August 8, 2014

A PREVIEW OF RODEO WEEK, RANCHO MISSION VIEJO RODEO OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE

EYE ON SJC/PAGE 4 FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

AUGUST 8-21, 2014 • VOLUME 12, ISSUE 15

Downtown Hotel Project Against the Ropes A tie vote hinders the San Juan Hotel & Villas project but the developer remains committed E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 8

The latest rendering of Urban Village’s San Juan Hotel & Villas project. At the San Juan Capistrano City Council’s meeting on Tuesday night, a plan to allow homes in downtown failed, halting the project. But the developer said he remains committed. Courtesy of Urban Village

Incumbents File Papers for Reelection Run, Edison Sets Timeline for SONGS Decommissioning EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

4th Annual West Coast Film Festival Returns to San Juan Capistrano EYE ON SJC/PAGE 6

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Capo Girls Softball All-Stars Finish Fifth at Nationals SPORTS/PAGE 18

YOUR NO. 1 SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS, EVENTS, SPORTS AND MORE

&

Shop Dine Local SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

Shop & Dine Local is published the second Friday of every month. Reserve your advertising space today! Call Debra Wells at 949.388.7700, ext. 104.

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

But Trustee Anna Bryson said the district should not expect to receive any funding from the state next year and that much of the funding for facilities updates must come from either community facilities districts or facilities bonds.

Deputy Superintendent Clark Hampton noted that the master plan included some ambitious elements and that not all of its recommendations are expected to be acted upon.

San Clemente Mayor Tim Brown was in attendance and urged the board to return excess funds to Talega residents from a 2006 refinancing of a CFD, stating that it wasn’t fair to them to not receive their fair share of the funds.

Five things San Juan should know this week All 3 City Council Incumbents File Election Papers THE LATEST: With all three incumbent San Juan Capistrano City Council members having turned in their nomination papers, the deadline for other potential candidates is firmly set for Friday, Aug. 8.

Both Councilmen Derek Reeve and John Taylor filed their papers with the required 20 signatures on Thursday, July 31.

Councilman Larry Kramer filed his papers on Monday, July 28.

As of press time, Thursday Aug. 8, the three candidates are joined by four others who have filed papers: Kerry Ferguson, a former school teacher and owner of a tutoring business; Stephanie Frisch, a former Chamber of Commerce executive and insurance agent; Jan Siegel, a Cultural Heritage Commissioner and active volunteer; and Rob Williams, the former chair of the Planning Commission.

WHAT’S NEXT: Four potential candidates have yet to turn in their papers. They are Greg Acho, owner of a digital marketing business; Kim McCarthy, a candidate for City Council in 2012 and editorial board member for the local watchdog newspaper Community Common Sense; Jim Schneider, a geologist and council candidate in 2010; and newcomer Pam Patterson, who pulled papers Monday, Aug. 4.

The remaining potential candidates have until 4:30 p.m. to file their papers at the City Clerk’s office.

FIND OUT MORE: For an update on the filings, visit www.thecapistranodispatch. com. – Brian Park

Mexican Market Facing Closure Buys More Time THE LATEST: A popular Mexican grocery store on the brink of closure has bought itself more time but now must work with the city of San Juan Capistrano to find a solution to its parking conflict with nearby businesses.

Mercado El Rey and property owner Dan Malcolm received a temporary stay on a court-ordered injunction that called for the market to close on Friday, Aug. 1.

The market and Malcolm had been seekThe Capistrano Dispatch August 8-21, 2014

WHAT’S NEXT: The board asked district staff to provide them with more specific information about each school’s needs. A vote on the Talega CFD funds is likely to come in August. – Steve Sohanaki Mercado El Rey, a popular Mexican grocery store in San Juan Capistrano, remains open for now after it was granted a temporary stay on a court-ordered injunction to close last week. Attorneys for the market and the property owner are working with the city to craft a solution to its parking conflict with nearby businesses that sparked a lawsuit. Photo: Brian Park

ing the Planning Commission’s approval for a permit to establish a shared parking plan but were denied 3-0 last Monday.

The issue stems from a lawsuit brought on by Dan Friess, owner of Friess Property Investments and landlord to several tenants near the market. He successfully sued to have the City Council’s 2011 approval of the market overturned, arguing that the market had insufficient parking and that delivery trucks obstructed his tenants.

WHAT’S NEXT: Friess argued that the market has been illegally using a outdoor storage for market operations. He said it could be converted into six additional parking spaces. Laura Hess, attorney for the market, indicated her client would be willing to convert the area for its intended use.

The commission voted down the permit without prejudice allowing the market and Malcolm to immediately come back to the city with a new request. Gina Austin, Malcolm’s attorney, said she’s been trying to work with the city, although appealing the commission’s decision to the City Council was also an option. – BP

Edison Provides Early Timeline for SONGS Decommissioning THE LATEST: Southern California Edison is hoping to complete the demolition of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station by the end of 2032, which the utility estimates will cost $4.4 billion.

Both the timeline and cost estimate

are among details in a draft version of the post-shutdown decommissioning activities report released last week.

The utility has $4.2 billion in a decommissioning trust fund to pay for the process.

The timeline provided by the company currently indicates that spent nuclear fuel, currently in cooling pools, would be transferred into dry-cask storage by June 2019. Edison’s preliminary timeline indicates fuel would be held in dry-cask storage though the end of 2049. The utility then would take three years to restore the property and terminate its easement with the Department of the Navy.

WHAT’S NEXT: The report will be the subject of the next meeting of the utility’s Community Engagement Panel meeting.

The group was scheduled to meet Aug. 14 in Oceanside, but that meeting has been postponed and no new date or location announced. – Jim Shilander

CUSD Hopes to Find Middle Ground on School Improvements THE LATEST: The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees received its annual look at its facilities master plan, including an overview of all the needs of its schools, last month but financial issues put into doubt how much of the plan can actually be accomplished.

During their meeting on Wednesday, July 23, the trustees unanimously agreed that keeping schools at a similar state would be their chief concern.

Page 3

Reata Park to Serve as Temporary Fire Station THE LATEST: The Reata Park and Event Center will serve as a temporary base of operations for the Orange County Fire Authority during the upcoming closure of the Ortega Highway overpass.

As part of the ongoing Ortega/Interstate 5 interchange project, Caltrans is scheduled to close Ortega, from the bridge to Del Obispo Street, for about three weeks, starting in mid-September.

Construction crews will be realigning Ortega to curve into Del Obispo.

During that time, OCFA will be allowed to use a portion of the city’s newest park to mitigate any delays in emergency service to the eastern portions of San Juan Capistrano, following the City Council’s unanimous approval on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

OCFA Station No. 7, located west of the overpass on Del Obispo Street, will have limited access during the closure.

WHAT’S NEXT: The temporary station will be operated 24 hours a day and will house a fi fth wheel trailer, a fire engine, a temporary awning and three OCFA personnel, including a paramedic. It will cost OCFA between $15,000 and $20,000 to operate the station. The city will provide trash and water service for about $647.50. – BP

Have a story idea or topic you would like to read about?

