access to their own 9,200-square-foot clubhouse, fitness center, meeting rooms, a bar and more.

This sort of intergenerational housing is new in Orange County, according to Ware, who added that 6,000 of Rancho Mission Viejo’s 14,000 homes will be made into 55-and-over communities like Gavilan.

“Nobody else in south Orange County is doing that,” Ware said. “We just see that demographic growing …

We wanted to provide something that fits their active lifestyles in a community that’s interactive, but at the same time, give them their own separate amenities. It’s the best of both worlds and that’s what Gavilan does.”

Since it is their last development project, Ware said Rancho Mission Viejo was designed to have a close relationship with the company’s cattle ranching and early Californian heritage. Future residents will have Page 4

regulated access to the ranch’s open space through The Reserve’s trail system, and homes at Sendero were designed in Spanish, Western and ranch adobe architectural styles.

Homebuilders involved at Sendero include Del Webb, Meritage, Ryland, SeaCountry, Shea, Standard Pacific, TriPointe, William Lyon and Western National Group. The homes in Sendero will range from 1,000 to 3,000 square feet and are expected to cost between $400,000 to just under $1 million.

Sendero will also include 10 acres for a retail plaza near the southeast corner of Ortega Highway and La Pata Avenue.

“It’s going to be small, ranch-style stores and shops.

Not your big box stores. The acreage doesn’t support that,” said Erica Yanchus, a spokesperson for the ranch.

Ware said the company is negotiating with different providers to create a small, farm-to-market type of grocery store at the plaza. The center could also include a dry cleaner, salon, coffee shop and possibly a gas station. Once deals are signed, Ware said the entire plaza could open by late 2014.

“We’ll make it very clear to folks that other services are available in San Juan Capistrano and Ladera Ranch,” Ware said.

SCHOOL IMPACTS For south Orange County residents and future Rancho Mission Viejo homeowners, one of the immediate concerns is the impact of upcoming development on local schools.

During a presentation to the Capistrano Unified School District in late January, ranch representatives told the school board that about 4,561 students are expected to come into the district from Rancho Mission Viejo. The majority of the student population influx would likely be in Kindergarten through fifth-grade, around 2,724 students. About 991 students are projected for grades six through eight with another 846 for high school. In the early going, about 408 students www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC are expected to come from Sendero and another 1,126 from Planning Area 2.

The ranch and the district have since been negotiating a mitigation agreement to tackle the issue. The final agreement could be presented for the board’s approval in July, according to Trustee Jim Reardon.

The ranch has already identified a site for a new K-8 school in Planning Area 2 that will be constructed by the district and is estimated to open in 2016 or 2017, according to ranch spokesperson Diane Gaynor.

For now, students from Sendero will attend Ambuehl Elementary School, Marco Forster Middle School and San Juan Hills High School.

One suggestion to come out of the January meeting was for the district to possibly expand Tesoro High School by acquiring the 20 acres of adjacent land.

However, Board President John Alpay said the addition of more than 800 students would push the district’s largest school to close to 4,000 students, which might stretch the school logistically, even with more space.

“There’s been no serious planning, but both San Juan Hills and Tesoro, at the present time, could be expanded,” Reardon said. “It’d be very costly, but it could be done.”

As an alternative, Reardon said the district could look into establishing a smaller high school model or “pocket academy” for the additional students. He cited the Troy Tech magnet program at Troy High School in Fullerton, which focuses on education in technology.

“There are also other kinds of academies that have to do with performing arts and environmental studies,” Reardon said. “We’re interested in building good schools in the ranch. We want to provide the same level of service out there as we provide elsewhere.”

Reardon also warned that traffic to schools would be an issue, independent of the ranch’s plans.

Last Wednesday, the California Transportation Commission approved $5.1 million to help complete the 4-mile extension of La Pata, between the end of Avenida Saluda in Talega and the Prima Deshecha landfill in San Juan Capistrano. The $94 million project still requires an additional $6.9 million in funding, but construction may begin regardless in December. Once completed, more students from Talega could attend San Juan Hills.

“That’s a major change in the circulation patterns of the school,” Reardon said.

Additionally, the ranch has also already begun grading for the construction of Cow Camp Road, just north and parallel to Ortega Highway. The new road is part of the South County Road Improvement Plan, a list of roadway modifications and transportation improvements the ranch agreed to when the Ranch Plan was approved.

Once completed, Cow Camp Road would serve as an additional connection point that would pull ranch traffic off Ortega Highway and move it north toward Antonio Parkway. Cow Camp Road could connect to the Transportation Corridor Agency’s plan to extend the SR-241 toll road from Oso Parkway.

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board last Wednesday voted down the TCA’s application for a permit for the first 5.5-mile extension to Cow Camp Road. After hearing six hours of testimony, many from environmental activists, board members denied the application due to expected adverse environmental impacts and the belief that the TCA remains intent on completing the project in phases, all the way through to Interstate 5 near San Onofre State Beach.

However, the ranch’s plan to build Cow Camp Road The Capistrano Dispatch June 28-July 11, 2013

The finishing touches are being put together inside Sendero’s welcome center, where potential buyers will have a chance to learn about the village and the rest of Rancho Mission Viejo at various interactive stations. Photo by Brian Park

isn’t dependent on the proposed toll road extension, according to Gaynor. As part of SCRIP, the ranch has also identified a road, identified on maps as “F street,” that could also direct traffic northward.

FUTURE GOVERNANCE Although it currently represents only a distant blip on the radar, the issue of future governance for Rancho Mission Viejo is on the minds of local and county officials and nearby residents.

The Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission, established 50 years ago by the state legislature, handles boundary changes, including city incorporations and annexations, of cities and special districts in the county. And although the commission is comprised of several local officials and leaders, including Supervisor Pat Bates, it works independent of the county.

Commissioners have met with local bodies and stakeholders to understand their concerns about Rancho Mission Viejo, according to Carolyn Emery, LAFCO’s executive officer. But, she said, the commission has yet to form any definitive plans for the area’s future governance options.

“It’s kind of hard to speculate 25 years out and we typically don’t do that,” Emery said. “Our discussions have been about present issues and how we can address them through some governance structure down there, but at this point, we don’t know what that is.”

Emery said LAFCO prefers incorporation but speculation that Rancho Mission Viejo could combine with Ladera Ranch, as well as other neighboring unincorporated communities, to form a new city is premature at this point. Market forces will play into the ranch’s plans for villages after Sendero, but even after Rancho Mission Viejo is built out, Emery said LAFCO would need to determine if there is enough revenue to support municipal infrastructure.

“We look at sales tax and different revenue options that would allow for an area to function as a city,” Emery said. “Once we have that, we also do 10-year projections to see if there’s enough revenue available to offset the costs.”

The state once provided a financial boost for newly Page 5

incorporated cities through funds collected from vehicle license fees. However, a 2011 state law, SB 89, shifted that funding toward law enforcement grants, making incorporation more difficult, according to Emery.

“What made incorporations viable years ago is no longer there,” Emery said.

Another option that is essentially one step below incorporation, according to Emery, is the formation of a community service district—an independent board voted in to govern an area. Rancho Mission Viejo and Ladera Ranch are the only two communities not within spheres of influence, a type of planning boundary used to determine logical service providers for unincorporated areas.

In Orange County, there are five community service districts, according to Ben Legbandt, a LAFCO project manager: Capistrano Bay, Emerald Bay, Rossmoor, Surfside and Rossmoor.

Rossmoor filed for incorporation in 2007 and LAFCO allowed their cityhood to be placed on the November 2008 ballot. However, Rossmoor was unable to become Orange County’s 35th city because residents did not pass both parts of a two-part ballot.

Discussions regarding future governance in Ladera Ranch and Coto de Caza didn’t take place until those areas were fully developed, but with Rancho Mission Viejo, opening up talks and exchanging ideas early in the process helps LAFCO’s process, according to Emery.

“We’re saying this is your community, your city. Let’s have some discussions,” Emery said. “When you have a key player like the ranch that’s creating everything in stages, there’s an opportunity there.”

From the ranch’s perspective, Ware said future governance would ultimately be up to the residents of Rancho Mission Viejo, but as they did with Mission Viejo, the ranch would also be a resource to them.

“We let the local folks who are actually residents that live here decide that for themselves at whatever pace that happens to be,” Ware said. “I think that’s the right way to go.” CD Jim Shilander and Andrea Swayne contributed to this story. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Development Plans Continued Following Surprise Offer

By Brian Park The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission on Tuesday voted to continue plans to build a new 100unit apartment complex near San Juan Hills High School after the applicant for the project made a surprise proposal to pay for a new traffic signal to assuage traffic concerns.

Phil Schwartze, a representative for Rancho San Juan Development, said the developer would be willing to foot the cost of the signal, after residents and city staff voiced their concern about traffic safety and congestion near the school.

“We have always thought that traffic signals should be there,” Schwartze said.

“The applicant is agreeable to install a signalized intersection at that location.

We’d be happy to that condition.”

The Rancho San Juan apartment complex would be built on a 4.6-acre property on the northern corner of Vista Montana and La Pata Avenue. Of the 100 apartments, 26 of them would be designated as affordable housing. The proposed signal would be located at a new entrance point into the complex.

Clark Hampton, deputy superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District, attended the meeting and asked the commission to carefully consider the impact of the development on school safety.

“The district still has significant concerns over the traffic impacts, particularly those arising during the morning commute,” Hampton said. “If the city is going to allow this type of development at this specific location, it should make sure it’s done right.”

Alan Oswald, the city’s traffic engineer, said since it was a future development, the city could not warrant for a signal.

But, he said, in visiting the area himself, traffic proved difficult. He asked the applicant to consider the new signal be coordinated with the existing signal on La Pata.

“I’ve been out there once and I kind of swore to myself that I wouldn’t do it again,” Oswald said.

Commissioner Roy Nunn said although he’d like to see the project advance, it was only common sense that traffic would be impacted in the area.

The commission will reconsider the item on July 23, following further staff review. CD

Planning Commission Reviews Housing Proposal at The Oaks

By Brian Park The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission on Tuesday reviewed a revised proposal to build a 32home community at The Oaks, a 20-acre equestrian facility located off Ortega Highway in the city’s eastern territory.

Del Mar-based developer Davidson Communities said the homes would range from 3,400 to 4,200 square feet and would be a mix of one- to two-story units covering 11.8 acres.

As part of the proposal, the current equestrian training facility would also be reduced significantly to allow for residential development. The new facility, which currently makes up most of the property, would be reduced to 8.46 acres. The number of horse stalls would be cut from 110 to 50 and only one trainer would be required to remain on site to also handle day-to-day operations, according to the staff report. Full-time employees would also be cut back from seven to four.

The Capistrano Dispatch June 28-July 11, 2013

The smaller facility would also include three buildings: one to house employees, a new barn and a ranch house, which would include a laundry room, office, restrooms and a gathering place.

Planning Commissioners were generally receptive of the new proposal since it would not affect open space.

“This is a vastly improved site design over the last one we saw some time ago,” Commissioner Tim Neely said.

Commissioner Jeff Parkhurst praised the look of the homes, which will be designed in ranch and adobe architectural styles.

