August 21, 2014

5-YEAR-OLD CANCER FIGHTER’S WISH COMES TRUE

LIVING/PAGE 21

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

AUGUST 22-SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 • VOLUME 12, ISSUE 16

San Juan Area High School Football Preview Local teams gear up for the 2014 season S P E C I A L S E C T I O N / PAG E 9

Junior Garrett Cook and the San Juan Hills football team enjoyed their most successful season to date in 2013. Now they look to reload as they head into the South Coast League. Photo: Steve Breazeale

San Juan Faces Stricter Water Regulations, Authorities on the Lookout for Bank Robber EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

City Council Field Set, Meet the Contenders EYE ON SJC/PAGE 6

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Cities, Courts Grapple with Group Home Debate EYE ON SJC/PAGE 8

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EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

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The district and its financial consultant maintained that the refinance lowered the total bond amount and shortened its length by six years, amounting to a savings for taxpayers.

Five things San Juan should know this week San Juan Faces Stricter Water Regulations THE LATEST: As California continues to suffer from record drought conditions, San Juan Capistrano residents and businesses will now face stiffer regulations to curb outdoor water usage.

The City Council unanimously passed a new ordinance Tuesday that imposes the restrictions and moved the city into Stage 2 of its water shortage contingency plan. Whereas Stage 1 requirements were voluntary, the new rules are mandatory.

Residents will no longer be allowed to water their lawns or landscaping between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., unless they use special irrigation systems or water by hand, using either a bucket or hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Washing off sidewalks or structures is also prohibited, and residents are no longer allowed to wash their cars unless hoses are fitted with shut-off nozzles. Ornamental water features, such as fountains, are prohibited, unless the water is circulated.

Car washes are no longer allowed to use water for purposes other than cleaning vehicles and restaurants are being asked not to serve water unless customers specifically make a request.

WHAT’S NEXT: The city will still allow water to be delivered to construction sites, citing the importance of projects like the ongoing Interstate 5/Ortega Highway interchange project.

The city will be contacting its largest water customers, based on its tiered rate system, and will conduct meetings with homeowner’s associations and the public to inform them of the new regulations and water-saving programs.

FIND OUT MORE: For full details on the regulations, visit www.sanjuancapistrano. org. – Brian Park

Sports Rink Operations to Change After Fraud Plea THE LATEST: A popular San Juan Capistrano sports rink will be changing hands after the City Council decided to sever ties with its current operator, who pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud in June.

Authorities are searching for a man who robbed Chase Bank in San Juan Capistrano Wednesday afternoon.

Courtesy of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department

The council voted unanimously to terminate its operating agreement with Michael Schwartz, who pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud charges in U.S. District Court.

Prosecutors say Schwartz, through his company Service First Funding Group, defrauded investors and financial institutions of $1.8 million.

The SJC Sports Rink, located at Marco Forster Middle School, is owned by the city and the Capistrano Unified School District. The city entered into an agreement with Schwartz to operate the rink in 2012.

Schwartz, who is free on bond, apologized to the council and asked them to wait until his sentencing date, October 20.

“I want to say my apologies for putting everyone into this position,” Schwartz said. “In regards to the facility, I’ve given everything possible.”

Schwartz’s supporters pleaded with the council and praised his extensive work in restoring and operating the rink, which is home to several organized activities, including roller hockey, lacrosse and soccer.

“Michael has done a tremendous job,” said Glen Miles, lacrosse coach at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and director of Victory Lacrosse in San Clemente.

WHAT’S NEXT: The community services department will operate the rink until the city finds a new operator, City Manager Karen Brust said.

Councilman Derek Reeve assured Schwartz’s supporters that cancelling the agreement would not close the rink.

“This rink isn’t going to be lifted up and disappear. It’s going to be there. It’s simply a matter of who’s going to run it,” Reeve said. – BP

Authorities Searching for San Juan Bank Robber THE LATEST: Authorities are on the lookout for a man who robbed a San Juan Capistrano bank on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 22-September 11, 2014

The robbery was reported around 1 p.m. at Chase Bank, located at 31972 Camino Capistrano. A man walked into the bank and handed a note to a teller, claiming he had a gun, according to Lt. Jeff Hallock with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. He then left on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The robber was described as a white man, around 25 years old, 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds. He was wearing a white baseball cap, a black hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses.

WHAT’S NEXT: An Orange County bank robbery apprehension task force, made up of an OCSD investigator and FBI officials, is investigating the matter. Hallock said Thursday the man does not appear to be a known bank robber.

“They believe this is the first one he’s done or is new to the area,” Hallock said.

“The physical description and method of operations isn’t matching other bank robberies in the area.” – BP

Capistrano Unified Reduces Annual Levy for Talega THE LATEST: Property owners in San Clemente’s Talega neighborhood will continue to pay an annual levy to the Capistrano Unified School District for a bond that funded school facilities in the area but will do so at a reduced rate.

The school board voted unanimously, 6-0, on Wednesday, Aug. 13 to reduce the levy for Talega’s community facilities district—known as 90-2—from 123 percent to 110 percent. Board President John Alpay, a Talega resident, recused himself from the discussion.

Talega residents applauded the reduction. Since December, they had been arguing that the district owed them money after a 2006 refinancing of the bond and that they were continuing to be overtaxed.

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WHAT’S NEXT: Residents believe the levy amount should only be enough to cover bond payments, since all bond-financed facilities, including Vista Del Mar Elementary and San Juan Hills High schools, have been built. They also sought an end to the amount above bond payments, known as “pay-as-you-go” funds, which go toward facilities needs in the area.

In July, the board received a facilities needs assessment, which included code updates and renovations district-wide.

Talega’s CFD showed a current need of $9.7 million along with a balance of about $5 million, according to Clark Hampton, deputy superintendent.

The board voted unanimously to do away with a 2-percent escalator in Talega’s CFD for the coming year, meaning around $65,000 less in the area’s pay-as-you-go fund. – BP

State Passes $7.5 Billion Water Plan THE LATEST: In light of California’s ongoing drought and after many weeks of negotiating, lawmakers in Sacramento passed a new $7.5 billion water plan to build up the state’s water infrastructure on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

The plan includes the construction of additional reservoirs, supporting new water-saving technologies and cleaning contaminated groundwater.

The legislation will replace a previous bill that was considered too expensive and political.

The bill passed with only one dissenting vote in the State Assembly—(R-Twin Peaks) Tim Donnelly—77-1. In the Senate, the bill was approved 37-0.

Assemblywoman Diane Harkey (R-Dana Point) said she is satisfied with the new bill. In 2009, she opposed the original $11 billion plan because of “the excessive pork-barrel spending” it contained.

WHAT’S NEXT: The previous plan directed $3 billion to storage projects. The new plan cut it to $2.7 billion and proposed building reservoirs in the agricultural valley in Colusa County north of Sacramento and another one in the Sierra Nevada, northeast of Fresno.

In addition to the $7.1 billion that will be newly borrowed, $425 million from older bonds will be redirected to the water priorities stated in the new plan. The redirection of that money will require voter approval. – Steve Sohanaki

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY BRIAN PARK

San Juan Celebrates OC’s 125th Birthday Orange County turns 125 years old this year, and as the birthplace of the county, San Juan Capistrano will be celebrating with a full day of festivities on Saturday, Sept. 13.

The day begins at 10:45 a.m. at Mission San Juan Capistrano with a “hands around the Mission” ceremony, recognizing the different cultures that helped create Orange County. The event will be documented with an aerial photo and followed by a blessing by the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation and a ringing of the Mission’s historic bells.

There will be several free events during the day throughout downtown, including wagon rides at the train depot and familyfriendly activities at Mission Grill, the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society and Zoomars Petting Zoo. Melodrama musical performances, mariachis, ballet folklorico dancers and the 1880s reenactment group Spurs and Satin will be performing around town. The Camino Real Playhouse will showcase skits about San Juan’s past and the San Juan Capistrano Library will also host the “Songs of the American West” concert.

The Second Saturday Art Fair will be open as scheduled.

Visit www.sanjuancapistrano.org for more or call 949.201.9881.

Mayor Sam Allevato and the San Juan Capistrano City Council recognized outgoing members of the city’s Youth Advisory Board, including Jameson Johnson, who graduated from San Juan Hills High School and will be attending Northeastern University in Boston this fall. Photo: Brian Park

City Honors Youth Advisory Board Members The city of San Juan Capistrano recognized the outgoing members of its Youth Advisory Board during the City Council’s meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Cynthia Alexander, community services director, thanked Jacob Jaworski from JSerra Catholic High School and Kali Winn from San Juan Hills High School for their past year of service on the board.

Three of its members, Jameson Johnson, Harley Olvera and Nicole Winn, graduated from high school this year.

