May 8, 2015

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OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICE FOUNDED IN 2002

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

MAY 8-21, 2015 • VOLUME 13, ISSUE 9

The Language of Learning

South Coast Literacy Council teaches more than English lessons to adults eager to learn E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 1 0

Student Helena Hsu, of Mission Viejo, interacts with her tutor, Margie Buster, during an English lesson taught by South Coast Literacy Council volunteers at the Rotary Scout Hut in San Juan Capistrano. Photo: Allison Jarrell

City Files Petition for Rehearing of Tiered Water Rates Case EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

Siegel: Honoring Women Preservationists of San Juan LIVING/PAGE 20

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Former JSerra Catcher Makes Big League Debut SPORTS/PAGE 24

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

EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING prints were collected during an autopsy on April 30 and were matched with Cal-ID records to officially confirm Alonso’s identity.

WHAT’S NEXT: Following the autopsy, sheriff’s department officials said the cause of death was “undetermined,” with no obvious physical signs of trauma. As of Wednesday, Hallock said the investigation is ongoing, with no significant progress to report.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the OCSD Homicide Unit at 714.647.7055 or 714.647.7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855.TIP.OCCS (855.847.6227) or at www.occrimestoppers.org.—Allison Jarrell

Friends and family of Erica Alonso walk together at the Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano.

Alonso went missing Feb. 15. Photo: Allison Jarrell

What’s Up With...

Five things San Juan should know this week Body Found Near San Juan Confirmed as Missing Woman Erica Alonso THE LATEST: The body of Erica Alonso, 28, of Laguna Hills, who had been missing since Feb. 15, was discovered late at night on April 27 about a mile east of Ortega Highway in the Cleveland National Forest, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials. The sheriff’s department confirmed Alonso’s identity on April 30 through fingerprint comparisons.

Alonso went missing around 4 a.m. the morning of Sunday, Feb. 15, after leaving her boyfriend’s house near Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue in Irvine. Her 2014 Honda Civic was found in Aliso Viejo on March 25, approximately one mile from her home.

On the night of April 27, a decomposed body was discovered by a group of biologists working for Caltrans around 10 p.m. near the crossroads of Ortega Highway and Hot Springs Canyon Road—north of San Juan Capistrano in the Cleveland National Forest, according to OCSD Lt. Jeff Hallock. Alonso’s body was recovered around 11 a.m. on April 28 and was transported to the coroner division. FingerThe Capistrano Dispatch May 8-21, 2015

City Files Petition for Rehearing of Tiered Water Rates Case THE LATEST: The City of San Juan Capistrano’s lawyers have filed a request for a rehearing of the city’s tiered water rates case by the 4th District Court of Appeal, which ruled April 20 that San Juan Capistrano’s tiered water rates are unconstitutional.

The court decided that San Juan’s 2010 tiered water rate system did not sufficiently show that each tier was based on usage and the actual cost of water delivery.

Jim Reardon, a plaintiff in the case, showed up to the May 5 San Juan Capistrano City Council meeting, accompanied by one of the lawyers who represented the Capistrano Taxpayers Association in the case, William Hensley. Both Reardon and Hensley urged the council to work on resolving and informally settling the case. Reardon said he was surprised by the filing.

“I urge you not to reopen this book,” Reardon said.

WHAT’S NEXT: The petition is “for reconsideration in order to correct the court record,” Mayor Derek Reeve wrote in an email. “The city has not appealed the decision and is communicating with CTA.”—AJ

Dana Hills High School Teacher Arrested for Child Molestation, Child Pornography Possession THE LATEST: A Spanish teacher at Dana Hills High School was arrested on Monday for alleged child molestation and possession of child pornography, officials said.

Ezequiel Barragan, 48, of Aliso Viejo was arrested, booked into Orange County

Jail held on $500,000 bail after a United Postal Service agent contacted the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force regarding an ongoing investigation of Barragan’s alleged involvement with child pornography. During the USPS investigation, evidence of Barragan having had sexual relations with a male juvenile over the last two years was uncovered, Lt. Jeff Hallock, public information officer for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said in a Monday night news release.

