May 9, 2014

Two Hands Better than One for CVCS Pitcher OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE

SPORTS/PAGE 18 FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

MAY 9-22, 2014 • VOLUME 12, ISSUE 9

A Classroom at Sea Gray Whale Foundation provides CUSD students with chance to study the world’s largest mammals E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 5

Fourth- and fifth-grade students from Wood Canyon Elementary were on the lookout for gray whales, as part of a Capistrano Unified School District program that aims to prepare them for the future through a new gray whale-focused STEM curriculum. Photo: Brian Park

Son Pleads Not Guilty in Shooting Deaths of Parents EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Principal Named for Rancho Mission Viejo School EYE ON SJC/PAGE 8

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Guest Columnists Chime in on Proposed Downtown Shopping Center SOAPBOX/PAGE 10

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EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week Son Pleads Not Guilty in Shooting Deaths of Parents THE LATEST: A 20-year-old San Juan Capistrano man accused of killing his parents and paralyzing his 8-year-old brother pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted-murder charges Friday.

Ashton Colby Sachs pleaded not guilty to two counts each of murder and attempted murder during his arraignment in Orange County Superior Court, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Sachs is accused of traveling from Seattle, where he was a student at North Seattle College, to San Juan Capistrano in February and shooting his parents, Bradford Hans Sachs, 57, and Andra Resa Sachs, 54, while they slept. He is also accused of shooting his 8-year-old brother, who was critically injured and is now paralyzed. The couple’s two teenage daughters were also inside the home at the time of the shooting. Sachs is accused of shooting at one of his sisters but missing.

Sachs was arrested on March 6 in a family home in San Diego County. He was found with his brother, 22-year-old Myles Sachs, and his other siblings. Myles Sachs has since been granted temporary custody of his siblings.

WHAT’S NEXT: Sachs is being defended

by Seth Bank from the Orange County Public Defender’s Office and is scheduled to reappear in court for a pretrial hearing on July 25. He remains in jail without bail.

– Brian Park

Chamber Executive Enters City Council Race THE LATEST: Stephanie Frisch, the chair of the Chamber of Commerce’s executive board, has announced she will be running for San Juan Capistrano City Council in the November election.

Frisch, an insurance agent and owner of Insurance 101, is the fourth candidate to publicly declare and the second nonincumbent. In April, longtime Cultural Heritage Commissioner and community volunteer Jan Siegel announced her The Capistrano Dispatch May 9-22, 2014

candidacy, along with incumbents Larry Kramer and John Taylor. Councilman Derek Reeve has yet to decide if he will run for reelection.

Frisch, an 11-year resident of San Juan, has been on the chamber’s board for six years and will be terming out this year.

She said the time was right to run for council and that her business experience and community involvement would help her make appropriate decisions for the city’s future.

“I want to make sure as our town grows, we don’t lose our cultural heritage and community traditions,” Frisch said.

WHAT’S NEXT: City Council candidates can begin pulling nomination papers on July 14 and must submit them by August 8, according to City Clerk Maria Morris.

– BP

Southern California Edison’s community engagement panel met in San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday to discuss the future of use and spent nuclear fuel at the decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. File photo

CUSD School Lottery May be Reviewed

Stephanie Frisch, chairwoman of the Chamber of Commerce’s executive board, intends to run for San Juan Capistrano City Council in the November election. Photo: Brian Park

New 12-acre City Park Debuts May 31 THE LATEST: The city of San Juan Capistrano is set to unveil its newest park during a dedication ceremony on Saturday, May 31.

The 12-acre Reata Park and Event Center, located in the city’s eastern territory, will feature recreational space, an equestrian staging area, space for weddings and group events, a network of paths and trails and a restored historic structure that will serve as a welcome center.

The park was built and funded by the San Juan Capistrano Open Space Foundation. The city purchased the land, including the adjacent Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, in a 2010 deal for 132 acres at a cost of $27.5 million, paid for by a $30 million bond approved by city voters in 2008. Trails also connect to Caspers Wildnerness Park and 42 acres of land will be preserved as open space.

WHAT’S NEXT: The park is located at 28632 Ortega Highway. The grand opening will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to attend. The event will include live entertainment, dancing, a petting zoo, pony rides, exhibits and tours. – BP

THE LATEST: Residents of Ladera Ranch told the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees April 23 that their children, who had been expecting to go to San Juan Hills High School, had been directed elsewhere in the district despite having priority on slots for the school.

Parents said the development, which is zoned to send approximately 75 percent of its students to San Juan Hills and 25 percent to Tesoro High School, has one middle school, leading to the development of friendships among students.

Since community facilities district funds from Ladera were partially used to help fund the construction of San Juan Hills, even students in the Tesoro zone are supposed to be given priority over those from other parts of the district, they said.

Parents said approximately 56 students had been sent to Tesoro despite the priority listing and that others, with lower school-of-choice priority—including students from San Clemente and Dana Point—had been given spots at the school.

WHAT’S NEXT: A review of the lottery process will be agendized for May, district officials said. – Jim Shilander

Panelists Questions Nuclear Fuel Storage Options at SONGS THE LATEST: Southern California Edison’s community engagement panel met Tuesday at the San Juan Capistrano

Page 3

Community Center to discuss what will happen to used or spent nuclear fuel at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

With the plant’s decades-long decommissioning process started, fuel from its two reactors was removed. Now, spent fuel sits in wet storage, lowering in temperature for five to seven years, before being place into dry storage, where it could stay indefinitely.

The panel includes representatives from across Orange and San Diego counties and was created to give the public input into the ongoing decommissioning process. The public did not have a chance to comment as the meeting focused on experts giving their opinions and panelists’ questions.

Recommendations included utilizing a public-based approach to nuclear energy, establishing an organization dedicated solely to the management of waste, starting to consolidate the storage of such waste and continuing education and innovation programs for nuclear energy.

The committee also found that the Department of Energy mishandled funds gathered for nuclear waste, said UC Berkeley professor Per Peterson, who studies the safety, security and management of nuclear waste.

WHAT’S NEXT: The community panel asked for guidance in finding a solution for storage at the national level. After hearing from the manufacturer of drystorage containers at SONGS, Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates applauded the presenter for his convincing argument on the safety of long-term storage.

– Andrea Papagianis www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

A Classroom at Sea

Developing CUSD program aims to prepare students through lessons on gray whales and their ecosystem

BY BRIAN PARK, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

n the waters just outside of Dana Point Harbor, aboard the OCean Adventures catamaran, fourth- and fifth-grade students from a combination class at Wood Canyon Elementary School in Aliso Viejo were on the lookout for gray whales.

“Thar she blows!” one girl yelled.

“No, that’s nothing,” her observant classmate replied.

For months, the students had been preparing for their ocean excursion, a capstone reward and an opportunity to apply what they had learned about gray whales and their ecosystem in a fun ocean expedition.

But on this day, there were no gray whales sighted. Capt. Todd Mansur, lead naturalist for Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, suspects they may have been avoiding boats or a few might have slipped past them into shallower waters.

“This isn’t SeaWorld,” Mansur said.

“Nothing is penned in. We’re sponsored

by Earth.”

