March 27, 2015

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MARCH 27-APRIL 9, 2015 • VOLUME 13, ISSUE 6

Swallows Day Parade Rides Again The 57th annual Swallows Day Parade and Swallows Week events in photos E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 9

Members of La Danza de Chinelo put on an energetic performance during the 57th annual Swallows Day Parade. Photo: Andrea Swayne

DA Investigates Urban Village Referendum EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Jan Siegel: A Tribute to Architect Michael Graves EYE ON SJC/PAGE 8

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Taylor: Spring Planting by the Moon’s Phases SJC LIVING/PAGE 16

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EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

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the Swallows Vocalization Project beginning in 2012, which consisted of playing recorded courtship calls through a speaker on the mission grounds to lure the swallows flying overhead. Since the approach failed to keep swallows at the mission, Brown has announced the project’s next phase will entail creating plaster nests on a mobile nest wall to attract the swallows.

This next phase, which will begin in February 2016, relies on research showing that cliff swallows prefer to reuse existing nests when possible.

Five things San Juan should know this week OC District Attorney Investigating Referendum THE LATEST: The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is currently investigating allegations of criminal misconduct in a referendum that ultimately overturned the approval of the Urban Village Hotel & Villas project, which was slated to be built in downtown San Juan Capistrano.

The San Juan Hotel & Villas development, which was approved by the City Council on Nov. 19, was set to be operated

by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and would have included commercial, hotel and residential uses downtown. A group of citizens opposed to the development actively petitioned against the project, and the resulting referendum led to the City Council voting 4-1 to repeal the project’s approval on Jan. 20.

Since then, the project has been the subject of two lawsuits, one from Urban Village, whose lawyers contend that the referendum was illegal. Urban Village principal Josh Host has also said in the past that he witnessed false information being given to referendum signers. The other suit was filed by a group of residents concerned that the council’s initial approvals of the project violated state planning and zoning law and the city’s municipal code and general plan.

Mayor Derek Reeve co-hosted a Coffee Chat community meeting at the Mission Grill on March 13, and during the forum, Host brought up an investigation by the District Attorney’s office, asking Reeve for insight into the matter.

“I can tell you exactly what I know to be factual,” Reeve responded. “There was a public records request yesterday by the District Attorney’s office for documents related to Urban Village.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Roxi Fyad, a spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney, confirmed that the office is “investigating a complaint relating to allegations of criminal misconduct regarding the Urban Village referendum.”—Allison Jarrell

Plans for Downtown Hotel Reborn THE LATEST: If a developer’s plans go accordingly, San Juan Capistrano could be The Capistrano Dispatch March 27-April 9, 2015

A sketch of the proposed arch, which would hold approximately 40 nests. Photo: Mission San Juan Capistrano

getting a downtown hotel across from the mission—a site that was previously approved for the Plaza Banderas project. Rivendell Land Company, owned by Bill Griffith, has purchased the plot of land on the corner of El Camino Real and Ortega Highway and will be closing escrow next week.

Dan Friess, who is representing Rivendell as a consultant, said the purchase of the property includes an existing full development entitlement from 2011—the Plaza Banderas project, which includes approvals for a 124-room hotel and two commercial buildings.

At the San Juan Capistrano City Council’s March 17 meeting, construction of a waterline providing sufficient fire flow for the hotel project was approved unanimously. Rivendell Land Company will cover the cost of the approved pipeline construction, which was bid at $640,000. During public comment on the item, Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Commissioner Steve Behmerwohld noted that such construction was found to be too costly for the site’s previous developers. City staff said constructing a pipeline across the freeway is much cheaper than the previous pursuit of a line down El Horno—which was estimated to cost $1.8 million.

WHAT’S NEXT: Friess said Rivendell has not yet selected an operator for a hotel, and the company is still working on resolving engineering issues. After the escrow cycle, Friess told the council that plans will begin moving ahead for the approved project, which still has to go through a construction documentation phase that will likely take several months.

“The bottom line is, we’re moving forward,” Friess said in a later interview.

“We’re very interested in reviving this project for the community.”—AJ

City Council Pursuing Summer Trolley Program THE LATEST: At the San Juan Capistrano City Council’s March 17 meeting, City Engineer George Alvarez presented several summer trolley options for the council to consider, including leasing a trolley from the city of Brea.

Council members agreed on leasing a trolley mid-June through September and gave city staff direction to move forward with pursuing a lease agreement with Brea. Unlike the tri-city trolley program that has been explored in the past, this trolley would only serve stops in San Juan.

The trolley’s route would be determined at a later date with the help of a consultant.

Staff reported that the estimated cost of a trolley service this summer would be $42,000, in addition to whatever cost per mile Brea would charge. City staff said it would be possible to use AB 2677 funds from the Air Quality Management District to cover the costs.

WHAT’S NEXT: The proposal for a summer trolley program will go back before the City Council on April 7.—AJ

Mission to Implement New Approach to Lure Swallows THE LATEST: Mission San Juan Capistrano and cliff swallows expert Charles Brown, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Tulsa, have announced the next phase of their quest to bring cliff swallows back to the mission.

Brown implemented the first phase of

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WHAT’S NEXT: Once the birds notice the plaster nests and begin using them, additional settling birds likely will lead to a colony of nests forming. Once nests are built, the removable artificial arch would no longer be needed.

The arch will be made of a wood frame and adobe and/or plaster, and the nests will be made from molds and dental plaster. The arch will be about 15 feet at its highest, and about 15 feet wide, allowing for approximately 40 nests stacked along the top of the perch.—AJ

CUSD Announces Early School Starts Next Two Years THE LATEST: Capistrano Unified School District students will begin their school year before Labor Day the next two years, after the district’s Board of Trustees voted March 11 to begin the 2016-2017 Academic year on Aug. 15, 2016. The upcoming school year will begin Aug. 25. The earlier start allows the district to align the calendar with other county schools.

WHAT’S NEXT: The calendar will also align more closely with Saddleback College in order to provide more opportunities for high school students to receive instruction at the college in the summer and direct instruction during the school year.

Heather Brown, wife of San Clemente City Councilman Tim Brown, has started a petition drive against the early start. Brown said parents were not given adequate notice that the decision was coming and were not adequately informed about the decision afterward.

“They should be considerate of parents and teachers and give us that opportunity and revisit this change,” Brown said.

In addition to concerns about lost family time and vacations, Brown said she is concerned that the decision was made without consideration of the potential problems of lack of air conditioning in some schools.

—Jim Shilander ••• ONLINE THIS WEEK: City Council Selects New Commissioners www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY ALLISON JARRELL

Second Round of Smoke Alarms Installed On Saturday, March 14, over 90 volunteers from the Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriff Department, SJC CERT, TIP (Trauma Intervention Program), American Red Cross, the city of San Juan Capistrano, members of Mission Basilica and Edge churches, AVID and other community volunteers installed nearly 700 smoke alarms in the La Zanja neighborhood of San Juan Capistrano. The volunteers made up 16 teams and worked from 8 a.m. until after 5 p.m. and installed smoke alarms in approximately 200 condos.

The March 14 effort was the second full Saturday of installing smoke alarms in the neighborhood. Previously, on Feb. 21, about 150 volunteers installed approximately 700 smoke alarms in 400 condos.

Both efforts were in response to the devastating Jan. 20 La Zanja condo fire, which claimed the lives of a young mother and her two sons—Maricela Sanchez, 20, Jaiden Liborio, 3, and Iker Liborio, 2. Orange County Fire Authority Captain Steve Concialdi said the installation was a “great success” and “much appreciated” by the close-knit San Juan community.

J.F. Shea Center’s Leaders for Philanthropy Night Set for April 2 James L. Doti, president of Chapman University, will be the featured speaker at the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center’s 7th annual Leaders for Philanthropy Night on April 2. Since becoming Chapman’s president in 1991, Doti has assembled a world-class faculty, added many new buildings, and built the university’s reputation as being one of California’s preeminent private universities.

Over 300 guests are expected at the event, which is hosted by the Orange County alumni associations of the business schools of Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, UCI, UCLA and USC. Also hosting will be OCMBA, an alliance of Orange County/Southern California alumni groups of 14 leading business schools.

The event at the center’s Samueli Arena includes a networking reception and an opportunity to observe firsthand the center’s impact in improving and changing the lives of children and adults with disabilities. A demonstration by Shea Center riders and a parent’s description of the difference The J.F. Shea Center makes in a family’s life, will precede Doti’s keynote address.

For ticket information, contact J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center at www. sheacenter.org or 949.240.8441 ext. 109.

The Capistrano Dispatch March 27–April 9, 2015

Department of Education’s selection of Colleen Keegan Lamb, a lead food services worker at Capistrano Valley High School, as one of six Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year.

Lamb will be honored at the OCDE Board of Education meeting on April 15, and will then be eligible for recognition at the state level.

Lamb, a 13-year employee at CVHS, has embraced every element of her job and dedicated herself to serving the nutritional needs of her students and fellow employees over the years. For Lamb, her job has been more than preparing and serving meals, cleaning up after breakfast, morning break and lunch, maintaining inventory, placing food orders and managing her food service staff. It has also been about fostering relationships with the students, getting to know them on a more personal level and serving as another supportive adult in their daily lives.

Eagle Scouts Honored by City Council

Local Eagle Scouts Donovan Shreve, Paul Stache, Troy Kihm, Brandon Ketel and Mitch Spraker were honored at the San Juan Capistrano City Council’s March 17 meeting. Paul Stache is not pictured.

Photo: Allison Jarrell

Local Eagle Scouts Donovan Shreve, Paul Stache, Troy Kihm, Brandon Ketel and Mitch Spraker were honored at the San Juan Capistrano City Council’s March 17 meeting. The scouts were presented with certificates of achievement in appreciation and recognition of receiving their Eagle Scout awards—the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor.

“Your achievement is truly outstanding, and you epitomize what the scouts are really all about,” Mayor Derek Reeve said at the meeting. “Your work and organization speaks well for your commitment to the community, to San Juan Capistrano, and your desire to improve the world around you.”

Author Visits Mission Basilica School

Breakthrough SJC Summer Homestay Hosts Needed This summer, residents have the opportunity to become a homestay family and host one of Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano’s college intern-teachers. Aspiring educators from across the country apply to teach at Breakthrough SJC—a tuition-free program providing academic enrichment opportunities and support for highly motivated, underserved middle and high school students.

Teachers arrive in Orange County on June 16 and depart approximately August 12—a nine-week stay. Hosts only need to provide teachers with a place to sleep, work, access to food and laundry, and clear expectations and rules of their home.

If you’re interested in hosting an intern-teacher for summer 2015, you can complete an interest form online at: www. tfaforms.com/344564. For a hard copy of the form, or for more information, contact Lily Panish at 949.661.0108 ext. 348 or lily. panish@smes.org.

CVHS Food Services Worker is OCDE Employee of the Year The Capistrano Unified School District announced March 12 the Orange County

On March 6, Nicole DoNascimento, author of the children’s book, The Lucky Nickel, visited classes from Kindergarten readiness through second grade at Mission Basilica School in San Juan Capistrano. During her visit, which was part of a two-day book tour, DoNascimento reviewed reading skills with the students and asked reading comprehension questions, in addition to discussing the book’s theme, which conveys the importance of giving and how it can make a difference in the lives of others. At the end of the story, students were able to share with the class how they have helped others in need.