••• Send your suggestions to editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Third Annual Rodeo Week Returns to San Juan The Chamber of Commerce has planned four days of Western fun, leading up to the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo

BY BRIAN PARK, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

TUESDAY 8.12

I

n the week leading up to the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo, the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce is getting the town into the Western spirit with the third annual Rodeo Week.

The chamber will host its Kick-Off BBQ on Friday, August 15, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Hamilton Oaks Winery, 29943 Camino Capistrano. The event includes food from Mission Grill, live music by Swing Shift, dancing and more. The winery will also be serving their special edition wines, “Rodeo Red” and “Wrangler White.”

The event costs $35 per person. Space is limited and reservations are required by contacting the chamber at 949.493.4700 or emailing info@sanjuanchamber.com.

The barbecue is followed by the return of the Rodeo Ride, a horseback trail ride along San Juan Creek, on Sunday, August 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The ride starts at Reata Park and Event Center, costs $50 per person and includes a T-shirt and lunch.

Rental horses are available for $200.

On Tuesday, August 19, the Spirit of the Cowboy Concert welcomes back Rusty Richards, a member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. Richards, along with his son Jason and a special guest, will be singing songs and telling stories of the American West, starting at 8 p.m., at the Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real. Tickets are $20.

Rodeo Week closes with a tequila tasting event at El Adobe de Capistrano on Thursday, August 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The festive evening includes tastings of nine tequilas, appetizers and live music.

Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at El Adobe or the chamber office, 31421 La Matanza Street.

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY BRIAN PARK

Free Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway for Local Students City Sanctuary Church in San Juan Capistrano wants to make sure local grade school students have all their books in order by giving away 500 free backpacks on Saturday, August 16.

The church will be hosting its Back to School Backpack Giveaway from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Saddleback Valley Christian School, located at 26333 Oso Road.

Students in the third through sixth grades are eligible to receive a free backpack filled with school supplies. Children The Capistrano Dispatch August 8-21, 2014

Community Meetings Planning Commission Meeting

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

WEDNESDAY 8.13

CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting

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

FRIDAY 8.15

Coffee Chat

Isaac Diaz competes in the saddle bronc-riding event during last year’s Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo.

Photo: Brian Park

For more information on Rodeo Week, visit www.facebook.com/sjcrodeoweek. com.

The 14th annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo will take place Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24.

It’s heralded as the richest two-day rodeo in the nation with a purse worth over $200,000. The top 30 cowboys in six events will compete in saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping. The rodeo is part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association season and is an important competition for many cowboys who are hoping to secure a spot in the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December.

On Saturday, gates open at 2 p.m. with opening ceremonies at 3:45 p.m. and the rodeo at 4 p.m. The competition will be

followed by a concert and dance featuring Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band at 6 p.m.

Gates open at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday with the rodeo beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Admission is $30 for adults, $10 for kids 4 to 12 years old and free for kids 3 and under. Parking is included with the purchase of an adult ticket. Tickets are on sale at seven locations in south Orange County: The Swallow’s Inn and Ortega Tack and Feed in San Juan Capistrano, Hennessy’s Tavern in Dana Point, Boot Barn in Lake Forest, Jerry’s Dogs in Ladera Ranch, Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo and the Sendero Guest House in Rancho Mission Viejo. Cash, debit and credit cards are also accepted at the gates.

For more information about the rodeo, visit www.rmvrodeo.com. CD

must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver and must bring a recent report card.

Advanced sign-ups are required by calling the church at 949.584.0073.

The event also includes music, food from The Bagel Shack and prizes, including a 20-inch Haro BMX bike donated by Buy My Bikes.

operation. On Wednesday, Sept. 10, Strength in Support will host its inaugural golf tournament where participants will play alongside those who served their nation. The event will also remember the men and women who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks and those who followed in the nation’s wars.

The tournament will be held at Monarch Beach Golf Links, located at 50 Monarch Beach Resort. Registration begins at 10 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Individuals can sign up to play for $300 and foursomes for $1,200. There are also opportunities to sponsor a veteran.

For more information, visit www.strengthinsupport.org.

—Andrea Papagianis

Strength in Support Hosts Golf Tournament Seeing a need for affordable access to mental-health services among their military clients, founders of the nonprofit Strength in Support began working to ensure military personnel, both past and present, and their families have needed low- to no-cost counseling at hand.

The organization is now asking for community support to further strengthen their

Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com.

Page 4

8 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. Occurs every Friday.

All are welcome. Mission Grill, 31721 Camino Capistrano. www.facebook. com/sjccoffeechat.

SATURDAY 8.16

Movies in the Park

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free movie at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Bring a blanket or beach chair and a picnic basket to watch The Lego Movie. No glass containers, alcohol or smoking. 30753 La Pata Avenue. For more info, visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org or call 949.234.1696.

MONDAY 8.18

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

TUESDAY 8.19

City Council, Housing Authority and Successor Agency Meeting 6 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

WEDNESDAY 8.20

San Juan Summer Nites Concert Series

6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The third installment of the popular summer concert series featuring country western musician Brent Payne. Also includes food, beer and wine, local businesses with information and product tables and fun activities for kids. Free to attend. Historic Town Center Park, 31852 El Camino Real. For more info, visit www.sanjuancapistrano. org or call 949.493.5911.

FRIDAY 8.22

Next issue of The Dispatch publishes www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

4th Annual West Coast Film Festival Returns to San Juan T

BY BRIAN PARK, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

he West Coast Film Festival is back in San Juan Capistrano, starting Wednesday, Aug. 27 through Sunday, Aug. 31.

Now entering its fourth season, the festival has become a popular attraction for local residents and cinephiles, and for this year’s installment, co-founders Robert Kline and Stephanie Heredia wanted to pay homage to the city they call home.

“We tried to make all the movies relevant to San Juan,” said Kline, a former studio executive and veteran film producer.

Kline highlighted several films to be showcased, including Clint Eastwood’s 1986 war film, Heartbreak Ridge. The film was primarily shot at Camp Pendleton, but for one bar scene, Marines used as extras suggested to Eastwood that he film at San Juan Capistrano’s own Swallow’s Inn. “It’s going to be an afternoon for local history and filmmaking,” Kline said. “It’s a commemoration … How many films do you know that have been filmed here in San Juan Capistrano?”

This year’s festival also includes some classic Hollywood films, some that many younger audiences might have never had the chance to watch on the big screen.

Kline and Heredia will be screening The Wizard of Oz at the Regency Theatre, just in time for the film’s 75th anniversary.

“It came out in what is truly the golden age and year of film, 1939,” Kline said. “We think it’s a film that appeals to three generations, grandparents, parents and kids.”

Kline said he also hopes to educate filmgoers and increase their appreciation for quality films. On what is the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s resignation, the festival will be screening All the President’s Men, featuring Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford as Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, the two Washington Post investigative reporters who covered the Watergate scandal. Kline also highlighted the films Amadeus, which won eight Academy Awards, and The Shawshank Redemption, which is currently the top-rated film on the online movie database, IMDb. Again this year, the festival will be featuring independent films and ones produced by the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where Kline has taught for over 25 years. Following the films, many of their writers and directors will be on hand to discuss the film-making process.