The kids, though, were not taken back ashore without a show. They were told to remain quiet so as to not scare away sea lions basking on a buoy. Later, they screamed to their hearts’ content as a pod of dolphins swam beside their boat.

“The cuteness is killing me!” said the girl, who had earlier envisioned a whale.

Had they spotted a gray whale, the students would have been prepared. With binoculars, stopwatches to time breathing patterns and clipboards to mark down their observations, they were ready to contribute their part to an ongoing study of the whales’ annual migration, from cold Alaskan waters, past the California coastline and to warmer bays and lagoons off the Mexican coast.

The group was the last of 23 trips taken

this migratory season by 52 participating classes from several schools in the Capistrano Unified School District. All of them took part in a program, launched last spring, that aims to apply new Common Core standards and STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in classrooms.

By going deeper into subject matter—in this case, gray whales and their ecosystem—and drawing from those four disciplines, school officials hope to mold students into more creative problem solvers and prepare them for futures that will be more dependent on technology.

“Every learner remembers something more if they’ve actually done it,” said Elisa Slee, a teacher on special assignment, or TOSA, tasked to find new ways to implement STEM curriculum into CUSD classrooms. “It’s the vehicle for learning everything better because children are naturally curious.”

CUSD’s gray whale unit is not the only STEM-focused program that teachers have adopted.

As part of a program Slee helped organize, Advanced Placement environmental science students from Dana Hills High School take what they have learned during the school year, organize the material into lesson plans and present them to fourth-graders from Kinoshita Elementary School during a field trip at The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano. The older students, in teaching others, become experts in local environmental issues while the younger scholars learn practical, science-based lessons and solutions about their surrounding environment.

Many of the programs rely on support from local businesses and community organizations, like The Ecology Center.

Wood Canyon Elementary School students try to spot gray whales. Photo: Brian Park

The Capistrano Dispatch May 9-22, 2014

Page 5

Capt. Todd Mansur, lead naturalist for Dana Wharf Whale Watching and board member of the Gray Whale Foundation, prepares students for their trip aboard the OCean Adventures catamaran. Photo: Brian Park

The gray whale unit would not be if it were not for The Gulf of Catalina Gray Whale Preservation and Education Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Dana Wharf co-owner Michael Hansen, Mansur and their staff.

Since the early ‘90s, Dana Wharf has welcomed CUSD students on field trips, but Hansen, Mansur and company recognized that students did not have the foundational knowledge to understand why they were looking for whales.

“Any time you can study an animal that’s coastal, that swims near your shoreline, you’re going to know how well you’re treating the local ecosystem,” Mansur said. “These animals are going to have the biggest impact from anything we do here because of our proximity.”

Mansur and the Gray Whale Foundation began going to classrooms, in CUSD and all over Southern California, to give presentations on why the students would be visiting Dana Point Harbor and what they should expect from their trip. In 2007, the foundation began developing a more formal curriculum, which would later spawn the district’s gray whale unit. “(The trip) had to be an award. It had to be earned, first and foremost, by the teachers,” Mansur said. “If the teachers weren’t willing to teach the curriculum, it wasn’t going to work.”

The foundation reached out to CUSD, and district officials connected them with Slee, along with Nona Reimer and Paola Paz Soldan, teachers at Malcolm and Las Palmas elementary schools, respectively.

The trio, working with the foundation, created a curriculum, complete with lesson plans and activities, for other willing teachers to adopt.

“If the teachers were doing the unit and were willing to attend the training, they could ask to have a free or subsidized field trip, funded by the Gray Whale Foundation,” Slee said. The entire unit, including the trip, costs about $60 per student, according to Mansur.

Using gray whales as the “flagship

species,” the unit was designed to satisfy the goals of Common Core, known as the “4 C’s:” collaboration, critical thinking, communication and creativity. Activities also hit on the four elements of STEM and incorporate them across different subject matter. One lesson on feeding adaptions uses all four STEM elements by teaching students about baleen, the hair-like bristle gray whales and other toothless whales use to filter food from ocean water. Students designed and engineered their own baleen from materials, such as metal wands banded by rubber bands, to filter rice out of water. After testing their creations, students noted the results and improved on their designs.

“It’s a different way to integrate engineering, technology, science and mathematics,” Paz Soldan said. “The moment they get their hands on it, the depth of their understanding is much greater.”

The goal of STEM education, and Common Core, is to prepare students for higher education opportunities and a future workforce with ever-changing demands.

“Ten years ago, the technology we have today we never would have imagined.

What’s down the line we don’t even know yet,” Paz Soldan said. “But if we get these kids interested today, to have a strong base, they’ll have a better concept … Just the fact that they’re exposed to new ways of thinking allows them to solve problems in new ways. They’re going to have to solve the problems we’re leaving them.”

For the foundation, the unit helps to meet their goal to foster “ocean-minded” citizens. Mansur said, eventually, he would like to see it fully adopted across CUSD and to other districts as well.

“I am positive as they see the success rate of this and the happiness of students, it’ll continue to grow,” Mansur said. “Passion is contagious. When you speak the word of ocean awareness, you have to remember the vast ocean. These kids are the stewards of our future.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter 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.

Tuesday, May 6 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Avenida Aeropuerto, 26000 Block (3:40 p.m.)A man wearing a gray T-shirt and jeans was seen running past the railroad tracks and up a hill.

KEEP THE PEACEPaseo Sonata, 27500 Block (1:44 p.m.) A man called authorities because he wanted his roommate out.

Monday, May 5 TRAFFIC HAZARD Ortega Highway/Del Obispo Street (4:51 p.m.)A car was stalled in the inner eastbound lane of Ortega Highway. The driver of the disabled vehicle was waving others around, but the caller said the cars were going into oncoming traffic.

DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano/Victoria Boulevard (3:59 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for a woman with a small child who was panhandling in the sun.

DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Ortega Highway, 27100 Block (11:47 p.m.) A caller said there was a loud wedding party on the second floor of a hotel. The partygoers refused to quiet down, despite the hotel staff’s request.

Saturday, May 3 RECKLESS DRIVING Trabuco Creek Road/ Rancho Viejo Road (6:47 p.m.) Multiple cars were seen drag racing up and down Trabuco Creek Road.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Via El Socorro, 26700 Block (2:28 p.m.)

A caller said three men had locked themselves in the bathroom by a community pool. The caller thought they were doing drugs.

Thursday, May 1 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Avenida Aeropuerto/Calle Aviador (11:05 a.m.)A caller said a male transient had set up camp with a blue tarp in the creek bed.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Via Estelita/Aguacate Road (8:55 a.m.)

The Capistrano Dispatch May 9-22, 2014

A woman, who appeared to be passed out, was seen in a white van that had pulled to the side of the road.

Wednesday, April 30 DISTURBANCE Paseo Espada, 27100 Block (10:30 p.m.) Subjects were seen throwing glass bottles from a hotel balcony.

DISTURBANCE-AUTO INVOLVED Camino Las Ramblas/Montanas Del Mar (6:15 p.m.) Two people were seen riding motorcycles near the trail. The caller said they were being loud and was concerned for the safety of others.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Vivente De Marlita, 32600 Block (5 p.m.)