Community Meetings SATURDAY, MARCH 28

Replace Your Lawn Gardening Workshop Series 9:30 a.m-10:30 a.m.

Join the Tree of Life Nursery for a series of speakers that will inspire you to replace your lawn with beautiful, droughttolerant native gardens. Today, Jeff Bohn will speak about eliminating grass.

Admission is free. 33201 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, 949.728.0685, www.californianativeplants.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1

Downtown Farmers Market 3 p.m.– 6 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. Every Wednesday. Visit, www. farmersmarketsjc.com to find out more.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2

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.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

Coffee Chat 8 a.m. A spirited town hall

forum on community issues. Occurs every Friday at Mission Grill, 31721 Camino Capistrano. All are welcome.

Go to www.facebook.com/sjccoffeechat for more.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7

City Council, Housing Authority and Successor Agency Meeting 5 p.m.

The city’s governing body meets at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

To see the night’s agenda, visit, www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 On March 6, children’s author Nicole DoNascimento visited Mission Basilica School in San Juan Capistrano. Photo: Courtesy of Alycia Beresford

Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more. We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.”

Send your information to editorial@ thecapistranodispatch.com.

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No CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting

The next regular meeting is set for April 22 at 7 p.m. The Capistrano Unified School District governing body meets at district offices, located at 33122 Valle Road. To see the board’s agenda, visit www.capousd.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

Next issue of The Dispatch publishes www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY ANDREA SWAYNE

All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher. The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD website.

Thursday, March 26 DISTURBANCE Paseo Pamela, 26400 Block (6:40 a.m.) A caller’s son was refusing to go to school.

Wednesday, March 25 PETTY THEFT REPORT Del Obispo Street, 31800 Block (10:42 p.m.) A 17-year-old on a “beer run,” made off with an unspecified amount of brews. The subject was last seen making an escape on a beach cruiser, headed toward the fire station. The caller had a picture of the thief to show deputies.

SHOTS HEARD-NO SUSPECT INFORMATION Los Rios Street/Del Obispo Street (9:59 p.m.) A caller reported hearing gun shots from a .22 caliber gun, an hour before.

FIREWORK VIOLATION Alipaz Street/Camino Del Avion (8:38 p.m.) Fireworks were being set off at the dead end of Alipaz, which is a continual problem. A second caller reported hearing what she thought was a pipe bomb—again.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Camino Capistrano, 31900 Block (7:13 p.m.) A caller reported a drunken man, wearing all black, was yelling “derogatory things” at passersby. The informant called back four minutes later to tell police about two homeless people who were “acting crazy” and yelling at people in front of El Adobe.

ILLEGAL PEDDLING Paseo Barona, 27700 Block (7:09 p.m.) A man in his 50s, with gray hair and wearing a green polo shirt and denim pants, was trying to sell coupons. He was last seen headed toward Esteban.

DISTURBANCE-MUSIC OR PARTY Paseo Carolina, 32100 Block (5:45 p.m. and 6:41 p.m.)

A party with loud music and drinking prompted a caller to phone police twice.

9-1-1 HANGUP Camino Capistrano, 31400 Block (2:40 p.m.) Someone called police from a payphone to curse at the dispatcher.

GRAND THEFT REPORT Paseo Adelanto, 32500 Block (12:27 p.m.) A golf cart was stolen.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES El Camino Real/Yorba Street (11:24 a.m.)

The Capistrano Dispatch March 27–April 9, 2015

A woman told police a man she does not know handed her his phone and told her he “just got out of the mental hospital.”

DISTURBANCE Vista Montana, 29200 Block (7:41 a.m.) A parent called deputies after pulling up to their son’s school to drop him off and the boy refused to get out of the car. The caller phoned back, roughly five minutes later, to report the boy had exited the vehicle and entered the school.

DISTURBANCE-FAMILY DISPUTE Alipaz Street, 32200 Block (2:41 a.m.) A man said one of his male roommates was beating a woman.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Junipero Serra Road/Interstate 5 (1:28 a.m.) A man was reportedly acting suspicious and driving in circles in the gas station parking lot.

Tuesday, March 24

MemorialCare Board Delays Hospital Decision

DISTURBANCE-GANG Los Rios Street, 31400 Block (10:50 p.m.) Men were reportedly whistling to each other as if “signaling for drug deals” or “something is about to happen.”

BURGLARY IN PROGRESS Via Carlos, 32100 Block (3:16 a.m.) A caller reported someone was ringing the doorbell and flashing lights in through the windows. The subject turned out to be the repo man.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Camino Capistrano, 32900 Block (2:57 a.m.) A man called 9-1-1 to report that his wife and son had been kidnapped by a man. The caller told deputies he was tracking his wife’s cell phone.

Monday, March 23 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Calle Santa Barbara, 26500 Block (7:41 p.m.) A patrol check was requested when subjects were seen selling drugs to women, near the green electrical boxes.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Rancho Viejo Road, 31700 Block (7:23 p.m.)

An employee at Bravo Burger called police when a customer told him he had seen a possible dead body on a nearby trail.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida de la Vista, 31400 Block (12:12 p.m.)

A man called police when his ex-girlfriend showed up to his work and started yelling at him.

PETTY THEFT Sea Breeze Court, 33000 Block (3:28 a.m.) A man was seen trying to remove a license plate from a vehicle.

Sunday, March 22 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Ortega Highway/La Novia Avenue (9:03 p.m.)

A man who had been driving a black SUV, possibly a Ford Expedition, was changing his clothes in the middle of a parking lot.

MemorialCare’s Board of Directors announced Thursday they would continue a feasibility study for its medical pavilion proposal to allow for legislation allowing for a free-standing emergency room. Photo: Brian Park

Board providing time for legislation to allow for freestanding emergency rooms

BY JIM SHILANDER, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

he board of MemorialCare announced Thursday that it was continuing its feasibility study about the future of its San Clemente campus to allow for legislation in both houses of the state legislature that would allow the hospital to maintain emergency services to move forward.

MemorialCare announced a feasibility study in August for a proposal to transform the current hospital facility into an outpatient medical pavilion that would the razing of the current facility with the current emergency room transformed into an urgent care facility as the pavilion was built.

However, community groups and the City Council voiced opposition to the proposal, as did councils in several neighboring cities.

“When we began the feasibility study to transform the San Clemente campus, a freestanding Emergency Department was not a possibility. Since then, State Senator Patricia Bates and State Assemblyman William Brough have introduced legislation to allow for a freestanding Emergency Department in San Clemente,” a letter sent to hospital staff stated. “As a result, the Saddleback Memorial Board of Directors has agreed to continue the feasibility study to determine whether we can maintain emergency services as part of our proposal to transform the campus.

We will continue to pursue and support legislative and regulatory opportunities that would allow us to maintain emergency services on the San Clemente campus. We will offer more information as it becomes available in the coming months.”

The letter acknowledges the difficulties the hospital says it faces moving forward.

“There is a growing demand for

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high quality, convenient and affordable outpatient centers, and less of a need for inpatient hospital beds. We face significant challenges operating our small hospital in San Clemente because of very low patient volumes, and these volumes continue to shrink. We also understand that the emergency services we offer are used and valued by the community.”

Administrator Tony Struthers said there is currently no timeline for the end of the study.

Dr. Gus Gialamas, one of the leaders of the Save San Clemente Hospital nonprofit that lead the opposition to the proposal, said he was pleased.

“We welcome the delay,” Gialamas said. “I applaud Steve Geidt (Saddleback’s chief executive officer) to have the wisdom to move his board toward exploring other options.”

Gialamas suggested one such proposal could be a smaller-footprint hospital facility proposed by his group. A cost analysis of the group’s proposal will be released soon, he said.

“This is the first step in the right direction,” Gialamas said.

City leaders said they welcomed the additional time.

“It sounds like good news,” City Manager James Makshanoff said. “We’ll continue to work with them.”

Mayor Pro Tem Bob Baker said he welcomed the emphasis on continuing emergency services.

“I’m encouraged by this,” Baker said.

Mayor Chris Hamm said he had mixed feelings. He joined Baker in expressing pleasure with the company’s emphasis on emergency services, but said the board should have rejected the proposal outright, given the community’s negative reaction to it. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

City leaders, community volunteers and residents gather for a photo with Michael Graves during his 2013 visit to San Juan Capistrano. Photo: Brian Park

A Tribute to Michael Graves Renowned architect who designed San Juan Capistrano’s library has died at 80 years old

n Thursday, March 12, the world lost a great architect—and San Juan Capistrano lost a friend—Michael Graves.

The San Juan Capistrano Library opened its doors in 1983. Prior to that date, the library had been housed in existing structures in town which were clearly too small for the growing community.

Following the passage of Proposition 13 in 1979, the Orange County Public Library was directed by the Board of Supervisors to develop a joint funding program in conjunction with local cities to build four new libraries. The libraries were to be around 10,000 square feet, housing 50,000 volumes with basic funding at $800,000.

The city of San Juan Capistrano wanted something more, so $1 million was added to the cost and extra land was given to the project. Local members on the Library Selection Committee were tasked with choosing an architect.

The committee announced plans for an international competition to determine the final design for the project. One hundredforty applications were sent to the city, and the majority of the committee members selected Michael Graves for the design.

On Jan. 5, 1981, it was unanimously carried by the San Juan Capistrano City Council to accept the committee recommendation and authorize staff to prepare a contract between the city and Michael Graves.

Michael Graves had his own architectural firm and was a professor of architecture at Princeton University in New Jersey.

At the time that he received the contract for the library, it was his first public building and the first building he designed in California. It was also the first public building built in San Juan Capistrano. It won Graves an award from the American Institute of Architects in 1985.

In designing the library, Graves knew that a new church was going to be built across the street, and thus, a theme was

born—“If the church is a temple to God, then the library should be a temple to learning.” Since this was a public project, it was important to keep costs down.

Graves did that by use of light and color, and by using geometric shapes to take the patron from room to room. He also knew that for the next century the library would have to be more than a repository for books in order to attract patrons, so he created La Sala, where concerts, lectures, exhibits, meetings and movies are held. A 1984 Architectural Review Magazine stated that “the San Juan Capistrano library is a casebook demonstration of the uses of space, scale, light, floor and processional circulation devices in a public building.”

The library continues to be an international landmark, with groups of architects visiting from Europe and Asia.

Eight years ago, the Friends of the Library board was interested in expanding the library. An architect was hired and plans were drawn. According to the contract with Graves, any improvements, changes or alterations in the library had to be approved by him. Since he was a now a world-renowned architect, we could no longer afford his services. However, when the library board submitted the new plans to him, he totally rejected them. We told him that we could not afford his services, but he said that he would draw the plans for free and we would only have to get an architect to implement them.

On his last visit to San Juan Capistrano in 2013, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the library, he said this library was an important part of his professional life. The world will not forget the amazing accomplishments of Michael Graves. San Juan Capistrano will not forget the architect who built his first public building in our town.

Rest in Peace, Michael Graves.

••• For more on how San Juan Capistrano community members are remembering and honoring Graves, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

The Capistrano Dispatch March 27–April 9, 2015

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BY JAN SIEGEL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

O

EYE ON SJC

Swallows Day Parade Rides Again

Thousands of paradegoers swarmed the streets of downtown San Juan Capistrano to celebrate the 57th annual parade

BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

T

he sun was blazing Saturday afternoon as about 35,000 spectators packed the streets and sidewalks of downtown San Juan Capistrano for the Fiesta Association’s 57th annual Swallows Day Parade on Saturday, March 21.