Commissioners did ask the developer to consider the orientation of homes and warned that access to the equestrian center could be difficult, given the close vicinity to homes. In addition to grading plan modifications and a tree removal permit, Davidson Communities must also receive a zone variance, as parts of the equestrian facility would be within a 100-foot setback requirement from homes. CD Page 6

NEWS BITES

Compiled by Brian Park

PROPS, RECOGNITIONS AND MORSELS OF INFO

Relay for Life participants fill bags with candles before the luminaria ceremony. Courtesy photo

Relay for Life Celebrates 10th Anniversary This Weekend The 10th annual San Juan Capistrano Relay for Life is set to take place Saturday, June 29, to Sunday, June 30, at the San Juan Sports Park, 1 Via Positiva.

The 24-hour overnight event begins at 10 a.m. and benefits the American Cancer Society. Relay members will camp out and take turns circling a track in honor of cancer survivors and victims.

The event is free to attend. This year’s entertainment lineup includes an opening ceremony performance by the Los Rios Rock School and the Dana Hills High School drum line. The Capistrano Community Mariachi Program will also perform, as well as other musical acts and demonstration teams.

Per tradition, the Relay for Life also includes the luminaria ceremony, starting at 9 p.m. Relay members and guests place lights in white bags, inscribed with the names of those who are battling, have survived or succumbed to cancer.

There will be several activities for families, including a kids’ camp. Most of the activities are free, such as bounce houses and face painting. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Moira Nonnweiler, a credentialed special education teacher, will be on hand to provide child care for special needs children if necessary.

Tickets will also be offered for a dunk tank, where guests can take a shot to dunk San Juan Capistrano Mayor John Taylor, Councilman Larry Kramer and Dispatch founder Jonathan Volzke into a water-filled tank.

A prize raffle will also be available.

Participants can buy a chance to win a custom built children’s playhouse valued at more than $7,000. To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Relay for Life will also be selling a special cookbook, with favorite recipes from local restaurants and resi-

dents, for $20. All proceeds collected go toward the American Cancer Society.

The San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition and the Regency Theater will present a special screening for the new film, The Lone Ranger, on Thursday, July 11.

The movie begins at 6:45 p.m. and is the first film in the famed Western series in over 30 years. The screening is preceded by a happy hour and dinner special at Rick’s Café from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The movie will be followed with a special Q&A session with Lyn Clark, a stuntman for the film’s titular character, Armie Hammer.

Equestrian coalition members pay $8.50 for admission, which includes popcorn. Non-members pay the regular movie ticket price. Tickets can be purchased at the theater or online at www. regencymovie.com.

For more information, email sjcec@cox. net or call the theater at 949.661.3456.

Capo Union Graduate Seeks Classmates for 50th Anniversary Reunion An alumna from the last graduating class from Capistrano Union High School is planning a 50-year reunion and is looking for some of her fellow graduates in San Juan Capistrano.

April Jo Rogers-Stone, who grew up in San Clemente, said she is looking for another two to three class of 1964 graduates to assist with the planning.

Graduates can email The Dispatch at editor@thecapistranodispatch.com to get the contact information.

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

EYE ON SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY ANDREA SWAYNE All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. 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. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD website.

Tuesday, June 25 DISTURBANCE-MECHANICAL Avenida Cabrillo, 25900 Block (10:40 p.m.) Deputies received a complaint when someone was working on a car out in front of the location.

DISTURBANCE Calle La Purisima, 31500 Block (8:43 p.m.) A group of subjects were drinking in public and playing loud music.

TRAFFIC STOP Interstate 5/Ortega Highway (11:13 a.m.) A traffic stop ended with an arrest when deputies discovered the subject had outstanding warrants. A 62-year-old man, who said he works in sales, was arrested and booked into the Intake Release Center. He posted bond and was released the next day.

Sunday, June 23 DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Alipaz Street, 32700 Block (10:34 p.m.)

A caller reported a disturbance caused by loud piano music.

ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE Bay Tree Road, 26400 Block (7:15 p.m.)

A silver Nissan pickup truck was parked so that it was partially blocking the caller’s driveway.

PETTY THEFT REPORT Camino De Vista, 26300 Block (6:42

p.m.) Deputies were contacted regarding a theft from an unlocked vehicle.

DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Calle San Juan/Calle San Luis (2:15 a.m.) A loud party, somewhere between Calle San Francisco and Calle San Luis, was reportedly raging on into the wee morning hours. Police responded to calls three times before, at 10:05 p.m., 11:35 p.m. and 1:40 a.m.

Saturday, June 22 DISTURBANCE Steeplechase Drive, 30900 Block (11:59 p.m.) A loud argument between boyfriend and girlfriend caused a disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Los Rios Street/Calle Santa Barbara (4:41 p.m.) A patrol check was requested when a juvenile was seen riding a motorcycle without a helmet.

PETTY THEFT REPORT La Pata Avenue/Ortega Highway (3:29 p.m.) Deputies responded to a report of petty theft at the Oaks Blenheim Equestrian Center.

WELFARE CHECK Southwind Court, 33100 Block (12:35 p.m.) A caller reported being concerned that “something may be wrong” after hearing a child or baby crying every Saturday morning for the past month.

TRAFFIC HAZARD Ortega Highway/Rancho Viejo Road (11:12 a.m.) The Ortega left turn signal was stuck on red, creating a traffic hazard.

Friday, June 21 DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Calle La Purisima, 31500 Block (7:39 p.m.) A caller reported loud music and people drinking in the streets.