Olvera will be attending Chapman University to major in biology and Nicole Winn will be attending Pepperdine University.

Johnson, who will be attending Northeastern University in Boston to study communications, thanked the city and the board’s adult advisors, Gerald Muir, Joseph Lopez and Gil Leon.

Alexander highlighted several of the board’s projects this past year, including stenciling city storm drains, volunteering with the Economic Preservation Subcommittee’s Winter Wonderland event, participating in the San Juan Capistrano Relay for Life and working with the Los Rios Garden Angels to maintain Los Rios Park.

Laura’s House Golf Tournament Raises $40,000 Laura’s House, a nonprofit dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence, raised more than $40,000 during its second annual HOPE Golf Tournament on Monday, Aug. 11 at Marbella Country Club in San Juan Capistrano.

Funds raised will go toward supporting the organization’s emergency shelter and transitional housing programs, a 24-hour domestic violence crisis hotline, legal support services and counseling and education programs.

Limited Tickets Available for Romance of the Mission Benefit Gala Limited seating is still available for Mission San Juan Capistrano’s annual Romance of the Mission Benefit Gala on Friday, Sept. 12.

The typically soldout affair is one of the Mission’s largest fundraising events and supports the Mission Preservation Foundation’s efforts. Last year, the gala raised around $220,000.

There is also an opportunity drawing open to the public, featuring a gift package that includes a getaway at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, a Montana Sporting Club experience and an 18-karat whitegold bracelet donated by Roberto Coin Boutique. Tickets cost $100 each and the winner does not need to be present.

The gala beings at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception in the Mission’s front gardens, followed by a concert at the Great Stone Church and a four-course dinner in the central courtyard. Broadway star David Burnham, who played the lead role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, will perform.

This year’s gala will honor the famed local riding group, El Viaje de Portolá.

For over 50 years, the Portolá riders have met in the spring for a three-day horseback ride at Rancho Mission Viejo.

In addition to celebration the American

The Capistrano Dispatch August 22-September 11, 2014

Page 5

West and California history, the exclusive ride supports several charitable causes, including an annual gift to the Mission.

George O’Connell, a Portolá member and chair of the Mission Preservation Foundation, will present an award to Portolá president Tony Gregory II. “Cherishing the past and preserving the future is important to members of El Viaje de Portolá,” Gregory said in a release.

Individual benefit gala tickets are $350.

For more information or tickets, call Barb Beier at 949.234.1323. For opportunity drawing tickets, contact Pat March at 949.234.1322. For more information about the event, visit www.missionsjc.com.

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

Community Meetings SATURDAY 8.23

Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo 2 p.m.

Opening day of the 14th annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo. The top 30 cowboys on the professional rodeo circuit will compete in six events. On Sunday, gates open at 11:30 a.m. Admission is $30 for adults, $10 for kids 4 to 12 years old and free for kids under 3. visit www.rmvrodeo.com.

TUESDAY 8.26

News Next Door

Planning Commission Meeting

WHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS

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

DANA POINT

WEDNESDAY 8.27

The Dana Point Civic Association will hold a public forum on Friday, Aug. 22 for Orange County Board of Supervisors Fifth District candidates.

The event will be held at The Coffee Importers, 34531 Golden Lantern, in the Dana Point Harbor, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

All are welcome. Free coffee will be provided, courtesy of The Coffee Importers.

Candidates Lisa Bartlett, mayor of Dana Point, and Laguna Niguel City Councilman Robert Ming will be on hand to discuss their election platforms and answer questions submitted in advance via the DPCA’s online survey page.

Questions will not be taken from the audience on the day of the forum. Additional forums are scheduled for September and October and will feature South Coast Water District and Dana Point City Council candidates, respectively.

SAN CLEMENTE Saddleback MemorialCare Health System’s San Clemente campus may be getting a new look in the next several years.

Steve Geidt, the CEO of Saddleback Memorial’s campuses in San Clemente and Laguna Beach, said the system would propose razing the current facility on Camino de los Mares to build a new facility on the same site. The potential new facility would be three stories and 103,000 square feet and include a number of additional services.

The current plan would see the hospital close and be demolished in late 2015 and reopen in early 2017.

The site study will include community outreach, in order to help determine the feasibility of the project. Saddleback has reached out to city officials with regard to the process and the plan.

The current facility sits on 6.1 acres and is required to have 515 parking spaces. Geidt said the facility might not grow much.

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 8.29

Coffee Chat 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.

TUESDAY 9.2

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

WEDNESDAY 9.3

Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monthly

breakfast hosted by the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce. $15 for chamber members, $25 for nonmembers. To RSVP, email info@sanjuanchamber.com. The Vintage Steakhouse, 26701-B Verdugo Street. www.sanjuanchamber.com.

FRIDAY 9.12

Next issue of The Dispatch publishes

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

A Field of Nine Meet the candidates for the San Juan Capistrano City Council

BY BRIAN PARK, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

an Juan Capistrano residents will be choosing from a field of nine candidates to fill three seats on the City Council in the November election.

All three incumbents, Councilmen Larry Kramer, Derek Reeve and John Taylor, are running for reelection. They are joined

by Greg Acho, Kerry Ferguson, Stephanie Frisch, Pam Patterson, Jan Siegel and Rob Williams.

In the coming weeks, The Dispatch will be providing ongoing coverage of the election, including publishing the candidates’ responses to our question-and-answer series about issues facing the city, culminating in our special election issue Friday, Oct. 24. If you have questions about what topics should be covered, email bpark@ thecapistranodispatch.com.

Eight of the nine candidates submitted ballot statements to the city, which are printed here verbatim. The order is the same as the names will appear on the ballot.

Jan Siegel, Community Volunteer

I am running for City Council to bridge economic expansion and historical preservation.

There are a number of economic developments that need to go forward within the City in order to maintain viability. At the same time these developments need to fit into the historic landscape of our unique community.

Honored as Chamber of Commerce woman of the year, by the City on the Wall of Recognition, City Volunteer of the Year, Mission Gala Honoree, “Moment In Time” columnist for the Capistrano Dispatch, and member of the Cultural Heritage Commission, I have proven that I can work with all the groups within the City to achieve the betterment of our community.

As a docent for the Friends of the Library Architectural Walking Tour, Mission Volunteer, Museum Curator of the Historical Society, past President of Meridth Canyon Homeowners Association, and Chair of the City’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee, I have shown that I have the vision and work ethic to achieve success for San Juan Capistrano.

I have been endorsed and supported by community leaders including former and current City Council members.

I will bring this creativity, vision, integrity, passion, work ethic and experience to the City Council.

I ask for your vote.

Derek Reeve, Councilman/Constitutional Attorney

As a San Juan Capistrano councilman, I have a proven record fighting for taxpayers, everyday residents, and the constitutional rights of all. I stand against the powerful political establishment to defend residents. I am an independent constitutional conservative who has kept every campaign promise.

Voted against every tax and fee increase and opposed incurring more debt and wasteful spending totaling millions of dollars.

Crusaded to remove San Juan Capistrano from the water business and stop high density development and increased traffic.

Fought for: Christian groups holding bible studies; Term limits; Rule of Law; Resolving lawsuits against the city; Eliminating Red Light Cameras; Eliminating business taxes.

Re-elect Reeve and we will take back City Hall. The political establishment works for out of town special interests while you sit in traffic figuring out how to pay your water bills. I will address the issues that concern residents; water, traffic and debt.

San Juan Capistrano is for everyone, not just political elites who control your tax dollars. If you’re tired of unnecessary water rate increases, burdensome traffic, and overwhelming debt, please join everyday residents and re-elect Derek Reeve.

Together, we can fight City Hall!

Councilman, Constitutional Attorney, Small Business owner and parent. USC undergrad/Law; Claremont M.A. www.Reeve4SJC.com

Pam Patterson, Constitutional Attorney/Businesswoman

As a 19-year resident, I am uniquely qualified to be a member of the San Juan Capistrano City Council. As a Constitutional attorney, I have real world experience curbing an overreaching government.

Government officials and bureaucrats routinely ignore the law in favor of their own agenda. This is why: Our city has been involved in so many expensive lawsuits; We have extreme traffic problems in our community; and Our water bills are skyrocketing.

Our city government has failed its fiduciary duty to maintain and enhance the quality of life of city’s residents.

The charm of our beautiful historic town is eroding due to reckless and inappropriate development, and has caused congestion and traffic issues. I favor responsible development. Projects must enhance rather than have a devastating effect on the surrounding areas. Bad planning further contributes to an already strained

The Capistrano Dispatch August 22-September 11, 2014

water supply by creating further demand, which will in turn raise already high rates for all our residents.