A vast array of festive non-motorized entries entertained the crowds while paying tribute to the colorful history, cultures and people of San Juan Capistrano. This year’s parade featured about 130 entries including more than 20 floats, 500 horses, over 3,800 people on foot and multiple marching bands ready to compete.

While the parade usually takes about two hours to traverse its mile-long course, this year’s event wrapped up in record time, just over an hour and a half, according to Fiesta Association President and parade chairman David Faylor. Faylor said this year’s parade went off without a hitch—free of accidents and incidents that have occurred in past years.

“It was the fastest parade ever,” Faylor said. “It almost went too fast, because the camera guys were complaining that it was hard to keep up.”

Faylor attributed the parade’s efficient flow to the work of the Fiesta Association’s volunteers and the one-on-one meetings he had with band leaders and larger groups that tend to slow down and entertain the crowd during the parade’s course.

The Mercado Street Faire at the Historic Town Center Park was also a hit this year, with an estimated 40 percent increase in sales and 15,000 patrons grabbing a drink, a bite to eat and perusing the park’s vendors. An adorable bull named Romeo was especially popular among visitors young and old to the Camino Real Playhouse.

Next year’s parade date has already been set for March 12. Faylor said the event will get an early start because St. Joseph’s Day falls on a Saturday, and the following weekend is Easter. CD For more Swallows Week and Swallows Day Parade photos and galleries, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com.

The Capistrano Dispatch March 27–April 9, 2015

Del Obispo Elementary students pump up the crowd. Photo: Allison Jarrell

The 57th annual Swallows Day Parade kicks off along Camino Capistrano. Photo: Andrea Swayne

Ballet folklorico dancers smile at the crowd.

Photo: Alex Paris

Ballet folklorico dancers walk down Del Obispo Street during the parade. Photo: Allison Jarrell

Robert Chezwick bonds with Romeo the bull at the Camino Real Playhouse. Photo: Andrea Swayne

Mayor Derek Reeve enjoys a ride with his family and colleagues during the parade. Photo: Andrea Swayne

Grand Marshal and restaurateur Ricardo Beas, his wife, Rosa, and family members prepare for the parade to start. Photo: Andrea Swayne

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www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

Mission bell ringers Michael Gastelum and Nathan Banda ring in St. Joseph’s Day at the mission.

A contemplative frog is encouraged to hop during the second annual Frog Jump at Mission Grill.

San Juan Celebrates Swallows Week STORY AND PHOTOS BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

wallows Week in San Juan Capistrano kicked into high gear on Saturday, March 14, with the elegant annual El Presidenté Ball, which was held for the first time ever under the stars at Mission San Juan Capistrano. There was plenty of dancing and celebration to tide people over until the mid-week Fiesta Grande, where Wild West shenanigans were out in full force at the Swallow’s Inn on Wednesday, March 18. Colorful characters donning oversized belt buckles and hats danced and mingled with scruffyfaced cowboys and dressed up saloon girls while a series of contests got underway, including the Hairiest Man competition, which was won once again by San Juan Capistrano resident Steve Holt.

Thursday, March 19, marked this year’s St. Joseph’s Day and the annual return

of the swallows, and many residents and community leaders flocked to Mission San Juan Capistrano for family-friendly entertainment, traditional bell-ringing and Swallows Day music and storytelling.

The Fiesta Association’s next event, Hoos’Gow Day, got an early start on Friday, March 20, with the association’s “deputies” out on patrol throughout downtown San Juan, ready to throw any city slicker who wasn’t dressed in their best Western wear into their mobile jail cell.

The price of freedom? Purchasing a Fiesta Association souvenir.

Around 3 p.m. that same day, Fiesta Association members and families gathered at Mission Grill for the second annual frog race. Dozens of kids placed bets on their favorite amphibian racer. It was Jim Curwood’s Buy My Bikes frog that won the first two races as kids yelled in delight for their frogs to hop across the finish line. CD

Señor San Juan Tom Scott and Ms. Fiesta Beverly Blake attend the El Presidenté Ball in true Fiesta dignitary style.

The Capistrano Dispatch March 27–April 9, 2015

Fiesta Association members Sheriff James Valjean, Hospitality Chair Deborah Spellum and Ed O’Donnal wound up in “jail” on the association’s annual Hoos’Gow Day.

Pamela Schuler, Boots Leone and Nina Leone smile for the camera during Fiesta Grande at The Swallow’s Inn.

Steve Holt, winner of Fiesta Grande’s Hairiest Man Contest, hugs friend and competitor Jim Curwood, former parade marshal and owner of Buy My Bikes.

Dancers take the floor at the El Presidenté Ball, which was held at Mission San Juan Capistrano this year.

Page 10

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SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: By Sam Allevato

Clearing Up Confusion over Ortega Hwy.

I

n response to the article “The Push to Widen Ortega Highway” in the Community Common Sense, March 2015 Newsletter: The only project that the city is currently working on is the removal of the one-mile chokepoint between Calle Entradero and the east city limit. This is the area that goes from four lanes, narrows to two lanes, and then widens back to four lanes. This is a classic “chokepoint” that is not only a safety hazard, but also lacking in curbs, gutters, storm drains, etc. and subject to flooding during storms. That is the only “push” to widen Ortega to four lanes in this area only, with the majority of the widening occurring on the north side of the roadway where there currently are no curbs or gutters.

In 2007, I represented the city on the Major Investment Study for Measure M2 funding for transportation projects. This committee was set up to discuss expenditure priorities for the half-cent sale tax used for roadway projects throughout Orange County. Way down the list was a proposal to widen Ortega Highway to six lanes if Orange County had all the money

in the world to work with.

Obviously, I strongly protested because: • cally impossible to widen the roadway because you would have to “cantilever” Sam Allevato the road out over the south side of the road into the backyard of homes in that area, and • on the south side of the roadway, namely the Harrison House, Parra Adobe, Hankey House and the Errecarte Home. These structures are on the list of historical places and can’t be moved. They effectively block any widening of the roadway.

This proposal was “shelved” after my protestations and I was joined in the protest by Councilmember Frank Ury of Mission Viejo, and then Supervisor Pat Bates, who understands the sensitivity of this historic highway.

Since the city and the county are not considering widening Ortega Highway, a better question may be, “What other improvements are planned to assist mobility in our area?” La Pata is currently

under construction to connect to San Clemente. The 241 Tollroad is planned to be extended from its current terminus at Oso Parkway and will end at Cow Camp so that the residents of Sendero will have a way to get in and out without having to use Ortega. Cow Camp Road (located just north of Ortega off of Antonio Parkway) will be a four-lane road paralleling Ortega Highway and connecting with Ortega Highway approximately five miles east of La Pata, essentially becoming the new route for commuters.

For the Common Sense newsletter to purport that there is a “push” by the city to widen Ortega Highway is a manipulation of facts and appears to be aimed at needlessly alarming residents living along Ortega Highway. To suggest, as it does in this article, that I ever supported the idea of six lanes on Ortega Highway is just not accurate. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media.

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

The Capistrano Dispatch March 27-April 9, 2015

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Allison Jarrell, 949.388.7700, x108 ajarrell@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

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

EDITORIAL

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander

We are Doing Better

I

phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Group Senior Editor, City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne

GUEST OPINION: By Councilwoman Kerry Ferguson

ran for San Juan Capistrano City Council on a platform that said, “We can do better!” I believed that this beautiful town of ours, having lasted through nearly 240 years as a gentle oasis in a sea of urban sprawl, deserved the best. The Acjachemen nation has lived in this paradise for over 10,000 years knowing it was the best spot on Earth.

When I first became involved, it seemed inevitable that our town would be forced to settle for a hotel that was too large for its place and a mall that didn’t seem to belong next door to California’s most precious landKerry Ferguson mark, Mission San Juan Capistrano. Their proponents on the council, at the time, seemed to believe it was a zero sum game, that if we didn’t accept these developments, we would doom our town to “a downward spiral of stagnation, [with] vacant storefronts and vacant lots,” as one of them put it. The voters thought differently and cast 14,616 votes for a better course, which our new City Council pledged to take. We all made

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

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell

it clear we believed our town needed a fine hotel, but we wanted it to be done right so it looked like it always belonged here. I even, offered both publicly and privately, to work with the developer to help make his project a win for everyone.

Now our mission is being fulfilled. The Egan House, another esteemed landmark that would have been diminished by the proposed hotel complex, has been purchased and is being brought back to life.

It will be a wonderful place to enjoy good victuals again with friends. You can see it as you pass by in the evening with fresh flowers growing in the beds and window boxes and its porch lights gleaming.

At last, the Banderas Hotel project will be going through as originally approved, thanks to a new owner of the property, William Griffith, who will build it beautifully and make it something we can all feel proud of as the entrance to our wonderful town. He will give it a new name as well, one that is fitting for a grand hotel in San Juan right next to the Mission.

The moral of this story is “we can do better.” We don’t have to settle for less than the best solutions. There are good

people out there with our town’s true best interests at heart. I feel as though a new day is dawning in San Juan Capistrano. My great granddad and granddad—both of whom served on their towns’ city councils and were visionaries in their day—would be jumping for joy, too. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media.

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

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

Page 12

Sports Editor > Steve Breazeale Special Projects Editor > Andrea Papagianis

Real Estate Sales Manager > Michele Reddick OPERATIONS Finance Director > Mike Reed Business Operations Manager > Alyssa Garrett Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines

ART/DESIGN SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller, Jonathan Volzke

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

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Evan Da Silva, Catherine Manso, Dana Schnell, Steve Sohanaki, Tim Trent

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 13, Issue 6. 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 2015. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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2015 Summer Camp Guide

A Summer of Endless Opportunities

Mathnasium

From math to dance to music, the local choices are endless when it comes to your child’s summer camp options. Try not to get overwhelmed. You have choices and we have answers.

The following pages are filled with a variety of camps—academic, spiritual, artistic, athletic and more—intended to ensure your child’s brain, body and soul return to school next fall refreshed, reenergized and ready to tackle another strenuous academic year. If you need a half-day, academic camp, there is an option for you. Looking for a low-cost option or simply an hour-long activity?

We’ve got that too.

Flexible Scheduling Field trips, clubs and weekly themes make for action-packed YMCA of Orange County summer camps located at schools throughout Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. Programs are aimed to help children grow stronger together through outings and participation in clubs such as science, cooking and sign language.

Students can attend full- or part-time. www.ymcaoc.org.

Overnight Stays Week-long camps at Lazy W Ranch take campers to the waters and trails around San Juan Capistrano where they hike, surf, kayak, cook and stand-up paddleboard with small groups and experienced counselors.

Courtesy of Mathnasium

Choose from adventure or creation camp where participants learn within a Christian community, build relationships and develop new skills. www.lazywranch.org.

Keeping up with Coursework Specially trained instructors at Mathnasium utilize customized curriculum to ensure each student’s mathematic learning needs are accordingly met. From building math foundations to assisting with homework, instructors foster a learning environment geared toward academic success where students gain an understanding of concepts and build confidence. www.mathnasium.com.

Collegiate Offerings It’s never too early to think about college.