A woman said there was a shirtless bald man in her backyard. He was screaming at someone on the other side of the fence at the mobile home park. The woman later lost sight of the man, who left in an unknown direction.

Tuesday, April 29 DISTURBANCE-MECHANICAL Valle Road, 32800 Block (9:08 p.m.) A caller requested a patrol check at the mobile home park for a loud screeching noise. The caller said it sounded like an Internet modem trying to dial up but was much louder.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Spotted Bull Lane, 29500 Block (8:13 p.m.) A man said he had received a counterfeit $10 bill as change from a nearby business.

The Secret Service, which investigates counterfeiting, was contacted.

DISTURBANCE Paseo Pamela, 26400 Block (8:46 p.m.) A caller, translating for a Spanish-speaking individual, said there were three men arguing out front and that one man had a knife.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Calle Ricardo, 25900 Block (8:17 p.m.) The Orange County Fire Authority responded to a call from a San Juan Capistrano rehab facility, where a 21-year-old woman had taken too many prescription drugs. The woman was conscious and breathing and was said to have stolen the medication from a caregiver.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT-UNKNOWN INJURIES San Juan Creek Road/Paseo Christina (2:05 p.m.) A vehicle crashed into a light pole, causing it to come down. A tow truck was called and the city’s Public Works Department was notified.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Rancho Viejo Road, 31600 Block (9:05 a.m.) A homeless man, from behind Ball Park Pizza, was yelling at customers in the shopping center. He was described to be in his 40s with long blonde hair, wearing a brown polo shirt and brown pants.

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EYE ON SJC

Talega CFD Funds Will Get Annual Votes

Toll Roads to Cease Cash Collection

A decision on payments will likely come back to the board in August

T

BY JIM SHILANDER, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

R

esidents of San Clemente’s Talega neighborhood went before the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees again on April 23 to ask the board to reduce their tax levy based on a 2006 refinancing. It appears they will be coming back again.

At the recommendation of district staff, the board voted unanimously to continue to collect 125 percent of the annual installments on the development’s Mello-Roos bond, with the provision that it would vote, on an annual basis, to return excess funds to taxpayers.

Districts typically collect more than 100 percent of the bond payment amount in a given year in order to protect against delinquency or default, staff said.

Residents had asked that the board develop a way to eliminate so-called “pay-as-you-go” elements in the bond, which they said had resulted in tens of millions in additional taxes being sent to the district from the development that had not been previously returned to taxpayers.

The money had been held in district coffers or used for maintenance and building projects outside the scope of the CFD. Talega resident Marc Veale said he had no problem

The TCA will make the transition to new electronic toll collection May 14

BY BRIAN PARK, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

he Transportation Corridor Agencies will no longer collect cash toll payments on its 51-mile toll road network, effective Wednesday, May 14 at 12:01 a.m.

In January, the TCA introduced new electronic tollcollection methods that do away with cash payment stations along state routes 73, 133, 241 and 261. FasTrak users will still be able to use their transponders, but new ExpressAccount license-plate imaging will collect tolls electronically as drivers pass through.

“We’re seeing the end of an area, but the toll roads are definitely riding the wave of change,” said San Joaquin Hills TCA chairman Rush Hill in a statement.

“With our new nonstop system, gone will be the need

paying property taxes and the additional fees imposed by the Mello-Roos.

“It’s the $60 million extra that we have an issue with,” Veale said. If nothing else, Veale said, any additional funds collected should be used to pay down the balance of the bond.

Resident Laura Ferguson also criticized the board for not informing Talega residents that the issue would be on its agenda. An initial board decision to keep the proceeds from a 2013 refinancing of the bond last August angered residents, who were not present at the meeting when the issue was discussed. She also asked the board to return any funds over-collected from the previous eight years.

to stop at toll plazas and fumble around for exact change.”

The TCA will be offering new FasTrak and ExpressAccount customers a free week of driving on the toll roads, using the promotional code “FREETOLL.” The offer ends May 11.

For more information, visit www.thetollroads. com. CD A motion by Trustee Ellen Addonizio to end pay-asyou-go was defeated, 4-2, after board members expressed concern such a move could have major consequences for other Mello-Roos districts and potentially put the district in legal jeopardy with its bondholders. The board then voted on the original proposal.

As he had previously, San Clemente Trustee John Alpay, the board’s president, recused himself from the vote and discussion due to his ownership of property in the Talega development.

The next vote to return funds from the Mello-Roos will likely come in August. CD

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY BRIAN PARK

New Rancho Mission Viejo School Gets Its Principal Greg Merwin, principal at George White Elementary School in Laguna Niguel, has been appointed as the first principal at the Capistrano Unified School District’s new K-8 school in Rancho Mission Viejo.

Merwin’s appointment was approved by the school board on Wednesday, April 23. He has served as principal at George White for two years and previously served as principal at Robert M. Pyles and Dr. Albert Schweitzer schools in the Magnolia School District in Anaheim.

The new school, which will be built in the second village of Rancho Mission Viejo, Esencia, is scheduled to open in 2016 and will serve 1,200-1,600 students.

District officials are still considering the name of the school.

The school board also approved four new appointments: Paul Kraft as principal at Del Obispo Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano; Stephen Nicholas as the district’s new chief communications officer; Ryan Carter as director of construction; and Aja McKee as autism specialist.

Hats on Display at Kentucky Derby Party For a few hours, the Regency Theatre in downtown San Juan Capistrano was transformed into Louisville, Kentucky for the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition’s fourth annual Kentucky Derby Hat Party on Saturday, May 3.

In true derby tradition, guests arrived wearing their most colorful and ornate derby hats and sipped on mint juleps at Rick’s Café, inside the theater. Mayor Sam Allevato, SJEC Board President John Berney and Whim Home co-founder Daviell Maldonado served as judges for a hat contest.

Veronica Moreno of Valley Village was awarded first place in the judges’ catego-

ry for the second year in a row. Ten-yearold Alexis Golin of Calabasas and Judy Redwood of Dana Point finished second and third, respectively. Golin also won the popular vote.

After the contest, guests gathered to watch the 140th Kentucky Derby on the big screen. The race was won by California Chrome, ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza. California Chrome, from Los Alamitos, is the first California-bred horse to win the race since 1962.

Shane Battis earned an “excellent” rating in news editing/headline writing.

City Council Recognizes JSerra Boys Basketball The San Juan Capistrano City Council on Tuesday honored the JSerra Catholic High School varsity boys basketball team, which won its first California Interscholastic Federation championship this season.

Mayor Sam Allevato praised the team for their work on and off the court. Eight players achieved a 4.0-plus grade-point average this year, Allevato said.

“I truly tip my hat to each and every one of you,” Allevato said. “That speaks volumes of the JSerra basketball program, and it speaks volumes of the individual players and their families, who know the importance of education and reaching the stars.”

Life-saving City Employee Honored

(L to R) Judy Redwood of Dana Point and Alexis and Monica Golin of Calabasas show off their derby hats during the San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition’s fourth annual Kentucky Derby Hat Party.