DISTURBANCE Driftwood Court, 33000 Block (3:47 p.m.) A neighbor woman was reportedly causing problems at the caller’s house.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER AND ASSAULT obert Eugene Vasquez, 36, of San Juan Capistrano was convicted on Thursday for the 2011 murder of one man and the assault of another, authorities said.

According to a statement released by the Orange County District Attorney’s office, Vasquez waited outside the home of his neighbor Bobby Ray Rainwater, Jr. on Dec. 1, 2011 intent on murdering him because Rainwater was a registered sex offender. When Rainwater exited his home, Vasquez punched him in the back of the head, stabbed him multiple times, nearly decapitating him, and then fled the scene. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department began investigating the case.

On Dec. 3, 2011 Vasquez was at the San Juan Capistrano residence of a friend when he attacked the second victim, Lance Lyons, by hitting him in the face with a metal object while he was lying down. Vasquez attempted to

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hit him a second time but was stopped

by Lyons’ brother. Lyons suffered major injuries to his nose and mouth Vasquez was arrested the same day after deputies responded to a 911 call from other parties in the home. During the assault investigation it was determined that Vasquez was also responsible for Rainwater’s murder.

Vasquez was found guilty of one felony count of special circumstances murder by lying in wait, one felony count of aggravated assault, and sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a deadly weapon and causing great bodily injury, the statement said.

He faces a sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole at his sentencing scheduled for August 23 at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-30 of the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Senior Deputy District Attorney Ebrahim Baytieh of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting the case

Thursday, June 20

Monday, June 17

FOUND PROPERTY Aguacate Road, 31500 Block (7:24 p.m.)

A caller reported finding a wallet.

BURGLARY IN PROGRESS Calle Santa Barbara, 26500 Block (10:59 p.m.) Deputies responded to a burglary in progress call at the location.

An 18-year-old unemployed man was arrested and booked into Central Men’s Jail. He was released on June 22.

Wednesday, June 19 STOLEN VEHICLE San Juan Creek Road, 32100 Block (6:34 p.m.) A vehicle was reported stolen at the San Juan Hills Golf Course.

Sunday, June 16

TRAFFIC HAZARD Ortega Highway/Sundance Drive (10:57 a.m.) A large rock in the road was causing a hazard for motorists.

FIREWORK VIOLATION Del Obispo/Alipaz Street (4:26 p.m.)

Fireworks were being lit somewhere in the area.

Tuesday, June 18

ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE Avocado Lane, 29400 Block (4:13 p.m.)

A blue Honda was parked in the caller’s driveway. Deputies located the owner of the vehicle and the car was moved.

CITIZEN ASSIST Paseo Adelanto, 32500 Block (1:40 p.m.)

A caller complained that his landlord took some of his property and was refusing to reimburse him for it.

SOAPBOX VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

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

Brian Park, 949.388.7700, x108 bpark@thecapistranodispatch.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

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Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, x107 tzines@thecapistranodispatch.com BILLING Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@thecapistranodispatch.com

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. 11, Issue 12. 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 2013. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

ART/DESIGN

OPERATIONS

EDITORIAL

Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith

Finance Director > Mike Reed

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

Accounting Manager Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines

Senior Group Editor > Andrea Swayne City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Brian Park Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Papagianis

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente) > Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano) Sales Associates > Angela Edwards

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Darian Nourian, Tawnee Prazak, Dana Schnell

Letters to the Editor DECISION MADE, NOW TIME FOR SOLUTIONS Rob Hillerts, San Clemente Although I was against the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station shutting down, now that the powersthat-be decided to close the facility down for good, I would like to throw out a few suggestions to those who listen to logic to at least preserve some of the unit and put to use what’s left there.

First, food for thought, the location for the plant could be converted into a major water treatment facility for the local area. Secondly, the plant could be converted into a desalination plant to provide potable water needed for the area. Third, the plant could be transformed into a gas-fired, steam power-generating plant for electricity.

I am sure that the cost of any conversion would be monumental.

The cost of scrapping is a major cost and a major headache is getting all the hot radioactive waste transferred out of the area. Even though I was for SONGS, in a way, I am kind of glad that they have decided to take that final decision and finally put an end to it.

NEXT GREEN MOVEMENT, PRONUCLEAR ENVIRONMENTALISTS David Davison, San Clemente Regarding the article “Nuclear No More,” while Headrick and his sheep were crowing about their success in the shutdown of SONGS, 1,100 of his neighbors were contemplating a future of unemployment and the atThe Capistrano Dispatch June 28-July 11, 2013

we were pretty good at making sure the drinkers didn’t cause a problem or try to drive.

Romances started and ended, friendships became deeper, new ideas and dreams were spawned and summer days and vacations started and ended gathered around these pits.

It saddens me to think that the young people of Orange County could grow up without those memories.

I’m sorry I don’t think the Air Quality Management District or anyone else for that matter could convince me that the fire pits produce more particulate pollution than a dozen other sources. Ever get behind one of those trucks filled with hot tar on the freeway? Wake up to the sound of backpack blowers at full throttle?

And to the beachfront homeowners, those fire pits were there when you purchased your home and you knew it. To rob the rest of us who all pay taxes to enjoy the beaches and memories of watching the sunset and spending the evening around a fire pit is a crime.

tendant turmoil that goes with it.

The biggest culprit in this sad state of affairs is Madam Barbara Boxer whose tireless sabotage of a SONGS startup has resulted in a state more susceptible to blackouts and more dependent on imported power (watch for your electric bill to rise), and all the spent fuel is still on site and will be for the foreseeable future, thanks to democratic senator Harry Reid and this scandal racked Obama administration.

Ironically, in the very near future, an environmentalist group will air a pro-nuclear documentary—Pandora’s Promise—where they suggest that in the light of global warming, can one be an environmentalist and not pronuclear? Perhaps Boxer, Headrick and company did not get the memo.