“We’re not at that point of a Sundance (Film Festival). This is not a film town,” Kline said. “But we’ve got to constantly get people out and give them a reason to come. At the end of August every year, we want to make San Juan a great place to watch great films.” CD

For younger audiences, the 4th Annual West Coast Film Festival will provide the chance to watch The Wizard of Oz on the big screen at the Regency Theatre on Friday, August 29 at 8 p.m. Courtesy of Warner Bros.

WEST COAST FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE All films will be scheduled at Regency Theatre, 26762 Verdugo Street, unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday, August 27 Gigi, 2 p.m. $10. A tribute to MGM musicals and Leslie Caron.

Heartbreak Ridge, 5 p.m. $15. A tribute to director, producer and actor Clint Eastwood and his film highlighting San Juan Capistrano and Camp Pendleton.

All the President’s Men, 8:15 p.m.

Pre-sale $20, $25 day of. Preceded by The Impeachment of President William Jefferson Clinton at 7:45 p.m.

Thursday, August 28 Ocean’s 11, 12:30 p.m. $10.

To Catch a Thief, 4 p.m. $10. Preceded by the theatrical premiere of A Moment in Time: Grace Kelly at 3 p.m.

Looney Tunes: Back in Action, 4:30 p.m. $10. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point.

Goodfellas, 8 p.m. Pre-sale $20, $25 day of. Preceded by a screening of an interview with Martin Scorsese at 7 p.m.

Friday, August 29 The Looney, Looney, Looney Bugs Bunny Movie, 1 p.m. $10. Including a USC School of Cinema short film, Searching for Squatch.

King Kong, 4:30 p.m. $10. Including a Page 6

USC School of Cinema short film, Danger Island.

The Wizard of Oz, 8 p.m. Pre-sale $20, $25 day of. Ticket holders receive a 75th anniversary commemorative gift set. There will also be an after party, costume contest and no-host bar at Rick’s Café, located on the second floor of the theater.

Saturday, August 30 Warren, 1 p.m. $10. Writer and director Alex Beh will be present for a Q&A session.

USC School of Cinematic Art Films, 3 p.m. $10. Student filmmakers will be present for a Q&A session.

A Clockwork Orange, 7:30 p.m. Pre-sale $20, $25 day of. Preceded by the premiere of Stanley Kubrick in Focus at 7 p.m. Jeffrey Baker, vice president of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, will discuss Kubrick’s work.

Sunday, August 31 A Night at the Opera, noon. $10. A film starring the Marx brothers, Groucho, Harpo and Chico.

Amadeus, 2 p.m. $15. St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Performing Arts Center.

Preceded by a pre-film presentation at 1:30 p.m.

3 Nights in the Desert, 4 p.m. $10.

Director Gabe Cowan will be present for a Q&A session.

The Shawshank Redemption, 7 p.m.

Pre-sale $20, $25 day of. The closing night of the film festival includes an after-film party at Thai Juan On with a no-host bar for ticket holders. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Sendero Grows with Positive Home Sales

BY THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

I

n just over a year, San Juan Capistrano’s newest neighbors in Rancho Mission Viejo’s first village of Sendero have begun to make themselves at home, and if recent housing trends continue, more are likely on their way.

Sendero debuted late June 2013 to much fanfare, with more than 10,000 homebuyers attending its grand opening, according to ranch officials. Since then, around 665 of the 941 homes available for sale have been sold and about 1,175 residents have moved into 470 homes.

In addition to attending communitywide events, Sendero residents have already begun fostering their own sense of neighborhood spirit. To celebrate the Fourth of July, residents spontaneously organized an Independence Day parade, replete with pets dressed up in red, white and blue and children being pulled down streets in wagons.

“For us, that’s gratifying and it demonstrates we’ve achieved the success any master plan community developer wants to see,” said Dan Kelly, Rancho Mission Viejo’s senior vice president of governmental relations. “The community is successful and it’s great to be able to drive down there and see people populate it and

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY CATHERINE MANSO

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, August 5 CITIZEN ASSISTPaseo Del Sol, 27700 Block (5:41 p.m.) A caller reported receiving a “harassing letter.”

Monday, August 4 DISTURBANCE Calle La Purisima, 31500 Block (10:40 a.m.) A group of men were seen drinking beer and smoking marijuana in a garage.

Sunday, August 3 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/ CIRCUMSTANCE Via Banderas, 26900 Block (1:18 a.m.)

A woman said her dog was barking at the garage. She said it was unusual and suspected someone was outside but she could not hear or see anyone.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 8-21, 2014

Since debuting late June 2013, Rancho Mission Viejo’s first village, Sendero, has sold 665 out of 941 homes and about 1,175 residents have moved into the neighborhood. Photo: Brian Park

enjoy it.”

About 25 percent of homebuyers are coming from existing cities and communities developed by Rancho Mission

Saturday, August 2 WELFARE CHECK Summerfield Lane, 27600 Block (10:53 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for a girl, described to be 7 to 9 years old, who was screaming and whining.

KEEP THE PEACE Capote De Paseo/ Via Chiquero (9:06 p.m.) A man needed assistance retrieving his stolen iPhone after tracking it down through an app.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Calle De Bonanza, 33800 Block (8:58 p.m.) A caller said there was a dark colored sedan with “kids in it doing drugs.”

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Verdugo Street, 26700 Block (5:20 p.m.) Dispatch received a call about passengers who had threatened employees in the train’s café car.

RECKLESS DRIVING Alipaz Street/ Del Obispo Street (7:58 a.m.) A gray truck was seen racing a black truck. Both vehicles were going over 80 miles per hour.

Friday, August 1 RECKLESS DRIVING Mission Hills Drive/ Rancho Viejo Road (10:29 p.m.) A white Lexus station wagon ran a red light and almost hit another vehicle.

Viejo, including Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch and Rancho Santa Margarita. Kelly said home sales have seen a “good solid increase over time,” and construction is

RECKLESS DRIVING Camino Capistrano/ San Juan Creek Road (8:55 p.m.) A gold Lexus was driving on the wrong side of the road.

SUSPICIOUS PEROSN/ CIRCUMSTANCE Rancho Viejo Road/ Ortega Highway (5:54 p.m.) A caller said there was a bee hive at a shopping center on Ortega Highway. The caller said they had been swarmed by the bees.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/ CIRCUMSTANCE Camino Capistrano, 31900 Block (3:54 p.m.) A group of people were seen soliciting near an ATM. LOST PROPERTY Del Obispo Street, 31800 Block (10:36 a.m.) A 33-year-old man wanted to file a report about losing $900.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Evita/ Calle Aspero (7:13 a.m.) A woman, described to be between 50 to 60 years old, was seen looking through garbage cans.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/ CIRCUMSTANCE Sea Breeze Court, 33000 Block (4:20 a.m.)

A patrol check was requested for a group of people smoking drugs.

Thursday, July 31 TRESPASSING Avenida Aeropuer to, 26000 Block (7:22 p.m.) A caller repor ted finding two dir t bikes behind

Page 7

ongoing in some neighborhoods, including a 286-unit apartment complex across Antonio Parkway.

Kelly said steady job growth in Orange County and low interest rates have made it a good climate to buy homes. He also attributed much of Sendero’s early success to its intergenerational model. Within Sendero, there’s the 55-plus gated community of Gavilan, comprised of primarily single-story homes in four neighborhoods.