Photo: Brian Park

San Juan Hills High School Newspaper Receives National Recognition San Juan Hills High School’s student newspaper, The Express, was named one of the top 10 high school newspapers of its size in the country, during the National High School Journalism Convention in San Diego on April 16.

The paper finished 10th in the best of show contest for broadsheet newspapers 9-12 pages long. Student journalists were also recognized. Sophomore Chetana Piravi received honorable mention in the first-year photography category and senior

Kipp Lyons, the city employee who helped save the life of a senior basketball player who suffered a heart attack while playing at the Community Center last month, was recognized by the San Juan Capistrano City Council, as well as the man he saved.

On April 11, Joe Pierantoni, a member of the San Juan Capistrano-based U.S. senior basketball team, was playing in a tournament game when he suffered a heart attack. Among the teammates who rushed to Pierantoni’s aid was Milt Vanna, a retired heart surgeon. Vanna began CPR while others notified Lyons, the recreation coordinator for the city’s Community Services Department, who rushed to the court with an automated external defibrillator, or AED. The two were able to revive Pierantoni, who had flatlined.

“I am truly grateful for Kipp for being well trained … and to the city of San Juan Capistrano for training their employees to handle these situations and for having the proper equipment,” Pierantoni said. “I thank you and my family thanks you. You saved my life.”

Pierantoni’s teammates also presented Lyons with a MVP trophy for his lifesaving efforts.

Community Meetings SATURDAY 5.10

Second Saturday Art Fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Over 60 artists, craftspeople and musicians exhibit their work in downtown San Juan Capistrano, along Camino Capistrano, Los Rios, Verdugo and Yorba streets. www.sjcartfair.org.

TUESDAY 5.13

Planning Commission Meeting

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

WEDNESDAY 5.14

Downtown Farmers Market 3 p.m.7 p.m. Fresh flowers, produce and specialty foods from around 40 vendors in downtown San Juan Capistrano, on the corner of Camino Capistrano and Yorba Street. Occurs every Wednesday. www.farmersmarketsjc.com.

CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting

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

FRIDAY 5.16

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.

Mission Grill, 31721 Camino Capistrano.

MONDAY 5.19

Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Commission Meeting 6 p.m. City Hall,

32400 Paseo Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

TUESDAY 5.20

Utilities Commission Meeting 8 a.m.

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

Lunch Local 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The San

Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce hosts this month’s networking lunch at El Adobe de Capistrano Restaurant, 31891 Camino Capistrano. Guests buy their own lunch. To RSVP, email claire@sanjuanchamber.com or call 949.493.4700. www.sanjuanchamber. com.

City employee Kipp Lyons (left) was recognized by the San Juan Capistrano City Council and the U.S. senior basketball team for helping to save the life of Joe Pierantoni, who suffered a heart attack while playing a game last month. Photo: Brian Park

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Friday 5.23 Next issue of The Dispatch publishes www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: By Mark Nielsen, former San Juan Capistrano City Councilman

Why Are We Considering Giving Up Our Identity?

Proposed ‘strip mall’ takes away from downtown’s historic character

A

pparently the promise of a Trader Joe’s is enough to have our city turn its back on our unique historical character.

Recently a “strip mall” was proposed on Ortega Highway at the old Mission Inn site, across the street from the Mission.

While I was on the City Council, we had approved that site for a three-story boutique hotel after literally years of design review and negotiations. Everyone was excited that we would add a quality hotel that fit with our unique historic downtown at the city’s entrance from the freeway, generate significant “bed tax” revenue and extend Mission day trips to overnight or longer, adding visitors to our downtown.

Unfortunately, though the hotel was approved, it is now being replaced with a new developer that is proposing a fourbuilding, 41,000-square-foot retail project that will have almost 200 parking spaces spread out across the property and a plan to use Spring Street for semi-trucks to deliver to the retailers, where children are dropped off and picked up at San Juan Elementary—basically, a typical strip mall that is built around vehicles, not pedestrians.

It’s not exactly what we envisioned for the entrance to our historic downtown.

Oh, and by the way, they need a General Plan amendment and rezone in order to

bypass the Historic Town Center Master Plan.

This would remove the property from the Historic Town Center district and give the developer and City Council free rein to

By Mark Nielson develop whatever they wanted. The council has started the process of considering an amendment with only Councilman Larry Kramer dissenting, when that process should not begin until there is something worth considering.

Why should the city be so willing to throw out our master plan that was only adopted a few years ago? The purpose of the plan was to ensure the historic character of our town center is preserved and enhanced. While the developer proposes a very nice strip mall for someplace like Irvine, it is completely at odds with the vision that is embodied in our general plan from decades ago, as well as our most recent master plan.

Yes, I know the argument put forth by some on the council that we need more critical mass for retail. However, these arguments ignore key issues.

First, the critical mass for retail is based on adding more retail that is pedestrian oriented so people will walk among shops downtown. Adding a strip mall at the edge

will only encourage more traffic, be an island for shoppers to drive in and out and discourage shoppers from leaving their cars and walking through the town center.

Second, at what price do we abandon our principles and unique character to sell ourselves out to the highest bidder?

San Juan Capistrano is an oasis of tranquility and historic beauty that takes visitors back in time and sets us apart from the rest of Orange County. We should be digging our heels in to protect and celebrate that unique character because it is our unique “brand” that attracts business and visitors to us over other places.

There are options for creating a retail site integrated with the Mission and the historic downtown that is made for walking and could reflect the architecture of the Mission with courtyards in its center.

However, this plan clearly is not an option.

Our city made a mistake long ago by creating “fast food row” as you exit Ortega eastbound. Don’t compound that mistake by adding a “strip mall row” as our new city gateway.

Mark Nielsen is a local business executive who served on the City Council from 2006 to 2010, including one year as mayor. He is a member of the Open Space Foundation’s board of directors and has lived in San Juan Capistrano for 25 years.

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.thecapistranodispatch.com

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR 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 BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER Alyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@thecapistranodispatch.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Lisa Consenza (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

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

Letters to the Editor MANY 241 OPPONENTS DON’T HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME —George Brody, San Clemente

A couple of weeks ago the Transportation Corridor Agencies, after two decades of trying, finally capitulated on trying to get approval for the extension of the 241 toll road. As it was reported in The Dispatch, Stefanie Sekich-Quinn from the Surfrider Foundation was very happy about her participation in defeating the TCA effort.

So, we, the residents of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, and towns further north, should thank Stefanie for condemning us to become prisoners in our homes on weekends. The already heavy traffic in both directions of Interstate 5 becomes really congested on Saturdays and Sundays. For example, a The Capistrano Dispatch May 9-22, 2014

trip from San Clemente to San Diego may easily take two hours or more if there is a traffic accident. We all remember the accident last month when vehicles in both directions were trapped on I-5 for more than four hours. I presume Stefanie was not involved in that.

In fact I wonder if Stefanie ever uses the I-5 in our area. Does she even live here?

Several years ago, TCA made several open-forum presentations explaining to the public what the plans were and the reasons for needing the extension connecting the 241 to the I-5 south of San Clemente. It would not increase the traffic in the surfing beach areas. It would not have interfered with any surfing activities.

