October 25, 2013

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OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE OCTOBER 25-NOVEMBER 7, 2013 FOUNDED IN 2002

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 20

End of the Line for the Toll Road?

Revised agreement has some declaring the end of the 241 extension E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 6

After nearly a decade of questions, the fate of the 241 South Toll Road extension and how it will affect the famed Trestles surfbreak, shown here, may have been sealed by a new agreement between the TCA and Caltrans. Photo by Andrea Swayne

Accusations at City Fiesta Association Names Council Meeting May New Senior Dignitaries Lead to Investigation for Swallows Festival EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 4

INSIDE: Crib to College Education Guide SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

SAN CLEMENTE

EYE ON SJC

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The San Clemente city website will be redesigned in the coming months, as the city has contracted with a Santa Monicabased firm to give the site a fresh look and improve its content. In recent months, the city has discussed a number of web improvements. Among the new offerings at the site will be a city manager report and a newsletter providing information on ongoing city projects and programs. Also, a web-based version of the city’s general plan is expected to be completed after the final version is adopted by the council.

While the company, Vision Internet, will be completing the redesign, the city will maintain ownership of the site afterward.

The company has worked on redesigns for Dana Point, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, among other cities.

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

DANA POINT

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

A man accused of negligence in the firing of live ammunition during a mock cannon battle at last year’s Tall Ships Festival that injured two women, will not face trial until December, Orange County Superior Court records show.

Steven Denton, the former captain of the tall ship Amazing Grace, pleaded not guilty to one count of grossly negligent discharge of a firearm.

The charge stemmed from a September 8, 2012 incident in which two women aboard the tall ship Bill of Rights were struck by shotgun shell fragments, during the Ocean Institute’s annual festival. An investigation into the incident found the Amazing Grace had live ammunition rounds onboard and fired one off instead of a blank round. Denton’s jury trial has been postponed until Monday, December 2 at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach. If convicted, Denton faces up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO’S TOP 5 HOTTEST TOPICS

What’s Up With...

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…City Council Accusations?

THE LATEST: A heated discussion during the San Juan Capistrano City Council’s October 15 meeting culminated with a decision to possibly begin an investigation into Councilman Larry Kramer’s belief of legal and ethical violations by councilmen Roy Byrnes and Derek Reeve.

In a prepared statement, Kramer questioned whether Byrnes violated the Brown Act, citing an exchange between Byrnes and Kim McCarthy of Community Common Sense, publishers of a monthly newsletter, when Byrnes disclosed information from a closed executive session regarding the city’s decision to ban all newspaper racks from city property.

Kramer also questioned whether Reeve had violated “his fiduciary duty to the city or any other laws” in his role as legal representative for Common Sense in the newspaper rack issue, as well as public records act issues.

WHAT’S NEXT: Kramer’s statement came after Reeve accused Councilman Sam Allevato of being behind a “push poll” phone call campaign aimed to benefit himself and quash an ongoing recall effort against Allevato. Allevato denied any knowledge of the campaign.

Reeve issued a stern response to Kramer’s allegations and emphatically seconded Kramer’s motion to ask city staff to determine whether an investigation is possible. The motion passed 4-1 with Byrnes opposing.

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

…McDonald’s?

THE LATEST: A proposal to redesign San Juan Capistrano’s McDonald’s location can finally move forward after the Planning Commission approved design plans for the fast food restaurant Tuesday.

Franchise owner Ross Pollard and the company plan to demolish the current building on Del Obispo Street and build a new restaurant with Mediterranean and Mission Revival architectural style.

Designs also call for a double-lane drivethru and a drive aisle at the front of the property to allow traffic to circulate internally.

Pollard’s initial proposal, submitted June 2012, was deemed too modern by the commission. In February, the now-defunct Design Review Committee rejected a revised proposal over similar concerns. A third Pueblo-style design, which city staff found agreeable but was never formally submitted, was turned down by McDonald’s corporate.

The City Council expressed concern regarding the “Ping-Pong” review process during its interviews to fill the Planning Commission in May, which resulted in two new commissioners being voted onto the five-member body.

WHAT’S NEXT: The proposal is scheduled to be reviewed by the City Council on December 3.

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

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… the Library?

THE LATEST: Renowned architect Michael Graves, who designed the

The Capistrano Dispatch October 25-November 7, 2013

San Juan Capistrano Library, will be in town November 8 to help celebrate the library’s 30th anniversary, the Friends of the Library announced.

Graves is planning on speaking and answering questions during a fundraising event for the Friends, according to President Mary DeMers.

“It’s a wonderful expression of how much he likes the city and how much he wanted to give something back,” DeMers said.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Friends will be giving horse-drawn buggy tours of San Juan Capistrano’s architecture, starting at 4 p.m. Graves will speak at 7 p.m. and will be available to answer questions at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $75. The library is located at 31495 El Camino Real. For tickets, call DeMers at 949.218.4512.

FIND OUT MORE: For more information, visit www.sjcfol.org. – BP

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…SONGS?

THE LATEST: Southern California Edison submitted a formal request for arbitration last week in its dispute with the manufacturer of steam generators at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

The utility submitted notice to the International Chamber of Commerce against Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Nuclear Energy for malfunctioning generators that ultimately led to the utility’s closure of SONGS. Edison argues generator designs were so flawed that Mitsubishi breached its contract. The utility alleged Mitsubishi has not submitted to a full audit of materials related to its design process.

Both companies were cited for faulty

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designs by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission last month.

WHAT’S NEXT: Edison filed a notice of dispute in July, giving the companies 90 days to work out differences before going to binding arbitration. A three-member arbitration panel will be formed and they will host proceedings in San Francisco later this year.

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

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…the I-5 Project?

THE LATEST: An open house for residents interested in the status of work to start next year on widening Interstate 5 in San Clemente will be held November 7, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at St. Andrew’s by the Sea Methodist Church.

The project will ultimately lead to the reconstruction of the Avenida Pico interchange, as well as the introduction of a high-occupancy vehicle lane to the Pico exit.

WHAT’S NEXT: The project will break ground in phases beginning early next year in San Juan Capistrano. The first phase will widen the area between San Juan Creek Road and Pacific Coast Highway. The second phase of the project, between PCH and Avenida Vista Hermosa, is slated to begin in the spring. The third phase, which will include the Pico project, will begin south of Avenida Vista Hermosa, is currently set to break ground in August or September 2014.

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

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter

Compiled by Brian Park

PROPS, RECOGNITIONS AND MORSELS OF INFO

COMPILED BY BRIAN PARK 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.

Monday, October 21

Jim and Pamela Schuler, senior dignitaries during last year’s Fiesta de las Golondrinas season, with their successors, Ms. Fiesta Deborah Valgean and Señor San Juan James Valgean. Photo by Andrea Swayne

Fiesta Association Names New Ms. Fiesta and Senor San Juan The Fiesta Association announced longtime San Juan Capistrano residents and volunteers Deborah and James Valgean as Ms. Fiesta and Señor San Juan during its annual kickoff barbecue on Sunday, October 20 at Zoomars Petting Zoo. The Valgeans will serve as dignitaries for the association during the 2014 Fiesta de las Golondrinas season and the 56th Swallows Day Parade, which will be held Saturday, March 22 and is heralded as the largest non-motorized parade in the country.

Last month, the association also announced its grand marshal for the parade, Jim Curwood, owner of Buy My Bikes.

This year, the association will be partnering with the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center to select its junior dignitaries, and a Shea Center client will also design the artwork for the fiesta season and parade guide.

For more photos from the event, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. More information on the parade and the Fiesta Association’s work can be found online at www.swallowsparade.com.

Knolland from Wichita, Kan., the competition earned Rojas the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. and meet with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. Reflecting back on the moment and the entire Youth of the Year competition, Rojas called it a “surreal experience” he, his family and the members of the Capistrano Valley club aren’t likely to forget.

“It’s been amazing. I’ve gone to so many places and seen so many people. It definitely opened up my world. If I hadn’t been involved in the Boys & Girls Club, I wouldn’t have been able to experience so much. I’m eternally grateful,” Rojas said.

Rojas is now less than a month into his freshman year at UC Irvine, where he’s studying to earn a degree in biomedical engineering. Despite his busy schedule, Rojas said he often visits home on the weekends and makes it a point to stop by the club whenever he can.

“To think I walked into the club seven years ago, just to play soccer, to where I am now, I think it proves I’m not just a random case. Any one of those kids could easily get to where I am,” Rojas said.

INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN Spinnaker Drive/Windjammer Drive (12:10 p.m.) Sheriff’s deputies and the Orange County Fire Authority responded to a scene where an 80-year-old man was down on the street, bleeding badly and disoriented. It was unknown if the man had fallen or was assaulted.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE San Juan Creek Road, 32300 Block (3:05 a.m.) A caller reported hearing a woman screaming and noticed that a side door near a breezeway was open a few inches. The caller’s caregiver also heard screaming 30 minutes prior. When deputies arrived, they had difficulty talking to the caller through the intercom due to a language barrier. Deputies later made contact with the caregiver, who said there were seven separate screams that could be heard, the last one occurring 10 minutes before.

Saturday, October 19

Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Meets President Obama After winning the Boys & Girls Club Pacific Region Youth of the Year award in July, Dana Hills High School graduate Yossymar Rojas got the chance to compete for the club’s national title in September.

Although the final award went to Kiana

UNKNOWN TROUBLE Via Corrizo, 26200 Block (10 p.m.)

A caller reported hearing screaming nearby and witnessed a woman with blood on her face and body. The bloodied woman, who had a cut on her forehead, knocked on the caller’s door and said she had been beaten up.

The woman then hid behind a parked Ford. Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and the Orange County Fire Authority tended to the woman.