Our city government has breached this fiduciary duty to our residents. The only way to stop further harm is to elect residents running for office whose hearts are committed to benefit the city, not their own interests. I am such a person. www.Pam4SJC.com

Greg Acho Greg Acho declined to submit a candidate statement.

John Taylor, Businessman/Councilmember

San Juan Capistrano is experiencing a renaissance. When I began my term on City Council four years ago, our downtown was in a recession. Thanks to our revitalization efforts, dozens of new businesses have opened and our city is once again thriving.

As a businessman, I approach government with the same principles as running a successful company. As a 25-year resident of the Los Rios District, I also embrace our small town atmosphere and historic heritage.

I will continue to: Practice fiscal responsibility – we increased our emergency cash reserve from 8% in 2010 to a healthy 50% today.

Run an efficient staff - we reduced employees from 109 to 87, saving thousands of dollars; annual audits rated excellent.

Keep our city safe - we increased positions in the Sheriff’s Department resulting in the lowest crime rates in years.

Protect our water supply - we obtained $5 million in state grants to upgrade our Groundwater Recovery Plant, producing nearly half the city’s water from our own wells.

Manage traffic - work with other agencies to proactively mitigate traffic issues.

I am a leader for positive change, and will continue to steer a course for good government while maintaining respect for others. www.johntaylorforcitycouncil.com

Robert Williams, Architect/Business Owner

My wife and I chose to raise our three children in San Juan Capistrano. We made it our home because it is unique in its historic charm and rare in its quality of life. It’s a special community, and Page 6

the values and history we have all come to love must be preserved.

As a Planning Commissioner, I fought against development that would ruin our town’s character. These weren’t easy decisions, but I am committed to putting the needs of our residents first. We need thoughtful growth that enhances our community.

As an architect for over 30 years, I understand both the need for development and the importance of maintaining San Juan Capistrano’s character.

As a small business owner, I understand the importance of limited government. City Hall needs to eliminate wasteful spending that jeopardizes our city’s budget.

I’m committed to: Preserving the rural, equestrian and historical character of our community; Finding traffic solutions that preserve the flavor of our historic downtown; Fighting against wasteful spending; Making sure we have the best public safety available.

If elected, I will fight to maintain San Juan Capistrano’s uniqueness. I love our town and would be honored to have your vote. Together we can keep San Juan Capistrano special. www.RobWilliams2014.com

Stephanie Frisch, Independent Insurance Broker

As a small business owner in San Juan Capistrano, I know firsthand how important it is to have a responsive, business friendly city government to ensure the ongoing financial health of our city.

I have served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for six years, including two years as Chairman. I believe my experience and proven leadership capabilities will help guide our city on the important issues that face us.

My focus: Develop and implement a plan to increase downtown parking; Encourage responsible redevelopment of our downtown commercial corridor; Preserve and maintain San Juan Capistrano’s cultural heritage and open space; Continue to foster a receptive and positive business environment for all new and existing local businesses; Work with our local law enforcement to ensure residents and guests are provided with a safe community.

San Juan Capistrano is unique -- 40% of our city is open space. We enjoy a small town atmosphere where residents pitch in to help their neighbors, cherish a safe community, and know their local elected leaders. My goal is to maintain what we hold dear and make smart decisions to ensure a bright future for our city.

I would be honored to serve as your representative on the City Council. www.stephaniefrisch.com www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC Larry Kramer, Retired Submarine Captain

Kerry Ferguson, Businesswoman/ Educator My pledge is to put my considerable experience as a successful business owner, educator and civic leader to work for you to: Honor our heritage Shape a great future Serve equally every resident I will work for you to hold the line on taxes, fees and spending, making sure new development doesn’t bring undue impact on our daily living with new pressures on water supplies, parking and traffic. I will treat your tax contributions as a precious resource to be invested wisely with care.

I will work for you to protect the rich history and varied culture that make San Juan Capistrano unique, especially when planning new projects. It is that heritage that creates the charm and romantic aura that we all love and visitors come to see.

I will work for you to help create a vibrant downtown core with the kind of eclectic mix of stores and restaurants, living spaces and redevelopment that will insure long term success for our town.

In short, I will work for everyone, for our heritage, for our future, and to serve every resident. I ask for your vote.

Education: Graduate of USC with BSc in Education www.kerryforsjc.com

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 19 TRAFFIC HAZARD Ortega Highway/Interstate 5 (3:41 p.m.) Two ladders were seen on the eastbound side of Ortega Highway.

TRAFFIC HAZARD Los Rios Street/Calle Santa Barbara (6:45 a.m.) A caller said a broken water line was flooding the sidewalk.

SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE Camino Capistrano/ Stonehill Drive (1:08 a.m.) A large black Nissan van, displayed on stilts outside the Nissan dealership, was found with all its doors open.

Monday, August 18 DISTURBANCE Paseo Pamela, 26400 Block (7:26 a.m.) An unidentified person kept hitting a resident’s window with a soccer ball.

I understand leadership and decision-making.

As a Naval Officer, I commanded three nuclear submarines and a submarine base with an annual budget over $50 million. As a member of the San Juan Capistrano City Council, I have learned that our citizens want leaders who will listen, gather facts and make informed decisions.

I am a strong believe in community involvement. In addition to serving on the City Council for the past four years, I am an active member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and past President of the San Juan Capistrano Rotary.

My priorities: Make San Juan Capistrano a better place to live for all the residents; Continue to improve the city’s financial footing; Improve flow of traffic in and around San Juan Capistrano; Enhance our open space and make it accessible to all; Make our town an inviting, safe place to shop, dine and tour; Insure that we have an adequate supply of safe drinking water; Preserve the historical atmosphere that is our city’s trademark.

I will continue to put the people of San

DISTURBANCE Westmont Court, 29500 Block (8:36 a.m.) A woman said her roommate kept trying to coax her into a fight.

Sunday, August 17 DISTURBANCE Paseo Carolina, 32000 Block (11:02 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for two men and one woman drinking and being too loud.

DRUNK IN PUBLIC Paseo San Gabriel, 26500 Block (2:30 p.m.) A drunken man was reportedly found passed out in front of a resident’s door.

DISTURBANCE Los Rios Street, 31300 Block (3:19 a.m.) A patrol check was needed due to a loud party.

Saturday, August 16 RECKLESS DRIVING Valle Road, 32800 Block (9:39 p.m.) Two cars were spotted drag racing in front of a mobile home park.

DISTURBANCE Camino Capistrano, 32200 Block (4:04 p.m.) Four to five men were skateboarding in front of a salon and refusing to leave.

DISTURBANCE- MUSIC OR PARTY Avenida De La Vista/ Oso Road (1:53 p.m.) A loud party with a disc jockey was taking place at Rio Oso Park.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 22-September 11, 2014

San Juan Capistrano voters will take to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4 to elect three members to the City Council.

There are nine candidates this year, including all three incumbents, Councilmen Larry Kramer, Derek Reeve and John Taylor. File photo

Juan Capistrano first, make decisions based on facts, preserve our small town atmosphere and conduct myself with integrity and transparency.

Larry Kramer City Council Member/Mayor Pro Tem www.LarryKramerforCityCouncil2014.com

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/ CIRCUMSTANCE Calle Chueca/Calle Resplendor (10:52 a.m.) Two 20-year-old men were seen smoking drugs out of a pipe by the community pool.

was seen using a power saw to cut down a “no parking” sign.

DISTURBANCE-MECHANICAL Old San Juan Road, 31100 Block (6:28 a.m.) A patrol check was requested for tractors at the horse barn.

DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Paseo Pamela, 26400 Block (2:56 a.m.) Dispatch received notice of people drinking alcohol and playing loud music inside a garage.

Friday, August 15 DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Hilltop Way, 30500 Block (11:30 p.m.) A group of around 24 adults were having a loud party.

It was reportedly an ongoing problem.

SHOTS HEARD-NO SUSPECT INFORMATION Via Corta, 26800 Block (9:11 p.m.)

A caller reported hearing a gunshot coming from a neighboring residence.

DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Calle Reynalda, 31900 Block (7:12 p.m.) Dispatch received notice of a parked truck playing loud music.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Calle Arroyo, 27400 Block (2:48 p.m.)

A man wearing a gray tank top and pants Page 7

ILLEGAL PARKED VEHICLE Imperial Drive, 30000 Block (9:03 a.m.) A parked white Ford with an attached trailer was blocking the sidewalk.

DRUNK IN PUBLIC Calle San Luis, 25600 Block (4:25 a.m.) Around 15 to 20 drunken individuals were being loud in a garage.

Thursday, August 14 DISTURBANCE Calle San Diego, 31000 Block (10:48 p.m.) A patrol check was requested for three men who were drinking and being loud in front of a house.

ANNOYING PHONE CALL Calle Chueca, 30800 Block (6:46 p.m.)A woman said her exhusband had been sending harassing text messages.