In fact it was going to provide collection basins that would prevent dirty water from washing into the ocean. Only clean water would go into the ocean.

At one of those meetings, the Surfrider Foundation and the Audobon Society, who was concerned about interfering with the pocket mouse in the area, bussed a large number of their members all the way

from New Mexico and Arizona to protest against the TCA. And protest they did— vocally and rowdily. They interrupted with whistles and cat-calls those speakers who wanted to present viewpoints in favor of the 241 extension. They would not let them talk. For their participation they got T-shirts saying “Save Trestles.”

After this disappointing meeting, I approached a couple of young men wearing these T-shirts and asked them why they thought the 241 Extension would harm Trestles. They replied, “What is Trestles?”

Stefanie: You are cordially invited to participate in one of our I-5 traffic jams and to enjoy the problem you helped to create.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@ thecapistranodispatch.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. The Capistrano Dispatch reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers.

Page 10

City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Papagianis ART/DESIGN Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes > Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting Manager Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Catherine Manso, Jenna Ross, Dana Schnell, Tim Trent

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 12, Issue 9. 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 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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SOAPBOX GUEST OPINION: By Gretchen Stroscher Thomson

New Shopping Center can be Something to be Proud of The landowner and developer of The Shops are committed to San Juan

M

y family’s roots in San Juan Capistrano go back more than 125 years, when my grandparents, Frederica and William Stroschein, arrived in 1887. Back then, Capistrano had a school, a telegraph office, post office, two stores, a hotel, four saloons and 40 to 50 homes, mostly adobes.

My grandparents purchased a ranch and lived in a farmhouse across the street from the Mission. They grew walnuts and oranges. After my grandfather died in 1915, my grandmother continued to manage the ranch. Although Frederica wasn’t Catholic, she was a good friend of Fr. St. John O’Sullivan. When Fr. O’Sullivan needed a wagon to haul materials for the restoration of the Mission, Frederica loaned him her wagon and team of horses.

In 1959, my parents, Hazel and Herbert Stroscher, who changed our name back to the original German spelling, began the commercial development of the ranch, first on the property across from the Mission. The Mission Inn, Walnut Grove Restaurant and an Arco Station were the first businesses on the land that had once been the site of our family home and or-

ange grove and is now being redeveloped as retail shops.

In 2010, after a great deal of work by the Stroscher team, in collaboration with the city and many in the community, the Plaza Banderas Hotel and Retail project was approved for that property. I wanted a project that would serve the community and its visitors, complement the Mission, echo the historic architecture and provide for my children and future generations. I still do.

Unfortunately, after years of effort, it is abundantly clear a hotel will not be built on that site. The reasons are plentiful, but like a farmer who has to replant after losing a crop, we too must move ahead.

After reviewing the city’s Historic Town Center Master Plan and meeting with several interested parties, I met with the developer who was to become our partner, Joe Goveia of Goveia Commercial Real Estate. Together we determined that a quality retail center would be the most appropriate use for the land.

The Master Plan calls for an expansion of the commercial core of our city as the key to revitalizing downtown. Our retail shops, anchored by a specialty boutique

market, will bring new shoppers downtown. With parking provided for them, those shoppers will stop and visit other stores. Visitors to the Mission will have other options for lingering in San Juan—a walk over to our plaza on the corner, looking at the offerings of the shops on the corner, discovering more shops on the interior, beyond the plaza.

Now, I have a new vision for the family property. Partnering with Goveia assures that the vision can become a reality.

In evaluating the company, I was impressed by its ability to attract and sign quality retailers and noted its solid financial resources that ensure the project would succeed.

Goveia is using an architect who has lived in town for nearly two decades, Jim Bickel, and the principal in the company, Joe Goveia, is in escrow to buy a residential property here, too. The company holds on to the projects it builds, so it remains personally invested in everything from the final architecture to the tenants.

That is important to me and my family.

Building in Capistrano is not easy, and in many ways, it shouldn’t be. New development should blend into the historic

look and feel of San Juan Capistrano. Our community is committed to preserving our small-town atmosphere and balancing the needs of tourists and residents alike.

The team of Stroscher-Goveia is committed to those same goals, and with all of us working together, I am confident we will not only meet them, but exceed them to create a project the Stroscher family can be proud of for another 125 years.

Gretchen Stroscher Thomson is a part-time resident of Monarch Beach and Northern California. She graduated from Stanford University and USC, becoming a professor of history. She currently works in land development and property management. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared.

The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of The Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@ thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

Rios Park with fellow green thumbs.

Meets every Thursday, except rain days and holidays, in front of the Montanez Adobe. Bring gloves, clippers and an apron. Sign the volunteer form at www.goinnative.net.

YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY STAFF

Saturday | 10 PAWS IN THE GARDEN: GARDEN AND COTTAGE TOUR 10 a.m.-2 p.m. A garden and historic cottage tour in San Juan Capistrano, hosted by and benefitting the Ark of San Juan Companion Animal Rescue. Tickets $20. To purchase, call 949.489.7611 or email arkofsanjuan@cox.net.

BATTLE OF THE MARIACHIS 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano hosts the 10th annual Battle of the Mariachis, featuring live performances by Southern California mariachi groups competing for cash prizes before a panel of judges. Tickets $15 for adults and seniors, $6 for children 4-11. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1316, www.missionsjc.com.

SECOND STAGE STAND-UP 7:30 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse hosts a lineup of four comedians on the second Saturday of each month. Admission $15. To purchase, call 949.489.8082 or visit www.comedyintheoc.com. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, www. caminorealplayhouse.org.

DUSTY BROUGH TRIO 9 p.m. Guitarist Dusty Brough performs his jazz, folk,

Brazilian and gypsy inspired music at Ricardo’s Place. Drinks and food available. 32082 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, www.dustybrough.com.

Friday | 16

Sunday | 11 MOTHER’S DAY CRUISE 10 a.m. Dana Wharf Sportfishing &Whale Watching hosts a special two-hour cruise celebrating moms. Cruise aboard the OCean Adventures catamaran and enjoy champagne, fresh fruit, juices and pastries while viewing the sights and sounds of the Pacific. $45 for adults, $30 for children. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

MOTHER’S DAY AFTERNOON SAIL 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Set sail aboard the Ocean Institute’s tall ship Spirit of Dana Point to celebrate mom. Light refreshments included. $38.50 for adults, $21.50 for children ages 4 and up. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

Tuesday | 13 BEER TASTING DINNER 5 p.m. Enjoy a three-course meal with beer pairings from Orange County brewers at Salt Creek Grille. Cost is $45. Must be over 21.

32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com.

Thursday | 15 LOS RIOS GARDEN ANGELS 8:30 a.m.10:30 a.m. Help clean and maintain Los

EDITOR’S PICK

STATE OF SOUTH COUNTY LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates will speak during a luncheon hosted by the Coastal Chambers Legislative Coalition. Admission includes lunch and costs $50 for chamber members, $60 for non-members. Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point. For tickets, contact the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce at 949.496.1555 or email chamber@danapointchamber.com.