As the Boys & Girls Club Pacific Region Youth of the Year winner, Dana Hills High School graduate Yossymar Rojas (fourth from the right) and other Youth of the Year winners met with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office in September. Courtesy photo

The Capistrano Dispatch October 25-November 7, 2013

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SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Via de Aguila, 32000 Block (8:24 p.m.)

A female caller requested sheriff’s deputies check on two males who were hanging out near her residence. She described the men as “gang types” and thought they were “up to no good.”

TRESPASSING Paseo Carolina, 32000 Block (10:51

a.m.) A property manager complained of a subject who had set up a taco stand in the fire lane of his property.

Friday, October 18 DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano, 31800 Block (10:23 p.m.) A drunken man walked into a wedding from off the street, created a disturbance and refused to leave. The caller said the man was possibly drinking from out of a plastic bag. The man was described as 6 feet 4 inches tall with a thin build, brown hair and wearing a gray shirt and jeans.

WELFARE CHECK San Juan Creek Road, 32300 Block (7:18 p.m.) A woman called dispatch after having a phone conversation with someone, momentarily putting down the phone and then coming back to the phone to hear no response. The woman said she could only hear breathing. The woman called back to say the person on the other line was fine and that the phone had merely lost connection.

Thursday, October 17 BURGLARY ALARM-AUDIBLE Highland Drive, 26900 Block (9 p.m.)

Authorities were alerted to a burglary alarm that had gone off at a residence.

When dispatch called the home, a woman picked up the phone and said she was the babysitter and had entered the wrong security code.

PETTY THEFT REPORT Rancho Viejo Road, 29200 Block (11:57 a.m.) Authorities were notified of a stolen check being cashed at Sterling Appraisal.

Wednesday, October 16 DISTURBANCE Ortega Highway/Del Obispo Street (6:27 p.m.) A caller said a man was walking around in the Ralphs parking lot, yelling nonsense and coming really close to people.

DISTURBANCE-AUTO INVOLVED Silver Creek Drive/Horno Creek Road (5:05 p.m.) A caller phoned in from a nearby park to report a subject was riding a red and white dirt bike on the nature trail.

Sunday, October 13 DISTURBANCE Calle Santa Barbara, 26500 Block (4:56 p.m.) Juveniles were riding scooters and skateboards in the street and being loud and causing a traffic hazard. The caller said it was an ongoing issue. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

End of the (Toll) Road?

Revised TCA/Caltrans agreement puts doubt into future toll road extension proposal

By Jim Shilander The Capistrano Dispatch

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n amended agreement between the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency and California Department of Transportation approved October 10 has invited speculation about whether a toll road connection to Interstate 5 near Trestles will ever be attempted again. But officials at the agency say it’s too early to pronounce Foothill South dead.

The agreement, which was approved by the agency’s board by an 8-6 vote, extends the period the TCA can collect tolls on the 241 until 2053. However, the agreement, as currently written, forbids the collection of tolls for any extension of the toll road south of its current terminus at Oso Parkway after 2041.

This means any extension, including a proposal to extend the terminus to Cow Camp Road near Rancho Mission Viejo, or any revised plan to connect the troll road to Interstate 5 nearer to the San Diego County line in San Clemente, would have to pay for itself by 2041.

After the TCA loses its right to collect tolls, the roads, which belong to Caltrans, become free.

The Foothill East board manages the 133, 241 and 261 toll roads. A separate TCA board, the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency, manages the 73 toll road between San Juan Capistrano and Newport Beach. San Juan Capistrano City Councilman Sam Allevato represents the city on both boards.

Whether this means permanent relief for toll road opponents—who have kept an eye on the agency’s plans since the California Coastal Commission and Department of the Commerce rejected a proposal to connect the 241 near the Trestles surf break at San Onofre State Park—is still to be decided.

The opposition to the toll road was a galvanizing issue for activists for the last decade, leading to a coalition of environmental groups, surfing organizations and others to oppose a proposal to connect the toll road near the San Diego County line. Opponents of the extension believe that construction of the toll road would lead to significant environmental degradation at the famed Trestles surf break, as well as cause problems for the nearby San Juan Creek watershed.

Proponents cite the increased population of the southern portion of Orange County and already heavy traffic through the area on the weekends as

reasons to build the road, as well as the need for an alternative route out of the area in case of a disaster.

“I feel that we need to plan for the future, not only for today,” said Allevato, who has been a vocal supporter of the extension. “We in south county, San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan, are severely impacted by traffic, especially on the weekends. We need to find an alternative.”

The county’s planned extension of Avenida La Pata between San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano may help to alleviate some traffic issues supporters of the toll road said made the route a necessity. The Cow Camp extension of the 241 had been seen as a “phased” way of doing the project, though officials did not indicate what the second phase of such a project would be.

Planners of Rancho Mission Viejo have made contingencies for both possibilities in the construction of the development. When the county approved Rancho Mission Viejo’s long-term land use and development strategy, the Ranch Plan, in 2004, the company also agreed to a list of roadway modifications and transportation improvements known as the South County Road Improvement Plan. The ranch’s plan to build Cow Camp Road, which would pull traffic off Ortega Highway and move it north toward Antonio Parkway, could connect to the extension, but isn’t dependent on it. SCRIP includes a plan to possibly build another road, identified on maps as “F street,” that could also direct traffic northward.

Allevato said although alternatives exist, extending the toll road is still the best option to prepare for increased traffic in the future.

“If the contingency plans have to go through, what you would have would be large thoroughfares like Jamboree or Culver (in Irvine) and Crown Valley,” Allevato said. “The only problem with those types of large arterial roadways is that they have intersections and signals and everyone knows that causes congestion.”

A move to try and designate the Trestles surf break a historic landmark has been led, in part, as an attempt to place an additional brace against future toll road development.

Stefanie Sekich-Quinn, the California policy manager for the Surfrider Foundation, which was at the forefront of opposition to the extension, said she had “mixed feelings” about the result.

The Capistrano Dispatch October 25-November 7, 2013

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A recent refinancing agreement with the state has led some Transportation Corridor Agency officials to question the future of extending the 241 Toll Road south of Oso Parkway near San Juan Capistrano. File Photo

“It’s really kind of a bailout, in my opinion,” Sekich-Quinn said. If the ridership of the roads was not such that the agency could be kept afloat, she said, then Caltrans shouldn’t be responsible for helping keep the agency going.

“Right now, we’re pleased, but we’re not doing cartwheels.” She said. “We never underestimate the TCA’s efforts at keeping, blindly, trying to build this road.”

Lisa Telles, a spokesperson for the TCA, noted the current agreement that was just renegotiated represented the sixth such change to the original document, and said such an amendment could easily provide the agency with the ability to build and finance an extension.

Telles said the agreement with Caltrans had “nothing to do” with the proposed 241 extension.

“When we build south of Oso Parkway, we would have the ability to finance it,” Telles said.

Todd Spitzer, a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and TCA board member, voted against the refinancing, in part for what he saw as unnecessary politicization. Spitzer said for now, he believes any chance of extending the toll road is essentially dead.

“I feel it’s been significantly hindered to the point it’s on its last breath,” Spitzer said. “I really do think that was the nail in the coffin, at least in regard to this administration.”

By taking away the right to collect tolls after 2041, Spitzer said, the state removed any chance of financing the road south of Oso Parkway. Without the promise of tolls to repay construction costs, he said, there was no reason to build.

Spitzer said he believed Gov. Jerry Brown was personally opposed to the extension of the toll road, which was

evidenced by the TCA having to negotiate directly with Brian Kelly, the state Secretary of Transportation, rather than a lower-level person at Caltrans. Spitzer said he also thought Caltrans could have downgraded Foothill East if the agreement had not been agreed to, essentially forcing the agency to agree to the proposal at risk of losing its business.

“That is way below his pay grade,” Spitzer said. “I absolutely believe the Governor used the cooperative agreement to satisfy the environmentalists against Foothill South.”

Spitzer called the agreement a “total rip-off” that made the refinancing of Foothill East a political point. This was why he voted against the agreement, he said. Those same political considerations, he added, were what led the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board to vote against the TCA’s proposed extension of the toll road to Cow Cap Road in June. The TCA has appealed the decision to the state water board, which is beginning its review process.

San Clemente Mayor Bob Baker, who serves on the Foothill East board, said he voted against the agreement because he thought TCA was going against its basic tenets.

“My concern has been TCA violating its basic principle, to pay off the debt as soon as we can,” Baker said. “I think they’re violating that by refinancing. I’d rather see the roads free as soon as possible.”

Baker said his impression of the negotiations were that TCA officials already had an eye toward renegotiating the cooperative agreement at a later time.

During a San Clemente City Council meeting this month, Baker advised toll road opponents, “Don’t pop the champagne corks yet.”

Brian Park contributed to this story. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Learning to Read Should be F-u-n Fun Hearing, seeing and moving are key to successful phonics instruction

By Katie Kohn Many kindergarten students struggle with reading but there are amazing phonics and literacy programs around that can make cracking the code fun and simple.

There seems to be a big disconnect between our preschools and kindergartens when it comes to preparing a child to read. Too often students come to kindergarten knowing all the letter names and writing in all upper case letters. Upper case letters are used infrequently in reading and writing. I understand that capital letters are easier for younger children to form, but I have, as a reading teacher, seen many 3-year-olds make perfectly good lower case letters too. I stress to parents and teachers that we should teach the lower case letters first. It is confusing to a 5-year-old who has just mastered their capital letters to then be told that they must switch to mostly reading and writing in lower case.

Why not start them writing in lower case and then teach upper case half way through kindergarten?

Students also learn the names of the letters before the sounds they make, causing even more confusion for their immature brains to deal with.