Already, one of those neighborhoods, built

by Del Webb, has been sold out.

“There are a lot of people who are in that age group who had perhaps been in a home for a long time and were looking for something new,” said Kelly. “The market is not a monolithic one. It’s not one big group. We tried to make sure we were addressing all needs.”

Sendero’s variety of homes, as well as its proximity to outdoor amenities, makes it an appealing option for all family types, said Buck Bennett, president of SeaCountry Group. The company has just over 100 homes in the community, all two stories and ranging in price from $570,000 to $625,000. Last month, they sold 10 homes in two weeks and 49 of 51 homes that have been released since the grand opening. CD

the residence.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/ CIRCUMSTANCE Calle San Juan/ Calle San Luis (3:35 p.m.)

Sheriff’s deputies were asked to look into bushes for hiding gang members.

WELFARE CHECK El Camino Real, 31400 Block (1:34 p.m.) A man without a shirt and carrying a backpack was seen near the tennis courts by the library.

Wednesday, July 30 DISTURBANCE Calle Santa Rosalia, 31000 Block (11:38 p.m.) Between 10 to 20 people were seen smoking drugs in a backyard.

DISTURBANCE- MUSIC OR PARTY Mariner Drive, 25600 Block (8:50 p.m.) A group of people by a pool were heard breaking bottles.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/ CIRCUMSTANCE Doheny Park Road, 33900 Block (3:09 p.m.) A female driver in a gray and blue sedan was driving the wrong way in the Costco parking lot and got stuck near El Pollo Loco.

CITIZEN ASSIST La Calera Street, 31400 Block (2:25 p.m.) A caller said they had bought an item on Craigslist but had never received it.

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Downtown Hotel Prohect Against the Ropes

A tie vote hinders the San Juan Hotel & Villas project but developer remains committed

BY BRIAN PARK, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

he San Juan Capistrano City Council was scheduled to give final consideration to a proposal to build a hotel and 30 homes in downtown Tuesday, but it never gave itself the chance after an attempt to allow residences in the area failed to pass on a tie vote.

With an important part of his project now suddenly void, Joshua Host, principal of Urban Village, withdrew his San Juan Hotel & Villas proposal. But in an interview with The Dispatch Thursday, Host said he remains committed to the project.

“The project is not dead. We do have a strategy we’ve put together,” said Host, who declined to go over specifics. “I think if anything this has emboldened us.”

The vote drew a strong reaction from the standing-room-only crowd.

Tom Scott, president and co-founder of the Camino Real Playhouse and a supporter of the project, left his seat and exited council chambers, yelling, “Time to get a new city council, guys.”

Before the council that night was an amendment to the General Plan that would have allowed residences in San Juan Capistrano’s historic downtown. Mayor Sam Allevato and Councilman Larry Kramer voted in favor while Councilmen Roy Byrnes and Derek Reeve rejected it.

Councilman John Taylor had to recuse himself because of his residence nearby.

A vote on Host’s project was originally slated in June but was rescheduled to Tuesday after Charlie View, the city’s development services director, discovered the General Plan had not been updated to comply with the Historic Town Center Master Plan, which was approved in 2012 and cost the city about $500,000 and two years of studying.

Host said former planning directors Grant Taylor and Bill Ramsey informed him in February 2013 that an amendment was not necessary, and his land-use attorney, as well as others he consulted with, agreed. But in June, View and City Attorney Hans Van Ligten said the project could not legally move forward unless the two plans were harmonized.

“The liability they put themselves into is shocking,” Host said.

While city staff and the Planning Commission recommended approving the amendment, neither supported a change to allow detached, single-family homes because the HTC Master Plan intended for townhomes. But the council never considered the change after doing away with residences entirely.

“It’s still a planning document, but once they opened Pandora’s Box, you can’t shut the lid,” said Host, referring to Byrnes’ and Reeve’s vote against the HTC Master Plan’s intent.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 8-21, 2014

San Juan Capistrano resident Joshua Host, principal of Urban Village, addresses the City Council on Tuesday.

An attempt to allow residences in downtown San Juan Capistrano failed to pass on a tie vote, putting Host’s project in jeopardy, but he said Thursday he remains committed to the project. Photo: Brian Park

Former planning commissioner Rob Williams, who has previously spoken out against the project, supported the amendment but was against allowing detached homes.

“We need to clean it up. We obviously missed something when we were going through the historic town center and we didn’t update the General Plan, so it’s a no brainer for that,” Williams said. “The intent of the downtown was an urban feeling downtown, not a suburb. If you allow single-family detached, you’re now opening it up.”

Reeve, who has been a vocal critic of the HTC Master Plan, said he was worried that allowing residences in downtown would adversely affect the city’s “small town, special atmosphere” and encourage future developers to possibly build multifamily homes.

“We’ve got to look at where we’re going in the future,” Reeve said. “Economics is going to drive this … It will in time change the characterization of downtown.”

City officials, business owners and community leaders have long expressed a desire to build a hotel downtown. When the HTC Master Plan was adopted, it already included an approved plan to build the 124-room Plaza Banderas hotel, across from the Mission. But after struggling to find a hotel developer for five years, landowner Gretchen Stroscher Thomson

is not dead.

“WeThedoproject have a strategy we’ve put together … I think if anything this has emboldened us.

”

—Joshua Host,

Principal of Urban Village abandoned the project last November in favor of building a retail center, The Shops at Capistrano.

San Juan Capistrano resident Jonathan Volzke, who previously worked with Urban Village as a public affairs specialist, urged the council to approve the amendment, as the project was not viable without the homes.

“We want a hotel in town. The homes support the hotel, so there is some economics there,” Volzke said. “The homes are more valuable and they will underwrite the cost of the hotel, so this zoning change is important.”

Byrnes said he was not ready to consider the housing issue, saying, “When things are unclear, that’s not the time to forge into water.” But Reeve urged Byrnes to vote, one way or another, because Host

Page 8

had been delayed long enough.

Host criticized Byrnes for his initial hesitance, noting that the council had two months since the delayed vote to consider the amendment and the project as a whole.

“That was shameful. Businesses everywhere will take notice,” Host said.

Allevato, who favored the project, noted that no new buildings had been built in downtown in 20 years. He said he hopes Host will be able to find a way to keep the project alive.

“I think it’s a sad night for San Juan Capistrano. I think we just blew our opportunity to get a first-class hotel … and launching a true renaissance of downtown to bring economic growth and vitality,” Allevato said.

Host’s plan will involve keeping San Juan Capistrano resident and movie producer Steve Oedekerk on board. Oedekerk owns the land the project would be built on.

When the city was developing the HTC Master Plan, they approached Oedekerk and told him his land was a key piece to the future revitalization of downtown. He told the council in June that he had been approached by several developers interested in purchasing his property, but none had proposed to build anything less than 125 residential units. He said he ultimately partnered with Host because “(Urban Village’s project) was astronomically the opposite of anything anyone else has brought me because it’s not a greed-based plan.”

The council’s delayed vote in June irked Oedekerk, who initially chose not to extend his purchase agreement with Host before reaffirming his commitment.

But for years, Oedekerk has allowed the city to use his land as free public parking and said the number of tenants in an office park on his property has been dwindling.