Saturday | 17 ECO XPO GARDEN SHOW 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens hosts its inaugural garden show at Los Rios Park in San Juan Capistrano, Saturday and Sunday. Features demonstration gardens, guest speakers, activities for children, vendors exhibiting environmental products and more. Admission is free. 31790 Paseo Adelanto, 949.606.6386, www.goinnative.net.

DOHENY BLUES FESTIVAL 11 a.m. Surf melds with blues as The Doobie Brothers, Gregg Allman, Buddy Guy and more take the stage at this two-day music festival at Doheny State Beach. Performances spread across three stages with food, beer and wine vendors throughout. $5 shuttle service from Dana Hills High School. General admission $60 single day; $110 both days. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.360.7800, www.dohenybluesfestival.com.

ARK OF SAN JUAN RESCUED PET ADOPTIONS 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dogs and puppies available for adoption at Petco in the Vons plaza, 32391 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Cats available from noon to 4 p.m. at PetSmart in the Costco plaza, 33963 Doheny Park Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.388.0034, www.arkofsanjuan.org.

HISTORICAL FIESTA DAY 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

See what life in the Capistrano Valley was like in the 19th and 20th centuries during the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society’s second annual Fiesta Day. Admission is free. 31831 Los Rios Street, 949.493.8444, www.sjchistoricalsociety.com.

The Battle of the Mariachis, hosted by Mission San Juan Capistrano, regularly draws crowds in the thousands and features mariachi bands from throughout Southern California competing for cash prizes. Photo: Mission San Juan Capistrano/inGrace Photography The Capistrano Dispatch May 9-22, 2014

ORTEGA ANIMAL CARE CENTER OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION Noon-4 p.m. Grand opening and open house for the Ortega Animal Care Center, which is under new ownership. Event includes hospital tours, pet adoptions, pet photography, food, drinks and raffle prizes. First 50 people receive a ticket to Zoomars Petting Zoo.

Page 13

Courtesy photo

At the Movies: ‘Locke’ is All Alone

A

new trend in the last year of movies has characters stuck in one location the entire film, trying to get out of a predicament.

And Steven Knight’s Locke is the latest attempt. Much like how Gravity and All is Lost were tour-de-forces for Sandra Bullock and Robert Redford, respectively, Locke a chance Tom Hardy time to shine. It’s the English character actor’s first film since The Dark Knight Rises two years ago and screenwriter Knight’s second directorial effort.

On the eve of a major business deal for his construction company, manager Ivan Locke (Hardy) skips a job obligation to drive across England to be with a former one-night stand, Bethan (Olivia Colman), while she gives birth to his child. Throughout the long drive, Ivan makes a number of calls to his son Eddie (Tom Holland), wife Katrina (Ruth Wilson) and co-workers Donal (Andrew Scott) and Gareth (Ben Daniels).

Primarily a screenwriter for most of his career, most famously with Dirty Pretty Things (2002) and Eastern Promises (2007), Knight’s first directed feature, Redemption, was underwhelming last year. But Locke is a step in the right direction, with the intriguing plot device of keeping Hardy in his moving vehicle the entire 85 minutes of the film and dealing with his problems all through his cellphone. But what could have been suspenseful falls flat with some basic dialogue and a tired relationship trope for the protagonist. But those who are fans of Hardy will appreciate his one man show. —Megan Bianco

27341 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.487.7600, www.oaccpets.com.

Wednesday | 21 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GARDEN CLUB 10 a.m. Learn how to save water in your garden. Master gardener Linda Howard will discuss “how to water better not wetter.” Doors open at 9:30 a.m. San Juan Hills Golf Club, 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano, www.sanjuancapistranogardenclub.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 PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Old San Juan

by Don Tryon

The Hide House Adobe The old adobe was an important trading post for merchants, rancheros and the Mission

A

long Camino Capistrano, between a mobile home park and below the Marriott Residence Inn hotel on the hill by Stonehill Drive, sits an old adobe that has a fascinating history.

This adobe is hardly noticeable as it sits back about a hundred feet from the street, but there is an unnamed gravel road that takes you past the adobe to a nursery to

the west. As unobtrusive as this old adobe is, it has quite a history. It connects with the earliest days of our Mission, author Richard Henry Dana of Two Years Before the Mast fame, a number of historic personages and a OLD SAN JUAN mysterious poisoning.

By Don Tryon It’s not known when the Hide House Adobe was built, but English explorer George Vancouver was probably the first to report seeing it when he explored our coast in 1791 and assumed it was a Spanish Mission. Much later in 1835, when Richard Henry Dana sailed here on the Pilgrim, he too thought at first it was the Mission and later learned the Mission was further inland.

In the days of Dana, merchant sailing ships like the Pilgrim stopped off a cove protected by Punta de San Juan, now known as Dana Point. Here they traded with the Mission and rancheros for hides and tallow for much sought after goods.

At that time it was considered illegal trading as Spain, and later Mexico, did not want any trade with outsiders without their approval. However, much merchandise was desired by those who couldn’t get it from domestic sources, so they traded with the yankees.

These ships were literally floating Walmarts. Much of the hides and tallow were stored in the adobe and hauled by carretas, or carts, to the cliff-top overlooking Dana Point. The hides were stiff and thin, easily tossed from the cliff and floated down to the sailors below. These hides were made into leather goods such as shoes and clothing. The tallow was made into candles.

This property and the surrounding area was later included in the Mexican land grant known as Rancho Rios and later part of a larger grant known as Rancho Boca de la Playa. Emigo Vejar, a Justice of the Peace for Capistrano, was reportedly the original grantee. He lived there from 1846 to 1860. Later the property and adobe was acquired by Juan “El Rico” Avila, who remodeled it and gave it to his daughter, Rosa, when she married Pablo Pryor.

A very sad and mysterious story is told about Pablo’s death. One morning he accepted his usual eggnog at his bedside from Rosa and noticed a peculiar taste.

Rosa then tasted it and noticed something peculiar as well. She collapsed and the family hurriedly forced olive oil down her throat, which saved her. When attention was turned to Pablo they found he had already passed away. Poor Rosa was left with six children and never remarried. No one was ever charged with the crime, but many years later a letter was sent to Rosa from someone who was dying and wanted to unburden his soul about the poisoning.

Don Tryon is a 25-year resident of San Juan Capistrano. He is currently the vice president and archivist for the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society. Tryon is a former member of the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission, the Orange County Historical Commission and the Fiesta Association.

Editor’s Note: Don Tryon, a former columnist for The Dispatch, will be writing historical columns once a month, in place of our regular columnist, Jan Siegel, who announced she will be running for City Council. Picket Fence Media’s policy precludes candidates from submitting columns. Siegel will return after the November election. CD

Joey, who arrived agitated every week and repeated the same phrase, is now a calm, focused green thumb. Nelson has become a leader in the garden, introducing new students to the program and sharing plant and design. All work cooperatively and have a duty, plan and purpose.

Gardening is affecting their lives, one by one. Therapeutic gardening is becoming a mode of helping people connect to their environment and their personal lives.