Teaching d-o-g using letter names is not the approach to take. We don’t read with letter names, we read by blending the sounds, or phonemes.

Again, we should start by introducing the sounds first (phonemic awareness) and later the names, which all children learn easily from the alphabet song.

When choosing a reading program for your student, look for one that teaches more than just the alphabet. The English language has many diagraphs—when two letters make one sound—that can be included in a literacy program. Examples of these are: ai, oa, ou, ie, ee, ue, oi. Children are taught, “When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking and says its name.” This is not

Au Pair: For Early

Language, Multicultural Education

By Sabina Crane, San Clemente mom Our family is a multi-cultural and multi-age mix.

Grandma is from Norway, Opa and mom from Germany, our oldest son is studying in South Africa and the youngest, Alex, is now 6 years old and in kindergarten. Both mom and dad work in the professional world, so early on we decided to host an au pair for Alex for several reasons—to expose him and our family to different cultures, to encourage a young adult to observe the American way of living and to afford ourselves, as parents, flexibility with ever-changing work schedules.

Our first au pair was from Thailand, and the educational process for everyone, including us as parents, was radically different. We are now hosting our third au pair from Cultural Care, Natascha from Germany, and the benefits for Alex are obvious. We value the chance to be matched with an au pair with German background so Alex can learn more about his heritage now that he is a little 3 | CRIB TO COLLEGE

Katie Kohn teaches her daughter Annabel, 5, phonics at her in-home tutoring classroom. Photo by Andrea Swayne

the case for ones such as ou and oi. Find a program that teaches all the sounds of the English language in a fun, systematic and multi-sensory manner.

Some of us learn through listening (auditory), some through looking (visual), but many learn through movement (kinesthetic). When I am working with an older student who is struggling with reading, the problem is almost always that they are kinesthetic learners and the literacy program they used left that modality out. The other missing piece is that they never learned the sounds of the digraphs, just the 26 alphabet sounds. These students should be retaught all the sounds (42 of them), with movements and songs added to each sound. The songs and movements make it fun and meaningful and from then on it sticks. Movements that go with the letter sounds can also be taught to help children master blending (putting the sounds together to form words). Miming games that use several actions in a row help students to blend them in their head and then produce the

older. As a result he is much more understanding of foreign cultures, and even more important, he is learning to be very patient as our newest family member learns English. Through his time with various au pairs Alex has been exposed to new foods, a wider array of hobbies and interests, and of course, a new language. Ultimately these invaluable experiences are creating a more wellrounded cultural education for our son while also addressing our childcare needs.

We’ve found it’s a myth that au pairs are only for the wealthy, as au pairs cost an average of $355 per week per family, not per child. This is less than most nannies and day care or pre-school services. Plus, day care staff is usually spread thin watching 10 to 20 children whereas an au pair offers one-on-one quality care. And nannies often have scheduling limits, whereas an au pair is 100 percent vested in your family and life.

Natascha’s integration into our family has been smooth and all of us enjoy the differences we discover.

Natascha is exploring a new world, while Alex is learning more about his German heritage and the language. She is genuinely interested in our family and as parents we have peace of mind as

word. Another trick that helps students blend is to say the first sound of a word very loud and the following ones quieter. Otherwise, by the time they have gotten to the last sound, they have forgotten the first. Saying the first sound louder helps children remember it.

Making sure various learning modalities are included is crucial to helping all students crack the code. Some will learn to read with ease no matter what system they use, but many will struggle unless they are taught in a meaningful and systematic way. Struggles with reading can result in poor comprehension skills, low self-esteem and difficulties with all subjects, as fluency is needed for math, science, etc. Research shows that children who are taught using a systematic phonics program that is multi-sensory and teaches all 42 sounds, are up to 12 months ahead of their peers in reading and writing. These types of literacy programs also help English Language Learners to be as competent in reading as their native speaking peers, and girls and boys to read at the same level.

Don’t be afraid to ask your child’s teacher questions about the reading program being used in the classroom. And, if your child is struggling or just doesn’t seem to enjoy learning to read, seek out a supplemental program to use at home or a tutor specializing in multisensory phonics.

When a fun, multisensory and systematic phonics program is chosen, children will love learning to read, develop confidence and have a strong base on which to build a successful education.

Katie Kohn has a master’s degree in education and a California Multiple Subject Credential with crosscultural language and academic development (CLAD) emphasis. Kohn is a Jolly Phonics, www.usaphonics. com, and grammar teacher and tutors in all subjects.

She can be reached via email at jollyphonics.katie@ gmail.com.

Sabina Crane shot this photo of her son Alex, 6, au pair Natascha and husband Richard Crane as the family kicked off the fall season together carving jack-o-lanterns at their San Clemente home.

Sabina said hosting an au pair is a great choice for childcare as well as providing educational experiences and positive cultural exchanges for the whole family.

our new “daughter” cares for Alex in our absence.

We are already hoping that Natascha wants to do a second year with our family!

Sabina Crane is the mother of three ranging in age from 6 to 29 and runs a pet toy and treat company. The Crane family lives in San Clemente and is hosting their third au pair from Cultural Care Au Pair, www.culturalcareaupair.com.

THECAPISTRANODISPATCH.COM

Your Road to College Academic advisors from local high schools share tips and advice for high school students Building Your Resume: College Admissions and the Well-rounded Student Colleges are looking for students who work hard and dream big

By Bonnie Borden, Academic Advisor, Dana Hills High School College entrance requirements vary. SAT scores, your high school grade point average, where you rank among your high school class and the size of your high school class are all factors. Hard work and success in high school paves the way to college acceptance. College admissions counselors want to see students start strong as freshmen and continue on through senior year.

Math is an extremely important part of your academic resume. Three years of math are required; however, colleges want to see students stay in math throughout high school.

Admission counselors are also looking for well-rounded individuals, who have completed substantial contributions in several areas. Athletics, volunteering, employment and involvement in clubs are important and necessary.

They are looking for leaders, club presidents and student government participation. All are impressive. Colleges want students who will contribute to their school and make it a better place. So while still in high school, work on those grades, improve your test scores, take advanced placement (AP) classes and choose a meaningful extracurricular activity. Internships and significant summer experiences are also impressive and play an important part in building a comprehensive resume.

As a junior, you should be making a list of intended college visits, preparing for the SAT and or ACT, and test in the spring. Your resume should be fine-tuned, and a rough draft of your

college essay should be in the works. Visit as many schools as possible and try to do so when students are on campus. Organization and dedication are key this year. Colleges look very closely at the junior year but remember it is important to finish strong and keep shining through senior year. Admissions offers can be rescinded due to a significant downturn in senior year grades.

Be realistic when applying to schools and always include a safety school, meaning a school you are certain to be offered admission to. Apply only to schools you would attend if accepted. College websites give averages—the percentage of applicants accepted versus those who applied, average test scores, average GPAs, etc.—for the prior class admitted. Use this information as guidelines when deciding where to apply.

Even if you have your heart set on attending a college out of state, don’t neglect the opportunity to also explore your many options here in California. Check out the California State University system. State schools look only at a student’s GPA and either the SAT or the ACT test scores. Students will find the value of a CSU education means one of the lowest public university tuitions in the nation, many financial aid options and low debt upon graduation.

Private schools and the University of California look at grades, test scores, difficulty of the classes you took and all activities.

Remember, no matter where your college search leads, a continuing education brings the promise of a stable economic future. The more education you obtain the better off your job prospects and future earnings.

Top College Admission Testing Questions Answered

By Roland Allen, Director of College Counseling, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School College admission officers universally agree that the single most important piece of information in a student’s college application file is the high school transcript. That is, successful progress in rigorous college-preparatory courses in high school is the best indication 4 | CRIB TO COLLEGE

of an applicant’s future success in college.

Other factors are important as well. In my experience, however, concern about college admission testing produces the most acute anxiety among college-bound students and their parents. While college admission testing and college planning requires thoughtful conversations with students, counselors and parents, here are answers to six of the most commonly asked questions about testing.

(Continued on page 9)

How Important Is a College Visit?

By Rachele Ross, Academic Advisor, San Clemente High School College visits play a pivotal part in the college selection process. When you are trying to figure out which college is the best fit for you, visiting a campus can help narrow your decision. I have worked in guidance for many years and each person takes a different approach to how and when they take these college tours and what to expect. Visiting colleges in the spring/summer of your junior year seems to be the best time. It allows you to compare if you are a qualified candidate, if the school offers everything you are looking for and if it is a good fit for you. Having these visits done before the beginning of your senior year will also allow you to apply with a little more information and confidence in the fall.

College visits come in many forms and you have to plan for all of them.

1. Make sure you plan your visit when school is in session. Going when no one is around defeats the purpose.

2. Set up an appointment to speak with an admissions counselor, especially for impacted majors. It can only help you, so bring a copy of your most recent transcript and test scores. A college visit demonstrates to a school that students are interested enough to come and find out whether the college is right for them.

3. Look to social media like Facebook. All universities have accounts. Getting a real perspective gives you some insight.

4. Connecting with a former student from your high school can give your tour a personal touch. You can see the real campus and a little piece of home helps.

5. If possible, sit in on part of a class pertaining to your major. Class schedules are online so you can plan your day, and after class, a quick introduction to the instructor can’t hurt.

6. Traditional guided tours will allow you to see all the highlights of the campus.

7. An overnight visit is an option that gives you more of the whole campus experience.

8. Go visit schools that offer what you are looking for (majors, campus size, athletics, Greek life, etc.). Big names don’t always mean a good fit.