DISTURBANCE Del Obispo Street, 32200 Block (6:19 p.m.) A caller said a reportedly “mentally unstable” woman from the neighborhood was going around, knocking on other residents’ doors.

ILLEGAL PARKED VEHICLE Via San Vicente, 31100 Block (2:57 p.m.) A man informed sheriff’s deputies of a neighbor’s parked car blocking the entrance to his house for over two weeks. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

A Sobering Discussion

Cities, courts grapple with citizen complaints about residential group homes and sober-living facilities protected, and encouraged, under state and federal law

BY JIM SHILANDER AND ANDREA PAPAGIANIS, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

n recent months, residents of San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente have expressed increasing concern about their neighbors—many of them new. For them, the issue isn’t so much the quality of their neighbors but rather the frequency in turnover of these new residents.

These neighbors come and go from residential group homes—some for children and adolescents, others for disabled adults and many for people recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.

Between the three south Orange County cities there are 25 licensed drug and alcohol treatment facilities. This includes residential homes, inpatient and outpatient facilities, according to a report from the state Department of Health Care Services, which provides licensing oversight for such facilities.

These residential treatment facilities are considered single-family residences in the eyes of both the state and municipal governments, so long as no more than six people are residing in the home. Under that foundation, these dwellings are awarded the same freedoms as traditional single-family residences. But they are licensed by the state and therefore must meet certain standards.

As far as municipal rules go though, there is little to no oversight, or even enforcement measures that can be taken, because city regulations regarding such uses simply do not exist—as group homes, with six or fewer people, are permitted by right in any residential zone.

But area residents aren’t necessarily pleased with that.

In Capistrano Beach, residents have raised issues with a lack of street parking, cigarette butts and late-night noise. But they remained fairly quiet until a young man was found dead inside a neighboring home on Tuesday, July 22. Many watched from their homes and their front lawns as Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived and as the lifeless body was removed from the home.

Officials confirmed a 25-year-old man died in the home, neighbors have referred to as a sober living facility, but the cause of death will not be determined for at least 12 weeks, said Mitchell Sigal, supervising deputy coroner with the Orange County Coroner Division.

In San Clemente, residents near one home on South Ola Vista made the City Council aware of issues they were having in June, when the five-member body unanimously approved spending $5,000 to support legal battles being waged by Newport Beach over group home regulations.

I

CITY ATTEMPTS TO REGULATE In 2008, the city of Newport Beach Residents of Ola Vista said a number of passed a zoning ordinance regulating, recent police responses to the home had and in some cases limiting to services of, troubled them. To address their concerns, group homes. neighbors encouraged the council to reguBefore the ordinance, group homes late group homes as much as possible. were operating freely in residential areas.

In San Juan Capistrano, the City Council But after receiving complaints from discussed the matter on July 15, after residents, much like the ones being heard receiving a letter from residents Reginald in south county today, the City Council and Phyllis Villamil. The couple said that passed an ordinance that forced many there were three recovery homes, all less group homes out of. than a mile from one another—that caused “They cared less about their interacseveral disturbances, including frequent tion with neighbors,” said Newport Beach calls to emergency and police services.

City Attorney Aaron Harp, of temporary They expressed additional concerns about residents. The city heard complaints from deteriorating maintenance and landscaplong-time, and long-term, residents about ing at these homes, their effect on propthe facilities turnover and how it changed erty values and neighborhood safety. their neighborhood. The city itself was But the hands of California cities may more concerned with homeowners changbe tied. ing a traditional residential use into a Residential treatment centers are not commercial one, he said. only protected Newport Beach’s under state laws ordinance impacted but also under group homes, such as the legislature has said if federal ones, maktreatment centers, sober ing it difficult for living facilities, boardingthat if we give this license for local municipalihouses, sororities and ties to step up to fraternities, by prohibitthis kind of facility, your local the enforcement ing new group homes plate. regulations are trumped ... The from operating in most “The notion, residential areas and and one can argue legislature has put a lot of efrequiring existing homes whether its anyto go through a permitfort into boxing us in. where near right ting process that new or wrong, is what ones would be subject to.

—Hans Van Ligten, the legislature has While the law’s lanSan Juan Capistrano City Attorney said if that if we guage was neutral, group give this license home owners fought the for this kind of facility, your local regulaordinance in court arguing that the zoning tions are trumped, as long as they stay rules targeted sober living homes unfairly. under a certain size,” San Juan Capistrano In 2007, before the ordinance was adCity Attorney Hans Van Ligten told the opted, Newport had 72 group homes. By council. “The legislature has put a lot of 2013, there were just 27. effort into boxing us in.”

Two treatment organizations operating Group homes, mainly those for the in Newport Beach, Pacific Shores Properdisabled and elderly, were encouraged in ties LLC and Newport Coast Recovery the 1970s as a way to keep people living in LLC, sued the city in 2009 after their residential areas, enjoying the lifestyle and permits were denied. The judge presidinteracting with neighbors. ing over the case, filed in the U.S. District The concept was expanded in 2000 Court for the Central District of California, when 60 percent of California voters ruled in favor of the city. passed Proposition 36, or the Substance Operators appealed that decision. In Abuse and Crime Prevention Act—a law September 2013, three justices with the cheered by public health and criminal U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanijustice advocates as a way to keep lowmously ruled Newport Beach discriminatlevel drug offenders out of the state prison ed against homes for recovering addicts system and a means to get them into treatin enacting and enforcing its group home ment and recovery facilities. ordinance.

Since the law’s implementation in July The appellate court also found the trial 2001, an estimated 700 treatment facilities court erred in not considering evidence have been licensed by the state, accordproving the city’s “sole objective in enacting to numbers from the California Drug ing and enforcing its ordinance was to Counseling Inc., a nonprofit substance discriminate against persons deemed to abuse treatment center in Pasadena. be disabled under state and federal housWith a rise in residential treatment facilities, ing discrimination laws,” Judge Stephen however, came a rise in resident complaints.

Reinhardt wrote in his opinion.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 22-September 11, 2014

“

”

Page 8

The federal Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act extend to persons recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, Reinhardt wrote.

The court has opened the door for liability issues for cities, Harp said, since the ordinance’s language was non-discriminatory. He believes the court read prejudiced intent where it was not.

Five appellate court judges, who did not hear the case, issued a dissent.

Newport Beach now has plans to submit a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. Five cities have signed on in support of Newport’s appeal, including San Clemente, Laguna Beach, Claremont, Costa Mesa and Bradbury.

The city expects to know if the Supreme Court will take up the case sometime in the fall, Harp said.

RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS LOCALLY Counselors with Sovereign Health, a treatment facility located in the Talega Business Park of San Clemente, refers those who have left the facility for drug and alcohol dependency to residential homes to continue their treatment, said the organization’s spokeswoman Penny Alvarez.

However, the organization only refers clients to homes that have been licensed by the state. Other homes, such as sober living homes, are not licensed by the state.

There are an estimated 30 unlicensed sober-living or other group facilities operating in San Clemente, according to Brent Panas, the city’s code compliance officer.

A number have popped up recently in the southwest area of the city, he said.

Lisa Gaskin lives near one such home.

Gaskin believes there are “different levels” of such facilities. Some, she noted, regularly have residents picked up in a single vehicle, while others have “cars parked all over the street, many from out of state.”

People were “constantly changing,” she said, with turnover sometimes coming in less than a month.

But a larger issue is a lack of neighborliness, she believes.

On a recent day, Gaskin reported, an open window led to her overhearing graphically crude language. Another time, she said her son was watching television upstairs when he heard loud vomiting coming from a neighboring home.

The family is now considering moving away.

Similar complaints have been heard throughout neighboring cities.

But with the final outcome of Newport Beach’s case still to be determined, it is likely local residents will be left with little recourse until a final decision is made— possibly one coming from the nation’s highest court. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

2014 DISPATCH FOOTBALL PREVIEW

San Juan Capistrano Area High School Football Preview Local teams gear up for new season

BY STEVE BREAZEALE

T

he 2014 high school football season kicks off on Friday, Aug. 29. As usual, there are plenty of storylines to get caught up on and games to look forward to.

Two of the San Juan Capistrano area schools, Capistrano Valley Christian and Saddleback Valley Christian, have spent the offseason working with a new head coach. The two rivals are primed

for more successful seasons and are looking for consecutive playoff berths.

JSerra Catholic and St. Margaret’s Episcopal School enjoyed plenty of success in 2013 and will have to regroup if they are going to continue their winning ways.

San Juan Hills High School will enter waters never before tested by a Stallions football program as they enter the formidable South Coast League for the first time in school history.

For in-game updates, scores, news and more for all of the San Juan area football teams, follow us on Twitter @ SouthOCsports all season long.