Editor’s Note: The article in reference appeared in The Capistrano Dispatch with the headline “Lights Out for SONGS” in the June 14-28 issue.

ROBBING BEACHGOERS OF CALIFORNIA SUMMERTIME MEMORIES Grady Banister, Orange County

KEEPING BEACHES CLEAN FOR MARINE LIFE, FOR US Tyler Bishop, Ladera Ranch

Some of my fondest memories are triggered by the smell of wood smoke, salt air and the ocean.

Growing up in Orange County, for many of us as high school students, it was a summer ritual, to spend at least a few nights every summer gathered around the fire pits. Some of us wandered a little bit away to be with our girlfriends, most of us made new friends or talked with old friends about the future. All of us wanted to move to a beach city when we graduated. A few kids would bring beer, but

I wrote the following letter to the Ocean Conservancy director recently and wanted to ask you to request others to fight for clean beaches. I hope that this can be forwarded to other students who want clean beaches and safe marine wildlife.

“To the Director of Ocean Conservancy, I am writing this letter to you about the oceans being polluted with trash.

Page 8

Since the ocean is messy, it pollutes the water and can seriously hurt the marine life. I’m writing this because I love marine life and it makes our beaches look very messy. To help make the beaches clean, I am asking that you make a club to help clean the oceans every weekend so we have clean beaches.

You should look into this because of these reasons. First of all, we need clean oceans because they contain half of the oxygen that we use to breathe and it also is an essential part of the water cycle that you and I use for drinking water, including the rest of the world. When the ocean is clean, it provides habitats and nesting grounds for wildlife including sea turtles and sea birds. Ocean trash is ranked the most serious pollution problem throughout our lifetime.

Trash in our water affects the health of people, wildlife and economies. The wildlife can eat the trash and become very ill and can even get trapped in the trash and can’t get out.

Those are the reasons why we should have clean oceans. So please consider my request so marine life can life safely and not horribly.”

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: ‘THE BLING RING’ Three months ago, Harmony Korine gave audiences an artsy/indie take on reckless college partiers in modern society with Spring Breakers. Last week, Seth Rogen and friends mocked celebrities and public image in the pseudo-apocalyptic comedy This Is the End. This week, Sofia Coppola releases her look of young delinquents in the heart of Hollywood, The Bling Ring, based on a ridiculous true story of a group of teenagers who robbed a number of famous people’s homes out of boredom. New kid in school Marc (Israel Broussard) befriends bad girl Rebecca (Katie Chang) and is quickly convinced to rob the homes of the rich and famous around LA simply because they can. While the celebs are out of town, the teens sneak in and steal whatever they like. Soon, schoolmates Nicki (Emma Watson), Sam (Taissa Farmiga) and Chloe (Claire Julien) become part of the thievery too. Leslie Mann is perfectly cast as Nicki’s oblivious “cool” mom, while Broussard and Watson deliver some amusingly memorable performances. Like Spring Breakers, The Bling Ring portrays kids as careless and borderline sociopathic but with a catchy soundtrack to aid their actions. Unlike Korine’s film, Coppola’s direction is much more linear, utilizing her usual simple and attractive style. The characters of The Bling Ring are shallow, vein and impulsive, yet you can’t stop watching and want to smack some responsibility into them. —Megan Bianco

YOUR TWO-WEEK EVENT PLANNER

Courtesy photo

THE LIST

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

saturday

COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE, ABRIDGED 6:30 p.m. Three madcap men in tights perform all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in 97 minutes at the Camino Real Playhouse. $35-$40. Includes dinner. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

29

MULTICULTURAL ARTS MUSIC CONCERTS: VAGABOND OPERA 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Cabaret show with song, dance and theater in the courtyard of the San Juan Capistrano Library. $5-$10. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.0736, www.ocpl.org.

MISSION MOTORSPORT 30TH ANNIVERSARY BASH Noon-6 p.m. Factory demo rides, kids rider training, exhibits, music, BBQ, giveaways and more. 1 Doppler, Irvine, 949.265.7538, www.missionmotorsports.com

monday

MONDAY MORNING WEEDING WITH RESERVE STAFF 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy.

Call for info and directions, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org.

01

tuesday

MISSION’S CRAFTS FOR KIDS 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids can create mini brick adobe houses at the Mission every Tuesday through Aug. 30. Cost $3 plus admission. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

02

wednesday

NETWORK BREAKFAST MIXER 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. Join the chamber on the first Wednesday of the month for breakfast at the Vintage Steakhouse. Cost $15-$25. 26701 Verdugo St., 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber.com.

03

The Capistrano Dispatch June 28-July 11, 2013

thursday

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION AND FIREWORKS SHOW 3 p.m.-9:30 p.m. The fun starts early at the San Juan Sports Park with rides and activities for kids, exhibitors, food vendors and a beer garden. A live band performs at 6 p.m. followed by fireworks at night. 25925 Camino Del Avion, 949.493.5911, www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

04

friday

05

FIRST FRIDAY FILM 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Showing of a special movie at the library.