Since the early 1980s, Saddleback College has been giving students ages 7 to 17 a chance to experience higher education through College for Kids. Offered in three sessions, students can develop their own class schedules, selecting from courses in writing, math, Spanish, science, theater, sports, film animation and more. www.saddleback.edu.

Taking the Stage Budding performers can grow their reper-

toire of skills during weekly camps at the Cabrillo and Camino Real playhouses with Acting Academy for Kids. Acting, music and dance classes culminate in a Friday performance on the main stage. Each week brings a new theme—from Frozen to Little Orphan Annie—and students can attend one week or all summer long. www.actingacademyforkids.com.

••••• These are just a few offerings in the neighborhood. Browse the rest of our Summer Camp Guide for a number of area camps aimed to fit your—and your child’s—summertime schedules, needs and wallets.

2015 Summer Camp Guide Summer is a time for exploration.

This season, indulge your child’s interests by enrolling them in camps that will make sure they stay physically active, mentally sharp and creatively challenged.

Arts Acting Academy for Kids

Summer Performing Arts Camps serving ages 4 to 13. Campers are guided through a full theater immersion experience via four daily classes—music, art, acting and dance.

The culminating event will be a Friday performance on the main stage at Camino Real Playhouse and the Cabrillo Playhouse.

Children can participate for one week, the entire summer or anywhere in between. It’s time to watch your star shine. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 714.747.4915, www.actingacademyforkids.com.

DanMan’s Summer Rock Camps

Not your father’s band. DanMan’s five-day intensive workshops let campers create and name their own rock bands and put on a real show for family and friends. Instructions on guitar, piano, drums, bass and vocals are provided by inspiring, professional music teachers. Exercises include creating set lists, T-shirts, band posters, a photo shoot and rehearsing for the big gig. Cost is $250. Bring in DanMan’s ad from this issue before June 15 and receive $25 off. Camps begin July 6. 24699 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com.

The Arts Project of Orange County Spend your summer at San Clemente’s one-stop shop for all things art. We offer classes in acting, voice, music and studio art for creative kid ages 3 and up. Your aspiring musician can make music at The Sound Studio. The Art Studio explores mediums such as painting, drawing and mixed media. In the Black Box Studio, become a triple threat in singing, acting and dancing. 1317 Calle Avanzado, San Clemente, 949.276.2787, www.theartsprojectoc.com.

Education JSerra Catholic High School

Ocean Institute

JSerra Catholic High School is excited to announce its brand new summer program for middle school students— Lion Engage. Designed for students entering sixth through eight grades, Lion Engage is a great opportunity to dive into experiential learning. Students will learn hands-on from passionate and engaging instructors, interact with high school student mentors and have fun while doing it.

23651 Junipero Serra Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.9307 ext. 1107, www.jserra.org/lionengage.

Mathnasium

Mathnasium programs are aimed at preventing summer learning loss and helping students prepare for what lies ahead. For some, that means a review of previous material while others benefit from previewing upcoming concepts. We offer several options like our most popular—a package of Power Math Workout sessions—or a short-term boot camp. Need help deciding? We can help you determine what program best suits your child.

Dana Point: 949.240.6284, San Clemente: 949.481.6284, www.mathnasium.com.

Mission San Juan Capistrano Mission San Juan Capistrano is pleased to offer summertime programs the entire family can enjoy, including weekly activities and summer camps. Weekly craft activities for children ages 6 to 12 will run from July 6 through Aug. 28. This year’s camp offerings include the Ceramic Clay Camp running July 6 to July 17 and July 20 to July 31. The popular Adventure Sleepover: Night at the Mission will be held July 17 and 18. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

Ocean Institute

Let your child explore the mysteries of the ocean through our unique, hands-on marine science and maritime history summer camps. Campers can study marine wildlife in our labs, take a cruise aboard our research

Courtesy of the Ocean Institute / T. Glaser

vessel Sea Explorer, or even step back in time to the life of a tallship sailor in the 1800s.

Camps are suitable for kids and teens ages 5 to 17 and include week-long day camps and overnight adventures. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

Registration opens April 1. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, 949.582.4646, www.saddleback.edu/ce.

Saddleback College

SV Kids summer day camp provides a safe Christian environment with fun activities and field-trips, as well as grade-appropriate academic review.

Camp runs nine weeks, from June 8 to Aug. 7. Each week has its own exciting theme, like “Survivor,” and “Amazing Race.” Cost for K-6th grade students is $205 a week. Junior Counselor program for 7th and 8th graders is $85 a week. Email svkids@svcschools.org for more. 26333 Oso Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4050, www.svcschools.org.

College for Kids gives children and teens ages 7 to 17 a chance to experience real college life in a safe and enriching environment on the Saddleback College campus in Mission Viejo. Power Week runs June 22 through 25, followed by three two-week College for Kids sessions running from June 29 to Aug. 3. Kids will enjoy a fun-filled array of academic and sports opportunities.

Saddleback Valley Christian Schools

2015 Summer Camp Guide

Book Smart Help your children stay sharp, hone in on reading skills and stay ahead of the curve this summer by partaking in free events at your local library branch.

The Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano libraries have programs aimed to help students increase their vocabularies, improve reading abilities and more. Be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming events like reading to trained therapy dogs and hands-on projects for children and tweens.

MONDAY

Family Storytime

6:30 p.m. Get into the fun once a month as the Sunshine Readers host family story time at the San Juan Capistrano Library.

Upcoming dates include: April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20 and Aug 17.

7 p.m. One Monday a month families are invited for a night of stories, songs and fun at the Dana Point Library. Don’t forget your PJs. All ages invited. Dates include: March 30, April 27, May 18 and June 22.

TUESDAY

Preschool Storytime

and their caregivers. Enjoy stories, songs, crafts and more.

WEDNESDAY

Read to a Dog

3 p.m. Children can practice their skills and build confidence reading aloud by sharing favorite tales with certified therapy dogs on the first Wednesday of each month at the Dana Point Library.

Family Storytime

Courtesy of St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

11:30 a.m. Bring the entire family for stories and rhymes in both English and Spanish at the San Juan Capistrano Library each Wednesday. All ages are welcome.

THURSDAY

Pajama Storytime

Kids Club

4 p.m. Elementary school children, ages 5 to 8, are invited to the Dana Point Library every second Thursday of the month to take part in fun, informative hands-on activities and experiments.

Tween Scene

11:15 a.m. Join the San Juan Capistrano Library every Tuesday for a fun—and story—filled event for children ages 3 to 6

St. Margaret’s Episcopal S ch ool

4 p.m. Tweens ages 9 to 12 can participate in hands-on experiments and group projects—like building parachutes and making snow—at the Dana Point Library.

St. Anne Summer Knights Camp Designed for children from preschool through middle school, St. Anne Summer Knights Camp days are filled with a balance of light academics, arts and crafts, water play, weekly themes, special guests, cooking and field trips. The flexible schedule is ideal for working parents and kids looking for some summer fun in a fun, safe environment. Sign up and join us for all or part of our program. 32451 Bear Brand Road, Laguna Niguel, 949.276.6711, www.st-anne.org/summercamp.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO LIBRARY 31495 El Camino Real San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

949.493-1752 www.ocpl.org/libloc/sjc Hours of Operation: Monday to Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday: Closed Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.

DANA POINT LIBRARY 33481 Niguel Road Dana Point, Calif.

949.496.5517 www.ocpl.org/libloc/dana Hours of Operation: Monday to Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.

SAN CLEMENTE LIBRARY: MOBILE HUB Vista Hermosa Sports Park 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa San Clemente, Calif. www.ocpl.org/libloc.sc Hours of Operation: Wednesday to Saturday: Noon to 5 p.m.

The main library at 242 Avenida Del Mar is currently closed for construction but will reopen in June.

Use your summer to be inspired and explore your interests in the arts and STEM through St. Margaret’s Episcopal School summer programs. Summer 2015 at St. Margaret’s is a world of new challenges, hands-on, creative experiences and mind-blowing fun for students of all ages. Exclusive partnerships with the UCI School of Engineering and the Winder Academy of Music. Visit www.smes.org/summer to discover all of St. Margaret’s summer offerings for students preschool to grade 12. 31641 La Novia, San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.0108.

Talega Life Church Preschool Our mission is to provide a positive first step in a child’s lifelong journey of faith and

education. We believe that every child is a precious gift from God. It is our goal to love and nurture each child in our care. We seek to aid in the child’s development: physically, spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and socially. 1050 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, 949.542.8680, www.talegachurch.com.

Fitness 949 Volleyball Club In just six years, 949 Volleyball Club has won six Junior Olympic medals and two Junior National Championship titles.

949 provides camps for all ability levels ages 9 to 18. Here, our goal is to teach beginners the game’s fundamentals and to prepare established players for NCAA competition.

949 promotes sportsmanlike behavior in and out of the gym, instills the values of integrity, dedication and hard work and focuses on having fun. 32701 Calle Perfecto, San Juan Capistrano, 949.374.2890, www.949vb.com.

American Beach Volleyball Club

Located at Doheny State Beach, American Beach Volleyball Club offers fun, encouraging, high-level volleyball coaching and play for participants ages 8 to 22. Registration for spring/summer sessions is now open for ages 12 to 22. July and August sessions are also offered for ages 8 to 12. In our fourth year, we have some of the best youth beach volleyball players in the United States with athletes on sand volleyball scholarships to UCLA, Pepperdine and USC. www.americanbeachvolleyballclub.com.

2015 Summer Camp Guide

Aquazot Swim Club The Aquazot Swim Club summer session is designed as a fun and structured program to develop swimming skills for 5 to 12 year olds who are already water safe. Our experienced instructors employ the most recent aquatics methods to progress each student through from basic to advanced stroke ability in all four competitive strokes. Mini swim meets will be held every two weeks as a fun way to judge each student’s progress. 680 California Ave, Irvine, 714.470.3763, www.aquazot.org.

Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club Evidence suggests regular physical activity may help improve a student’s academic performance. This summer, challenge your child by introducing them to the exciting world of golf. Each weeklong session includes instruction by experienced, nurturing golf professionals.

Campers enjoy confidence-building activities, on course play and fun games. Golf achievement medals are awarded at the end of each week. Clubs, lunch and snack

provided. Runs from June 22 through Aug. 14. Cost is $275. 200 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente, 949.498.3771, www.bellacollinasanclemente.com.

Endless Summer Surf Camp

Dana West Yacht Club Junior Sailing Camp Dana West Yacht Club is again offering their sailing camp to community kids ages 8 to 18. The dates of the sessions, which are independent or consecutive are: June 22 to July 3, July 6 to July 17, and July 20 to July 31. Larger boats are now available for older or more advanced sailors. Check out their junior video at: www.dwyc.org. DWYC was named “The Best Yacht Club in Dana Point” by readers of the DP Times in 2013 and 2014.

714.746.1596, juniors@dwyc.org.

Doheny Junior Lifeguard: Waterman’s Academy This Program emphasizes teamwork, leadership and safety while introducing young people to safe marine and aquatic recreation oppor-

Endless Summer Surf Camp Courtesy of Endless Summer Surf Camp

tunities. The academy will provide quality water safety education while improving participant’s physical conditioning, their understanding of the environment and their respect for themselves and their community. This is accomplished through activities such as open water swimming, stand-up paddling, paddle-boarding, surfing, kayaking, free diving, self-rescue and more. All abilities and skill levels may participate.

25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.6162, www.dohojg.com.