San Juan Hills High School The San Juan Hills High School football team’s script could hardly have read better in 2013.

The Stallions were led by a strong group of seniors who played beside each other for four years, culminating in an impressive undefeated run through the Sea View League. The Stallions set a school record for most wins in a season (10), captured the first league title in school history and won a playoff game.

Because of their efforts, San Juan Hills was moved from the Sea View League to the South Coast League over the offseason. The new league features established football powerhouses, like Mission Viejo and Tesoro high schools, along with El Toro, which has always been a threat in the high school football scene. Dana Hills rounds out the league.

It is a league schedule the likes of which the Stallions have never seen.

But that hasn’t stopped the team from building on their momentum from last year and preparing for the new challenge.

Head coach Aaron Flowers said that the Stallions are preparing the same way they always have, by taking things one step at a time.

The Stallions lost a large group of 2014 Dispatch Football Preview

Senior quarterback Patrick O’Brien, right, will lead the San Juan Hills offense in 2014. Photo: Steve Breazeale

standout seniors last year and only return seven starters, which left multiple spots on the field open for competition.

San Juan Hills has used the offseason to fill those spots and work on building new team chemistry, something the Stallions thrived on last year.

Heading into their fifth game of last year, a Sept. 27 tilt against Fullerton, the Stallions were winning games but did not have an identity, according to Flowers. The intensity in practice and preparation was not there. But following that week’s 28-21 loss, the team refocused and hit their stride. They began clamping down on defense and built their identity around that.

With so many new faces, the 2014 version of the Stallions still have a lot to figure out, according to Flowers. Luckily for them, it’s still very early.

“We don’t know our strengths yet. I think that’s kind of the interesting thing with this team. We feel like there are

some things we can do but we don’t know. We’re going to find out with Thousand Oaks (on Aug. 29) about who we are,” Flowers said. “That’s why I’m excited and fascinated to see how this team is going to develop into their own identity because we had kids who graduated last year who played a ton as sophomores, juniors and seniors.

So now it’s a new identity. To see that come together is pretty cool.”

Junior quarterback Patrick O’Brien will lead the Stallions offense in 2014.

O’Brien has only played the position for the past two years but is under the watchful eye of Flowers, a former standout quarterback himself.

Senior running back Mike Miscione was among the team’s leading rushers last season, taking 134 carries for 833 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior.

He also caught 32 passes and scored four touchdowns as a receiver. The versatile Miscione has developed into

SCHEDULE 8/29

Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, 7 p.m.

9/5 Canyon SJHHS, 7 p.m.

9/12 Capistrano Valley CVHS, 7 p.m.

9/19 Marina SJHHS, 7 p.m.

9/25 Los Alamitos LBCC, 7 p.m.

10/4 Beckman SJHHS, 7 p.m.

10/17 El Toro* SJHHS, 7 p.m.

10/24 Mission Viejo* MVHS, 7 p.m.

10/30 Dana Hills* DHHS, 7 p.m.

11/7 Tesoro* SJHHS, 7 p.m. *-- League game

a team leader and echoed his coach’s views on the Stallions need to find an identity if they are to improve on last year’s efforts.

“Since we did lose a lot of guys last year we have a lot of new kids coming up. It’s great, I love the opportunity to play with new kids because we have the chance to build as a team,” Miscione said.

Paving the way for Miscione up front will be returning senior guard Jake Nelson, the lone returner on the Stallions offensive line.

Senior receiver Kolton McCluskey caught 30 receptions for 504 yards and two touchdowns in 2013 and will return to lead the receivers.

The Stallions defense will feature senior returning corner Griffin Grutz, a reliable player who had 49 tackles and one interception last season.

San Juan Hills’ linebackers were a key part of their stingy defense last season and return one starter, senior Jacob Venegas. Venegas was second on the team in total tackles last year with 73 and tallied two sacks.

The South Coast League stretch is weeks away and the focus will be on a tough road matchup with Thousand Oaks in the season opener. When the team takes the field against the Lancers, Flowers and his staff plan on getting a lot of players into the game to figure out what works and what doesn’t.

“We’re hoping we can continue the momentum just by working hard on a daily basis. It’s going to be a game by game process for us,” Flowers said. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

2014 DISPATCH FOOTBALL PREVIEW

JSerra will play one of the most daunting schedules in school history in 2014. Photo: Steve Breazeale

JSerra Catholic High School

BY STEVE BREAZEALE

The injury bug has made its way into the JSerra Catholic High School football training camp.

Some of the injuries are more minor than others, but the biggest of them all came at the expense of returning senior middle linebacker David Eugenio. The Lions leading tackler in 2013 suffered a broken foot during the offseason, which will sideline him for 6-8 weeks, according to head coach Jim Hartigan.

Eugenio had a team-high 97 tackles last year and was named to the second team All2014 Dispatch Football Preview

Trinity League. Hartigan expects Eugenio to be back in time for Trinity League play. Senior Aaron Mathews figures to be Eugenio’s replacement.

Eugenio wasn’t the only impact player from last year’s seven-win season to go down with an injury, as standout receiver Ethan Aguayo is nursing an injured hamstring. Hartigan said he does not anticipate Aguayo, who also plays cornerback, to be sidelined for long.

Their middle linebacker may be injured, but the Lions have a wealth of players returning on defense that could make an impact during their tough preseason schedule.

The defensive line will again be a strength for the Lions this season. Four players from last year’s line return, including D.J. Bailey, Brody Barrett and Joe Monroe. Bailey had a breakout junior season, racking up 52 tackles and a team-high seven sacks. The Lions strength and size at the line was a major factor all last season and Hartigan expects even bigger things out of the unit in 2014.

“The defensive line has gotten better. We’ve gotten stronger up front,” Hartigan said. “The inside guys, Barrett and Monroe, are both over 300 (pounds) so they’re good sized kids.”

Junior cornerback Isaiah Diego-Williams and free safety Connor O’Brien will patrol the Lions’ secondary.

The Lions lost standout playmaker Casey Eugenio to graduation, which makes finding his replacement a priority this offseason.

Eugenio, the team’s former running back and punt/kick returner, was a huge threat to opposing defenses all season. Hartigan said they have not decided on who will be the Lions running back yet.

This season will mark the last go around for returning senior quarterback Nick Robinson.

Robinson earned the starting job as a sophomore and has steadily progressed since. In his first year, Robinson threw five touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He drastically improved on that ratio last season, throwing for 2,140 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Robinson’s ability to maintain possession of the ball on offense gave the Lions a puncher’s chance in the Trinity League last year, when they won two games.

Aguayo, when healthy, along with DiegoWilliams and Sam Fillipi, will be the go-to receivers for the Lions.

Despite finishing with a 7-3 overall record and finishing in a three-way tie for third place in the Trinity League, the Lions were not awarded an at-large berth into the CIF-SS football playoffs, a process which heavily relies on strength of schedule. This year, the Lions will play arguably the toughest preseason schedule in school history and one of the most difficult schedules in the area. Games against Huntington Beach, the reigning CIF-SS Southwest Division champions, Chino Hills and St. Bonaventure highlight the preseason slate. After preseason, things only get tougher when the Lions enter the Trinity League.

Schedule 8/29

Cabrillo Cabrillo, 7 p.m.

9/5 Chino Hills Saddleback College, 7 p.m.

9/12 Huntington Beach HBHS, 7 p.m.

9/19 St. Bonaventure Saddleback College, 7 p.m.

9/26 St. Paul JSCHS, 7:30 p.m.

10/10 Santa Margarita* Saddleback College, 7 p.m.

10/16 St. John Bosco* San Juan Hills, 7 p.m.

10/24 Mater Dei* Santa Ana Stadium, 7 p.m.

10/30 Orange Lutheran* OLHS, 7 p.m.

11/7 Servite* Saddleback College, 7 p.m. *-- League game “Our schedule has gotten tougher … You really have to do some special things to get to eight (wins) and, more importantly, you think how we are going to get into the playoffs,” Hartigan said. “We may get there with six wins, it all depends what happens with the rest of the league. But league will be tough.

We’ll hopefully get a wild card but there are no guarantees unless you’re top-3, which is what we’re shooting for.” www.thecapistranodispatch.com

2014 DISPATCH FOOTBALL PREVIEW SCHEDULE 9/5

Capistrano Valley Christian CVHS, 7 p.m.

9/12 The Webb Schools SMES, 7 p.m.

9/19 Whittier Christian SMES, 7 p.m.

9/26 Laguna Beach LBHS, 7 p.m.

10/2 Douglass TBA, 7 p.m.

10/10 Sage Hill* SHHS, 7 p.m.

10/17 Brethren Christian* SMES, 7 p.m.