Barragan has a 20-year history of involvement with coaching youth baseball at various leagues and schools in the Orange County area and has acted as a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Orange County children, a position investigators said gave him access to a number of male juveniles over the last several years, Hallock said in the release.

According to a statement released Wednesday by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Barragan is charged with four felony counts of performing lewd acts on a child under the age of 14, three felony counts of lewd acts on a child between the ages of 14 and 15, and one felony count of possession of child pornography, with a sentencing enhancement for substantial sexual conduct with a child.

WHAT’S NEXT: If convicted, Barragan faces a maximum sentence of 16 years and eight months in state prison. Barragan’s arraignment was set for Wednesday, May 6 at Central Jail in Santa Ana. Parents of Dana Hills students were notified via email Monday night of the arrest of Mr. Ezequiel “Zeke” Barragan. Capistrano Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Julie Hatchel said Tuesday that “Barragan has been relieved of his duties pending investigation.”

Anyone with information regarding additional victims is asked to call the OCSD at 714.647.7418 or 714.647.7000. Tips may also be left anonymously on the OC Crime Stoppers line at 855.847.6227 or online at occrimestoppers.org.—Andrea Swayne

New Water Restrictions Approved by Council THE LATEST: New citywide water conservation measures were approved unanimously at the San Juan Capistrano City Council’s May 5 meeting. The cutbacks include reducing turf watering to two days per week and not watering during or within 48 hours of measurable rainfall. The city will also cease watering on city medians, parkways and neighborhood parks, begin issuing report cards to water customers, and start reaching out to the city’s largest water consumers—homeowner associations, landscape maintenance districts, schools, businesses and Tier 3 and 4 users— to develop action plans.

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Gov. Jerry Brown announced on April 1 that the state would be putting in place mandatory water reductions in cities across the state in order to cut water usage by approximately 25 percent. For San Juan Capistrano, that number translates to a 28 percent reduction in potable water use by the city.

WHAT’S NEXT: Staff said more work beyond the approved actions will need to be done to achieve a reduction of 516 million gallons of water. A special joint meeting with the City Council and the Utilities Commission will take place on May 19 to discuss additional actions to increase water reduction. —AJ

SCHS Principal Michael Halt Ousted THE LATEST: The Capistrano Unified School District announced Wednesday that San Clemente High School principal Michael Halt will not finish the school year at the school and that Halt will not return for the 2015-16 school year. Deni Christensen, the school’s assistant principal for guidance, will finish the year as interim principal.

“The District has rigorous standards for principals and other administrators as well as a fair and relevant system for evaluating their performance,” the release stated.

“Principals or administrators who are not meeting the district’s rigorous standards are provided assistance to improve their performance… The district does not take the decision to non-reelect administrators lightly. ... Due to the privacy interests of employees, we are unable to comment further regarding specific employees.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Current Aliso Niguel High School Principal Chris Carter, a San Clemente resident, was announced as the new permanent principal, effective at the end of the school year. Christensen will then take over at Aliso Viejo for the 2015-2016 school year.

Halt issued a statement Wednesday evening, saying, in part: “It has been both an honor and a privilege working at San Clemente High School, and I have loved living and learning in this community. The students and staff at SCHS are second to none, and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together; our record of success speaks for itself.”—Jim Shilander

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

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

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES COMPILED BY ALLISON JARRELL

Friends of the Library to Host Writer’s Workshop Catherine Ann Jones, award-winning screenwriter, playwright and author, will present “The Way of Story,” a writer’s workshop for all forms and levels of narrative writing, at the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library Bookstore on Saturday, May 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tickets are $100 and include lunch. RSVP to 949.218.4512 by May 15 is required. For more information about the workshop, visit www.wayofstory.com.

Later the same day, the Friends will also host a lecture and book signing with Jones, moderated by Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee Steve Oedekerk from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. RSVP by May 15 to 949.218.4512 is required. Seating is limited and space will be reserved on a first come, first served basis. Admission to the book signing is free.

The Friends Bookstore is located at the San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495-A, El Camino Real.