Learn to surf at San Clemente’s premier surf camp where dreams have come true since 1992. Whether you have never surfed or if you want to take your surfing to the next level we have surf instruction and coaching for you. We have day and overnight surf camps as well as private and group lessons for beginning, intermediate and advanced surfers. Also offering surf and turf camps at Talega Golf Course with PGA Teacher of the year Randy Chang. 949.498.7862, www.endlesssummersurfcamp.com.

2015 Summer Camp Guide

Etnies Skatepark

Julie Foudy Soccer Camp

Etnies Skatepark offers the most dynamic weekly summer skateboarding camps in Orange County.

Each camper receives a camp shirt and has the opportunity to create a skateboard deck. During breaks, campers have full access to the video game lounge so the days are always exciting and fun-filled. Photography and videography camps are also available. Etnies Skatepark covers 62,000 square feet, making it the largest free public skatepark in America.

20028 Lake Forest Drive, 949.916.5870, www.etniesskatepark.com.

The Julie Foudy Soccer Camp returns to Mission Viejo, July 14-17, for our 20th year.

Imagine Olympic and World Cup champions, pro players and collegiate coaches advising your daughter. Our unique full-day camp is highlighted by U.S. National Team exercises, team building and leadership development from the most successful female players and coaches in the game. Also, for little ones, the Julie Foudy Happy Feet Program offers half-day fun for boys and girls ages 3 to 7. www.juliefoudysoccercamps.com.

JP’s Surf Camp

Julie Foudy S occer Camp Courtesy of Julie Foudy Soccer Camp

Located in North Beach, JP’s Surf camp was founded in 2001 with a focus on small, group-based instruction—the student to instructor ratio is 3 to 1. Camps run from June 22 through Aug. 14 with sessions being held from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Singleday, multiple-day and full-week camps are available as well as private lessons.

Surfboards and advanced instruction are also provided. Early Bird pricing has started.

949.547.2088, www.jpssurfcamp.com.

OC Junior Guards OC Junior Guards is staffed and operated

by OC Lifeguards.

Junior guard instructors are certified lifeguards who teach students critical ocean safety fundamentals through hands-on experience in a variety of lifesaving and waterman/ woman activities. Get safe for summer. Ages 8-15. Location: Strands Beach, Dana Point.

Times: Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dates: Session 1: June 22-July 3($345). Session 2: July 6-July 17($345). Session 3: July 20-July 31($345).

Session 4: Aug. 3-Aug. 14($345). Sign up at www.ocjuniorguards.com, 949.443.0773.

2015 Summer Camp Guide

Getting Crafty Whether they be cultural, culinary or creative, local recreation programs for the cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano are full of camp and course options for everyone in your household.

Ballet Folklorico provides a low-cost opportunity for participants ages 7 to 18 to build self-esteem, work in teams, learn about cultural diversity and interact with students from schools across San Juan Capistrano. Dance lessons are offered bi-weekly on a year-round basis. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

tummy. Attendees are inspired to cook, create and experiment in the kitchen. Classes are held Monday to Friday and offered in four sessions. www.san-clemente.org.

Incrediflix Camps encourage kids to take the reins get behind the scenes during these animation and filmmaking camps. Participants will learn about brain storming, story structure and storyboarding. New themes offered during each weeklong course. www.san-clemente.org.

Magic of Musical Theatre Camp brings the joy of imagination, exploration and creativity to participants ages 8 to 12 years.

Each camper sings, dances and memorizes Broadway lyrics before putting on a group musical showcase at the end if this oneweek program. www.danapoint.org.

Coyote Clay Camp offers participants ages 7 to 10 the chance to get creative with mud.

Students learn ceramic, hand-building techniques and how to throw clay on a wheel to create sea animals, chalkboards, boxes, animal banks and more. Camps are two weeks long. www.danapoint.org.

Culinary Kids gives children ages 5 to 12 years old the hands-on instruction necessary to see meals from start to finish—or oven to

iStockphoto.com

2015 Summer Camp Guide

Red Tide Swim Team This is a novice summer team for swimmers ages 4 to 16.

Under the direction of Saddleback Valley Christian School coach Bert Bergen, swimmers are taught strokes, dives and turns in a welcoming environment. Swimmers have fun, learn race strategies and earn ribbons in four local dual meets. Program runs June 16 to July 31 with practices Tuesday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. JSerra Catholic High School, 26351 Junipero Serra Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.291.1659, redtideswimteam@gmail.com.

San Clemente Dance & Performing Arts Center San Clemente Dance is celebrating its 20th anniversary with fun and exciting summer camps and workshops for dancers of all levels and all ages—from 3 to adult. An eight-week summer session and weeklong dance camps with themes like Cinderella and Frozen will be offered along with camps featuring a variety of dance styles such as tap, ballet and hip hop. Workshops are also available for more serious dancers with California’s top teachers. 1321 Calle Avanzado, San Clemente, 949.498.7571, www.sanclementedance.com.

San Clemente Municipal Golf Course Whether driving a ball for the first time or honing in on your short game, experienced golf instructors at San Clemente Municipal are ready

to teach. Junior golf camps for kids age 6 to 14 are limited to just 12 students and are aimed at building a love for the game through practice and lots of fun. A developmental boot camp for high school aged students is also available with a focus on personal instruction. 150 E. Magdalena, San Clemente, 949.697.7224, 949.361.8380, www.sanclementegc.com.

Westw ind Sailing

South Coast Conservatory Join us at South Coast Conservatory for our incredible summer programs.

Starting July 6 we will offer weeklong camps in a variety of dance styles for kids ages 4 to 10. Become a ballet princess, perfect your cartwheel or learn to break dance. We provide the best training in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, cheernastics, tumbling and musical theater.

Register now to reserve your spot. Space is limited. 27652 Camino Capistrano, Laguna Niguel; 400-C Camino de Estrella, San Clemente, 949.367.0099, www.mvdpac.com.

Tstreet Volleyball Club

Tstreet Volleyball Club trains more than 350 athletes ages 9 to 18 and is recognized as one of the top clubs in the country. Conveniently located in Irvine’s Spectrum District, Tstreet offers a full range of position-specific general skills and clinics all summer. All participants, whether beginning or advanced, are placed in a serious learning environment.

Experienced coaches, following in the footsteps of founder Olympic gold medalist Troy Tanner, teach proper volleyball mechanics in competitive fun drills. 949.305.8083, www.tstreetvolleyball.com.

Waterbabies Sw im S ch ool

Courtesy of Westwind Sailing

Waterbabies Swim School Waterbabies Swim School, a leader in infant aquatics, has been teaching children to swim for over 20 years.

Newborns can start lessons in our 92° water and continue to swim year round to maintain their skills. As the children grow and develop, all four competitive swim strokes are taught with beauty and accuracy allowing the swimmers an easy transition to swim team. 142 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.488.2512. Sign up now at www.waterbabiesswimschool.com.

Westwind Sailing & Paddling

Westwind Sailing has been providing public access, safe boating education at the OC Sailing and Events Center since 1987.

Summer fun at Westwind includes sailing classes/day camps, paddling classes/day camps for all ages and skill levels. Westwind is US Sailing, Community Sailing sanctioned, and our staff is US Sailing, USCG, ASI, ACA, CPR and first aid certified. Camps and classes meet at OC Sailing & Events Center.

34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point Harbor, 949.492.3035, www.westwindsailing.com.

Other Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley

Courtesy of Waterbabies Swim School

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley offers summer day camp programs at three different south Orange County

locations including: San Juan Capistrano, Aliso Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita.

Day Camp runs from June 22 through Aug. 21 and is offered Monday through Friday.

Members participate in fun hands-on activities and field trips. Member’s age ranges, cost and time frames vary by location.

Call for more information. 1 Via Positiva, San Juan Capistrano, 949.240.7898, www.bgccapo.com.

Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area

Prevent summer learning loss by extending your child’s learning all summer with Summer Brain Gain. The program helps students build literacy, research, math and technology skills while exploring ideas, participating in fun projects, working in groups and expressing themselves. The Brain Gain will help your child learn in amazing ways.

Program runs from June 22 to Aug. 20.

Fees are $30 per child. Email marybruner@ bgcsca.org for more information. 1304 Calle Valle, San Clemente, 949.484.0205, www.begreatsanclemente.org.

City of San Clemente

Adventures are now open with sizzling early bird savings lasting until May 5. Explore sports, surfing, science, performing arts, film, dance, cooking, day camps and so much more to guarantee your best summer ever. Not sure what camp to sign up for?

Come to Campalooza at the Aquatics Center, 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, on Saturday, May 9 for free giveaways, discounts, to meet instructors and a recreation swim. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sanclementerecreation for more. 949.429.8797, www.san-clemente.org/recreation.

2015 Summer Camp Guide

Emerald Cove Day Camp

Emerald Cove Day Camp offers children creative outdoor fun in a nurturing, faith-based environment. The program is designed to help children grow in character, skills, relationships and faith. Three sessions will be held from June 29 to July 10; July 13 to 24 and July 27 to Aug. 7. Camp is held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Activities include archery, nature exploration, horsemanship, games, arts, field trips, singing and daily inspirations. 949.361.3077, www.emeraldcovedaycamp.com.

Lifesavers of Tomorrow California’s lifeguards are held in high regard. Throughout the year they keep a close watch on local waters ensuring the safety of beachgoers. And each spring young hopefuls show their skills as they try out for one of a few coveted summer jobs.

For many, it’s a childhood dream— dreams that are fostered during the summer when junior lifeguard programs welcome area youth to learn about water safety, improve their physical conditioning, gain an understanding of the environment and build a respect for themselves, their parents and peers.

“We are educating the future leaders of California who will go far beyond Junior Lifeguards,” said Seasonal Lifeguard II Eric Martin, junior guard coordinator at Doheny State Beach.

For area youth interested in junior watermen and lifeguard programs there are a few options from the City of San Clemente, California State Parks, California Junior Lifeguard Programs and Orange County.

This year, state parks have introduced a pilot course at Doheny State Beach that acts as a stepping stone for participants to becoming actual lifeguards. The Watermans Academy is for those who have completed Junior Lifeguards and maintains junior program fundamentals while integrating stand-up paddle, dory races, free drives, tide pool exploration, conservation practices, CPR, first aid and rescues.

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS San Clemente State Junior Lifeguards Two sessions—from June 29 to July 24 and July 27 to Aug. 21—will be held for

participants ages 8 to 15. Program runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tryouts for new junior guard participants are required. www.scstatejg.com.

DOHENY STATE JUNIOR LIFEGUARDS Waterman Academy The academy will be offered in four sessions: June 22 to July 3; July 6 to July 17; July 20 to July 31; and Aug. 3 to Aug. 14.

Courses will be held five days a week.

Swim test not yet scheduled. www.dohojg.com.

CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE Junior Lifeguards Three sessions are offered to participants ages 9 to 17 from June 22 to July 10; July 13 to July 31; and Aug. 3 to Aug. 21. Sessions run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Swim test required before registration. www.san-clemente.org.

CALIFORNIA JUNIOR LIFEGUARD Salt Creek Beach Junior Lifeguards The Essential Junior Guard program is offered in weekly sessions starting June 29. The Junior Guard program will be held in three sessions: June 22 to July 10; July 13 to July 13 to July 31 and Aug. 3 to Aug. 21 for participants ages 8 to 17. www.jrlifeguards.com.