Citing a growing homeless population and drug use at nearby Historic Town Center Park, Oedekerk has said if the project fails, he may be forced to privatize the lot and no longer consider his property for future development. Oedekerk declined to comment after the meeting but said last week, “I definitely will not be entertaining any new development from a developer, from scratch.”

Host’s project has been vocally opposed by several residents, many with backgrounds in architecture, development and real estate. The council’s split decision denying the amendment, he said, affects his critics as well.

“Do we live in a democracy or an oligarchy? All those folks who felt like they were able to pull off some victory, it’s done exactly the opposite,” Host said. “I’m not going away.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor OVERDEVELOPMENT THREATENS SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO Margaret Chard, San Juan Capistrano

Yesterday, I received The Local Dish magazine in the mail and on page 13 is an ad for Laguna Glen.

It seems to me that the developers are pretty certain that this project will be approved. I have lived here in San Juan Capistrano for 40 years and I believe that this current band of three in our City Council do not have the approval of our citizens to make the change from agricultural zoning to this very high density project.

I believe that the Continuing Life LLC should be told to stop advertising a project that has not been approved. It bothers me that our city has more regard for developers than for its citizens. Sendero is another example of high density without any regard to utilities, roads, traffic, etc.

When is enough, enough? Overcrowding a small area like San Juan Capistrano should not be allowed.

DECOMMISSIONING SONGS SHOULDN’T FALL ON TAXPAYERS Marilyn Man, San Juan Capistrano

Why should the taxpayer be on the hook and have to pay for the decommissioning of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station?

The responsibility should be the designer, the developer and the builder.

The design was flawed and who knows what happened in the building of the station.

The city and the state are too quick to push the cost to the taxpayer.

Put the blame and the cost where it belongs.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS PUT A STRAIN ON WATER Henrietta Kincer, San Juan Capistrano

I’m so weary of hearing about our water situation in our community with strict limitations and fines for excess use, but I totally agree with the crucial problem here, along with the state of California.

However, what really upsets me and makes me very angry is when I see hundreds of new homes being built all around our small community and the greedy developers want to eat up what we have left in our open areas with more residential housing.

Are they not going to use enormous amounts of water that long-time residents here are required to ration? What a contradiction of common sense. Enough is enough. I’ve always said: It’s all about The Capistrano Dispatch August 8-21, 2014

revenue, not the quality of living here.

COUNCILMAN REEVE OWED AN APOLOGY John Perry, San Juan Capistrano

In the July 25-Aug. 7 issue of The Dispatch, letter writer Dave Solt accuses Councilman Derek Reeve of Joe McCarthy tactics by “spreading misinformation” about what is going on in San Juan Capistrano political circles.

It seems like the liberals just can’t get over Joe Mc McCarthy and his program of exposing Communists in government, academia and in Hollywood. As you may recall, many Communists were uncovered and activities documented.

Any connection between Reeve and McCarthy exists only in the twisted liberal mind of Solt. Derek is a true American success story with his achievements of overcoming extensive handicaps to become a graduate law professor and a sitting councilman of San Juan Capistrano. His courage in just dealing with daily ordeals of being a husband and father of two young boys is truly inspiring.

Solt accuses Councilman Reeve of lying about the magnitude of the water rate increase enacted by Mayor Sam Allevato and Councilmen Larry Kramer and John Taylor, effective on July 1. If Solt had read the water rate study, he would understand that the council majority voted to increase the tier one water rate from the existing $3.18 per cubic feet in 2014 to $4.16 per CCF in July 2020.

According to my mathematics, this is an increase of 30.8 percent. Likewise, tier two increases from the current $4.24 per CCF to $5.79 in 2020; an increase of 36.6 percent.

Most ratepayers are included in tiers one and two, so the impact will certainly be felt (and by the way, the percentage increases far exceed the annual rate of inflation). Also the fixed charge for a 5/8inch meter increases by 43.3 percent for the five-year period.

Dave, you owe Councilman Reeve an apology, but I don’t expect see one any time soon. I don’t think you have it in you.

YOUR NUMBERS MAY BE OFF Lou Losordo, San Juan Capistrano

First, I do like Marianne Taylor’s article (The Dispatch, July 25-Aug. 7) and agree with her. We do need to save water. However, I thought the numbers she presented were not just incorrect but very far off. If someone finds errors with the article, they might dismiss the whole article as inaccurate.

I checked on the Internet and found the following information: Marianne states that 75 percent of our state’s water use is in landscaping and that a typical lawn consumes 10,000 gallons a year. However, on the Internet, I found that 80 to 85 percent

of all developed water is used for agricultural purposes. I don’t think that means our lawns. I also found that the average use for homes is 23,275 gallons per month.

I use over 17,000 gallons per month and I try to conserve.

You might want to have her check her numbers and see what she says.

Finally, I do appreciate The Dispatch and the service it provides.

SAVING WATER Jim Elder, San Juan Capistrano

Dirt Therapist, you are right. We all need to help to conserve water. We need the City Council to understand that when they want the residents to save water, they should help by not building those new hotels, large housing developments and commercial buildings, so that they can use up our precious water.

I live in a senior community and if we all shut our water off at the curb we would still not save the amount of water that a big hotel in downtown San Juan Capistrano would use. Something is wrong here.

As some other cities have done, we need a building moratorium until the state’s water problem is resolved.

URBAN VILLAGE PROJECT UNLIKE HOTELS OF OLD Shelley Bachelder, San Juan Capistrano

I’ve been enjoying Don Tryon’s articles about the history of San Juan, including the two he’s written recently about past hotels in our town. What’s irritating me is that he’s using these stories as a way of showing that he thinks a new downtown hotel would be just as fitting today as the ones that were here 50 and 100 years ago. The problem with that comparison is that a development as massive as what Urban Village is proposing is not in any way comparable to the two-story hotels he writes about from the late 1800s and mid-1900s. In 1867, 1875 and 1920, the population here was very small, and the town was able to support the small numbers of visitors coming to those hotels at that time.

Urban Village is proposing a three-story, 136-room hotel with a two-level parking garage, a spa, a restaurant, retail shopping space, as well as a 30-unit, three-story housing component and is expected to add 1,662 daily vehicle trips to our small downtown. We already have traffic gridlock in this town as it is. The impact that this kind of hotel would create today in that location would be a disaster for us all if the City Council approves it.

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 City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Papagianis ART/DESIGN Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

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, Catherine Manso, Dana Schnell, Steve Sohanaki, Tim Trent

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 12, Issue 15. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch ) is published twice monthly

by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (www. sanclementetimes.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives.

Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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 13

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

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

Saturday | 09 SECOND SATURDAY ART AND ANTIQUE FAIR 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Over 60 artists, craftspeople and musicians exhibit their work in downtown San Juan Capistrano, along Camino Capistrano and Los Rios, Verdugo and Yorba streets. Occurs the second Saturday of each month, from March to December. www.sjcartfair.org.

ORANGE COUNTY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Noon-7 p.m. Sample ceviche, lobster, crab, paella, fish tacos and all the seafood your heat desires at this festival celebrating food coming straight from the sea. Also, taste your way through California’s wineries at the Orange County Wine Mixer and enjoy live tunes. Admission is free. Lantern Bay Park, 25111 Park Lantern, Dana Point, www.ocseafoodfestival.com.