Temple Grandin to Visit Shea Therapeutic Riding Center On Tuesday, May 19, Dr. Temple Grandin will visit with 300 Shea Center friends and admirers interested in hearing about her success in overcoming autism, the disability most often addressed at the Shea Center.

The special event, hosted in partnership with the Colorado State University Alumni Association, features a presentation by Grandin, one of the universities most distinguished faculty members. A professor of animal sciences, Grandin is considered to be the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the

Temple Grandin. Photo: Courtesy of Steve Jurvetson via Wikimedia Commons

The Capistrano Dispatch May 8–14, 2015

world. Grandin is a best-selling author, an autistic activist and a consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. She invented the “hug box,” a device to calm those on the autism spectrum. Grandin’s fascinating life, with all its challenges and successes, was retold in the HBO biopic, Temple Grandin, which won numerous awards and accolades at the 62nd Emmy Awards in August 2010. Grandin was also listed in the “Time 100” list of the one most influential people in the world in the “Heroes” category.

The evening includes a reception with appetizers and beverages, a book signing

by Grandin, Shea Center tours, a therapeutic riding demonstration with Shea Center clients and a presentation by Grandin on “Animals in Translation.”

The event will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tickets are $40 and must be purchased

by May 15. Jeans, boots and casual warm clothing for an outdoor equestrian facility are the recommended attire. Be sure to bring a jacket. The Shea Center is located at 26284 Oso Road, San Juan Capistrano.

For more information, call 949.240.8441.

San Juan Capistrano Manager Earns Statewide Certification

Community Meetings SATURDAY, MAY 9

Backyard Beekeeping

Noon. Learn about the lifecycle of honeybees, their importance to the environment’s health, the equipment needed to start beekeeping, hive maintenance tips and more. Class costs $35. The Ecology Center, 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

TUESDAY, MAY 12 Mamie Yong Maywhort at the PBS SoCal Stardust Nights celebration on April 18. Photo: Courtesy of Art Hasselbrink

cal.org/arts-life/community-champions.

Vector Control Board Asking for Mosquito Vigilance

Eric Altman of Berrington Properties Inc. in San Juan Capistrano, has earned the Certified Community Association Manager designation from the California Association of Community Managers.

The CCAM is the only California-specific designation in the industry that certifies a community manager’s knowledge and expertise in California law, ethical standards and best practices in governing homeowners associations.

In addition to Altman, 25 other community managers from around the state were awarded the CCAM designation during the first quarter of 2015.

Homefront America Co-Founder Honored at PBS SoCal Gala Homefront America co-founder Mamie Yong Maywhort was honored at the April 18 Stardust Nights Celebration, hosted by PBS SoCal at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa. Maywhort was one of nine recipients to receive the 2014 Community Champions Award for her work with Homefront America, a nonprofit based in San Juan Capistrano that supports local military families with services and annual events.

PBS SoCal’s Community Champion project recognizes “individuals and/or organizations that make an extraordinary impact on the lives of others through their everyday efforts, within our diverse Southern California communities.”

For more information on the Community Champions program, visit www.pbsso-

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District is urging residents to report tiny black and white, day-biting mosquitoes. On April 21, OCMVCD responded to complaints of day-biting mosquitoes in Anaheim. A thorough investigation was conducted and the presence of yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) was confirmed. The yellow fever mosquito can transmit dengue fever, chikungunya, and yellow fever. The yellow fever mosquito is recognizable by its bright silver lyreshaped marking and white banded legs.

They can live both indoors and outdoors, and primarily bite humans. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in small artificial or natural containers that hold water around the home such as indoor plants, vases and flower pots, or tree cavities.

Aedes aegypti is not native to Orange County. This tropical and subtropical mosquito now found worldwide was first identified in California’s central valley and central coast in June of 2013, and last year in Los Angeles County. No other yellow fever mosquitoes have been discovered in the surrounding neighborhood.

For more information, please contact the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District at 714.971.2421 or 949.654.2421, or visit www.ocvcd.org.