The importance of visiting college campuses cannot be over emphasized. Brochures, websites, presentations by college representatives and guidance counselors can help to form an opinion of a school, but a visit allows you to see first-hand the environment and evaluate the academics, athletics, housing and the social life of that school. Seeing for yourself is the best insight of all. It is not uncommon for a student to think that a college is right for them based on all the hype but then find that it is not the right fit. It is more important that students choose a school that is the right fit for them. It is not the name of the school, but the experience you have as an undergraduate that will contribute the most to a successful future. Better to find that out before you arrive than in the fall with your bags and books in hand.

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Losing Sleep over the Cost of College?

I ask families all the time if they’re worried about the cost of college for their kids, and with no exceptions their answer is a resounding “YES”! The reality is that more and more families are completely stressed out over the quickly rising cost of college. Are you one of them?

Hope is NOT a Strategy When I ask moms and dads what their plan is for paying for college, here are the top five answers I get: • We hope to get scholarships • We hope to get a Cal Grant • We’ll borrow against our home • We’ll borrow against our retirement • Student loans Hoping for scholarships is NOT a strategy! And borrowing for college has proven to be financially devastating, for both students AND parents.

Students are graduating from college burdened heavily with student loans, often being forced financially to move back home with mom and dad. Others find their dreams of getting married or starting a family horribly delayed, all because of debt.

So What’s the Solution?

You’ve got to have a deliberate, intentional PLAN in place to pay for college, before your student gets stuck

St. Anne School St. Anne School in Laguna Niguel is an independent Catholic school that fosters the intellectual and character development of its students, preschool through eighth grade. St. Anne provides unparalleled academics and extracurricular activities designed to challenge, educate and nurture the whole child in partnership with parents. Founded in 1992, St. Anne is a National Blue Ribbon School and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). St. Anne welcomes students of all faiths and offers two-, three- and five-day preschool options, full-day kindergarten and extended day-care. Call today to schedule a tour. For preschool, please contact LuAnn Wilson at 949.276.6783 or via email at lwilson@st-anne.org. For kindergarten through eighth grade, please contact Lil Ray-Reed at 949.276.6753 or at LRay@st-anne.org. 32451 Bear Brand Road, Laguna Niguel, www.st-anne.org.

6 | CRIB TO COLLEGE

on a dream school or becomes stricken with “brand name paralysis.”

Your plan must begin with an understanding of today’s college admissions and financial aid process. It’s nothing like when YOU were in college! Surprisingly, few families have such an understanding, so it’s no wonder they’re severely disappointed in March when the financial aid “awards” arrive, and their stellar student has been offered nothing but loans.

Loans Are NOT Financial Aid The colleges and government have successfully convinced moms, dads, and students that borrowing for college somehow equates to “financial aid.” This is ridiculous! True financial aid comes in two flavors, scholarships and grants. Referred to as “gift aid”, these represent the only TRUE forms of financial aid, because it’s the “free money” families are looking (and hoping) for.

So WHO Gets the Free Money?

Herein lies the $64,000 question! To answer it correctly, you’ve got to know which “Financial Aid Quadrant” your student falls into. Quadrant No.1 gets the most money. Quadrant No. 4 gets the least. Very few families have even heard of these quadrants, let alone know which one they’re in.

Whether you have a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, you must know your quadrant and what that means to you in terms of FREE MONEY.

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By Tom Bottorf Founder & President GetCollegeFunding Dana Point Harbor 949.340.2675

Saddleback Valley Christian Schools

Santa Margarita Catholic High School

Founded in 1997, Saddleback Valley Christian Schools is an independent, college preparatory, WASCaccredited Christian school serving preschool through 12th grade.

Blessed with nearly 70 acres in San Juan Capistrano, facilities include two new education wings spanning 66,000 square feet of classrooms and labs. SVCS seeks to prepare young minds for leadership with hearts for service. Rigorous college prep academics are integrated with athletics, the arts, service opportunities and a Christian perspective to develop the whole child. Our academic program consists of instruction from talented and qualified teachers, emphasizing Biblical truth and a balanced curriculum to challenge each student. Our High School is a University of Californiaapproved college prep program, emphasizing coursework necessary for competitive college placement.

The academic and elective campus features inspiring musical performances, creative art programs, quality science equipment and state-of-the-art computer labs.

The athletics program includes 19 sports and boasts over 80 championships, including two CIF titles. 26333 Oso Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4050, www. svcschools.org.

Santa Margarita Catholic High School offers a well-rounded, college-preparatory education developing students who are people of faith, skilled lifelong learners, healthy individuals and involved citizens of our world. Whether you have specialized learning needs or thrive in the most rigorous of programs, Santa Margarita’s academic tracks are tailored to meet the needs of varied learners. The school offers 18 AP courses, an Interdisciplinary Program caters to hands-on learners and an Auxiliary Studies Program provides students with specialized learning needs the opportunity to reach their full potential. Santa Margarita is also the only Catholic high school in Orange County to offer the challenging International Baccalaureate program. Students are accepted to the nation’s top universities, frequently earning scholarships. Faith development and extracurricular activities are an integral part of the Santa Margarita experience. Students are encouraged to explore their passions through the school’s thriving activities, arts and athletic programs.

22062 Antonio Parkway Rancho Santa Margarita, 949.766.6000, www.smhs.org.

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Tutor Toes Club Literacy A solid reading foundation is the key to higher academic performance and success in all curriculum areas.

No learning center knows this better than Club Literacy.

Established in 1998, Club Literacy, an educational enrichment center dedicated to the development of lifelong readers, has helped thousands of students improve their reading and writing skills. Club Literacy’s unique learning environment is a great confidence builder for its many young students. Amazingly, even kindergartenaged children who attend the center publish their very own books! 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Ste.105, Dana Point, 949.717.6624, www.clubliteracy.com/dp.

St. Michael’s Christian Academy St. Michael’s Christian Academy is a private school serving the parents of preschool through eighth-grade students in the heart of San Clemente. For over 30 years SMCA has been preparing students to achieve excellence by laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning. Our school is blessed to have loving and skilled teachers who enrich a traditional curriculum with music,

Tutor Toes provides the best practices in education while nurturing students to be successful, lifelong learners. All students shine with confidence as they realize their own strengths and individual skills.

Believing that each child has the ability to learn and succeed, we provide all students with the necessary tools for success at their optimal level while nurturing thier love for learning. Come visit us and let us share our love for learning with you! 111 W. Avenida Palizada, San Clemente, 949.429.6222, www.tutortoes.com.

technology, art and sports. Our small class size, with an average of 12 students per class, allows our teachers to mentor and nurture students with individualized attention, encouraging them to achieve their full potential. Working with caring parents in this close-knit community provides an atmosphere for our students that infuses responsibility, integrity and respect, along with exceptional academic achievement. St. Michael’s Christian Academy is not just a school—it’s a way of life!

107 W. Marquita, San Clemente, 949.366.9468, www.gotosmca.org.

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Capistrano Valley Christian Schools Capistrano Valley Christian Schools focuse on growing leaders with a Biblical Worldview. Our size matched with our many specialized programs creates a community atmosphere while providing a high standard of academics and opportunities to develop every student’s leadership potential. Here at CVCS we find no greater pleasure than leading students into success in every arena of their growth process. All of the CVCS educators seek to show children how every discipline finds its source in God and His Word. In attending CVCS, students learn that God’s handiwork is revealed in science, His goodness and justice in history, His beauty in art and music, and His order and design in mathematics.

For 40 years CVCS has been providing a loving Christcentered and nurturing environment for learning in the San Juan Capistrano community. We provide three-day and five-day junior kindergarten, full-day kindergarten through 12th grade as well as a homeschool co-op and ISP for families looking for flexibility. You are invited to stop by and see what makes CVCS a very special school.

WOW is “Welcome on Wednesdays.” Stop by between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a tour and meet some of our staff.

No appointment necessary! 32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.5683, www.cvcs.org.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Founded in 1979, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School is the premier, independent college-preparatory day school in Orange County, situated on a beautiful 22-acre campus in historic San Juan Capistrano, educating 1,250 students from preschool through grade 12.

Graduates of 2013 attend colleges and universities across the nation, including Columbia University, Cornell University, Harvard University, University of California, Los Angeles, New York University, Stanford University, Tufts University, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University.

The Upper School offers 25 Advanced Placement courses and innovative, challenging academic courses such as engineering, marine science, multivariable calculus and software engineering. Every graduate is prepared and qualified to enroll in a four-year college or university, and because of the school’s reputation for the depth and quality of its academic program, more than 125 colleges and universities across the country visit St. Margaret’s annually to recruit its graduates.

The school invests heavily in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), with robotics and engineering programs beginning in Lower School 8 | CRIB TO COLLEGE

in a dedicated engineering and robotics lab. By Middle School every student learns, studies and works on iPads. In Upper School students innovate and create in a state-of-the-art design and fabrication lab.

The early childhood program focuses on cognitive, physical, social, emotional and creative growth. The Preschool curriculum develops exploration and foundation skills, receiving the highest marks from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The differentiated curriculum evolves in Lower School to a dynamic academic classroom experience in reading, writing, and math, along with science, STEM, social studies, world languages, physical education and art.

Educating the whole child best prepares young learners for future social and academic success.

A hallmark of St. Margaret’s is how its renowned faculty—more than 60 percent hold advanced degrees— are engaged in the life of each student. Teachers, advisors, three full-time college counselors, chaplains and coaches provide a solid framework of guidance and support. Through small class sizes, every student is known and nurtured.

The new, reimagined library, a modern communal learning hub, provides dedicated spaces to support student learning, research and study needs, to work independently or collaboratively with classmates, and to seek guidance from expert researchers and information

specialists.

Physical education and athletics emphasize active and healthy living, integrity, teamwork, high expectations and mutual respect, from gross motor development in preschool to 24 CIF varsity sports. The “Tartans” have achieved 29 team CIF-SS championships and five team state championships.