ORANGE COUNTY OC Junior Guards Participants ages 8 to 15 can choose from four two-week sessions: June 22 to July 3; July 6 to July 17; July 20 to July 31; and Aug. 3 to Aug. 14. Courses run five days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. New enrollees must complete swim test. www.oclg.org.

Courtesy of Talega Life Church

Henken Orthodontics

Talega Life Church

Summer is a time for fun. It is also a time to ensure your child’s mind, body and dental health are in tip-top shape. Take this break from school as an opportunity to visit Dr. Edmond Henken—an orthodontist celebrating 27 years of creating “winning smiles” in south Orange County—for all your family’s aesthetic orthodontic needs like Invisalign and clear braces. Open Monday through Friday. 1171 Puerta Del Sol, Suite B, San Clemente, 949.661.3336, www.teamortho.com.

TLC summer camp is designed to meet the ever growing needs of the youth in our community through fun, mentorship and education. As a state licensed program, we offer weekly themes and field trips with corresponding arts and crafts, games and activities. At TLC, campers are given a daily opportunity to explore their world, make new friends and build invaluable life skills. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, 949.545.0188, www.talegachurch.com.

La Cristianita Preschool

The Shoreline Church

OC Juni or Guards Courtesy of OC Junior Guards

Talega Life Church

La Cristianita offers flexible programs for children ages 18 months to 5 years.

Schedules are available for two, three and five days per week for full or half-days. Summer sessions are being offered from June 22 to July 16 and July 20 to Aug. 14. There will be two separate weeks of Vacation Bible School.

During the summer, we will welcome The Lizard Lady, a mad scientist and more.

La Cristianita Preschool, 35522 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente, 949.496.1405, www.clcsanclemente.org.

St. Andrews by-the-Sea

At St. Andrew’s summer program, Everest, children ages 4 years old through fifth-grade will learn how to conquer life’s challenges with God’s mighty power. Participants will embark on an icy expedition guided by experienced leaders who will help them overcome obstacles. Program runs July 20 to 24 from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $60 per child. 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente, 949.492.2537, www.sabts.com.

Pipeline Kids has great plans this summer, starting with the Pajama Jam on May 29, filled with games, prizes, worship and of course, sleep. Get your summer moving with Vacation Bible School, running June 22 to 25, followed by a two-day surf camp at North Beach on July 7 and 8. Our final event is a week of fun and adventure at the Forest Home Christian Conference Center from Aug. 2 to 7. Contact Anna Nelson for more info: 949.369.7283 ext. 11, anna@theshoreline.org.

YMCA of Orange County Are you ready to do more and be more this summer? Summer Camp at the YMCA is a fun, action-packed adventure filled with sports, outdoor activities and field trips—the best part is, camp is located right on a local school campus.

This licensed full-day program focuses on character development, involves campers in a service learning project, engages participants through clubs and features trips to the zoo, planetarium and more. 866.837.9622, www.ymcaoc.org/camps.

2015 Summer Camp Guide

Avoid the Summer Slide Summer is almost here.

Coupled with your child’s departure from classroom instruction is what some researchers refer to as the “summer slide”—the loss of learning over summer break.

Dodge it.

Practice

There are things parents can do to take charge, avoid the slide and ensure learning is a priority even as summer fun comes knocking on the door. Here are some ideas from Carrie Jasper, director of outreach to parents and families at the U.S. Department of Education, for you to challenge and encourage your child.

Discover fun ways to incorporate summer learning. Visit a museum, zoo, farmers market, beach, park or festival. Plan your day together. Look at maps and figure out how far you will travel. When it’s all over, have your child talk about, write or draw their favorite parts of the day.

Set Goals

Determine what you and your child will accomplish in a set time—like learning the ABCs in Spanish after one week, knowing how to multiply by nines in two weeks, learning how to print your first and last name in three weeks or finishing the Harry Potter series by summer’s end.

Set aside 10 to 15 minutes a day to work on each goal. Also, invest in work and reading books for your child’s soon-to-be grade level and practice upcoming concepts.

Apply What You’ve Learned

Explore various ways to apply developed skills. Have your child add up the items on your next grocery store trip or read street and business signs aloud.

Go on an Adventure

Celebrate

Enjoy a mid-summer reward and celebrate all the goals set and achieved before school starts. The Federal Registry for Educational Excellence provides a free database with digital teaching and learning resources— including articles on fire safety, Women’s History Month, staying healthy, cyber safety and more—at www.free.ed.gov.

GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

freshments and live music. 31071 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.939.3478, cottagegalleryonlosrios.com.

EDITOR’S PICK

What’s going on in and around town

Monday | 30

COMPILED BY STAFF

MOMMY MOVIE MONDAYS 10 a.m. Moms and dads are welcome to bring their baby along to the theater every Monday at Krikorian Theaters.

641 Camino De Los Mares, San Clemente, 949.661.7610, www.kptmovies.com.

Friday | 27 LES MISERABLES 7 p.m.-9 p.m. St. Margaret’s Episcopal School’s Upper School musical performance program presents “Les Miserables,” the epic tale of broken dreams, passion and redemption, at the Hurlbut Theater March 26-28. Tickets are $18.75 and can be purchased online or at the box office. 31641 La Novia Avenue, San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.0108, www.smes.org/ arts/box-office.

LIGHTNING TRAIN 8:30 p.m. Live music at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188.

Saturday | 28 REPLACE YOUR LAWN GARDENING WORKSHOP SERIES 9:30 a.m-10:30 a.m. Join the Tree of Life Nursery for a series of speakers that will inspire you to replace your lawn with beautiful, drought-tolerant native gardens.

Today, Jeff Bohn will speak about eliminating grass. Admission is free. 33201 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, 949.728.0685, www.californianativeplants.com.

CAMPFIRE PROGRAM 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Every Saturday night, join OC Parks for a campfire program that may include a presentation, wilderness safety, games and activities for children, a live animal demonstration and a chance to visit the Nature Center. Topics may vary

Restaurant Spotlight:

Public74

BY SAMANTHA HAMMER

A

ward-winning chef, Gerry Kent and Chad Dickey, both successful restaurateurs, partnered and opened Public74 in 2014 offering a true gastropub dining adventure that changes with the seasons. Locally grown produce, fresh, sustainably caught seafood and the highest quality meats are daily mainstays.

“I’m a sucker for good food, Kent said, adding that he enjoys pushing the envelope to open up new dining experiences

The Capistrano Dispatch March 27-April 9, 2015

COUNTRY DANCIN’ WITH PATRICK AND FRIENDS 6:30 p.m. Every Monday at The Swallow’s Inn with steak night and happy hour prices. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188.

Courtesy Bram Norman

SUNDAY, MARCH 29: 9TH ANNUAL PANHE GATHERING: A CELEBRATION OF PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This free community event celebrates Panhe, the 9,000-year-old historic village of the Acjachemen/Juaneño people that continues to be a sacred and ceremonial site. The event will take place at the San Mateo Campground at San Onofre State Beach, and includes free off-site parking and free shuttle service from Concordia Elementary School. The gathering features Native American singers, dancers, speakers, food, artisans and more. For more information, contact Rebecca Robles at rebrobles1@gmail. com, San Onofre Parks Foundation at 949.366.8599 or admin@sanofoundation.org, or visit www.sanonofreparksfoundation.org.

Sunday | 29

weekly. All ages are welcome. Admission is free, parking is $5 per vehicle. Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.923.2210, www.ocparks.com/caspers.

TIM DISMANG 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Live music performed by Tim Dismang at Starbucks, located at 31760 Camino Capistrano, across from Mission San Juan Capistrano. For more information, call Dismang at 714.350.9464.

OUTDOOR ART FAIR 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Cottage Gallery on Los Rios is hosting a reception and outdoor art fair where gallery artists will present new show openings, with additional art in the shop’s Artful Garden. Featured art will include oil, watercolor, photography, jewelry and other artisan creations. There will also be a book signing with local authors, re-

for Public74 customers.

The Kobe from Wellington, a guest favorite, is a 10-ounce, medium rare American Kobe beef burger, served on a warm brioche bun with wild PRICE RANGE: $7-$36 mushroom duxPAYMENT ACCEPTED: elle, leeks, warm wilted spinach, Cash and credit cards HOURS: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. fontina cheese Sunday through Thurs- and a side of fries.

This is definitely day. 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. not your run-ofFriday and Saturday. the-mill burger.

Also try the Saffron Seafood Chowder, a hearty, dairy-free dish with shrimp and a selection of other fresh seafood of the day, stewed in herbs, vegetables, white wine and

saffron, served over roasted potatoes with a side of grilled sourdough bread.

Vegetarian options, appetizers, fresh soup of the day and children’s meals are available daily. And for those looking to soothe a sweet tooth, house-made dessert options include the decadent Chocolate Creme Brulee and Gettin Figgy Bread Puddin.

The restaurant interior is rustic with a contemporary industrial design, enhanced by the use of reclaimed building materials.

Wines from around the world, high quality spirits and hand-crafted beers are among the daily offerings.

Local musicians from reggae and jazz, to acoustic sounds, can be heard on Friday and Saturdays starting at 7:30 p.m.

Page 13

Tuesday | 31 SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY TOASTMASTERS MEETING 7 p.m.-8:40 p.m. Practice becoming a more confident communicator. Occurs every Tuesday. Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan Ave., Dana Point.

949.280.9777, 3944816.toastmastersclubs. org.

Wednesday | 01 ZAKIR HUSSAIN’S CELTIC CONNECTIONS 8 p.m. Presented by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, legendary tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain brings his groundbreaking new project Celtic Connections: The Pulse of the World to Costa Mesa as part of his first North American tour.

Tickets start at $20. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, South Coast Plaza, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787, www.eclecticorange.com.

(Cont. on page 14)

Saffron Seafood Chowder. Photo: Samantha Hammer

27211 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.481.2723, www.publicrestaurants. com. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from page 13) OIL PAINTING WITH VICKI DE SILVA 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy oil panting lessons with artist Vicki De Silva at San Clemente Art Supply & Custom Framing. Every Wednesday through July 17. Call for details and pricing. 1531 N. El Camino Real, 949.369.6603, www.scartsupply.com.

Friday | 03 ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE 5:30 p.m-7 p.m. Climb onboard a Dana Wharf luxury catamaran for this 90-minute wine cruise around the Dana Point Harbor. Tickets are $49. Every Friday and Sunday. See more events online. Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 888.224.0603, www.danawharf.com.

Saturday | 04 EASTER FAIR SAN JUAN 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event at the South Shores Church, located at 32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano. The Easter Fair will include an egg hunt, telling of the Easter story, carnival games, bounce houses, crafts, lunch, music and more.

South Shores Church, 949.661.4991, www.southshores.org.

CAPO BEACH & DANA POINT EGG HUNTS 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Hop on down to Pines Park in Capistrano Beach or Sea Canyon Park in Dana Point for the annual Egg Hunts.

The events begin at 9 a.m. with a marionette show, kids games, petting zoo and Easter Bunny visits. The Egg Hunt begins promptly at 10 a.m. for ages up to 10 years old. Bring an empty basket to collect the plastic eggs and candy. For more information, call the City of Dana Point Community Services & Parks Department at 949.248.3530. Pines Park, 34941 Camino Capistrano, Capistrano Beach; Sea Canyon Park, 33093 Santiago Drive, Dana Point, www.danapoint.org.