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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Planning Commission Meeting

6:30 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission discusses area development at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. Log on to www.sanjuancapistrano.org to see the body’s agenda.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

CUSD Board of Trustees Meeting

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, MAY 15

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, MAY 19

No City Council Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the city’s governing body will take place on Tuesday, June 2 at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the night’s agenda, visit, www. sanjuancapistrano.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

Downtown Farmers Market

3 p.m.–7 p.m. Fresh flowers, produce and specialty foods from around 40 vendors in downtown San Juan Capistrano, on the corner of Camino Capistrano and Yorba Street. Occurs every Wednesday. Visit, www.farmersmarketsjc.com to find out more.

FRIDAY, MAY 22

Next issue of The Dispatch publishes www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

SJHHS Students to Compete in National STEM Competition STEM Club’s Roughrider Racing team will compete in Houston on May 13

BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

M

ore than 800 students from 15 local high schools, including 50 from San Juan Hills High School, participated in the Ten80 Student Racing Challenge Invitational and National STEM League Expo on April 2 at California State University in Long Beach. The Ten80 National STEM League is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiative that inspires students to engage in sustained learning, a collaborative network and an optional competition league adopted by schools in 37 states.

The April 2 competition was the first of 10 Ten80 Education/U.S. Army co-sponsored events across the country. The Student Racing Challenge gives high school students the chance to experience the powerful and real-life applications of STEM concepts and careers. Students learned how to work in teams and compete to optimize the performance of high-tech tools such as a 1:10 scale radio-controlled racecar, fuel cells and robots. Students then take what they learn at the event back to the classroom and spend the next 12 months enhancing their project for local and possibly national competition.

The Roughrider Racing team from San Juan Hills High School took second place at the Racing Challenge Invitational. The Slothnators from Western Center Academy

The Roughrider Racing team at the April 2 Ten80 Student Racing Challenge in Long Beach. Photos: Courtesy of Esther Wong

won the invitational and were awarded a $2,000 grant to travel to the Ten80 Finals in Houston, Texas on May 13, but they donated their winnings to SJHHS, due to a school policy preventing them from using the money.

STEM Club President Evan Morgan and

Communications Director Esther Wong said the grant money, along with sponsorship from the National Aerospace Supply Company and Jordan Engineering Design Inc., will allow them to travel to nationals to compete.

The team competed in nationals last year

as well, despite a late start.

“At the start of 2014, the Ten80 Student Racing Challenge was introduced to San Juan Hills High School’s STEM Club midseason, leading to the birth of Roughrider Racing,” the team recalled in a press release. “Our school mascot, the stallion, is a reflection of our team as a whole. Just as a foal struggles to walk shortly after birth, Roughrider Racing struggled to become just as good as most other schools in only half the time. However, we surprised ourselves by placing second at the White Flag Invitational, qualifying our team for nationals last year. With hard work, our foal had grown into a colt, nurtured by the unity and dedication of our members.”

To reach their goal of making it to nationals this year, Roughrider Racing members started their weekly after-school meetings much earlier than last year, allowing them ample time to plan for the invitational. The team’s strategy has been to “divide and conquer,” separating the team into three distinct groups—enterprise, engineering and racing.

To find out more about the Ten80 Student Racing Challenge, visit www. nationalstemleague.com/the-challenges/ student-racing-challenge. For more information on supporting the SJHHS Roughrider Racing team, email roughriderracing42@ gmail.com. CD

Dana Point Student Named OC Youth of the Year

BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

M

Yaradset “Yar y” Rojas from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley has been named the Orange County Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the highest honor a club member can receive.

Rojas was recognized for her “sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.”

Rojas was selected among 14 area youth as the new teen representative for all Boys & Girls Clubs in Orange County, and will receive $6,000 in scholarship funds from Disney. Last week, Rojas went on to compete in the State of California Youth of the Year competition held in Sacramento, but was not selected to move on to nationals. This week, Rojas’ focus is on wrapping up the school year with AP exams.

Rojas, a Dana Point resident and graduating senior at Dana Hills High School, has been a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley, located The Capistrano Dispatch May 8-21, 2015

in San Juan Capistrano, since fourth grade. She has participated in club programs such as Toastmasters, Cooking Club, Soccer Club and Yoga Club, and was the president of the Keystone Club, a student-run leadership program, for the 2013-14 school year. Rojas is also active in her church, where she passes out food and personal hygiene products to families in need.