Opened in 2012, St. Margaret’s 45,000 square-foot Performing Arts Center supports a vibrant arts curriculum in theater, dance, orchestra, band, choir and visual arts challenging students to be creative thinkers, problem-solvers and deepen their voice.

St. Margaret’s students and alumni are easily recognized for their integrity, leadership, character and values. The school’s Episcopal identity guides its inclusive community that values faith and reason, embraces debate and differences, and emphasizes the spiritual and intellectual development of each child. Alongside rigorous academics and a breadth of student programs, St. Margaret’s fosters lives of understanding, respect, compassion, responsibility and the courage to lead and serve others.

St. Margaret’s, 31641 La Novia in San Juan Capistrano, is hosting an Admission Open House on Saturday, November 9. For more information, contact the school at 949.661.0108 or log on to www.smes.org.

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Top College Admission Testing Questions Answered (Continued from page 4) What are college admission tests?

The SAT and ACT are the two college admission tests offered in the United States by separate education non-profit organizations. The SAT, from the College Board, is administered on seven test dates in October, November, December, January, March, May and June. The ACT administers its test on six test dates in September, October, December, February, April and June. Every college and university in the United States that requires standardized admission tests accepts either the SAT or ACT with no preference for either test.

“Does every college require standardized admission tests?”

The National Center for Fair and Open Testing (www.fairtest.org) maintains a list of hundreds of colleges that are either test optional or de-emphasize standardized testing in making admission decisions. Some colleges offer alternatives to the SAT and ACT, such as the recent decision by Bard College in New York that allows students to take an examination that is composed of a series of essay questions.

Which test should I take?

This is the big question, and there’s no standard answer. Some students initially take both the SAT and ACT and compare the results before deciding which test they prefer.

How do I prepare for the tests?

Every student should become familiar with the SAT or ACT prior to taking the test. I recommend using the preparation resources on the College Board and ACT websites. Students who want more disciplined preparation should look into test preparation services. Number2.com is a free service that is recommended by some colleges and universities.

When should I begin college admission testing?

Most students take the PSAT as their introduction to college admission testing. The “P” stands for “preliminary.” The PSAT is low-stakes testing in that the scores are not reported to colleges nor used in college admission decisions. The results provide students with valuable information. Students receive PSAT results with a full analysis of their strengths and weakness on the test and specific recommendations on how to improve their score when they sit for the SAT. Students who take the PSAT in grade 11 are entered into the National Merit Scholarship competition, which adds more weight to the test.

The PSAT is administered by individual high schools in the middle of October each year.

My colleagues at St. Margaret’s and I develop a testing plan with our students individually since “one size fits all” doesn’t apply to college admission testing. Our recommendations take in consideration a student’s placement in particular courses, especially mathematics, and we review results of the PSAT. Generally speaking, students should sit

for the SAT or ACT in the spring of junior year. That allows ample time for adjusting the testing plan since colleges use the highest scores when making admission decisions.

How many times can I take the SAT or ACT? There are many opinions on how many times a student should take the SAT or ACT. Students should approach testing thoughtfully, in consultation with their college counselor, and take the tests until they feel their scores best represent their testing ability.

Keep in mind that test results are only a fraction of what college admission officers take into account when making admission decisions. Other considerations are the high school transcript, essays, recommendation letters and extracurricular involvements.

Roland Allen has over 20 years of college counseling experience. His background includes college admissions and counseling experience at Colby College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, The Branson School and Sidwell Friends School. He actively participates in professional organizations, including the College Board, National Association for College Admission Counseling, and the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools. Mr. Allen serves on the review committee for the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and volunteers with College Summit. At St. Margaret’s, Mr. Allen leads a team of three full-time college counselors.

From Crib to College In the Blink of an Eye Parent of two reminisces as second son’s graduation nears

By Shelley Murphy

For years I’ve taken comfort in the rituals of September—buying school supplies, shopping for clothes and attending back to school night. I can’t count how many September nights I’ve spent in classrooms over the years, but I know precisely how many remain—one.

My younger son is a junior in high school, and for me, it’s déjà vu all over again.

When my older son started his junior year, I began an official college countdown. Now, I’m calculating my younger son’s gradual slide down a slippery slope toward his freshman year of college.

Friends say since I’ve sent one son off to college this time should be easier. In fact, it’s just the opposite; this time around I know exactly how quickly the calendar races and the agonizing heartaches. I long for my lost ignorance.

It seems like only yesterday we brought our high school junior home from the hospital to his awaiting crib and big brother.

As our young son grew, we celebrated each milestone as he learned to roll over, then crawl and eventually walk.

In the blink of an eye, we went from my son sitting on my lap reading stories at “Mommy and Me” to my son sitting behind the wheel of my car learning the rules of the road.

So far, my son is starting his junior year, like 9 | CRIB TO COLLEGE

his brother before him, and researching potential colleges.

My boys won’t attend the same college, but my younger son is following the same familiar timeline to reach his collegiate destination.

He’ll start by sending out applications, and I’ll once again anxiously anticipate the arrival of thrilling acceptance or agonizing rejection letters.

After my son chooses his college to attend, we’ll celebrate his accomplishments by hosting a high school graduation party complete with balloons bearing his new school colors.

On my boy’s last day at San Clemente High School, he’ll cross the stage amid the pomp and circumstance to accept his well-earned high school diploma. Or, as I refer to it, my parenting pink slip.

Graduation passes and the days of summer end their downward spiral. After one last homemade meal, we’ll pack up the extra-long bed sheets and move our son from his bedroom to his dorm room.

The trip to college could be a quick drive or a long flight, either way it results in changing our family forever.

Freshman move-in day is a systematically scheduled, well-oiled machine. Throughout the day, waves of families arrive with freshmen gripping their belongings and parents clutching their hearts.

As afternoon gives way to evening, university administrators hold a parent meeting at the

same time the dorm staff hosts a new resident meeting. There’s nothing left to say; it’s a thinly veiled ploy to purposefully separate parents from their students.

Before they begin breaking up families, school officials graciously grant a minute for a quick goodbye.

Parents, who spent the day running up and down stairs balancing boxes and wiping sweat from their brows, stand quietly in a corner hugging their children while wiping tears from their eyes.

Unceremoniously, parents begin leaving campus, clinging to the hope that if well-behaved, they can come back in six weeks for Parents’ Weekend.

No amount of planning adequately prepares parents for the drive away from the college. In an instant, chaotic commotion gives way to deafening silence followed by a flood of tears and a rush of heartache.

At holidays, college kids return to their nests, but they’re never really home. They don’t ask, “Can you quiz me for my science test?” or “Where’s my favorite football jersey?” Instead, it’s, “Can I have your car keys?” or “Will you leave the front door unlocked?”

Time passes; they thrive and you survive the freshman year of college. Life resumes. A different life—a life without back to school nights, but with Parents’ Weekend and the promise of new milestones and memories shared with our young adults.

Shelley Murphy has lived in San Clemente with her husband and two sons for the past 14 years. She has been a freelance writer and contributor to the SC Times since 2006.

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No Education is Complete without Music

By Kimberly Dean Williams, Kenny’s Music Music education is a necessity for a well-rounded education. It is also one of the great joys in life.

Any music teacher or music student can expand upon the significance and profound effects that music has had on their intellectual, spiritual and creative being. However, anecdotal knowledge is now shown to be fact, with all the new and compelling behavioral studies and groundbreaking neurological research, showing conclusively that music studies actively contribute to brain development.

The evidence of the positive effects music has on a student’s education has not only been seen by me personally in our award-winning music school, but is shown in many notable studies. The College Bound Seniors National Report profiled SAT program test takers and found that those students involved in music appreciation scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on math scores, in impressive contrast to students who had no art education participation.

Recognized as an invaluable way to connect with others and build bridges through a common language, music provides children the opportunity to not only connect with themselves but also build on their creative, cooperative and communication skills. In this age of advanced technology, our young people are forgetting the art of communication. The sight of our children obsessed with their cell phones while texting and avoiding conversation with others is disheartening. However, ob-

Kenny’s Music owners Kimberly Dean Williams and Kenny Williams bid students (L to R) Bella Lino (guitar), Catherine Glass (violin) and Tyler Tracy (drums) farewell following their Tuesday evening lessons. Photo by Andrea Swayne

serving a child’s achievement as they learn to play a musical instrument alongside their peers is a joyous experience to behold. Music may soon be one of the few group activities in which students can develop their minds and increase their ability to socialize and communicate. People will always respond and draw from the energy of others when playing and singing music, emphasizing that computers will never take the place of that true human connection.

Music is truly a universal language that everyone can understand. Those with early musical training are better able to comprehend and memorize

After-school Programs Help Kids Reach Full Potential

By Andy Brosche, Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area After-school youth development programs are a positive choice for bridging the gap between school and home by providing academic support, positive adult mentorship, friendship and a safe place to be a kid.

In today’s world of raising a child with both parents working full-time even small assignments, like reading for 30 minutes a night, can easily slip through the cracks. Unsupervised after-school hours can become a detriment—kids will always find something to do, but may not make the best, or healthiest, use of their time.

Technology, whether lack of access or too much access, also poses challenges.

During these tough economic times, several families in our community are without a computer and lack the ability to access the Capistrano Unified School District’s online communication system, School Loop, or to correspond with teachers via email. On the other hand, with so many distractions like social media, television, video games or smart phones available to children, face-to-face socialization seems completely abandoned and homework can be neglected. It is for reasons like these that community after-school 10 | CRIB TO COLLEGE

Members of the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area are all smiles as they work on their homework. Photo by Andy Brosche

programs are such a valuable resource.

Most after-school organizations have technology centers and offer computer access for research, reports, email and for accessing School Loop. If technology resources are easily accessible to kids, they take advantage of it. Technology is becoming more and more important to a student’s success.