They can be found in hospitals, adult day cares, rehabilitation centers, chemotherapy facilities, vocational schools, arboretums and faith-based settings. Outdoor time makes for a better person. Exposure to nature makes people more caring and community-minded.

Through the process, Goin Native has also transformed to a nonprofit. We’re committed to providing horticultural education, emotional and physical rehabilitation and practical life skills—all while promoting environmental sustainability and saving community resources.

Healing can be found in the garden.

Join me any Thursday at Los Rios Park.

There’s plenty of room for another garden friend to tend to the butterflies.

Marianne Taylor is a 24-year resident of San Juan Capistrano, in the Los Rios Historic District. She is married to City Councilman John Taylor and mother to 24-yearold Harrison and 16-year-old Claire. She is the executive director and “dirt therapist” for Goin Native. CD

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media.

If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@the capistranodispatch.com

GUEST OPINION: Dirt Therapy by Marianne Taylor

Finding Peace Among Flowers Therapeutic gardens can provide for a renewed spirit and life

I

t happened so quickly. Not a lot of time to react. The punches, the screaming, yelling for neighbors to help in our time of distress. It was over in less than three minutes, although it felt like an eternity. Adrenaline pumping, clothes intact, a little disheveled hair, but really, a case of shock and disbelief over the attack on my husband, the mayor.

I went inward, only to come out stronger. This is a story of healing in the garden.

I have always found the garden to be a place of calm, tranquility and restorative self-reflection. Through the years of growing a family, I would find myself walking away from the daily mindless chores that await us each day by taking the kids and turning to the great outdoors. The fresh air, colors and textures and the smells and sounds of nature were an automatic energy boost.

My passion for growing gardens became a reality in 2009, when Goin Native was launched to teach people of all ages and abilities how to garden for health and home. The business grew and people learned new practices and gained personal successes in the gardens.

After the attack, I quit gardening. Violated and angry, inward I went.

By June 2013, I took the signs down and closed Goin Native. It was my time The Capistrano Dispatch May 9-22, 2014

to go into the cocoon and be still. This was an uneasy place to be, but I accepted it and rested.

As fate would have it, three months later, I had a visit from two wonderful women who ran a program though DIRT THERAPY

By Marrianne the Capistrano Unified Taylor School District called Adult Transition Workability, which helps adults 18-22 with simple skills and tools for a productive life. Would I allow them to volunteer in the garden at Los Rios Park, they asked.

I said, “of course.” I had no clue what would happen next. At the turning point, I emerged from my cocoon to help the students succeed in their mission of confidence, courage and connecting with their environment and others. Little did I know, they helped me.

Eight months later, the Los Rios Park gardens have emerged as a certified butterfly sanctuary, due in part, to these wonderful dedicated students and teachers who arrive every Thursday for one hour. I’ve changed their names to protect their privacy.

Amanda rarely engaged in conversation, but after a few months of working at the park, she is now speaking openly.

Page 14

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

Remembering the Fallen

VFW pays tribute to nation’s fallen servicemen and women A traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will come to Dana Point Wednesday. The memorial will be on display at Sea Terrace Park until Sunday. Photo: Andrea Swayne

BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

A

young soldier arrives at Newark Airport. With a change of clothes, his uniform goes into the trash. It’s 1969. Returning home after 18 months in the jungles of Southeast Asia, he stops at an area bar. It’s too hard to walk the few blocks home.

Twenty-seven young men from the New Jersey town of Bayonne, situated just southwest of New York City, didn’t make it home.

Bob Fowler grew up with them. They went to grammar school together, got in trouble in high school together and volunteered to serve their country together.

But as Fowler came home from Vietnam, his longtime friends and combat comrades didn’t. Survivor’s guilt is something he knows well—he’s battled with it for years.

Members of Dana Point’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 represent the nation’s servicemen and women dating back to the beginning of modern warfare.

Living members served in World War II and each of America’s wars since. They’ve dedicated their lives to service, to remembering those who have gone before while not forgetting those who are still to come.

For Fowler, who for years tried to forget his service, it’s therapy for the wounds, both mental and physical, that he sustained. It’s a sentiment echoed by his foreign war comrades.

“It’s a powerful thing,” said post commander Maurice Hansen, an 83-year-old Korean War veteran, who didn’t start reaching out for help until 10 years ago, some 50 years after the war. “How come I made it home and he didn’t … That’s the biggest guilt trip.”

It’s their survival, and commitment to service, that fuels their passion and work.

Through their own experiences navigating Veterans Affairs channels, post members have become experts in helping others, including their families, receive the services they are due. Members also sponsor barbecues for active service members, donate diapers to budding families and salute their fallen comrades. They are advocates, helping to right wrongs and

Page 15

shortcomings of the past.

Next week, they will welcome a traveling Vietnam memorial to commemorate the more than 58,000 men and women who served, fought and died in the Vietnam War. The memorial, an 80 percent-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., will be on display at Dana Point’s Sea Terrace Park from Wednesday through Sunday. A parade down Pacific Coast Highway at 3 p.m.

Wednesday will be led by hundreds of riders on the backs of motorcycles.

Over the next days, area leaders and military personnel will honor those fallen in conflicts since the Civil War. Walls from each war since, bearing the names of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, will also be on display. Volunteers will man the displays throughout the day and night, providing security along with support for visitors who are welcome 24 hours a day.

Hansen and Fowler hope the memorial, which was also on display three years ago, will help military members, families and visitors find closure.

“We would never talk to each other about Vietnam,” Fowler said.

Now, the post hopes to facilitate discussions about what can be done to remember the dead and honor their and other’s service, while continuing to assist the surviving population of troops.

Ceremonies will be held each day at noon where visitors are encouraged to share their memories. Volunteers will help visitors locate names, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., on the Vietnam memorial and a rifle squad and a playing of “Taps” will close each day at 7 p.m.

Free parking is available at the Salt Creek Beach lot. The city of Dana Point, who is co-sponsoring the exhibit, will have golf carts and wheelchairs available to help transport those in need.

On Saturday, the city will recognize local fire and police officials and the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group will host the ceremonies on Sunday.

For more on the memorial wall, visit www.vfwpost9934.org. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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

FOR SALE QUEEN SIZE PILLOWTOP MATTRESS - NEW - Never Opened! $150 Selling a brand name, Queen, pillowtop mattress; still sealed in the MFRs original factory plastic; Not refurbished, Not used. 949-842-9994

GARAGE SALES DANA KNOLLS COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE! Sat., May 10, 7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Cross Streets: Del Obispo & Blue Fin Drive. Sponsored by: Gary Macrides, REALTOR, 01267654 Surterre Properties949-370-6827 CASITAS DEL RIO COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Saturday, May 10. 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Corner of Camino Del Avion and Alipaz

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

HAMPTON HILL COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Saturday, May 17. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Del Obispo just South of Stonehill

HELP WANTED FINANCIAL ANALYST: Coordinate & assist in yr & capital forecasts, budgets, & long range plans by priority/risk. Lead & conduct Cost Benefit Analysis. Compile data for annual reports, budgets & cash flow. Develop analysis w/forecast to invest.