Rojas was honored at the Dana Point City Council’s April 21 meeting and made a speech about how the Boys & Girls Club has positively impacted her life since she was 9 years old.

“My club is the reason that I am who I am today, and the reason that my future looks so bright,” Rojas said.

“My Mexican culture has long dictated that the place of the woman is to be confined to the home, that education is not necessar y, and one’s success is determined by the state of her children and the household. My club has taught me that my role in my future will not be confined to anything, that my future is

Mayor Carlos Olvera, Orange County Youth of the Year Yary Rojas, Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley Executive Director James Littlejohn, and Katie Paules, director of the club’s Via Positiva branch, stand together at the Dana Point City Council’s April 21 meeting. Photo: Andrea Swayne

filled with limitless opportunity. According to statistics, my future was not going to be successful, yet here I am, less than two months away from receiving my high school diploma and pursuing a colPage 8

lege education.”

Upon graduation, Rojas plans to attend California State University at Fullerton and study biological science. She aspires to be a veterinar y technician. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

SJC Sheriff’s Blotter COMPILED BY EVAN DA SILVA

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

Tuesday, May 5 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Alipaz Street, 32300 Block (10:38 p.m.) Police conducted a patrol check near the carwash for a man wearing black clothing and thick elbow pads. He was seen drinking alcohol and hiding in the bushes.

WELFARE CHECK Alipaz Street, 32700 Block (7:27 p.m.) Police were requested to perform a welfare check on a woman who called emergency operators with questions about rabies vaccinations.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Mariner Drive/Regatta Court (5:07 p.m.)

A woman reported seeing a man walk over to a manhole on Mariner Drive and go inside. She was concerned he may have put something inside it while he was there.

VANDALISM IN PROGRESS Calle Santa Barbara, 26500 Block (11:28 a.m.) Police arrested a man for punching a vehicle window.

Monday, May 4 CITIZEN ASSIST Paseo Adelanto, 32400 Block (6:26 p.m.) An individual had information on a crime that occurred two years ago.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Doheney Park Road, 33900 Block (1:39 p.m.) An employee believed a woman in her 50s left the store with a wallet that did not belong to her.

Thursday, April 30 ILLEGAL PEDDLING Somerset Lane/Golden Ridge Lane (6 p.m.) A man from The Hunt Club was going door to door selling unknown items.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 31400 Block (11:37 a.m.) A woman in her 30s wearing a long dress was pushing chairs and cursing.

Wednesday, April 29 SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Camino De Vista, 26400 Block (11:25 p.m.) After parking his U-Haul truck in front of the apartment, a man returned to the truck to find a woman sleeping inside.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Alipaz Street/Del Obispo Street (11:06 p.m.)

The Capistrano Dispatch May 8–21, 2015

Police conducted a patrol check for a man wearing a white hoodie on a bike who was stopping at vehicles and shining a flashlight into them.

DISTURBANCE Calle San Juan, 31200 Block (8:25 p.m.) Four men were seen sitting in a stairwell smoking marijuana. The men had two children with them.

ILLEGAL PEDDLING Avenida Placida, 28600 Block (4:51 p.m.) Two women were attempting to sell solar energy and were being “very aggressive” when the caller told them they weren’t interested.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Alipaz Street, 32100 Block (3:05 p.m.) Two subjects were inside a grey SUV parked in the back parking lot with a sun shade covering the windows. The caller believed they were “up to something.”

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Royale Drive, 26600 Block (1:15 p.m.) Animal Control was requested by a woman who found a small rattlesnake in the middle of her living room.

Tuesday, April 28 VANDALISM IN PROGRESS La Calera Street, 31400 Block (5:28 p.m.) Two teens were seen possibly tagging a wall. The caller could hear bottles rattling in the drainage ditch.

PROWLER Calle San Antonio, 26400 Block (4:30 a.m.) A man called police after his wife reported someone had tried to open the sliding door from the patio located next to the front of their home.