After-school programs also provide safe and positive mentorship. Kids can participate in highyield activities that encourage healthy lifestyles, academic success, good character and leadership.

When children are provided so many options to participate in a variety of activities, they are deterred from burying their noses in Instagram, Facebook and other social media outlets.

When utilizing these resources, excuses for missing assignments become nonexistent. Also, students see adults take interest in their studies, and in turn, start taking a greater interest themselves.

Great futures happen when teachers, parents and after-school youth development professionals

abstract concepts. It is the only language that encompasses a full spectrum of educational studies including math, science, history, foreign language and art, not to mention the physical improvements of hand-eye coordination required to play an instrument.

Music expounds upon ingrained natural human emotion. From the early development of mankind, music has also served as a pathway in religious ceremonies which strengthens the emotional and social communication of the worship community.

A well-respected German philosopher, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche stated, “Life without music would be a mistake.” This validates my own belief that life without music education would, therefore, also be a mistake. Clearly, the obvious benefits of early and continuous music education— both within schools and through group or private instruction—has not only been proven in studies, but can be witnessed first-hand in every aspect of a child’s daily development.

Kimberly Dean Williams has more than 30 years in the professional music industry and is the co-owner and manager of Kenny’s Music Store, 24731 La Plaza in Dana Point. Her husband and business partner Kenny Williams has been playing guitar for 52 years and teaching music for 25 years. Kenny’s offers music instruction for many instruments including guitar, bass, ukulele, strings, piano, keyboards, drums, woodwinds, brass and voice. For more information call 949.661.3984 or log on to www.kennysmusicstore.com. work together and share in academically raising a child. Homework assistance is offered to our community’s youth from so many organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs, HELP, San Clemente Youth Collaborative, the YMCA and even on select days, at our local high schools.

I believe youth development is the responsibility of all adults, not just parents, teachers and administrators. Our community is full of so many extraordinary people whom our kids can benefit in learning from.

Volunteer, mentor or tutor at any youth development organization. Help better our kids’ futures and in turn enjoy a rewarding experience.

There is no such thing as a bad kid. All kids have the potential to be great. Youth development programs play an important role in reaching, encouraging and developing that greatness.

Andy Brosche is the Director of Operations and club alumni at the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area. Fifty-seven percent of Boys & Girls Club alumni credit the Club to saving their lives. Andy Brosche is one of them. The Boys & Girls Club is focused and determined to help all club members graduate high school and attend college. Programs are centered around three core areas: academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. The club’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those most in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.

Learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area (San Clemente), at www.BeGreatSanClemente.org. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley (San Juan Capistrano) can be found online at www.bgccapo.com.

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From Crib to College Preparing for a Higher Education Starts Early A handy checklist to help keep your child on track INFANTS AND TODDLER S Read to your child every day.

Log on to the Department of Education’s parent information page at www.ed.gov/ parents. This website is a rich source of resources and information on everything from early childhood through college age. From a month-by-month guide on infant development, to strategies for raising a reader from the start, this site is one to bookmark and return to often throughout your child’s upbringing.

PRESCHOOL Continue reading to your child daily.

Choose the most enriching childcare options available to you.

Consider enrolling your child in preschool and other enrichment programs like music, art and other classes.

ELEMENTAR Y SCHOOL Keep reading to your child.

See www.ed.gov/parents for tips on helping children learn to read. The site also has information on what to do if you suspect there may be a problem affecting your child’s progress.

Stay engaged in your child’s education by checking/helping with their homework and keeping an open dialogue with teachers.

Start saving for college. Research prepaid tuition and savings plans. A good place to begin is www.collegesavings.org.

MIDDLE SCHOOL Discuss the importance of college to your child’s future often. Make discussions exciting, emphasizing all the wonderful possibili-

ties. Talking about the stress of paying for a college education and the need to compete academically should be discussed realistically, but not to the point of causing undue anxiety.

Encourage your child to speak with adults whose careers interest them and do other research to learn about the education necessary to land such jobs.

Speak with teachers and guidance counselors to find out about special interest programs or academies offered at the high school level and what classes need to be taken to prepare.

Support your child in developing strong study skills.

Help your child find activities in the community that will allow them to explore areas of interest outside of school.

Keep a close eye on school progress—behavior and grades—and if necessary, find tutoring to help keep studies on track.

Review your college savings program and adjust as necessary to stay on track.

Familiarize yourself with college tuition rates. A good way to estimate how much federal financial aid your child may qualify for is available online at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov.

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is one of the first steps you will need to take when beginning the college application process. This website will give your family an early look at what to expect and help clarify plans for financing college.

HIGH SCHOOL Students should meet often with their academic advisor to make sure they are taking the right mix of classes to meet college entrance requirements. Choose challenging courses in the core academic subjects. Consider attending specialized academies, taking Advanced Placement classes and enrolling in other advanced programs, such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

Students, get involved in your community.

Choose a few quality volunteer groups or special interest programs to participate in, rather than going for quantity.

Begin the college search. Campus visits are important.

Explore as many scholarship opportunities as possible.

Students, start taking the standardized tests required for admission to the colleges you are interested in applying to. The four main tests are the PLAN (pre-ACT), PSAT/ NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), the ACT and SAT. Some colleges and scholarships may also require SAT subject tests. Stay in close contact with your academic advisor to keep yourself on track with testing.

Keeping in close touch with your academic advisor is also important with regard to financial aid and scholarship application deadlines. Make sure you are clear on when to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and other forms.

Application requirements vary greatly among colleges. Students should research every school they want to apply to for information on application deadlines, fees and other specialized requirements.

Students should spend plenty of time and energy on preparing the most outstanding essay they are capable of. A stellar essay can be the tipping point that convinces a college admissions officer to accept a student.

Plenty of information about the road to college is available online. Check out websites like the American Council on Education’s Four Steps to College page at www.knowhowtogo.org.

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

Debra Wells, 949.388.7700, x104 dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

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 20. 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, Tawnee Prazak, Dana Schnell, Tim Trent

Letters to the Editor RECALL REPRESENTS CITIZEN OVERSIGHT Jonah Cervantes, San Juan Capistrano Ever since I became aware of the water dispute in San Juan Capistrano, I was surprised to see the amount of controversy associated with it. In my view, the issue is very simple and involves the integrity of our elected officials. I have read written opinions of San Juan residents calling the recall effort “political posturing” and other acrimonious terms. Councilman Sam Allevato himself, who consciously backed an unjust billing system declared illegal according to California law, has called the watchdog group responsible for the recall effort “a small group of residents that have inflamed the truth.” He has called the recall effort a personal political attack and many supporters echo him.

However, this issue is not about political intrigue or machinations, but the responsibility of American citizens to keep in check their elected officials. This principle is the bedrock of the greatness of this nation, on every level: from federal politics to those of small towns such as San Juan Capistrano. In summary, Councilman Allevato has failed to represent the citizens who elected him and action needs to be taken.

ALLEVATO RECALL John Farley, San Juan Capistrano In the September 27 to October 10 edition of The Dispatch, Brian Park’s editorial on the recall quotes Jonathan Volzke, referring to Community Common Sense members, as follows: “They’re not city hall watchdogs …

They’re nothing more than political bullies.” Then Jonathan continues,” They’re not professional in their attacks.

It’s not even political. It’s personal.”

Volzke confuses me. If his criticism of

Common Sense is valid because of their “personal attacks,” then what criticism, pray tell, applies to Volzke when he calls them “bullies?” “Bullies” sounds kind of personal to me.

CURIOUS TIMING AND MOTIVES BEHIND RECALL ATTEMPT Elliott Levenson Dissent is a principal spoke in the wheel of our political system. We all know America’s founders had broken with the old order that was rife with various forms of persecution. Fast forward to a more recent act of dissent in the form of a recall attempt on our recently elected councilmember, Sam Allevato.

The superficial reason given for this recall has been associated, by a very small group of people, with the Ground Water Recovery Plant (GWRP) operating within our town. Let me opine from the outset that the attempt has little to do about the GWRP and more to do with a political agenda of swaying the City Council voting majority in the coming 2014 elections. If one is to accept this premise, then the form of dissent currently being carried out borders on insidious.

So who are these self-proclaimed activists? The individuals are an integral part of the team that publishes the local paper Community Common Sense. Let me state clearly that I appreciate the publication’s efforts. San Juan Capistrano is a diverse community and as a 16-year resident, I enjoy the benefits of many “points and counterpoints” venues. What I do disagree with is the recall effort of Sam Allevato.

The GWRP is a complex issue and to discuss the points and counterpoints editorially here would be quickly lost in the proverbial weeds. An interested individual can Google “San Juan Capist-

The Capistrano Dispatch October 25-November 7, 2013

rano Ground Water Recovery Plant” and you will see approximately 10 pages of articles.

Consider the following facts: An Orange County Register piece from February 1, 2013 by John Perry and Councilman Larry Kramer titled “Pro or Con: Is the groundwater recovery plant a good idea?”

Mayor John Taylor and Councilman Kramer have consistently voted with Mayor Pro Tem Allevato.

The above facts beg the question why selectively pick on Sam? The estimated time frame of the recall would probably be sometime around August 2014 with an approximate cost to the taxpayers of San Juan Capistrano of $100,000.

The scheduled national election is in November, so why insist on a special election and negating the thousands of legitimately casted votes of last year?

Having served on the San Juan Capistrano Bond Oversight Committee and currently the Open Space, Trails and Equestrian Commission, I have never seen any of these self-described activists show up to any of the meetings. We the citizens of San Juan Capistrano collectively desire many amenities in our town from the city. These desires include a revitalized downtown area, improved parks and recreation areas, among others. The City Council, including Sam Allevato, has shown wisdom and great leadership in that quest.