10/24 Crean Lutheran* SMES, 7 p.m.

11/7 Calvary Chapel* SMES, 7 p.m. *-- denotes league game

Junior receiver/cornerback Nick Shanks is a part of a large group of talented skill players at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School. Photo: Steve Breazeale

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School On paper, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School appears to have all of the pieces they need to win a 10th consecutive league title and make another deep playoff push.

The Tartans return 13 starters from a team that appeared in the CIF-SS Eastern Valley Division championship game.

A main strength of last year’s team was the defense, which held teams to one score or fewer four times, including a shutout.

Despite losing three All-CIF defenders to graduation, eight players return on defense to make up what has become a stingy unit.

Junior cornerback Nick Shanks, senior Preston Ellis and All-CIF senior middle linebacker Dalan Cragun bring valuable varsity experience.

The Tartans are still figuring out who will be their starting quarterback. Ellis, sophmore George Krantz and senior Ryan O’Hare are currently battling for the spot. But one thing is certain—whoever it is will have plenty of offensive weapons surrounding him.

Five players return to the Tartans offense, which scored plenty of points in 2013. St. Margaret’s eclipsed the 40-point threshold on offense 10 times last year, including a pair of 55 and 56-point performances. The offense was effective, averaging just over 38 points per game during their 14-game schedule, including the playoffs. Graduated quarterback Josh Davis fueled the Tartans prolific passing attack while Oscar Gomez took care of things on the ground.

Gomez, now a senior, burst onto the scene as a junior in the Tartans first game of the season. Gomez rushed for 360 yards and six touchdowns against Village Christian School 2014 Dispatch Football Preview

on Sept. 6 and didn’t stop there, earning AllCIF honors for his standout season.

Gomez had an impressive season despite missing three games to injury. Head coach Rod Baltau said that Gomez piled up over 1,600 yards last year in seven games, which makes the possibility of a 2,000-yard season for him in 2014 seem within reach.

Shanks, who also plays running back and wide receiver, filled in very well when Gomez was injured early last season. Shanks rushed for 257 yards in a game against Whittier Christian and seemed to be on a roll before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the year.

With both Gomez and Shanks healthy and back in the mix, Baltau can deploy multiple formations on offense.

“They’re both going to get carries. We are going to try and get them on the field at the same time as much as possible,” Baltau said. “We have several guys where we want to make sure to get the ball in their hands.

That’s a good problem to have.”

All-CIF wide receiver Fernando Delgado returns to add depth to the Tartans skill positions.

St. Margaret’s secret weapon lies in returning senior kicker Charlie Beall, who Baltau says has 50-plus-yard field goal range and almost assures the Tartans a touchback whenever he kicks off.

The Tartans preseason schedule is filled with several promising games, including a tilt against Laguna Beach on Sept. 26. Their competition in the Academy League figures to be Brethren Christian, who finished second in league last year, and Sage Hill.

Sophomore George Krantz is one of three St. Margaret’s players vying for the starting quarterback position.

Photo: Steve Breazeale www.thecapistranodispatch.com

2014 DISPATCH FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Capistrano Valley Christian When Dan Dodd stepped down as the head football coach at Capistrano Valley Christian School, the administration turned to his defensive coordinator and pupil Eric Preszler to fill his mentor’s shoes.

Preszler has been on the Eagles coaching staff the previous three years learning under Dodd, a veteran coach whose career includes stints at Texas Christian University, Tulane and Utah State.

Preszler learned a lot from the man he assisted on the football field and has been with the Eagles since they were an 8-man football team.

Preszler has been on campus since his current crop of seniors were freshmen, which he feels has made his transition to head coach seamless.

“It’s been a nice transition. I was fortunate to be able to take over for a guy like (Dodd). They know me and I know

Junior KC Thompson and the Capistrano Valley Christian football team will play a tough preseason schedule this season. Photo: Steve Breazeale

them,” Preszler said. “We’re doing some of the same stuff offensively and defensively so they’re not having a whole new system to learn … at the end of the day everyone was comfortable with that.”

The Eagles will feature two of the biggest playmakers in southern Orange County this season in quarterback Riley Babick and junior safety/wide receiver Ben Sukut.

Babick has been the offensive foundation on which the Eagles success is built upon. Since Babick’s first start as a freshman, the Eagles have moved up to 11-man football and put up a combined 22-8 record. He threw for 2,152 yards

and 30 touchdowns last season.

What Babick is to the offense, Sukut is to the Eagles’ defense. The free safety was second on the team in tackles last year (73), had one sack and one interception. Sukut holds offers from BYU, San Diego State University and Arkansas State, according to Preszler.

The Eagles have had success against preseason and league opponents in the past, but where they have fallen short of late is in the playoffs.

The Eagles were eliminated from the postseason in the first round for a second consecutive year last season. They also finished runner-up to crosstown rival Saddleback Valley Christian in the San Joaquin League standings.

Preszler and his staff addressed this issue in the offseason by scheduling preseason games against larger schools, like St. Margaret’s Episcopal, Tri-City Christian of Oceanside and Crean Lutheran. All three of those opponents will bring much deeper lineups to the table when they square off against the Eagles. Preszler sees the matchups as an opportunity for the Eagles to become battle tested by the time playoffs roll around.

“The whole concept is that we need to get those games and get developed, challenged and pushed to take this program to the next step. We’ve had

SCHEDULE 8/29

Maranatha Christian CVHS, 7 p.m.

9/5

St. Margaret’s CVHS, 7 p.m.

9/13

Tri-City Christian TCCHS, 1 p.m.

9/19

Linfield Christian CVHS, 7 p.m.

10/3

Crean Lutheran CLHS, 4 p.m.

10/10

Saddleback Valley Christian SJHHS, 7 p.m.

10/17

Southlands Christian* CVHS, 7 p.m.

10/25

Fairmont Prep* Yorba Linda, 12:05 p.m.

11/1

Santa Clarita* CVHS, 7 p.m.

11/7

The Webb Schools CVHS, 7 p.m.

*-- League game

some huge steps going from 8-man to where we are,” Preszler said. “But now it’s ‘What’s the next thing you can do?’

That was the next step for us, to beef up that preseason schedule so we can (take the next step).”

Saddleback Valley Christian

Saddleback Valley Christian will be under the guidance of first-year head coach Brian Pearsall in 2014. Pearsall comes to Saddleback Valley Christian after having spent the past several years as the defensive line coach for both Santa Margarita and Corona del Mar high schools. Last year, Pearsall was a part of the Sea Kings coaching staff that guided the program to the CIF-SS Southwest Division title.

Pearsall said he came to campus with the intention of meshing into what had already been hardwired into the Warriors football program—a winning tradition.

The Warriors will keep their spread offense and 4-3 defensive scheme, which served them well in 2013. The Warriors compiled a 9-3 overall record last season, including a perfect 4-0 record 2014 Dispatch Football Preview

in the San Joaquin League. Behind a powerful running and passing game, the Warriors were primed to make a deep playoff run but lost in the first round of the CIF-SS Northeast Division Championship.

“I definitely see a drive. They’re hungry,” Pearsall said. “Everyone felt like they went home too early last year and they want to prove a point. We’re just hoping to build on that momentum going into the season.”

The Warriors return their starting quarterback Jake Markum. Markum had an effective junior season, passing for 1,528 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Saddleback Valley Christian’s receivers group barely felt a hit to graduation.

Seniors Sawyer Caso-Nogle (271 yards, eight touchdowns), Caleb Ward (409 yards, six touchdowns), Charlie Morris (576 yards, seven touchdowns) and junior David Molina (388 yards, four touchdowns) all return.

In years past, Saddleback Valley Christian has always had a prolific running back that lights up scoreboards. They had it last year in the form of James

Bethea, who graduated, and the spot is up for grabs in camp. Pearsall isn’t sure who the starter will be yet but said Molina has made a strong case for himself.

In all, the offense returns six starters, including three offensive linemen.

Morris also doubles as the team leader on defense at safety.

One of the team’s most productive defensive players, junior Jonathan Bunnel, returns to lead the defensive line. Bunnel had a standout year as a sophomore, averaging 7.6 tackles per game to go along with a team-high 16 sacks.

The Warriors preseason schedule features two matches against larger division schools. They open their season with a road game against Windward of Los Angeles. The fifth game of the preseason will be against Aliso Niguel, a public school that plays in the Sea View League. until after training camp.

Morris will be the other player to start both ways after securing a starting role at safety. He picked off two passes last season and returned one of them back 27 yards for a touchdown. Junior cornerback Avery Bright gave up basketball

SCHEDULE 8/29

Windward WHS, 3:30 p.m.

9/12

Garey SVCS, 7 p.m.

9/19

Chadwick HS

9/26

California City SJHHS, 7 p.m.