Monday, April 27 PETTY THEFT REPORT Pas Lindero, 27400 Block (1:20 p.m.) A woman claimed she was missing $6,300 in cash. She did not know when it was taken or who took it, and she did not desire a police report to be filed.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Stonehill Drive/Camino Capistrano (12:52 p.m.) A caller reported witnessing a shirtless man in his 40s possibly breaking into a white four-door SUV or truck.

Sunday, April 26 VANDALISM IN PROGRESS Via Bueno Vista/ Camino Lacouague (5 p.m.) Two girls were seen possibly drawing graffiti. One was a 15-year-old blonde and the other had brown hair. “KKK FOR LIFE” was tagged on a wall near them.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Via Flores/Pas La Ronda (11:29 a.m.) A 5-foot-10-inch tall mustached man wearing all black and carrying a black bag was seen walking inside the Mesa Verde Complex. The caller believed the man was casing a house.

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EYE ON SJC

The Language of Learning

South Coast Literacy Council teaches more than English lessons to adults eager to learn

BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

W

hen Helena Hsu moved from Brazil to Mission Viejo in 2001, she didn’t know any English.

Hsu came to Orange County to be with her daughter and care for her two grandsons, but it wasn’t long before she had another desire—to learn the language of her new home, beginning with the ABCs. Fourteen years later, Hsu’s grandsons have graduated from college and she’s taking English classes ever y week. On a recent Tuesday morning, she sat with classmates in the Rotar y Scout Hut on Matanza Street in San Juan Capistrano, smiling from ear to ear as she shared stories with her tutor. Hsu mastered the alphabet long ago—she’s moved on to reading comprehension now. Tuesday’s focus was reading through the daily newspaper.

“Today we talked about the drought of California,” Hsu articulated with ease as she stepped outside the classroom. “It’s a ver y serious issue.”

Hsu is one of many adults living in south Orange County who are working each week to learn English, and they’re doing so with the help of the South Coast Literacy Council. Since 1970, the council has offered free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to any and all adults willing to invest the time to learn. SCLC, a nonprofit charity, has 17 locations across south Orange County and is made up entirely of trained volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to help their neighbors improve their quality of life.

Jerr y Kostka, current tutor and former director of the SCLC’s San Juan Capistrano branch, said the council’s classes have been a well-kept secret over the last 45 years due to a tight budget.

But thanks to the generosity of the SJC Rotar y Club in donating their Scout Hut, “little miracles” of learning continue to take place ever y Tuesday and Wednesday morning on Matanza Street.

Kostka has been a volunteer for 13 years, since retiring from her job as a marketing executive. She loves seeing the look on a student’s face when they finally “get it,” and beams with pride when she speaks about the strides her students have made over the years. She urges others looking for volunteer opportunities to follow in her footsteps.

“We have great online training for volunteers who want to get involved, but visiting and obser ving is the best way to learn,” Kostka said.

In San Juan, students and tutors meet in small groups or on a one-to-one basis from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. twice a week in

The Capistrano Dispatch May 8-21, 2015

Volunteer tutor Ilene Slapin congratulates a student during an SCLC English lesson at the Rotary Scout Hut in San Juan Capistrano. Photo: Allison Jarrell

How to Become Involved with the South Coast Literacy Council The SCLC welcomes adult volunteers and provides all the necessary training for those who want to assist in teaching at one of the existing tutoring center locations or help develop a new Orange County location. For more information, visit www.southcoastliteracy. com or contact Jerry Kostka at jskostka@cox. net or Stacy Holland at stacyholland3@gmail. com. You can also follow SCLC on Facebook by searching for “South Coast Literacy Council

order to acquire the language skills they need for daily life in California. Each group represents a different skill level, with lesson plans crafted by the tutors.

The class is usually filled to the brim with about 20 adults, ages 20 to 70, who have emigrated from countries such as Iran, India, China, Japan, The Philippines, South America and Mexico.

Some come in for a single lesson, but most visitors become returning students.

That was the case with Betty Carrillo, who lives just down the street from the Scout Hut. Carrillo, who hails from Guadalajara, Mexico, said she began

– SCLC.” Adults wishing to attend a class can simply arrive at the Scout Hut, located at 31372 La Matanza Street, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. A registration form can be found here: www.southcoastliteracy.com/studentregistrationform.pdf.