The few petitioners who signed the letter of intent to recall Sam Allevato want a special election, knowing that local elections generally have a very limited percentage of the registered voters showing up at the polls. They will perpetuate their myths and lies at the petition gathering sites, relying on an uninformed electorate to sign up. If successful they will then try to “pick off”

Page 9

Sam and elect their own.

When the signature-gathering phase of this frivolous effort begins, please consider very carefully about signing this petition. Elections do have consequences and we will all have a chance to speak again in November.

AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN Ronald Simon, San Juan Capistrano The new off-ramp south of the Ortega Highway bridge is an accident waiting to happen. If you take this off-ramp going north, on the right lane, you find yourself concentrating on the S-turn bending to your right as you approach Camino Capistrano. By the time you reach Camino Capistrano, the traffic signal can only be viewed if you turn your head to the left and look out of the driver side window. I doubt if many drivers even know that it’s there. The tendency is to blow past the red light and continue north toward San Juan Capistrano. Meanwhile, cars who have a green light headed north on Camino Capistrano and who want to turn right onto La Novia must merge to the right into the lane containing cars who ignore, or do not notice, the red light at the off-ramp. One of these days there will be accident there. Whoever is responsible for the off-ramp traffic control signals did a poor job of positioning the stoplight.

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

YOUR TWO-WEEK EVENT PLANNER

THE LIST

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

friday

GHOST & LEGENDS TOUR 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Historical Society leads guests on an evening tour to explore local ghosts and legends. For the first time, the tour will be offered over two nights, including Saturday, Oct. 26. Cost $6 for adults, $2 for children. Call for reservations. 31831 Los Rios St., 949.444.6609, www.sjchistoricalsociety.com.

25

WILLIAM SHATNER 8 p.m. William Shatner will be performing his new record “Ponder the Mystery” at The Coach House. Tickets $30. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

saturday

CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP DAY 9 a.m. Learn about the local chapter of the statewide organization, hear mini lectures and more at Tree of Life Nursery. 33201 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.728.0685, www.californianativeplants.com.

26

sunday

27

MIKE HAMILTON Noon-4 p.m.

Live music at Mission Grill.

31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.240.8055, www.missiongrillsjc.com.

SCVS ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Saddleback Valley Christian Schools invites prospective parents and students to attend an informational open house. 26333 Oso Rd., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4050, www.svcschools.org.

tuesday

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME 11:15 a.m. Children ages 3-6 and caregivers are invited for stories, songs, crafts and fun at the library. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

29

The Capistrano Dispatch October 25-November 7, 2013

AT THE MOVIES: WHICH OLD WITCH? In 2009, vampires seemed to infest pop culture to the point of oversaturation. Zombies took over as the go-to monster in entertainment in 2011. Now, with the television premieres of “American Horror Story: Coven” and “Witches of East End,” witches seem to be taking over. Although Harry Potter was a major phenomenon featuring adolescent wizards and witches, most would probably associate the magical group with the likes of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” Here are a few film favorites to cast a spell on you for All Hallow’s Eve. Veronica Lake reps early celluloid sorceresses as Fredric March’s wife in 1942’s I Married a Witch, while Kim Novak enchanted Jimmy Stewart in Bell, Book and Candle (1958), for those into classic movies. Romantic comedy lovers might go for Jack Nicholson’s attempt to seduce Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Veronica Lake in ‘I Married a Witch’. Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures Pfeiffer in The Witches of Eastwick (1987), or Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman trying to bewitch a bad boyfriend in Practical Magic (1998). Viewers in the mood for some 1990s childhood nostalgia will remember Anjelica Huston, feared by every child in The Witches (1990), and Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy brought back from the dead in Hocus Pocus (1993). Fairuza Balk has not only claimed to be a Wiccan in real life, but also played a witch twice in film with cult movies The Worst Witch (1986) and The Craft (1998). So whether on TV or feature film, any of these enchantresses make for wicked fun Halloween viewing. —Megan Bianco

KNITLIT, THE KNITTING BOOK GROUP 6 p.m. Bring your knitting or other project and join a lively discussion of the latest book at the San Juan Capistrano Library.

31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

wednesday

GARDEN TOURS 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Guided tour of the gardens at Mission San Juan Capistrano.

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

30

CAPO FARMER’S MARKET 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Every Wednesday at El Camino Real and Yorba St. in San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.4700.

thursday

31

www.thecoachhouse.com.

DREAD ZEPPELIN 8 P.M. Special Halloween show at The Coach House. Tickets $15. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930,

THE SWALLOW’S COSTUME CONTEST AND PARTY 9 p.m. Enter the annual Halloween costume contest at The Swallow’s Inn. Mark Liddell and The Long Riders perform on stage, starting at 7:30 p.m. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

friday

TEDxSANJUANCAPISTRANO 6 p.m.-10:30 p.m. An independently organized TEDx event celebrating ideas worth spreading by renowned experts and thinkers held in St. Margaret’s Episcopal School’s McGregor Theater.

Cost $65. 31641 La Novia, SJC. For more info: tait.lihme@ smes.org, www.tedssanjuancapistrano.com.

1

saturday

FAMILY FILM FEATURE 10 a.m. The family is invited to watch a fun movie at the library. Free admission and popcorn. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

2

Page 10

sunday

PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT SERIES Saddleback Valley Christian Schools hosts three nights of a parent education series with guidance on raising teens. Sunday’s theme is “Purity Night” and includes a parent-only video screening.

Events continue Nov. 4-5. Call for more info. 26333 Oso Rd., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4050, www.svcs.org.

3

monday

TRAIL CLEARING AND WEEDING 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

Spend time in the beautiful outdoors and volunteer to clear and maintain trails at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy. Free. 949.923.2210, www.theconservancy.org.

4

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 including a special guest speaker. Cost $15-$25.

26701 Verdugo St., 949.493.4700, www.sanjuanchamber. com.

6

ZUMBA FITNESS CLASS 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Come join certified instructor Michell for a free one-hour fun workout at Anytime Fitness. Another free session will be held Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. 31107 Rancho Viejo Rd., Ste. 5., San Juan Capistrano, 949.481.2220, michell@anytimesjc.com.

KARAOKE WITH LES AND JOEL 7 p.m. Every Wednesday at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

thursday

7

BUDDY GUY 8 p.m. Legendary blues artist at The Coach House. Tickets $75. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

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

Have an event?

Send your listing to events@thecapistranodispatch.com www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

4

LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Monday 10.28

Monday 11.4

Wednesday 11.6

Youth Advisory Board Meeting 5 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

Open Space, Trails and Equestrian Commission Meeting 6 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting 7 p.m. Capistrano Unified School District Office Board Room, 33122 Valle Road. www.capousd.org.

Tuesday 11.5

Friday 11.8

City Council, Housing Authority and Successor Agency Meeting 6 p.m.

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

Next regular issue of The Dispatch publishes

Friday 11.1 Coffee Chat 8 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues, hosted by The Dispatch founder Jonathan Volzke. Occurs every Friday. All are welcome. El Adobe de Capistrano, 31891 Camino Capistrano.

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

Rebuilding Trust Takes Time Opening up and trusting once again takes time, patience

F

or people age 50 plus, building trust is one of the hardest things to do after getting unexpectedly dumped. However, if ever there was a blueprint on how to rebuild trust, today’s story is a good one to follow.

Trent was happily married for seven years, or so he thought. Then one day his wife reconnected with a high school boyfriend on Facebook and moved to Virginia to be with her old flame.

Trent said, “She took my money, car and a majority of the belongings in the house while I was out of town.”

I can relate to Trent’s situation. A similar experience happened to me in Dana Point on Christmas Eve in 1993, when my wife of six years cleaned out the house and moved out of my life. Trent spent many sad months filled with loneliness and deep issues of feeling abandoned. He thought he could never trust another woman.

“I slowly began to understand that it is through trials in life that we do most of our growing and changing for the better,” he said. “Through this process of refinement, I gained hope that love might enter my world. After taking time to heal and grieve, I decided I was partially to blame for my failed marriage. I began attending classes for singles and eventually went to some dances and began making single friends so that I was not sitting at home each week with my dog.”

Trent’s comment about his dog made me laugh.

The first newspaper column I wrote 18 years ago after my wife left was titled, “Home Alone with Only My Dogs for Company.” Thank heavens for pets.

Trent continued, “As I began dating, I took it slow, with little to no expectations. I looked for a woman who was kind, of low drama, who knew who she was, someone who had a good family with strong parents and siblings with stable lives, who was emotionally and financially independent and someone with shared values and interests. A woman’s mind, when used properly, is a much sexier thing than her curves.

“Eventually, I met a woman online,” he said. “After several dates with her, I shared most of my past probThe Capistrano Dispatch October 25-November 7, 2013

lems and brought out the skeletons for her to see. I wanted her to know that I was not perfect and that I had been deeply hurt but that I was open to loving and trying again. I also did not want to invest myself emotionally with someone who could not handle the real me and my past. She did the ON LIFE AND same and we both ended up having LOVE AFTER 50 a much deeper connection from that

By Tom Blake point forward. You have to risk being hurt and trusting again to find true love.

“I believe you need a year or two of dating and being in many day-to-day real world situations to see a person in their true light,” Trent said. “Be with them in their homes, on trips, camping and with no makeup.

Be with them after a long day working, when they are in financial or emotional distress. See them when they are having kid issues, health issues and also let them care for you as you struggle with sickness or pain. We did all those things.”

Trent married on September 6. Because Trent and his new bride lived in different states, they had a tough decision to make, they had to decide who would move.

He said, “During our courtship, we discussed living arrangements and since my kids are grown and gone, and she still has two at home, we decided that I would move. I put my home on the market, packed a moving truck, and moved from Utah to San Diego. I have been here a little over a month and things are settling in and wonderful.”