BACKYARD SKILLS: FOOD AS MEDICINE 1 p.m. Explore the world of culinary herbs and learn which herbs are best for your particular constitution. Take home seeds and seedlings to grow your own blend of health-based herbs. $20 for members, $30 for non-members. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

Center, 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

BIKE NIGHT AT THE SWALLOW’S Graham Nancarrow performs live at The Swallow’s Inn. Enjoy $1 tacos, $2 shot specials and $2 domestic drafts. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

PYRATE ADVENTURE SAIL 4:30 p.m. Learn the truth about “pyrates” aboard the Ocean Institute’s schooner Spirit of Dana Point on this adventure at sea. Cost is $40 for adults and $23 for children. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

Wednesday | 13

MULTICULTURAL ARTS SERIES 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Jazz musicians Gregg Young and the 2nd Street Band perform live as part of the Multicultural Arts Series at the San Juan Capistrano Library.

31495 El Camino Real. Tickets $20. To purchase tickets or for more info, visit www.musicatthelibrary.com or 949.218.4512.

Monday | 11 I HEART YOGA IN THE PARK 10 a.m. Join fellow yogis at Lantern Bay Park for an hour-long class each day, rain or shine. Evening classes held Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Classes also held at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Historic Town Center Park in San Juan Capistrano. Donations suggested. 25111 Park Lantern, Dana Point, www.iheartyogainthepark.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.

Sunday | 10

Tuesday | 12

EARLY MORNING NATURE WALK 6 a.m.-8 a.m. Start your day with a walk through The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Pass through grasslands, coastal sage and oak woodlands. $10 for adults, $5 for kids, free for supporters. Register by 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8. To RSVP, directions or more info, visit www.rmvreserve.org.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME 11:15 a.m.-noon. Stories, songs and crafts for kids 3-6 at the San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

COMMUNITY TABLE: SUNDAY BRUNCH 11 a.m. Celebrate local, seasonal and organic food alongside the individuals responsible growing and producing it. $55 for members, $65 for non-members, $25 for children 10 and under. The Ecology The Capistrano Dispatch August 8-21, 2014

STRETCH AND STRENGTH 6 p.m. This partnership between I Heart Yoga in the Park and the Mission San Juan Capistrano brings yoga enthusiasts together to help in the fight against cancer. $10 donation. Proceeds benefit Relay for Life San Juan Capistrano. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1321, www.iheartyogainthepark.com.

RANCHO MISSION VIEJO LECTURE 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Learn about the history and future of Rancho Mission Viejo and The Reserve during a free lecture at the RMV Presentation Center. To RSVP, directions or more info, visit www.rmvreserve.org.

HOPE GOLF TOURNAMENT 11 a.m. Laura’s House, a nonprofit dedicated to providing domestic violence prevention, hosts its second annual charity golf tourney at Marbella Country Club.

The tournament includes a putting contest and box lunch, followed by a shotgun start at noon and concludes with an awards reception at 5:30 p.m. with wine and spirits, a stationed dinner and a silent auction.

Individual player fee $250, dinner tickets $50. For more info, visit www.laurashouse.org.

SJC WRITERS GROUP 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Discuss and improve your writing skills or learn how to publish with the San Juan Capistrano Writers Group. You must be actively working on a writing project. Occurs the second Tuesday of each month at the San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real. For more info, call Lori Lawson at 949.493.1752 or visit www.ocpl.org.

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.

Thursday | 14 GARDEN ANGELS 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Volunteers meet every Thursday in front of the Montanez Adobe at Los Rios Park in San Juan Capistrano to help maintain the garden and more.

Bring gloves and wear close-toed shoes.

949.606.6386, www.goinnative.net.

SAN CLEMENTE BEACH CONCERT 6 p.m. until sunset. DSB Band, a Journey Tribute band, comes to the sand. Enjoy live music with the San Clemente sunset as the backdrop. Concert takes place near the San Clemente Pier. Free. 949.361.8264, www.san-clemente.org/recreation.

Friday | 15 LUNCH WITH THE LEAGUE Noon. Join the League of Women Voters for lunch and a presentation by keynote speaker, UCI Earth Science Center professor Jay Famiglietti, on water shortage and conservation issues. $20. RSVP with menu choice to Barb Wood, 208.284.9167 or email to barbj@sbcglobal.net. Marie Callender’s restaurant, 15363 Culver Drive, Irvine. Menu and more info can be found at www.orangecoast.ca.lwvnet.org.

Page 14

At the Movies: ‘Lucy,’ the Great and Powerful

L

ast year Scarlett Johansson starred as a seductive, man-eating alien in the indie hit Under the Skin and maintained all the knowledge in the world as the title character of the acclaimed Her. Her newest role is a combination of both as the invincible young woman in Luc Besson’s latest sci-fi blockbuster, Lucy. Already exceeding expectations, reaching No. 1 at the box-office on its opening day, the film proves both its filmmaker and movie star haven’t lost their mojo after two decades of success.

In Taipei City, Taiwan, an American student abroad named Lucy (Johansson) is tricked into delivering a suitcase to a dangerous Courtesy photo gangster (Min-sik Choi). Lucy is manipulated by the gangster’s team to deliver the illegal content out of the country by sewing the drug into her stomach.

When she doesn’t cooperate, Lucy absorbs too much of the synthetic drug attached to her body and becomes stronger and more powerful by the minute.

Morgan Freeman co-stars as a biologist who helps Lucy and Analeigh Tipton plays her roommate. Besson’s direction here is some of his artsiest in a long while, especially for an action flick.

Johansson marvels around a catchy soundtrack and cool editing, but there are also continuity errors in the story— the most obvious being the power behind the drug, which includes an out of date scientific fact.

Nevertheless, while Lucy isn’t particularly brilliant or mind-blowing, it’s entertaining enough for devoting 90 minutes to on a weekend.—Megan Bianco

TARANTULA LECTURE AT THE RESERVE 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Learn all about tarantulas, spiders and other nocturnal critters through photographs, stories and live www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT specimens at the RMV Presentation Center. The following evening, Saturday, Aug. 16, meet at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy to search for tarantulas and spiders. Register by 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15. To RSVP, directions or more info, visit www.rmvreserve.org.

Saturday | 16 THE ARK OF SAN JUAN RESCUED PET ADOPTIONS 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dogs and puppies at PetsPlus, 32022 Camino Capistrano. Noon-4 p.m. Cats at PetSmart. 33963 Doheny Park Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.388.0034, www.arkofsanjuan.org.

FAMILY STYLE 2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. The Dalton Gang performs live at The Swallow’s Inn. Nitro Express takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

LOBSTER FEST 4 p.m. Don’t miss this annual celebration at Doheny State Beach where lobster reigns supreme. Tickets start at $75.

25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, www.danapointlobsterfest.org.

SATURDAY MOVIES IN THE PARK Dusk. The San Juan Capistrano Equestrian Coalition invites families to enjoy the film The Lego Movie at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, 30753 La Pata Rd., San Juan Capistrano. For more info, call 949.234.1696 or visit www.sjcec.org.

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS CONCERT 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience tribute band performs as part of the Mission’s popular summer concert series. Enjoy live music, dancing and a picnic in the Mission’s central courtyard.