10/3

Aliso Niguel ANHS, 7 p.m.

10/10

Capistrano Valley Christian SJHHS, 7 p.m.

10/18

The Webb Schools* TWSHS, 1 p.m.

10/24

Southlands Christian* SJHHS, 7 p.m.

10/31

Fairmont Prep* SJHHS, 7 p.m.

11/6

Santa Clarita Christian* Canyon, 7 p.m.

*-- denotes league game

for football this season and will try to use his 6-foot-1 height and athleticism to be a lockdown corner. www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: San Juan Capistrano City Councilman Roy Byrnes

The Urban Village Hotel Project—A Comment

While I support the hotel, the homes undermine San Juan’s historic town center

D

ecisions made by our City Council are often difficult and generate a great deal of emotion. The pending Urban Village hotel project is complex because it involves two sharply different parts.

On the one hand, there’s a superior hotel which I strongly support because it will aid our commercial life. The other part of the project—the “evil twin”—imposes 30 townhouse units which are utterly inconsistent with our city’s heritage. That portion of the project needs help. It’s a mediocre housing project which is out of phase with the traditions of San Juan Capistrano. It looks like Legoland to me.

I voted against this project as a means of saying, “Mr. Developer, the people of

San Juan deserve better than a Legoland housing tract which has been shoehorned into their historic town center.” It’s as simple as that.

Some folks disagree with me but it isn’t clear

By Roy Byrnes whether they object to my support for the hotel or they object to my disapproval of the housing tract. I’m just a reasonable fellow, trying to help—voting my conscience expecting that people will understand and won’t be fooled.

The choices are stark. This townhouse tract will destroy our historic town center.

Yet, we need the four-star hotel. I urge the developer to rework his project so that we

can all move forward together.

Roy L. Byrnes, M.D. is a 55-year resident of San Juan Capistrano. He was elected to the City Council December 2012. Byrnes previously served on the council from 1972 to 1976, including two years as mayor.

From 1959 until his retirement in 1994, Byrnes was a certified pathologist, working with physicians, clinics and hospitals in Orange County. Byrnes was also an associate clinical professor of pathology at UC Irvine.

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 Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, email us at editor@capistranodispatch.com

phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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Letters to the Editor

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Picket Fence Media Group Senior Editor, City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne

TROUBLED BY SONGS DECOMMISSIONING PLAN Roger Johnson, San Clemente

Southern California Edison’s draft of their decommissioning plans should not lull residents into a false sense of security (“Edison Provides Early Timeline for SONGS Decommissioning,” The Dispatch, Aug. 8-21).

It is doubtful that Edison can move all radioactive fuel from pools to storage casks by 2019, and it is disturbing that Edison is determined to buy unsafe storage casks because they are cheaper.

Also buried in the report is an admission that until 2032, Edison might be releasing as much radioactivity into the air and ocean as they did when the reactors were operating full blast.

What Edison doesn’t want everyone to realize is that this facility will soon become a nuclear waste dump—Yucca Mountain, ZIP code 92672. Thousands of tons of uranium and plutonium will be sitting right here in casks on a concrete pad next to Interstate 5 until 2049. At that time, the Department of Energy is supposed to take it away but only if a deep underground repository is built. There are no plans to build one, and experts are skeptical that such a facility will be built.

The nation’s only facility in New Mexico was closed a few months ago, after fires, explosions and radiation leaks.

Even more troubling is the lack of action by local politicians, ranging from

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624

City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Brian Park Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale ART/DESIGN

Southern California Edison hopes to complete the demolition of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station by the end of 2032. The process is estimated to cost $4.4 billion, according to a draft decommissioning report released late July. File photo

city councils to our Congressman Darrel Issa. None has protested our becoming a nuclear waste dump. They should be demanding that all San Onofre nuclear waste should be moved to a remote and safer temporary location. No one is willing to take a stand or even contact the officials who are delighted that residents and politicians are meekly going along with the plan to turn south Orange County into a nuclear waste dump. Going along with Edison’s “plan” is no plan at all.

AN OPEN LETTER MR. BYRNES Tom Scott, San Juan Capistrano

We have an election coming in November and we have nine candidates vying for three open slots. Mr. Byrnes, please resign your position now and make that

The Capistrano Dispatch August 22-September 11, 2014

four open slots.

You are no longer an asset to our community. Stop now with your accomplishments from 50 years ago still remembered and let someone who can think 50 years in the future fill that spot.

Your voting record is consistently, “It’s too complicated. I don’t understand it so I abstain.” We need a council person who does the research and understands the issue before coming to the dais.

Please, resign now before you do more damage to San Juan Capistrano.

Senior Designer > Jasmine Smith ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING Picket Fence Media Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes (Dana Point)

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke CONTRIBUTORS Allison Aplin, Megan Bianco, Catherine Manso, Dana Schnell, Steve Sohanaki, Tim Trent

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 12, Issue 16. 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 17

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GETTING OUT

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT:

Kawamata Seafood

YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

What’s going on in and around San Juan COMPILED BY STAFF

Saturday | 23 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.

WILDFLOWER HARVESTING AND ARRANGING 1 p.m. A hands-on workshop on sustainable wildcrafting techniques and floral arranging at The Ecology Center. $20 for members, $30 for non-members.

32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.theecologycenter.org or call 949.443.4223.

Sunday | 24 RED PIG GARDEN TOOLS 10 a.m. Visit The Ecology Center’s sustainable store, Tools for Change, and learn all about their latest featured product, Red Pig Garden Tools. Free. 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano. For more information, visit www.theecologycenter.org

A Hawaiian-style poke stop delights in Capistrano Beach

CASA CINEMA: FROZEN 6:30 p.m. Disney animated movie Frozen under the stars in the Casa Romantica Courtyard. Bring your family, picnic, blankets or portable chairs for a memorable night at the Casa. Tickets free, but RSVP’s are required. A limited number a tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

BY SAMANTHA HAMMER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

n avid surfer, world-traveling backpacker and seasoned sushi chef, Yusuke Kawamata, a native of Osaka, Japan is living his dream. With a love for sunshine, the outdoors and being close to the ocean, he found a great little spot in Capistrano Beach to bring his expertly crafted poke to the people.

The doors to Kawamata Seafood opened May 2014, just steps from the bluff overlooking the beaches of Dana Point, and has since become popular among poke aficionados.

“The most important thing to me is serving ‘Ja-waiian’ (Japanese/Hawaiian style) poke, having fun and offering people my genuine spirit,” Kawamata said.

An admired and creative sushi chef with a spontaneous sense of humor, Kawamata loves to mix with the customers. He also adheres to two of his strongest guiding principles—always strive to be the best and honor all people, he said.

Kawamata Seafood offers an oceanto-table poke experience. The flavors are fresh, bold, crisp and affordable. The daily poke meals include your choice of ahi tuna, salmon, octopus, imitation crab or combi-

Tuesday | 26 KNITLIT BOOK CLUB 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Bring your knitting project and join in on a lively discussion of the latest book, which will be available after the meeting. KnitLit meets the last Tuesday of each month. San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org. $2 TUESDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S Enjoy $2 tacos, shot specials and domestic drafts at The Swallow’s Inn. Phil Vandermost will perform live. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

Wednesday | 27 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

EDITOR’S PICK

donation. Proceeds benefit Relay for Life San Juan Capistrano. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1321, www.iheartyogainthepark.com.

Thursday | 28 MISSION READERS BOOK DISCUSSION 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Join other readers for a lively informal book discussion at the San Juan Capistrano Library. Copies of the book will be available for checkout 31495 El Camino Real, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

Thursday | 04 Lorraine Bracco and Ray Liotta in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 crime drama Goodfellas. The West Coast Film Festival will be showing the film, including a documentary interview with Scorsese, on Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Regency Theatre in San Juan Capistrano. Courtesy of Warner Bros.

WEST COAST FILM FESTIVAL • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 The opening day of the fourth annual West Coast Film Festival at the Regency Theatre includes Gigi at 2 p.m., Heartbreak Ridge at 4:30 p.m. and All the President’s Men at 8:15 p.m. The festival runs five consecutive days through Sunday, Aug. 31. Featured screenings also include the theatrical premiere of the last interview with Grace Kelly, To Catch a Thief and Goodfellas on Aug. 28, The Wizard of Oz on Aug. 29, A Clockwork Orange on Aug. 30 and Amadeus (at the St. Margaret’s Episcopal School Performing Arts Center) and The Shawshank Redemption, on Sunday, Aug. 31. There will also be several special presentations and screenings. For the full schedule, including venues, or to purchase tickets, call 949.489.7771 or visit www.westcoastfilmfest.com.

The Capistrano Dispatch August 22-September 11, 2014

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.