Donation $2. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.248.5132, www.ocpl.org.

thursday

MISSION’S MUSIC UNDER THE STARS CONCERT SERIES 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Music, dining and dancing in the courtyard of the Mission. Tonight features tribute bands to The Eagles, John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

06

THE ECOLOGY CENTER GUIDED TOUR 1 p.m.2 p.m. Engage in a docent-led tour of The Ecology Center’s historic home, gardens and outdoor learning stations. Free. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

sunday

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

07

tuesday

SJC WRITERS GROUP 6:30 p.m. Come together to help inspire, nurture and encourage each other to write and share writing-related news at the San Juan Capistrano Library. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

09

Page 13

wednesday

10

OLD CAPISTRANO FARMERS MARKET 3 p.m.–7 p.m. Every Wednesday at El Camino Real and Yorba, 949.493.4700.

thursday

GARDEN ANGEL VOLUNTEERS 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Volunteers needed every Thursday at Los Rios Park with Goin Native. Bring gloves and clippers. 31661 Los Rios St., 949.606.6386, San Juan Capistrano, www.goinnative.net.

11

CHAMBER INSTALLATION DINNER AND AWARDS BANQUET 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Chamber event with awards, installation of new leaders and more at El Adobe De Capistrano. $50-$500. 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1163, www.sanjuanchamber.com.

MISSION STORE: GRAND OPENING 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Members-only event to celebrate the opening of the Mission Store at Mission San Juan Capistrano. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

SPECIAL SCREENING OF ‘THE LONE RANGER’ 6:45 p.m.-9:15 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition and the Regency Theater present a screening of “The Long Ranger,” followed by a Q&A session with stuntman Lyn Clark. Preceded by happy hour and dinner specials at Rick’s Café from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $8.50 for SJCEC members and includes popcorn. More info at sjcec@cox.net. 26762 Verdugo St, San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.3456, www.regencymovie.com.

thursday

ADVENTURE SLEEPOVER: NIGHT AT THE MISSION 6 p.m.-8:30 a.m. Kids and parents are invited to spend the night camping at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Includes dinner, activities and breakfast the following morning.

Cost $55-$70. Call for details. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

12

*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 Monday 7.1

Thursday 7.4

Tuesday 7.9

Open Space, Trails & Equestrian Commission Meeting 6 p.m.

City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

4th of July Celebration 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The city and San Diego Gas & Electric host a 4th of July celebration.

Festivities include rides and activities for kids, exhibitors, food vendors and a beer garden. A live band will perform on stage at 6 p.m. The evening culminates with a choreographed fireworks show. The event is free to enter. Tickets for rides and activities can be purchased on site. For more information, call 949.493.5911 or visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org. San Juan Sports Park, 25925 Camino Del Avion.

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

Tuesday 7.2 City Council, Housing Authority & Successor Agency Meeting 6 p.m.

City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

Friday 7.5 Coffee Chat 8 a.m. A town hall forum on community issues, hosted by The Dispatch founder Jonathan Volzke.

Occurs every Friday. El Adobe de Capistrano, 31891 Camino Capistrano.

Friday 7.12 Next regular of The Dispatch publishes

GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 By Tom Blake

Not One Size Fits All When it Comes to Relationships Dilemmas faced by many older singles, do you marry, cohabitate or remain independent?

W

hen singles 50+ meet a new mate, and both want a future together, they need to decide what their living arrangements are going to be.

Some prefer to have a relationship but to live separately.

Maria said, “The older I get, although I’d welcome a companion in my life, I question the need to live together. I am very independent, love my house the way I like it and tend to feel any companion would be welcome to spend time at my place anytime, but not on a permanent ‘live in’ basis.

“Maintaining our own homes might change of course, and I keep in mind the need to be open to change, which depends on the richness of the relationship.”

Some choose to have a platonic companion.

Patty emailed, “I met a man on the Internet over a year ago just before I had surgery and he has been there for me through my health issues. While I don’t feel a romantic connection to him, he has been a great source of support. I am honest with him that he is a terrific guy, but I just don’t feel chemistry.

“I told him that he needs to move on, but he refuses and never demands anything from me. I always pay my own way. He is still working at 68, but doesn’t make a great deal of money. I am unable to work at the present time, but have saved wisely. I feel as long as I am honest with him, then we can both enjoy a relationship based on companionship.”

Eleanor said, “I stumbled onto an excellent roommate, a nice guy who The Capistrano Dispatch June 28-July 11, 2013

cooks and gardens.

We are completely unromantic, and that is a good thing. He has a girlfriend in Marin County but he lives in Southern California because of his grandON LIFE AND kids. I have an old LOVE AFTER 50

By Tom Blake flame in Georgia I see about once a year. I’ve come to a point where companionship, compatibility and my French bulldogs suit me just fine.”

Some choose to live together but not marry.

My significant other, Greta, and I are in this category. We’ve both been married more than once and don’t want to go through the unpleasantness of divorce again. Sometimes, women say to me, “Why won’t you marry Greta?” as if I am holding out on her, or it’s my fault we aren’t married. I get out my handkerchief, dab my eyes and say, “Greta won’t marry me.” That usually quiets their curiosity. The truth is, we both feel we have a wonderful relationship so why change it.

Friends of ours, Tom and Artis, who lived in Aliso Viejo before moving to Arizona, have been a couple for more than 17 years. They feel as Greta and I do. Why rock the boat when all is great?

But, as Maria stated in her comment above, people should be open to changing their minds, particularly when their situations change.

Greta’s brother Peter, and his special lady Barbara, were a co-habitating couple for 20 years. About 10 years ago,

“Sometimes, women say to me, ‘Why won’t you marry Greta?’ as if I am holding out on her, or it’s my fault we aren’t married...The truth is, we both feel we have a wonderful relationship so why change it.” they invited their extended families to their home in Petaluma for Thanksgiving. About 50 family members attended.

When Peter announced before the meal “Today, we’re having a special dessert,” no one suspected anything unusual. Later, when a wedding cake was wheeled out, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

Julia said, when she met Warren on Plenty of Fish—or pof.com, a free dating website—in the summer of 2011, both avowed they never wanted to marry again. Warren had been married for 40 years, divorced, then married again and divorced. Julia also had been divorced. But minds can change. They married December 2, 2011.