Proceeds benefit Mission preservation efforts. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. For tickets, visit www.missionsjc.com.

Sunday | 17 ART OF COOKING 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Chef Kiel Anderson from Watermarc will lead guests on a cooking demonstration, as part of the Festival of Arts’ summer cooking series in the Festival Art Center. Free with $10 weekend admission.

650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 800.487.2787, www.lagunafestivalofarts.org.

J.D. CRAWFORD 1:30 p.m. J.D. Crawford performs live at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

THE GRASS HARP 2 p.m. The On-Impulse Acting Troupe and

Page 15

Emmy-nominated producer/director Pamela Peak present an auto-biographical story by playwright Truman Capote. Tickets $15, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

FARM-TO-FEAST 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Help support local farmers and artisans at this event highlighting culinary offerings at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa. Guests will be treated to cheeses, fresh oysters and seafood, espresso and coffee, fresh produce and various offerings from Orange and San Diego counties. Tickets $55 and includes a $10 donation to The Ecology Center. St. Regis, 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949.234.4200, www.stregismb.com.

Monday | 18 COUNTRY DANCIN’ WITH PATRICK & FRIENDS 6:30 p.m. Enjoy happy hour prices, steak night and live music and dancing at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

Wednesday | 20 $2 TUESDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S Enjoy $2 tacos, shot specials and domestic drafts at The Swallow’s Inn. Chris Cram will perform live. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

Thursday | 21 ART TALK: DÉJÀ VU Noon-1 p.m. A panel of longtime Festival of Arts exhibitors will look back on the past 30 to 40 years and share their experiences. Jacquie Moffet, the festival’s longest exhibiting artist, will lead the discussion. Admission $7 for adults, $4 for students and seniors. Festival of Arts Grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 800.487.2787, www.lagunafestivalofarts.org.

YAPPY HOUR 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Follow Fido to happy hour at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel for this monthly cocktail party. Four-legged friends can enjoy complimentary biscuits while lapping up beef and bacon flavored water. Their human counterparts can purchase burgers, brews and wine. Funds raised will help support Canine Companions for Independence which provides service dogs to the disabled and the nation’s veterans. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point, www.ritz-carlton.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

Local Teen Becomes One of the Youngest to Fly Helicopter Solo

GUEST OPINION: Old San Juan by Don Tryon

Our Drought is Not New For nearly three years during the 1860s, California experienced one of its most devastating droughts

BY BRIAN PARK, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

F

or Dominic Puntoriero, the sky is not the limit.

Just three days after his 16th birthday, Puntoriero, a San Juan Capistrano resident, took to a Robinson R22 helicopter on July 16 and became one of the youngest Americans to every fly a chopper solo.

After logging about 70 hours of flight training with an instructor, Puntoriero flew the single-engine helicopter out of Long Beach Airport and stayed in the air for about six minutes.

“I was definitely nervous, but once I got in there and picked it up, I relaxed and knew what to do,” Puntoriero said.

There are only a handful of others who have flown solo at 16, the minimum age required to do so. Puntoriero began training when he was 12, after taking a family trip to Hawaii and going on an aerial tour aboard a helicopter.

“He got to sit in the front seat and he just became fascinated,” said Puntoriero’s mother, Adriane.

When the family returned from their vacation, Puntoriero expressed his interest in flying helicopters. His father, Mike, enrolled Puntoriero in a training program at Revolution Aviation in Newport Beach.

“Once I got behind the seat, my trainer Mike Robinson told me how to do it and how it worked,” Puntoriero said. “The most challenging part is definitely hovering and holding it within 5 to 10 feet off the ground.

“It’s a lot of control and fine motor skills that you really need,” Puntoriero said.

A San Juan Capistrano resident Dominic Puntoriero takes off in a Robinson R22 helicopter at Long Beach Airport on July 16. At 16 years old, Puntoriero became one of the youngest Americans to fly a helicopter solo.

Courtesy of the Puntoriero Family

“You definitely need to adjust for wind because the slightest gust can make it tough.”

Puntoriero said he prefers helicopters over planes because he enjoys the ability to hover over a place and take in the view.

“It’s just the options you have. You can hover and go backwards, instead of just going forward,” said Puntoriero, who was able to share that experience with his family, including his younger brother, as well as three of his friends. “It’s definitely the view and everything you can see.

Sometimes, if it gets too hot, we can take the doors off and can see a complete 180 degrees. On a beautiful day, it makes it that much better.”

When he turns 17, Puntoriero will be eligible to obtain a private helicopter pilot’s license but must first log 10 hours of solo flight and complete a cross-country flight, which doesn’t actually require a pilot to fly across the country but rather take off, fly and touchdown at three airports before returning back. So far, he’s flown solo for about 20 minutes. CD

vast majority of scientists say the earth is going through a dry spell that is being aggravated by manmade pollution. This is quite evident when we see photos of the ice poles and glaciers radically retreating. Our great hope is that California will not experience another great drought like we had in the 1860s when we had fewer people.

In the winter of 1861-1862, rains flooded much of California. A storm started about mid- December and lasted almost a month.

In the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys of central California, an inland sea about 250 miles long and 60 miles wide was created by rain and run off from the mountains. In some places, only the tops of telegraph poles could be seen. California lost about 200,000 cattle, an estimated loss of about a quarter of the state’s taxable wealth. Farming was totally disrupted.

That was bad enough, but then began a devastating period that caused ranchers and farmers to be almost completely wiped out. Southern California in particular suffered the most.

Starting in the winter of 1862 and lasting through the fall of 1865, rains disappeared and never before or since has this area suffered as much. Withering winds swept in from the desert. The land dried up, grass turned to dust and farming became almost non-existent. Rancheros lost thousands more head of cattle.

Don Juan Forster reported having lost almost everything on his ranches. Throughout the county, it was reported that 71 percent of cattle were lost. Along roads and in fields, large piles of dead cattle or their bones could be seen. What few cows were standing looked like skeletons. They couldn’t be sold for meat and rancheros tried to sell

hides and bones. Then a plague of grasshoppers came through and ate what little vegetation was left. More tragedy occurred when a smallpox epidemic added to the misery. Our community OLD SAN JUAN alone lost about 129 NaBy Don Tryon tive Americans. People were dying everywhere and some ranches posted guards to prevent strangers from coming onto their land. The entire labor force was disrupted by all these tragedies and wandered all over, trying to find work to feed their families. The poor became poorer.

After all this tragedy you would have thought that our legislature and governor would have been sympathetic and generous by giving this area some relief. But taxation in this part of the state was onerous and unbalanced. The north had mining and wealth. The south’s income was nowhere near as great, even before all this tragedy.

But the north wanted to break up the large ranch holders, so they imposed heavy taxation on property, including each head of cattle. They did show a small token of mercy by lowering the tax minutely. However, ranchers still had to pay them or else.

Now, the state has many millions of people, considerable amount of industry and extensive farming in some parts, all placing a huge burden on our present water resources. If we are to go through a drought like the one in the past, one can’t help but wonder what tragedies lie in wait.

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. CD

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

Last week’s solution:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium The Capistrano Dispatch August 8-21, 2014

Page 16

See today’s solution in next week’s issue.