Trent shared another aspect that he felt important in building trust.

“Despite becoming very close physically, we chose to not sleep together until we got married,” he said. “It may seem old-fashioned but we made a decision to not have it be about personal gratification all of the time, but about companionship first. It worked out well with a lot less complication and huge amounts of trust between us.

“Isn’t that what single and widowed people want Page 12

most? Someone who has our backs? Someone we can trust and confide in? I have to pinch myself every day to think how sad and miserable I felt and how different my life is now, two years later. My message: Don’t give up, ever,” Trent added.

Similar to Trent and his situation, when I met my life partner Greta, I was able to trust again. Now, we’ve spent 15 glorious years together. Let’s wish equal success to Trent and his bride.

To comment, email Tom at tompblake@gmail.com.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point business owner and San Clemente resident who has authored books on middleaged dating. See his website at www.findingloveafter50. com. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The 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 Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY 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

FOR SALE

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

WII FIT, DVD PLAYER, MENS WETSUIT Wii Fit and DVD player $25/each. Mens Rip Curl Wetsuit, short-arm, full suit, size small.

New condition $75. Call or text 949.533.9761.

GARAGE SALE

Call 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

GARAGE SALE 33792 Colegio Dr., Dana Point, Oct 26th only 8am-12pm, 2 Wilderness system (Ripper) kayaks, Thule Ascent 1600 pod, Yakima 4 bike carrier, assorted sporting goods and outdoor items.

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

Locals Only

BUSINESS DIRECTORY The only directory featuring San Juan Capistrano businesses exclusively

*2.1 readership per 11,500 copies distributed

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

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.1321 27126 Paseo Espada, Suite 1604, www.oasisair.com

949.388.7700 ext. 104

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

949.373.8963

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

HOME ORGANIZATION

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

949.499.4464 949.496.9731

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

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

949.212.0499

SCHOOLS

Karen Fischer, Professional Organizer, Get Organized and Move!

949.355.3487 www.getorganizedandmove.com

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

LANDSCAPING

The Capistrano Dispatch October 25-November 7, 2013

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

PLUMBING

COINS

Vermeulen’s Landscaping Inc. bvland@cox.net

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

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

PHOTO & DIGITAL LAB

BANKING

GraCorp Coins & Collectibles www.gracorpcoins.com

MOLD REMOVAL

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

TILE & STONE INSTALLATION/ RESTORATION Yorba Linda Tile & Marble, Inc. 714.757.3490 www.yorbalindatilemarble.com, CA License #789312

WATER DAMAGE 949.661.0967

Page 25

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

Holiday Sale & Chairty Event! *Top Quality Handbag Sale* - Dooney & Bourke, Tignanello, B.Makowsky and more! By Dress Well Boutique. Co-Hosted with Cam Graeber, Keller Williams OC Coastal Realty (949) 533-7435. Mention your favorite charity and 20% of your total purchase will be donated to the charity of your choice! Saturday November 2nd, 10am-4pm. 33712 Calle Miramar, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 *(OR SHOWING ON OTHER DAYS BY APPOINTMENT)* Call Toll Free (855) 445-9881. www.DressWellBoutique.com

WINDOW TINTING Bayside Window Cleaning, Inc. www.baysidewindowcleaning.com

949.215.2323

WOMEN’S CLOTHING & HANDBAG BOUTIQUE Dress Well Boutique 949.922.8044 33712 Calle Miramar, www.DressWellBoutique.com

LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN “LOCALS ONLY” Call today! Contact Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or email aedwards@thecapistranodispatch.com.

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS

5

& OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

OUTDOOR SPOTLIGHT

SADDLEBACK COLLEGE PROFESSOR SAYS TAKE A HIKE

As a Professor of Kinesiology at Saddleback College, Jan Duquette has been teaching fitness classes for over 30 years and happens to be an avid hiker and amateur historian of the trails in southern California.

Duquette is now bringing her knowledge and love of the outdoors to the public in the form of Take a Hike OC. Duquette acts as a tour guide for those interested in traversing the trails that dot the area. She is currently taking interested walkers and hikers on trips through San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo and other neighboring cities. The walk-

Jan Duquette guides walkers and hikers along the trails of southern Orange County. Courtesy photo

ing trips cater to the casual enthusiast while the hiking trails offer more of a challenge.

For Duquette, exploration is in her blood. In the 1980s she would go on cattle roundups with her father, who was connected to the equestrian

world in the area. Some of those same trails Duquette and her father used to round up cattle, like near Bear Brand Ranch in San Juan Capistrano and Rancho San Clemente, are still intact and she takes the groups along the same paths, providing insight to how it used to be.

“I used to know all the original trails.

The cities have done a great job maintaining them … The people love it and the biggest thing is being outside and meeting other people,” Duquette said.

For more information on Take a Hike OC visit www.takeahikeoc.com.

—Steve Breazeale

Dolphins Football Erupts in Fourth Quarter for Win Over Cougars

By Steve Brezeale The Capistrano Dispatch

n a game that was an offensive shootout, the Dana Hills football team came from behind and erupted for 28 fourth quarter points on their way to a 57-32 Sea View League victory over Capistrano Valley on October 18.

The Cougars (4-3, 0-1 league) were trailing for most of the first half but scored 14 unanswered points to take a three-point lead into the final twelve minutes against the Dolphins (4-4, 2-0).

One big Dana Hills play after another soon followed.

Dolphins senior quarterback Mac Vail threw a short pass to senior Sean Schulte, who turned what could have been a decent gain into a 58-yard highlight reel play. Schulte’s dash after the catch to the end zone gave the Dolphins a 36-32 lead.

Capistrano Valley quarterback Matthew Gordon then threw an interception and the Dolphins capitalized.

Senior fullback Andrew Dunn would score on a 32yard burst and, after Gordon fumbled on the ensuing

I

(From L to R) Capistrano Valley football captains Matthew Gordon, Cole Muusse, honorary captain Kurt Perryman and Philip O’Shea prepare walk to take part in the coin toss before a game against Dana Hills on October 18. Photo by Doug McDonough/Jonny Perryman

Cougar drive, Dunn caught a five-yard touchdown pass to make it 50-32.

It was a ferocious comeback for the Dolphins, who have grown accustomed to putting up big points lately.

In their last three games the Dolphins have outscored their opponents 151-42.

“The offense is really clicking right now. The way we can run the ball is incredible and Vail has a great arm

so when we need to throw, we can,” Dana Hills head coach Todd Rusinkovich said.

Heading into the game the Dolphins had allowed 10 points over their past two games. The Cougar offense was able to put up 32 on the Dolphins until they clamped down in the fourth quarter. The 32 points allowed was the second most Dana Hills had given up all year.

The Cougars jumped on a Dolphins error after a punt turned into a Dana Hills fumble. Capistrano Valley recovered and junior Jordon Bocko ran in a one-yard touchdown which narrowed Dana Hills’ lead to 23-17 at the half.

Gordon ended the night with 224 passing yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Cougars’ senior receiver Cole Muusse caught six passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

After finishing in a tie for the league title in 2012, the Cougars will need to win out and hope Dana Hills or San Juan Hills, the two current undefeated teams in league, drop one along the way. Capistrano Valley will host Laguna Hills (3-4, 1-1) on October 25. CD

SAN JUAN PREP SPORTS: BY THE NUMBERS

T

hrough the use of stats and numbers, we break down the San Juan area high school sports season so far and look ahead to season’s end.

Football 24 Number of touchdown passes thrown this season

by Capistrano Valley Christian junior quarterback Riley Babick. Babick has completed 74 percent of his passes and has thrown only two interceptions in seven games played.

3 Number of receivers to which Babick has thrown six or more touchdown passes to this season. 970 All-purpose yards recorded by JSerra senior Casey Eugenio in six games played. Eugenio has 703 rushing yards, 218 receiving yards and has returned punt and kickoffs for a total of 49 yards.

7 Average yards per carry by San Juan Hills junior running back Mike Miscione. Miscione is averaging 80 yards per game and has scored seven touchdowns.

The Capistrano Dispatch October 25-November 7, 2013

Girls Volleyball 23 Number of aces tallied by St. Margaret’s freshman outside hitter Kashea Kloss in 14 games. Kloss had a season-high five kills in the Tartans’ October 4 win over Calvary Chapel.

11 Consecutive matches won by Saddleback Valley Christian during a stretch that lasted from October 1to October 19. The 11-0 run included nonleague and tournament contests. The win-streak was snapped by Westview on October 19 during the SoCal Invitational tournament.

Cross Country 3 Number of top-5 finishers the JSerra girls team had at the Trinity League Preview Meet on October 2. The team won convincingly, 29-47, over Mater Dei. Ashley Geisler (18:54) finished second, Charlotte Owen (19:01) finished fourth and Kylee Fracassi (19:09) finished fi fth. The Lions, who are the three-time dePage 14

fending CIF Division IV State champions, finished 13th overall at the OC Championships on October 19.

15:40 Time posted by St. Margaret’s junior Collin Price at the Orange County Championships. Price finished 35th overall in the varsity division sweeps.

Girls Golf 7 Margin of victory in the San Juan Hills girls squad’s win over Sea View League rival Aliso Niguel on October 17. The Stallions and Wolverines were tied after all five players turned in their scorecards. But San Juan Hills’ sixth player shot a 47 compared to Aliso Niguel’s sixth player’s 54. The tie ensured that the two schools would share the league title.

Boys Water Polo 24 Number of steals recorded by San Juan Hills senior utility Hayden Werner this season. Werner has recorded at least one steal in all but four Stallions matches. CD —Steve Breazeale www.thecapistranodispatch.com