Some choose to get married.

Joe, a south county resident, has been a friend of mine for years. As with most older singles, Joe has had his ups and downs with relationships. He emailed: “Kathy and I got married last Saturday, in front of an arbor we have in the backyard. The minister was a friend of Kathy’s and brought her daughter to take pictures. The witness was a

Page 14

co-worker of Kathy’s. So, there were just five of us. This is my third marriage and Kathy’s second. I have never found anyone as good as her.”

Kaye said, “I was married for 48 years when my husband passed away. I like being in a relationship and after a year of widowhood, I went on eHarmony to meet people. I only looked at people living close to me with reportedly the same values that I had. I met a widower who came from the same place where I was born. We dated a year, lived together a year and married in May. “I didn’t have to be married but we decided it was what we wanted.”

Barbara, Dana Point, recently told me she met and dated a man for a year, then, they were engaged for two years, and now they’ve been married for five.

She said, “Later in life, it’s a good idea to know your fiancé well before tying the knot.”

So, what’s right for older singles who meet a new mate? It’s strictly their business and up to them—whatever makes them happy is what’s important.

Tom Blake is a San Clemente resident and Dana Point business owner who has authored three books on middle-aged dating. See his website at www.findingloveafter50.com. To comment, email tompblake@gmail.com. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS

5

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

HOOVER, HARVEY TO PLAY IN ALL-STAR FOOTBALL GAME

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

Scott Hoover will represent South Orange County in the Brea Lions OC North-South AllStar Football Game on June 28. Courtesy photo

San Juan Hills senior wide receiver Scott Hoover and Saddleback Valley Christian senior offensive lineman Jon Harvey will represent the South All-Stars at the 54th annual Brea Lions Orange County North-South Prep All-Star Football Game on June 28. The game is set to be played at 7:15 p.m. at Orange Coast College.

Hoover and Harvey will join 34 other talented players from South Orange County in a showcase exhibition game against the North County All-Stars.

Harvey (6-feet-5-inches, 275 pounds) was an offensive lineman for the San Joaquin League championship Warriors squad in 2013.

Hoover was among the senior leaders on a young Stallions team that went 7-3 overall. Hoover pulled in 39 receptions on the season, amassing 503 total yards.

He averaged 12.9 yards per catch and reeled in five touchdowns. Hoover also played defensive back for San Juan Hills, averaging 6.2 tackles per game. He also had three interceptions on the season. —Steve Breazeale

Bond Between Horse and Rider Creates Success

JSERRA NAMES HARTIGAN AS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

By Steve Breazeale The Capistrano Dispatch

Ava Garriott and her horse Banks ride into winners circle in 2013

A

By Steve Breazeale The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he bond between a girl and her horse can be a powerful thing. Just ask competitive horse rider Ava Garriott, whose labor of love involves her spending dozens of hours each week taking care of her 19-year-old horse, Banks.

When at the stables to take care of Banks, Garriott, 10, is under the watchful and knowledgeable eyes of her grandma, Karen Unfried, but it is Garriott who does all the hard work.

“She does all the care for Banks. She brushes him, cleans his feet and gives him baths. That really adds to their bond,” Unfried said.

The bond was never more evident than earlier this year, when Banks had a problem with his foot placement while training for competition. Garriott’s grandfather, Rick Unfried, recalls Banks tripping several times while Ava was riding him, but the horse would fall on his front legs, rather than rolling over on his side. Banks was aware of the little rider on his back and refused to fall in a way that would hurt her.

The Marblehead Elementary fi fthgrader, who trains out of San Juan Capistrano, has built such a bond with her The Capistrano Dispatch June 28–July 11, 2013

San Clemente resident Ava Garriott with her horse, Banks. Courtesy photo

horse that the two have translated that to first-place finishes at major events.

At the Del Mar National Horse show on April 19, Garriott won the 11U Overall Reserve Championship. She accomplished the feat by grabbing first-place in the Western Pleasure event, earning two second-place finishes in Western Trail and two second place finishes in Horsemanship.

“I was really excited, it was the first ribbon that my horse had won,” Garriott said.

The youngster continued her solid

showing at the Sun & Surf Circuit, again in Del Mar, on May 17. She had two first-place finishes in Horsemanship, including one second-place finish, and three second-place finishes in Western Trail.

Garriott trains with San Juan based trainer Travis Hunter at the Ortega Equestrian Center and is eyeing a late-July event for her, and Banks’, next competition.

In the meantime, Garriott will continue to work with Banks, building on that special bond. CD

Page 16

fter serving as JSerra’s interim athletic director for four months, head football coach Jim Hartigan was officially named the school’s full-time athletic director on June 20, according to a press released posted on the school’s website.

Hartigan, the school’s head football coach, has been at JSerra since 2009 and took over the duties of former Athletic Director Dave Lawn when he resigned in February.

Hartigan was also the interim athletic director before Lawn arrived at JSerra in 2011.

“It is an honor to have been selected to hold such a role within Jim Hartigan.

Courtesy photo JSerra. I look forward to growing all of our athletic programs and building on the relationships I’ve made since joining the school in 2009,” Hartigan said in a press release.

Hartigan is a member of the American Football Association and has a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Fullerton and a master’s degree in education from Azusa Pacific University.

“As we move into our tenth year, we are excited to have Jim take the reins and continue to develop our record-breaking athletic programs,” JSerra President Rich Meyer said in the release. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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

FOR SALE BLACK FENDER GUITAR & AMP FOR KIDS Kid’s size black Fender electric guitar with matching amp. Great condition, just needs a few new strings. Barely used. $140 or make me an offer. Can email pictures. Call or text 949.533.9761.