Saturday | 06 BACKYARD SKILLS: FOOD PRESERVATION 1 p.m. Learn recipes, procedures, safety tips and techniques behind preserving, canning and fermenting various foods.

Participants can taste various preserved foods, including fig balsamic preserves, Page 18

Yusuke Kawamata. Photo: Andrea Swayne

PRICE RANGE: Regular size poke bowl $8.50, large $11.50 PAYMENT ACCEPTED: Cash only HOURS: Monday through Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. nation specials. The No. 1 Special is ahi tuna served over white rice, brown rice or green salad. A topping of his original blend secret dressing is included, or choose from shoyu, wasabi or spicy mayo. Side dishes, sashimi and snacks—including Spam musube—assorted beverages and bottled water are also offered.

Limited indoor counter seating is available but sitting outside at an umbrella table adds favorably to the experience and is reminiscent of some of the great poke stands in Hawaii.

26881 Camino de Estrella, Capistrano Beach, 949.248.1914 CD

pickled onions and zucchini jam. $12 fee goes toward The Ecology Center. The Center for Living Peace, 4139 Campus Drive, Irvine. For tickets and more information, visit www.theecologycenter.org or call 949.443.4223.

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Jumping Jack Flash, tribute band to The Rolling Stones, performs as part of Mission San Juan Capistrano’s popular summer concert series.

Enjoy live music and dancing in the Mission’s central courtyard. Proceeds benefit Mission preservation efforts. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. 26801 Ortega Highway.

Tickets and reserved tables available. Call 949.234.1317 or visit www.missionsjc.com.

Sunday | 07 GRANDPARENTS DAY NATURE WALK 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Celebrate National Grandparents Day with an easy hike at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Register by 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6. To RSVP, directors or more info, visit www.rmvreserve.org.

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

Have an event? Send your listing to events@ thecapistranodispatch.com

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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

FOR SALE HARLEY HANDLE BARS Chrome, 8-inch, T Bars (drag specialties).

Slight curve back. $70. Can send pictures.

Text or call 949-633-3860 for more info.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@thecapistranodispatch.com Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

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

After-Hours Electric

Excel Electric

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

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS

Excel Electric - CA #793860

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

HOME ORGANIZATION

Karen Fischer, Professional Organizer, Get Organized and Move!

949.355.3487, www.getorganizedandmove.com

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 22-September 11, 2014

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

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

Page 20

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

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

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

Breaking up by Text Message: A Classless Act Personal courtesy still matters but texting big news undermines that

H

as dating after 50 become this calloused?

Pattie emailed, “I’ve been single for six years. With most of the men I’ve met, they would just not call after one or two dates. Some were honest and direct and would tell me in person or by phone that they weren’t feeling a connection. If I wasn’t feeling a connection, I would be honest and tell them directly or in a phone call.

“In May, I met a man I liked, felt a connection, and he said the same. After our dates, he would text, asking when we could meet again. He’d text to confirm arrangements. In two months, we talked on the phone two or three times. I found this curious but suspended judgment to get to know him better and to let things evolve.

“After our last date, he texted me the next morning to say he didn’t think we had

enough in common. I was disappointed because I found him interesting and fun to be with but was more disappointed that he broke up in a text.

“Is texting how we communicate with one another now? I know it’s ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50 easier than a phone call,

By Tom Blake but it doesn’t feel right.

Am I too old fashioned?”

The invention of cell phones has been a mixed blessing. On the one hand, they have streamlined our lives, making us more efficient and able to have instant communications, updates and information. Texting plays a big role in that.

On the other hand, cell phones are a curse. Texting is a large part of that curse.

We all know how dangerous texting can

be in a car. We all have experienced rude people in public places yacking away on their cell phones so loudly everybody nearby can hear. And people can be so preoccupied when using their cell phones that they walk into you on the sidewalk or in the aisle of the supermarket, oblivious that they are being so rude.

Is Pattie old fashioned? I don’t think so.

It’s nice that there are people like Pattie who feel that personal courtesy still matters when something as important as a breakup occurs.

Pattie’s former friend took the spineless way out. Why not a brief and courteous phone call instead of a text? It was just “type a few words, hit send and poof, relationship over.” Move on.

Emily Post, the author of Etiquette, which is in its 18th edition, would have been horrified by modern-day cell phone etiquette.

I asked Greta, my life partner of 16 years, for her opinion about Pattie’s situation. She said, “They only dated a couple of months.

He was a texting sort of guy. While getting that text was disappointing to her, she should not have been surprised that he broke up that way. She will be better off. It was OK how he did it.”

I disagree. I’m going to send Greta a text right now and tell her so.

The singles age 50-plus meet and greet gathering for this month is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Tutor and Spunky’s Deli, Dana Point. Carl the DJ will be spinning the tunes. Come early to get a seat. Call (don’t text) Tom at 949.248.9008 for information.

For more dating advice and stories visit, www.findingloveafter60.com and to comment, send en email to Tom at tompblake@gmail.com. CD

Aspiring Veterinarian Makes a Wish

BY STEVE SOHANAKI, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

W

hat young girl doesn’t dream of being a sparkling Disney princess? Or even a world-famous actress or singer? How about a veterinarian?

For one girl who’s been battling cancer for the past 11 months caring for animal is more important than being a princess, and thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a San Juan Capistrano business, she got to do just that.

On Monday, Aug. 18, 5-year-old Nominee Guerrero from Placentia got to be real life veterinarian for a day, a wish she made through the foundation’s Orange County and Inland Empire branch. Guerrero, along with her mother and father, arrived at the Veterinary Medical and

Surgical Group in San Juan Capistrano and was greeted by Make-A-Wish volunteers who gave her a pink stethoscope and a custom-fit lab coat.

First, “Doctor” Guerrero toured the facility and met all of the animals in their cages. After that, she removed some stitches from a dog that had previously undergone surgery and then proceeded to perform routine checkups on other visiting pets.

“We’re also going to let little Nominee look at animal organs with our ultra sound device,” said surgeon Kenneth A. Bruecker.

Guerrero has three dogs at home that she spends time with all day.

“It’s strange because she doesn’t play much with dolls,” said Guerrero’s mother, Urla Silvia. “At home she gets bored with

Sudoku

Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 5-year-old Nominee Guerrero got to spend the day as a veterinarian at Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group in San Juan Capistrano. Guerrero, who has been battling cancer for the past 11 months, loves animals and would like to be a veterinarian when she grows up. Photo: Steve Sohanaki

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

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

The Capistrano Dispatch August 22-September 11, 2014

the dolls and dresses the dogs up instead.”

Guerrero was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia last September. After enduring chemotherapy once a week and spinal taps once a month for about nine months, Silvia said she’ll be in maintenance for the next year and a half.

Guerrero was originally referred to the Make-A-Wish foundation by a social worker at Kaiser Permanente.

“I was surprised when she wished to be a vet,” Silvia said. “I knew she loved aniPage 21

mals but she’s only 5, so I expected her to ask for toys. You just don’t expect a child that young to want to be a vet.”

After performing several checkups on dogs and cats, Guerrero said she was very happy she got to visit the hospital and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.

“I really like checking the animals because I like checking their ears and paws,” Guerrero said. “I like dogs but my favorite animals are the cats.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Members of the Anaheim Ducks pose for a photo during last year’s Getzlaf Shootout golf tournament.

Photo: Shanda Photographic

Getzlaf Golf Shootout Tourney Returns to Monarch Beach THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

A

naheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf will host the fourth annual Getzlaf Golf Shootout tournament to benefit CureDuchenne at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point on Sept. 7.

CureDuchenne is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds for research to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a muscle-wasting disease that affects one in every 3,500 boys. Typically, boys are diagnosed with the disease at age 5, are limited to a wheelchair by 12 and most don’t survive past their mid-20s, according to a press release.

All proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit CureDuchenne.

Getzlaf, an Olympic gold medalist and NHL All-Star, will be joined by current and former NHL players, including his teammates Cam Fowler, Dany Heatley and Ryan Kesler. In years past, members of the Los Angeles Kings have attended the tournament as well.

Foursomes for the tournament cost $2,800, which includes an athlete or celebrity as a fi fth golfer. Those who purchase a foursome also get eight tickets to the pregolf dinner reception on Sept. 6 at Sutra in Newport Beach. There will also be a live and silent auction at the event.

Last year’s fundraising efforts totaled $300,000.

“My wife, Paige, and I are proud to support CureDuchenne and their efforts Page 22

Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf will host a golf tournament in Dana Point to raise funds for CureDuchenne. Photo: Shanda Photographic

to find a cure for this devastating disease,” Getzlaf said in a press release. “Duchenne boys are on a race against time and they need our help.”

To register for the tournament or to donate to CureDuchenne, visit www.cureduchenne.org/getzlafgolf. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com