For information on donating to the nonprofit, visit www.southcoastliteracy.com/ about.htm.

this place, and “notI love just for learning

English. I think I have learned a lot of things from teachers and from classmates.

”

– Helena Hsu

taking classes a few years ago, and has since advanced from a beginner level to intermediate—she’s working in past

Page 10

participle now.

Carrillo said she wants to learn English so that she can study to be a teacher, and so she can help her daughters with their homework and other school-related activities.

“When we have a conference with the teachers, it is easier to understand the system of the school,” Carrillo said. “It is easier to be involved, to volunteer.”

Carrillo’s two daughters, ages 5 and 10, attend San Juan Elementar y School.

Their teachers have noticed Carrillo’s progress when she speaks with them.

“I feel proud of myself when they can understand me,” Carrillo said. “I think my daughters are proud to see that I am studying English and I want to learn.

They feel like little teachers, so they are happy to teach mommy.”

Stacy Holland, the current San Juan SCLC director, has been a part of the council for two years and said she enjoys creating a sense of community, embracing new cultures and having fun with the adults who come in.

“Some are scared and intimidated at first, but soon enough they fit right in,” Holland said. “Our students are so sweet and so grateful. We laugh a lot.”

Likewise, the adults attending the weekly classes in San Juan seem to enjoy their new home away from home.

Hsu, who was born in China and lived in Brazil for 37 years before coming to Mission Viejo, said she appreciates the trips their class takes, whether it’s to a beach in Dana Point or the Mission in San Juan. Hsu said the knowledge she’s acquiring goes far beyond English lessons.

“We’re not just learning language, we’re learning a lot of knowledge,” Hsu said. “I love this place, and not just for learning English. I think I have learned a lot of things from teachers and from classmates.”

Carrillo agreed with that sentiment, saying her classmates and instructors are like a second family.

“They know the names of our kids and where we work. We share our lives, our moments,” Carrillo said. “The people here are so empathetic; they understand our feelings sometimes. They are patient and listen and they ask how our weekend was or what we did.”

Carrillo said she understands how lonely it can be for immigrants coming to the U.S., but she urges those looking for fellowship to tr y attending a class.

“You can come here to do more than just study English,” Carrillo said. “A new word for me was ‘vent.’ You can vent, and ever ything stays here. It makes you feel like you belong to a place, like you are part of a family.” CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor EXPANDING OUR WATER SUPPLY —Milt Halsted, San Juan Capistrano “Are We at the Beginning of a Major Drought?” certainly spoke to the need of conversation of our water resources in the short term. As a leading advocate of our water infrastructure, Erkeneff’s message might have at least touched on the greater need of expanding our supply of water.

You can have all the conservation and building of storage resources and desalination to address our drought, but in the long term we need a new dependable supply of water that has the scale required to meet our increasing population needs.

That can only come from exporting the water from our abundant sources in the most northern regions of the Pacific Northwest, Yukon, Alaska and Upper Canada. As far as I’ve seen in the media, there is no strategic planning at a state or national level of such a plan. As citizens, we should all communicate this message to our government at both local and national levels.

ECO EXPO BRINGS ATTENTION TO SAN JUAN —Angie and Ric Gorno, San Clemente We are inspired to write to share our enthusiasm for the Eco Garden Expo we attended in San Juan Capistrano this past Saturday, May 2.

Last year, we attended the original expo and so enjoyed it we resolved to attend again. Imagine our surprise when we encountered a bigger and better event!

We were greeted by an array of knowledgeable volunteers, sporting genuine smiles and colorful butterfly wings.

Several times, during our many “laps,” we were asked if we could be shown around.

The booth sellers we met last year were happy to see us again and the young men and women from the high school wheeled our plant purchases to our car.

There were hands-on activities for young children, raffles and booths representing service businesses which we don’t usually interact with, but are a big part of the community (CC&R Waste Services, Volkswagen, Farmers & Merchants Bank). There was an array of guest speakers promoting sustainability and a culture of sharing and exchanging ideas.