Locals Only

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

SERVICES LOCAL HOUSEKEEPER OR OFFICE CLEANING Reliable, affordable, meticulous. Excellent references. 949-456-2376

BUSINESS DIRECTORY The only directory featuring San Juan Capistrano businesses exclusively AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.1321 31648 Rancho Viejo Rd., Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

949.373.8963

*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

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

PHOTO & DIGITAL LAB

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

COINS GraCorp Coins & Collectibles www.gracorpcoins.com

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT 949.661.0967

MOLD REMOVAL

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

Do you want to reach 24,150+ people in the San Juan Capistrano area?

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

949.350.4692

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

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS Excel Electric - CA #793860 949.493.7769 32238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, www.excelelectric.com

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

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

PLUMBING A to Z Leak Detection www.atozleakdetection.com Chick’s Plumbing www.chicks-plumbing.com

Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!

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WATER DAMAGE

949.499.4464 949.496.9731

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

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Stallions Football Preps for Summer Practices

By Steve Breazeale The Capistrano Dispatch

T

he San Juan Hills football team bounced back from an 0-10 performance in the 2011 season with a 7-3 showing in 2012. That 2012 roster featured a lot of underclassmen who have now matured as players in head coach Aaron Flowers’ system, and are giving the coaching staff a sneak peek into how they will perform in the fall. The team finished up their spring practice schedule on June 17 and will pick things back up on July 8, when summer practice begins.

Here are a few spring and summer storylines to keep an eye on in preparation for the upcoming season.

A CHANGE OF PACE

When talking about changes made to this year’s Stallions team, defensive coordinator Armando Gonzalez recalled an October 19 home game against league opponent Aliso Niguel. After jumping out to an early lead the Wolverines suddenly switched to a no-huddle offense, which threw the Stallions defense off guard.

Despite a second-half rally by San Juan Hills, Aliso Niguel won the game 35-28 and Gonzalez accredits the loss to the Wolverines switch to no-huddle.

Now the Stallions have adopted the no-huddle approach to their team, which has been one of the main focal points of the spring practice schedule.

“We’ve improved on tempo of practice and will operate at a much faster pace in games … Ultimately we will switch to no-huddle,” Gonzalez said. “Right now everyone is going to no-huddle offense and we have identified it as one of the things we needed to do, which is practice faster.”

The increased tempo of the Stallions spring practices has equated to more reps. Gonzalez said that the amount of reps taken by the varsity squad during the spring are the most he has ever seen in the program’s history. It benefits not only the starters, but the players behind them on the depth charts as well.

The no-huddle mentality has also spread over to Gonzalez’s defensive ranks. In order to keep up with the offense, the defense has cleaned up their play-calling language to make for more efficient, accurate and essentially, faster shifts.

“We were not really planning on it, it just happened by chance,” Gonzalez said of the defense’s no-huddle style. “Because the offense changed tempo it made them adjust faster.”

When practicing against a no-huddle offense, the middle linebacker position becomes crucial in getting the defense on the same page. Gonzalez says the team is lucky to have three-year starter Brennan Walsh returning at that position to help get the defense in check. Walsh led the team with 87 total tackles last year and had four sacks.

Gonzalez anticipates more opponents to employ a nohuddle approach next year, which will test his defense and their ability to communicate.

A WORTHWHILE TRIP TO WESTWOOD

The Stallions coaching staff took a trip up to the UCLA football team’s practice facilities to watch how a top college-level organization runs practice and studies film. Flowers and his staff have years of experience unThe Capistrano Dispatch June 28-July 11, 2013

Senior middle linebacker Brennan Walsh has emerged as a leader on the San Juan Hills defense. Photo courtesy San Juan Hills Athletics

ended up winning it all.

In an effort to better prepare themselves for the rigors of competing in the Sea View League next season, the Stallions invited talented teams like Huntington Beach, Villa Park and league opponent Dana Hills. The Stallions beat Dana Hills in the semifinals and faced Huntington Beach in the finals.

“Winning the tournament was a big step for us in terms of getting ourselves on a level playing field,” Gonzalez said.

RETURNING STRENGTHS

San Juan Hills senior quarterback Jacob Gibson returns for his second year under center for the Stallions. Photo courtesy San Juan Hills Athletics

der their belts, but Gonzalez said the trip to watch how the Bruins operate inspired the veteran coaches.

“You see the different wrinkles you can add. You look at how they practice and how people are preparing each day … it was unbelievable,” Gonzalez said.

SPRING PASSING LEAGUE SUCCESS

The Stallions hosted their annual Southwest Shootout Spring Passing League Tournament on June 1 and Page 18

The Stallions will have the benefit of several starters from last season returning for their senior campaign in the fall.

Quarterback Jacob Gibson put up solid numbers his junior year and will be the Stallions starter again. Last year Gibson threw for 1,852 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing just over 70 percent of his passes.

He also kept the team out of trouble in the turnover department and was picked off for an interception only five times while committing one fumble.

Gibson had minor offseason surgery on his knee but was at full strength for the spring practices, according to Gonzalez.

Surrounding Gibson on offense will be six other returning starters, including a veteran offensive line made up by senior guard Brandon Leggett, senior center Joey Cassillas, senior Trey Clauser and junior Jake Nelson, who Gonzalez believes has the ability to attract Division I college offers when the time comes. Also joining the line this year will be senior tackle Chandler Hall, who will likely start.

“Those five guys on offensive line really stood out in terms of leadership and setting the tempo offensively,” Gonzalez said.

For updates throughout the Stallions summer practice schedule, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com