HABITAT GARDENING WORKSHOP SERIES 9:30 a.m. Join the Tree of Life Nursery for a series of speakers that will inspire you to replace your lawn with beautiful, drought-tolerant native gardens. Today’s focus will be native garden design elements. Admission is free. 33201 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, 949.728.0685, www.californianativeplants.com.

Sunday | 05 CASPERS NATURE HIKE 8 a.m.-9 a.m. Join OC Park rangers every Sunday morning for an easy 1-mile hike on the nature trail, which takes visitors The Capistrano Dispatch March 27-April 9, 2015

ARS Comes to the Coach House

BY EVAN DA SILVA, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

A

tlanta Rhythm Section will be performing at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, March 29 with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the show beginning at 7 p.m.

Originating in Doraville, Ga., ARS formed in 1970 after the future bandmates worked together on a Roy Orbison recording session. The group’s first two albums with Decca Records failed to make the splash the group was hoping for and subsequently led them to join Polydor Records in 1974. After three more unsuccessful albums the group finally hit their stride in 1977 with their single “So In to You,” which made it into the U.S. Top 10. The album A Rock and Roll Alternative, which included the breakthrough single, eventually went gold.

ARS followed the success by producing another strong effort with Champagne Jam in 1978, which again propelled the band into the Top 10 and later went platinum, thanks to the single “Imaginary Lover.” The string of success would earn the group a performance for President Jimmy Carter at the White House.

After a break leading well into the mid 90s, ARS rerecorded their biggest hits in the live-in-studio album Atlanta Rhythm Section ’96. At this same time the band would be inducted into the Georgia Mu-

through grassland, oak woodland, riparian and sandy cactus scrub communities. Admission is free, parking is $5 per vehicle.

Participants should meet at the Old Corral day use area and wear comfortable clothing and hiking shoes. Sunscreen, water and insect repellent are recommended.

Rain will cancel the hike. Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.923.2210, www.ocparks.com/caspers.

MIKE HAMILTON Noon-4 p.m & 5 p.m. to close. Enjoy live music at Mission Grill each Sunday with guitarist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Hamilton. 31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.240.8055, www.mikehamiltonmusic.com.

Monday | 06 TRAIL CLEARING AND WEEDING 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Spend some time in the great outdoors and help other volunteers clear the trails at The Richard & Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Register by 4 p.m. April 5. Ages 10 and up. Free. To RSVP or for directions, call 949.489.9778 or visit www.rmvreserve.org.

Atlanta Rhythm Section. Photo: Courtni Meadows

sic Hall of Fame and would also be honored in September 1996 at the Georgia World Fair Congress Center.

Current band members include Dean Daughtry on keyboards and vocals, Rodney Justo providing vocals, Steve Stone and Justin Senker playing bass, Jim Kneeling on drums and percussion and David Anderson

Tuesday | 07 SPRING BREAK CAMPS AT OCEAN INSTITUTE 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Junior Neptunes for kids ages 6-8 and Junior Oceanographers for ages 9-12 will teach children about ocean science. Neptunes will interact with animals in the lab, conduct experiments in underwater adaptations and observe sea lions in the wild. Oceanographers will explore what it is like to be a marine scientist, with a tidepool walk and hands-on lab activities including a fish dissection. Both camps include a twohour cruise aboard the R/V Sea Explorer.

Cost is $75 for non-members. Members receive a discount. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

Wednesday | 08 MONARCH BEACH SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB 7 a.m.–8:30 a.m. Join members of the volunteer-centered club for breakfast and a meeting each Wednesday at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, www.monarchbeachrotary.com.

Page 14

on guitar.

The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.

Tickets are $25 and dinner reservations with priority seating are also available.

For tickets or more information call 949.496.8930 or go to www.thecoachhouse.com. CD

MISSION GARDEN TOURS 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Take a half-hour tour of the Mission’s grounds with the Mission Gardening Angels every Wednesday. Meet at the front gate. Free with paid admission. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

Thursday | 09 LECTURE: WILDFLOWERS FROM A TO Z 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. After winter rains, The Reserve teems with an endless array of wildflowers. Join us as biologist Tony Bomkamp presents interesting facts (with photos) about many of the most picturesque wildflowers popping up along the hillsides and in our back country. Lecture located at the RMV Presentation Center.

Register by 2 p.m. April 9. Ages eight and up. Free. To RSVP or for directions, call 949.489.9778 or 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

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

Business Beat News from San Juan Capistrano’s business community

BY ALLISON JARRELL

Now Open IMPERIO NISSAN OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO 33633 Camino Capistrano 888.718.2419, www.imperionissancapistrano.com IMPERIO KIA OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO 33611 Camino Capistrano 888.903.4062, www.imperiokia.com When family-owned company Grupo Autofin Mexico began looking to expand to the U.S., they saw a lot of potential in the Southern California auto market.

With interest in both the Nissan and

GUEST OPINION: Dirt Therapy by Marianne Taylor

Goin’ Native Using the Farmers’ Almanac to Plant by the Moon’s Phases

W

ant larger and tastier produce this summer? Then you better get a copy of this year’s Farmers’ Almanac, which provides free longrange astronomical and weather forecasts, along with home and garden advice.

Founded by Robert B. Thomas in 1792, the Farmers’ Almanac has been the guide for farmers and individuals from planting crops, to watching the tides for those living by the ocean, to the creation of recipes for the kitchen chef, and just plain everyday living.

The almanac has long been known for being fun and practical. Based on annual calendrical and astronomical data, the guide indicates the best days and cycles to plant based on sun/moon rise/set times, length of day, tide ties and celestial sightings. Every year the almanac accounts for the habits, trends, weather, spirit, mood and the arcane interest of the times for generations to glean from and appreciate.

Now that the planting season is upon us, according to the almanac, our vegetables will be larger and tastier if we plant seeds by the phases of the moon, which supposedly speeds up the germination process by working with the forces of nature. Plants

The Capistrano Dispatch March 27–April 9, 2015

KIA brands, Rabin Godfrey, USA country manager for Grupo Autofin Mexico, said buying the two dealerships in San Juan Capistrano last year was a natural choice.

Godfrey represents the group’s investments and interests in the U.S., particularly in California, and said their first hurdle was to put together an excellent team.

Today, they employ 83 people between the two San Juan dealerships.

“Our strategy is not based on the pricing of a car, but in customer satisfaction,” Godfrey said. “In order to achieve this goal, you can only do it with good people.

Fortunately, we are very confident that we have them. We are very proud of our employees, and we want them to feel happy and comfortable working for us, because if you don’t have happy people working for you, how can you be friendly with your customers?”

Imperio took ownership of Nissan at the end of June 2014 and KIA at the end of August 2014. They opened two more stores in Irvine and Garden Grove, and in December 2014 they celebrated their offi-

sprout quicker and respond to the same gravitational pull that affects the ocean tides in a successive manner, stimulating root and leaf growth. This organic practice has been followed for hundreds of years without the use of chemicals in the soil.

According to the roughly 200-yearold almanac, there are two factors that influence lunar plantings: the measure of moisture in the soil and the astrological signs. During the new and full moon, the moisture levels in the soil are the highest.

When the sun and moon are lined up with the earth, as the moon pulls the tides in the ocean, it also pulls upon the bodies of water in the earth, causing moisture to rise to the surface and encouraging seed germination and growth.

The second influence of lunar plantings is folDIRT THERAPY

By Marrianne lowed by the use of the Taylor zodiac signs corresponding with the elements of water, fire, earth and air. There are plant preferences for what elemental sign it is planted in—it’s best to plant seeds during the fertile water signs, root crops during earth signs and flowers during air signs. The moon sign changes often from new moon to second quarter moon to full moon to fourth quarter moon.

So what does this all mean? When, where and what do you plant with which moon? Here is a simple garden guide to help you along.

Since the new moon and full moon cause swelling of the seeds, it’s best to plant above-ground annual crops that will

Rabin Godfrey, USA country manager for Grupo Autofin Mexico, and Ahmad Yassin, general manager of Imperio Nissan San Juan Capistrano. Photo: Allison Jarrell

cial ribbon cutting in San Juan Capistrano.

Back in Mexico, the company owns more than 50 dealerships.

Godfrey said Grupo Autofin also has a brand in the hotel industry in Mexico, so they understand the importance of greeting customers, making them feel comfort-

need more moisture for germination such as lettuce, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, cucumbers, cauliflower and grains.

The second quarter moon has less gravitational pull, which is a time that stimulates strong leaf growth. Crops to plant at this time are above-ground annuals like beans, melons, peas, peppers, squash and tomatoes.

As the full moon begins to wane, the gravitational pull and moisture level is high, and the moonlight is putting less energy into the roots. This is the best time to plant beets, potatoes, perennials, bulbs, carrots and onions.

The fourth quarter moon has decreased gravitational pull and moonlight and is considered the resting period—time to harvest, transplant and prune.

Whether you want to germinate seeds, plant annuals by the moonlight or harvest your crop, first check out what the Farmers’ Almanac suggests as the best days for doing such tasks.

You might find it rather humorous that also listed in the book are the best days for chopping wood, getting married and potty training. Such pearls of wisdom ring true to the almanac founder Robert Thomas’ motto: “Our main endeavor is to be useful, but with a pleasant degree of humor.”

Marianne Taylor is a 25-year resident of the Los Rios Historic District, specializing in garden education, dirt therapy and community volunteerism. For more information, visit www.goinnative.net. CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of The Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@thecapistranodispatch.com

Page 16

able and paying attention to them.

“The key part of this business is people,” he said.

In the future, Godfrey said Grupo Autofin will hopefully continue to grow. Their focus is mainly on Orange County, but branching out to Los Angeles, San Diego or even other states along the U.S.-Mexico border isn’t out of the question.

However, their first and foremost goal is to contribute to a vibrant local community and attain success in San Juan Capistrano.

In some cases, that will mean reaching customers who may have had an unpleasant experience in the past, which Godfrey said can be especially challenging in such a tight-knit community.

“We found that when we arrived here, unfortunately, past customers of the former store operators were, and maybe still are, frustrated and disappointed because of their previous experiences,” Godfrey said. “Give us a second opportunity to prove that we are different. We represent very good products, and we know how to make this business work.” CD

Remembering Rocky Aguilar

Rocky Aguilar. Photo: Courtesy

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ocky Aguilar was born on Nov. 25, 1924 in San Gabriel and passed peacefully on March 16, 2015 in San Juan Capistrano. Aguilar, a Gabrielino Indian, was in the U.S. Navy for 12 years prior to owning horse stables in San Gabriel, Azusa, Glendora and Chino. In 1958, Aguilar began boarding horses in San Juan Capistrano. He owned Rocky’s Capistrano Corral for 30 years, until 1988. Aguilar was a part of the San Juan Capistrano community for more than 60 years and rode in the Swallows Day Parade for decades. He also trained the original horses for Medieval Times, for TV shows like “Bonanza,” and for celebrities, including Shirley Temple Black. During his lifetime, Aguilar taught more than 1,000 children how to ride horses. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

Danny Ziegler and his family pose with their new car at the Feb. 26 unveiling, which took place at Caliber Collision’s San Juan Capistrano location, 26442 Via De Anza. Photo: Kimbriel Marketing Communications

Marine Receives Refurbished Car Local company provides Marine and family with a car as part of the Recycled Rides program THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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anny Ziegler, a nine-year Marine Corps staff sergeant with four combat deployments, had a rough start to his transfer last year from Maryland to California.