Draw charts/graphs. Present reports. Interpret data on price, yield, stability, risk trends, & economic influences. Monitor fundamental developments & recommend investments/timing. Proficient in Excel, Word, & Power Point. 6 YRS EXP $92,435/YR. Send resume to: PMF, Inc. 29222 Rancho Viejo Rd, #102, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Attn: Luis.

OTHER INTERESTING STUFF $100 FOR A PICTURE OF SHERRY DAVIS, high school grad of 1965. Born on 08/15/1947 in Des Moines, Iowa. Left with family in 1962 to San Clemente, CA. Please contact Gary Templeton at (515) 528-0752

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

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

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

BANKING

Independence Bank

32291 Camino Capistrano, Suite A, 949.373.8963, www.independence-bank.net

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

ELECTRICIANS

Excel Electric

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

The Capistrano Dispatch May 9–22, 2014

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS

PHOTO & DIGITAL LAB

Excel Electric - CA #793860

San Juan Photo & Digital

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

32301 Camino Capistrano, 949.661.5668, www.sjcphotodigital. com

HOME ORGANIZATION

Karen Fischer, Professional Organizer, Get Organized and Move!

949.355.3487, www.getorganizedandmove.com

JEWELER

Abby’s Fine Jewelry Design

32382 Del Obispo, Ste. C-3, 949.493.3632, www.abbysdesigns.com

MOLD REMOVAL

Jarvis Restoration

31942 Paseo Sagrado, 949.362.5388, www.jarvisrestoration.com

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Double Trouble

Preps Lacrosse Playoff Roundup

BY SCOTT PARSONS AND CHRISTOPHER JACOBS, MAXLAXOC.COM

T

he US Lacrosse Southern Section Championships are in full swing.

JSerra Catholic High School earned the No. 3 overall seed and St. Margaret’s Episcopal entered the postseason tournament as the No. 6 seed.

Both teams had successful first rounds and were set to face off against each other in the quarterfinals on May 8. Results were not available at press time. The Tartans are the defending section champions.

Here is how the Lions and Tartans paved their way to the second round.

Kingsley Leads JSerra Past El Toro With his graduation day rapidly approaching, senior Mitch Kingsley left JSerra fans with something to remember him by on May 6, a dominating, seven-point performance against El Toro in the first round of the US Lacrosse Southern Section Championships.

Kingsley scored four goals and had three assists in the first three quarters of an eventual 15-5 JSerra victory.

Following behind Kingsley in the JSerra scoring parade were Jake Schleppy (three goals), Brendan Lynch (two goals) and Matt Karzak (two goals).

Holding on to a comfortable 13-3 lead after three quarters, Lions head coach

Capistrano Valley Christian High School freshman pitcher Zack Mendez uses both arms to fool opposing batters

BY STEVE BREAZELE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Kyle Harrison rested many of his starters for the fourth quarter.

Morey Leavitt and Danny Fischer each had two goals to lead the Chargers. – Scott Parsons, courtesy of www. maxlaxoc.com

O

n May 3, the Capistrano Valley Christian High School junior varsity baseball team played a double header against Beckman High School.

Left-handed freshman starting pitcher Zack Mendez was on the mound for the Eagles in the nightcap. Somewhere in the middle innings, a Beckman player laid a bunt down the third-base line, a tough play for a lefty to make.

Normally, a left-hander would have to field the ball with his back facing the first baseman, turn his body completely around and throw.

But Mendez is not your ordinary lefty.

The freshman instinctively chased after the dribbling ball, threw off his mitt, picked it up with his bare right hand and fired to first to get the runner out. In that play, from pitch to getting the runner out, Mendez had used both hands to throw.

Eagles varsity head coach Clemente Bonilla was there watching his lower levels play that day and witnessed the heads-up play by the freshman, who can pitch with both his left and right arm.

“Right-handed, he was able to pick it up and already be looking at his target.

I asked him if he’d done that before and he said it was his first time doing it. He instinctively knew,” Bonilla said. “It’s nice to have.”

Mendez is a natural right-handed baseball player but has developed his game to the point where he can pitch with both hands and switch hit at the plate.

He normally starts games for junior varsity as a left-hander and pitches his first few innings that way. Before he exits a game, the coaches let him throw right handed for one inning. It is a move based on deception, as batters’ eyes will have adapted to a lefty at that point in the game. When Mendez switches to his right arm, where he throws up to 6 mph faster, it’s a whole new ballgame for hitters.

Mendez credits this ability to his dad and uncle teaching him to use both hands as a youngster. He started seriously pitching with both arms while playing travel ball, where he would occasionally switch arms mid-inning, depending on what side of the plate a batter was standing on.

When he throws with his right arm, he considers himself more of a thrower, relying on velocity. As a lefty, he concentrates more on accuracy.

“It wasn’t natural at all. It took me a while to develop my left arm. It was really

Tartans down Yorba Linda 16-2 St. Margaret’s may have gotten the complete win they needed against Yorba Linda to get back on track to championship form.

The Tartans came onto the field for the first round on May 6 with a lot of energy, attacking the net, dominating face-offs, and showcasing a solid defense, which lead them to a victory over the Mustangs, 16-2.

After recovering from a fractured foot, Tartans goalie Payton Fales was back between the pipes, saving four of the six shots on the night. Villanova commit Fernando Delgado, who was the Tartan goalkeeper in Payton’s absence, came out of the crease, to play defense.

St. Margaret’s sophomore Nick Shanks scored a goal every quarter, leading all scorers with a total of eight points off five goals.

Possession was all St. Margaret’s, as the Tartans won 20 of 22 face-offs.

Ryan Harnisch won 12 of his 13 face offs and Erik Suh won eight of nine face offs. CD

The JSerra boys lacrosse team was set to play St. Margaret’s in the US Lacrosse Southern Section Championship quarterfinals on May 8. Photo courtesy JSerra Athletics

The Capistrano Dispatch May 9-22, 2014

Page 18

Freshman Zack Mendez has the ability to pitch with both his left and right arm. Photo: Steve Breazeale

tough. There were times when I was learning to pitch lefty where I wanted to give up and I thought it wasn’t worth it,” Mendez said. “But I realized something can come out of this and I could be good for a high school team. Ever since the start of this season, I’m more comfortable with my left arm. It’s getting strong.”

Mendez has pitched 17 innings for junior varsity this season, four of them with his right arm. He made two varsity appearances and pitched two innings.

The Eagles current varsity pitching staff is already loaded with left-handed arms, led by staff ace AJ Discenzo (2.82 ERA), so Mendez will not likely replace anyone anytime soon. Where he has been making an impact at the varsity level is at the plate, where he is hitting .364 in 72 plate appearances.

Bonilla is a former switch hitter who played collegiate and professional baseball. He knows first-hand how hard it is to switch hit, let alone pitch with both arms.

“Switch hitting is really taxing. It’s an extra person. It’s two different swings and double the workload. So I can imagine, as a pitcher using both arms, it’s double everything,” Bonilla said. “But if you can do it, put the work into it and have some natural ability, pitching like that can be very useful. I can see in a couple of years where we will use Zack as a pitcher from both sides. It will be pretty neat to have him be able to do it at the varsity level.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com