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 Made by SERTA, still sealed in the MFRs original factory plastic; Not refurbished, Not used. 949-842-9994

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

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

ANNOUNCEMENT LOCAL MAN GRADUATES UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BOOT CAMP Private Cameron T. Jafar, (19), of San Juan Capistrano graduated from United States Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on July 25, 2014.

Private Jafar successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training at MCRD San Diego as one of 47 recruits in Training Platoon 3203.

Following ten days home on leave he will report to Camp Pendleton for one month at Military Combat Training then Military Occupation Specialty school.

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

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Excel Electric

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

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

BANKING

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS

Excel Electric - CA #793860

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

Independence Bank

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

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back

HOME ORGANIZATION

Karen Fischer, Professional Organizer, Get Organized and Move!

949.355.3487, www.getorganizedandmove.com

949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

ELECTRICIANS

After-Hours Electric

MOLD REMOVAL

Jarvis Restoration

31942 Paseo Sagrado, 949.362.5388, www.jarvisrestoration.com

PHOTO & DIGITAL LAB

San Juan Photo & Digital

32301 Camino Capistrano, 949.661.5668, www.sjcphotodigital. com

PLUMBING

Chick’s Plumbing

949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing. com

JEWELER

Abby’s Fine Jewelry Design

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

Ca Lic #697355 714.396.2188, 949.573.8386, www.bbb.org The Capistrano Dispatch August 8–21, 2014

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Bryan Krueger Enterprises, Inc. 33208 Paseo De Cerveza, Ste. B, 949.212.0499

Page 17

SCHOOLS

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

TILE & STONE INSTALLATION/ RESTORATION

Yorba Linda Tile & Marble, Inc.

714.757.3490, CA License #789312 www.yorbalindatilemarble.com

WATER DAMAGE

Jarvis Restoration

31942 Paseo Sagrado, 949.362.5388, www.jarvisrestoration.com

WOMEN’S CLOTHING & HANDBAG BOUTIQUE

Dress Well Boutique

33712 Calle Miramar, 949.922.8044, www.DressWellBoutique.com

LIST LOCALS ONLY

USE LOCALS ONLY In print and online 52 weeks a year.

View online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Battling Depression and Setting Records Will Schmidt paddles from Canada to Mexico

BY STEVE SOHANAKI, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

F

ive years ago, Laguna Niguel resident Will Schmidt considered taking his own life.

After a long battle with depression and anxiety, his struggle reached the point where he decided suicide might be the only way to end his misery.

While pensively standing in his bedroom, the former U.S. Marine got an unexpected call from his mother. She told him she “sensed something was wrong.” She feared he wouldn’t make it through the day and advised him to go out paddling on the water because it had always made him happy in the past.

That marked the beginning of Schmidt’s remarkable journey.

Shortly afterward, in 2012, he began stand-up paddleboarding long distances in order to raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project, an organization that assists combat veterans suffering from injuries and mental illnesses.

“I knew there was something more to what I was doing,” Schmidt said. “Around that time, my friend came back from serving in Iraq and committed suicide. He left behind a wife and two daughters. I knew I needed to spread awareness about vets with depression.”

On the first of Schmidt’s long distance solo treks, he paddled from Dana Point Harbor to Catalina Island. Next, he paddled across all of the Channel Islands, landing on each of the eight islands in the process.

Will Schmidt recently completed an unassisted solo stand-up paddleboard journey that stretched from Canada to Mexico. Courtesy photo

And in his latest feat, Schmidt traveled 1,386 miles unassisted from the Canadian border down to Mexico.

He began this epic trip on May 24 at the Washington side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Canada. Before reaching Border Field State Park at the U.S.-Mexico Border on July 26, Schmidt made many stops on land to rest. One of those stops included Dana Point and he hugged the coastline of San Clemente as he headed south.

The trip lasted 61 days in its entirety, with Schmidt stopping for only three complete days of rest in between. For 58 days, six to eight hours per day, Schmidt

paddled his way down the West Coast.

He estimates he made roughly 1.25 million paddle strokes and burned an average of 3,850 calories per day, causing him to lose more than 20 pounds by the end of the trip. He also suffered blisters all over his hands, two broken toes and lost two fingernails.

Despite all of the physical challenges of the trip, Schmidt maintained that the hardest part of completing the journey had little to do with his body.

“My lower back would get really sore and my hands and feet would be very swollen in the mornings,” Schmidt said.

“After a while though, it stops being a

physical challenge and starts being mental. At a certain point, it just becomes all mental.”

During his time on the water, there was rarely a moment when he was far from danger.

“There were times when the fog would roll in and you couldn’t see the shoreline,” Schmidt said. “The shore wasn’t always there as a guide. I would have to rely on GPS and satellite tracking.”

The furthest Schmidt ever distanced himself from the shoreline was 12 miles.

On average, he stayed one to two miles away from the coastline.

During his stops, Schmidt would either sleep on the beach, in a sea cave or in a hotel room. One night he washed up on a private beach house in Smith River, California. Schmidt told the residents what he was doing. They were so impressed they allowed him to stay in their guesthouse.

“Every day I had a very high point and a very low point,” Schmidt said. “At least once a day I’d think this was the greatest idea I’ve ever had, and then it would get to a point where I’d think ‘What the hell am I doing?’ In the end, it was all worth it.”

As for the future, Schmidt said he’s not sure what task he’s looking to take on next, but he said he wants to continue spreading awareness and helping the Wounded Warriors Project by paddling long distances.

For more information about Schmidt’s stand-up paddling, visit www.areyouinspiredyet.com. CD

Capo Girls Softball All-Stars Run Ends at Nationals

BY STEVE BREAZEALLE

T

he Capo Girls Softball 14U All-Star team ended their most successful season to date with a fi fth-place finish at the American Softball Association 14B Western National Tournament on Aug. 3.

The local club, which draws players from San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point, came into the tournament fresh off a win at the ASA C State Championship tournament. During their regular season, the team compiled an overall record of 59-4 and won seven consecutive tournaments.

The Capo Girls team won both of their pool play games and entered the knockout round as the No. 1 seed in their bracket.

The team started off their bracket play with a convincing 15-0 win over Oregon Thunder. In the third round they defeated

The Capistrano Dispatch August 8-21, 2014

regional rival Garden Grove 6-3 before falling to TABU Scramblers 6-4 in the next round. In the consolation bracket, the Capo Girls team lost to Newport Mesa 9-3, securing their fi fth-place finish.

Kyra Massucco had a standout tournament at the plate, collecting seven hits over five games. Pitcher Nicole Arico picked up four wins, highlighted by her performance against Garden Grove when she allowed only four hits. Shortstop Grace Collier fielded her position well, recording 22 putouts with one error.

The team includes: Riley Dungan, Caitlyn Sung, Alexis White, Angelica Gonzalez, Taylor Hopper, Arico, Claire Steines, Collier, Massucco, Alyssa Peterson, Alyson Salas, Mariah Bohl, Elibeth Flores and Regan Salas. The team is coached by Dan Massucco. CD

The Capo Girls Softball 14U All-Star team finished fifth at the ASA 14B Western National Tournament on Aug. 3. Courtesy photo

Page 18

www.thecapistranodispatch.com