The Ziegler family’s struggles began during the move when one of their cars was totaled after slipping off the back of a tow truck. Ziegler purchased a replacement car that appeared to be in great shape, but it broke down just two months later. To compound their struggles, Ziegler’s wife was struggling to find work as a nurse’s aide in San Diego, and living with one income was putting a financial crunch on the family and their savings.

But the Zieglers’ luck changed for the better on Feb. 26, when they received a completely refurbished vehicle as part of Caliber Collision’s Recycled Rides program. Re-

cycled Rides is a national program in which collision industry companies collaborate to refurbish and donate vehicles to individuals in need. Caliber Collision team members in San Juan Capistrano volunteered personal time to repair the Ziegler’s new vehicle, and local San Juan businesses donated gift cards and certificates to help the family.

“We hope this Recycled Rides gift eases the family’s transportation burden and serves as the catalyst that helps them get back on the road to financial stability,” Mike Bertino, Caliber Collision vice president of operations said in a statement. “We want to thank Danny for his sacrifices and service to our country and are honored to be giving back to a deserving member of our U.S. military.”

For more information on the Recycled Rides program, visit: www.nationalautobodycouncil.org. CD

Flashback Friday

Using motorcycles to climb hills was a popular sport in early 1900s South Orange County, especially on the steep Capistrano Hill. According to a 2013 Dana Point Times column written by Mayor Carlos Olvera, the foot of the Capistrano Hill was located “roughly at the junction of Camino Capistrano and Doheny Park Road. Cleared of weeds and obstructions, the 500-foot hill had a 40 to 50 percent grade incline with a maximum of 72 percent near the top.” By 1919, it was known as “The Hill of Thrill.”

For more on the history of hill climbing, check out Olvera’s column: www.danapointtimes.com/ its-history-motorcycle-hill. Photo: Courtesy of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR 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 March 27–April 9, 2015

Page 18

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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

A Nostalgic Weekend Getaway

Getting a chance to relive some fine memories in the San Fernando Valley

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hirty-eight years ago, I attended a television show taping at the NBC Studios in Burbank. I was there as a guest of singer Johnny Cash, who was a spokesperson for Victoria Station, the restaurant chain for whom I was the marketing director.

I was seated in the front row with Rosanne Cash, Johnny’s daughter, who was 22 at the time. John Denver was the master of ceremonies and singers Roger Miller and Glen Campbell were also on the set.

I remember that day quite vividly because Johnny left the stage unexpectedly and Rosanne was concerned. However, everything turned out OK. A few months ago, I read that Rosanne was going to appear in concert at the Fred Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Performing Center at 8 p.m., Friday, March 20. Rosanne is an accomplished musician herself, who won three Grammy awards this year for her album, “The River and the Thread.”

She is often classified as a country singer, but her music combines folk, pop,

rock and blues as well.

My partner Greta and I decided to attend Rosanne’s concert and get a hotel room near there so we would not have to drive late at night.

I decided to make it a total Johnny Cashrelated trip. Johnny’s manager, Lou Robin, who now handles Johnny’s estate, lives in Thousand Oaks. We’ve been friends for 39 years.

Greta and I planned to meet Lou and his wife Karen for breakfast on Saturday.

Rosanne’s concert was outstanding. She performed several songs ON LIFE AND from her Grammy-winLOVE AFTER 50 ning album. At the start

By Tom Blake of each of those songs, she spent a few minutes narrating the history and background upon which the songs were based, which was a nice personal touch audiences don’t often receive from performers.

She ended the regular part of her concert with her number one single of years

back, “Seven Year Ache.” In the encore, she sang the Bob Dylan song, “Girl from the North Country,” a song her dad and Dylan made popular as a duet in 1969.

That song was featured in the movie, The Bridges of Madison County.

All members of Rosanne’s five-piece band, including her husband John Levanthal, were exceptional musicians.

The concert alone made the long drive worthwhile.

After the show, Greta and I went backstage and had a few moments to spend with Rosanne. She and I had a couple of laughs together remembering the old days.

Breakfast the next morning at Jerry’s Famous Deli in Woodland Hills, with Lou and Karen Robin, was equally rewarding.

Two hours went by in a jiffy. To listen to stories from Johnny Cash’s manager of 40 years was fascinating for both Greta and me. I learned things about Johnny that I didn’t know although I traveled with him frequently in the two years we worked together.

Lou was also the manager of Don Ho for

awhile, after Johnny had passed away.

On the drive home Saturday afternoon, Greta commented on the similarities in mannerisms she noticed between Rosanne and her father Johnny.

It was a special weekend for me; I was happy to be able to share it with Greta and have her meet these people I have known for years who were so close to Johnny Cash.

The age 50-plus singles Meet and Greet is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Tutor and Spunky’s Deli in Dana Point. For information, contact the deli at 949.248.9008.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and former business owner who has authored three books on middle-aged dating. For dating information: www.FindingLoveAfter50. com. To comment: tompblake@gmail.com.

CD PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, The Capistrano Dispatch provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the The Capistrano Dispatch or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@ thecapistranodispatch.com.

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

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE March 28th from 7am to 11am 26805 Calle Real, Capistrano Beach

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

HELP WANTED PART-TIME DENTAL ASSISTANT/ OFFICE ASSISTANT Days needed are Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Entry level position. Must be tech savvy and a team player. Please call 949-241-6633 MARKETING & ADVERTISING INTERN Picket Fence Media (San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch) is seeking a polished and enthusiastic advertising intern to start immediately. Enrolled college marketing and communications student required. Must be available Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoons, one to two days a week. Great phone manner and attention to detail a must. Knowledge of sales and eye-for-design a plus. This is a non-paid internship and a great opportunity to obtain some hands-on work experience and college credit (if available through your school). Send resume listing school and work experience to Susie Lantz at slantz@sanclementetimes.com.

No phone inquiries without resume.

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

AUTOMOBILE REPAIR

Star Motors

32959 Calle Perfecto, 949.443.1970, www.star-motors.com

BANKING

Independence Bank

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

ELECTRICIANS

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

JEWELER

Abby’s Fine Jewelry Design

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

PHOTO & DIGITAL LAB

San Juan Photo & Digital

32301 Camino Capistrano, 949.661.5668, www.sjcphotodigital.com

After-Hours Electric

Ca Lic #697355 714.396.2188, 949.573.8386, www.bbb.org The Capistrano Dispatch March 27–April 9, 2015

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100! Write-up of 50 words with logo.

Call Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or e-mail dwells@thecapistranodispatch.com

Page 21

PLUMBING

Chick’s Plumbing

949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

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

SCHOOLS

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

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

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Mission Basilica Hoops Team Wins Historic Championship COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE

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or the first time since 2008, the Mission Basilica School eighth-grade girls basketball team hoisted the Parochial Athletic League Orange County Championship trophy this season. The Swallows were able to go a perfect 13-0 on the year in league play and defeated School of Our Lady of Santa Ana 34-21 in the championship match.

The county championship was the first won by head coach Pat Forster in his 29 years of coaching at Mission Basilica.

In the championship game, the San Juan team was led by Sofia Vaquerano, who scored a team-high 14 points. Angelica Gonzalez had a well-rounded game, scoring 10 points and recording 15 steals and 14 blocked shots.

In three playoff games, the Swallows defeated their opponents by a combined 96-59 margin.

Team members include: Sofia Vaquerano, Angelica Gonzalez, Cassandra Vaquerano, Olivia Williams, Katie Flores, Kathryn Iacometti, Mackenzie Isaksen, Kellan Jenner, Jillian Kurlfink, Allison Leukanech, Racquelle Vellandi and Hailey Zehren. CD

Scoreboard THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

YOUTH SOCCER The San Clemente Surf girls U16 soccer team finished second in their division at the Las Vegas Players Showcase tournament, which ran from March 20-22. The team, which draws players from San Juan Capistrano and surrounding cities, competed against some of the best club soccer teams from around the country in front of roughly 450 collegiate coaches in attendance, according to the club’s director of coaching Chris Murray.

Tournament highlights for the SC Surf

The San Clemente Surf girls U16 soccer team placed second in their division at the Las Vegas Players Showcase tournament on March 22. Photo: Courtesy

The Capistrano Dispatch March 27–April 9, 2015

The Mission Basilica School eighth-grade girls basketball team won the Parochial Athletic League Orange County Championship this season. Photo: Courtesy

Lions Baseball Shows its Depth at NHSI Tournament

BY STEVE BREAZEALE

D

espite not starting their top two pitchers in their opening games at the 2015 National High School Invitational baseball tournament in Cary, N.C. this week, the JSerra baseball team was able to go 1-1 to start their tournament run.

The NHSI features 16 of the top teams in the country and the Lions, who are atop many state and national polls, did not start off on the right foot.

The Lions suffered an opening round loss to Mosley High School, 1-0, on March 24.

But JSerra’s loaded lineup and pitching rotation rebounded in their second-round matchup against Horizon the same day for a 6-2 victory.

JSerra’s Reid Connolly earned the win after pitching 3 2/3 innings of three-hit, one-run ball.

The Lions’ bats came alive against Horizon, led by Royce Lewis’ 2-4 effort that included a double and two stolen bases. Ryan Pena went 2-3 with a double and an RBI. “It’s really hard to keep one through nine in our lineup down. This team doesn’t panic and that’s kind of basically what I held on to,” Lions head coach Brett Kay told reporters following the win.

JSerra was set to continue play in the tournament on March 26. Results and opponents were not available at press time. CD

team included a 4-1 win over AUFC Blitz from New Mexico and a tournamentcapping 2-1 victory over Pleasanton Rage from Northern California.

LITTLE LEAGUE The San Juan Capistrano Little League season is underway. The league features several teams from San Juan, as well as neighboring San Clemente and Dana Point. Here are a few highlights from recent games, broken up by division.

AA: The San Juan Brewers beat the SC Titans 13-0 behind multiple hit efforts from Joshua Evans, Nico Tasso and Braden Butler on March 13.

50/70: San Juan Cardinals pitchers Patirck McClemmy, Jack Davison and Cory Davison combined to throw a shutout against the San Clemente Giants on March 14.

AAA Minors: Aden Moreno hit a home run and Cormac Olsem hit a double and a triple for the San Juan Capistrano A’s in a closely contested 14-12 win over the San Clemente Knights on March 15.

AAA Majors: Connor Susag led the way for the San Juan Capistrano Angels against the SC Diamondbacks on March 15, recording a home run, a double and two singles in a 12-2 win. The Angels had 15 hits on the day.

The Capo-Dana All-Net Sharks won the NJB All-Net Sectional championship on March 15. Photo: Courtesy

YOUTH BASKETBALL The Capo-Dana All-Net Sharks took home first place at the NJB All-Net Sectionals on March 15, capping off a successful run in postseason play.

The team, which draws sixth-grade players from Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano, first competed in the All-Net regional tournament, where they went 2-2

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overall and placed fourth.

The team was able to keep the momentum going and claim the sectional title.

The team includes: John Mcfadden, Brennon Kelly, Davis Grace, Harrison Ames, Phillip Degree, Noa Serpa, Tommy Desiano, Ben Dwinell and Jack Whidden.

The team is coached by Tom Desiano and Jack Whidden. www.thecapistranodispatch.com