We could have stayed all day.

All in all, the Eco Garden Expo is a feel-good, inclusive and progressive event that will bring a unique type of attention to your city. We can’t imagine a more genuine and inspiring catalyst to make San Juan Capistrano a destination, and we look forward to Eco Garden Expo 2016.

The Capistrano Dispatch May 8-21, 2015

A guest speaker presents information on rebate programs for drought-tolerant gardening and water conservation projects at this year’s Eco Garden Expo.

Photo: Allison Jarrell

Congratulations, Goin Native, for dreaming, organizing and presenting this event.

EXPO EMBRACES NEW VISITORS —Mandy Hinkle, Orange I wanted to take a moment to share that my experience at the Garden Expo in San Juan was delightful and life giving to the community. I attended with some out-oftowners who have never experienced San Juan Capistrano before.

They were pleasantly surprised with its beauty, history and sense of community. This expo stirred a joy in the air and gave my friends an opportunity to see the uniqueness of this town. We would love for the Garden Expo to be an annual accordance, bringing community to a tribe of people that care for the land, the city and its future.

15,000 SONS AND DAUGHTERS LEFT OUT IN THE COLD —Sharrise Magdalena Boop, San Juan Capistrano Do you ever think twice as you slip into your warm bed after a long day, or as you tuck your little one in at night with a goodnight kiss, about what sacrifices were made for you to enjoy that freedom? Most of us do not. But there are more than 15,000 reasons why you should. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 15,179 is the number of men and women comprising the homeless veterans sleeping on the streets in California. That is more than the entire population of Corona Del Mar. With the month of May, most of us think of Mother’s Day or our three-day Memorial Day weekend. But the month of May is also recognized as National Mental Health Awareness month and Military Appreciation month. Besides worrying about what the card will read inside, what flowers to buy, or what gift to get for our moms to celebrate and thank them, we should remember all the mothers of those 15,000 sons and daughters. No mother ever imagines their child sleeping out on the streets,

or being sick with no one to help get them better. Even more so, no mother imagines this when her child has sacrificed so much for others.

If you saw a child on the street by themselves, shivering in the cold, hungry and sick, would you walk right past them?

Or would you do something to help? Why then, is it different for these veterans? They too are just as much someone’s son or daughter.

With 1.8 million veterans in California, the largest population of veterans in the nation, the approval of Proposition 12 in 2008, Assembly Bill 639 in 2013, and most recently Proposition 41 in 2014, have all made strides in the direction of providing housing for veterans. However, providing housing for this population is not enough.

It would be like putting a bandage on a stab wound. It may temporarily stop the bleeding, but it won’t fix the underlying problems, what’s happening below the surface.

With veterans suffering from high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder due to their exposure to extreme violence and brutality in the military, in conjunction with possible traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma, the conditions alone are directly linked to greater perceived need for mental health services. Due to the lack of social support this population receives, veterans struggle with psychological ailments and unfortunately do not utilize the services available to them. That is why they need mental health professionals who are aware of their condition and are able to assist them appropriately.

Senate Bill 689 ensures for veterans who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, that once these individuals are placed into a housing program funded by Proposition 41, programs with a mental health professional on staff will address the individual’s mental health conditions accordingly. Senate Bill 689 will also provide job training, mental health and drug treatment, case management, care coordination and physical rehabilitation. This will ultimately improve the veterans’ self-determination and self-efficacy to be better equipped to excel in other aspects of their lives.

Join Senator Robert Huff, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Sacramento, College Hospital of Costa Mesa, CarePossible and ShareOurSelves, along with countless veterans, active duty members and friends and family of veterans and active duty members, who have already pledged their letters of support. Do something today and contact your legislators and elected officials in support of Senate Bill 689. This legislation will help provide mental health services to over 15,000 deserving men and women.

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR 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)

Group Senior Editor, City Editor, DP Times > Andrea Swayne City Editor, SC Times > Jim Shilander City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Allison Jarrell 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

Mother’s Day illustrations by Freepik.com The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 13, Issue 8. 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.

FOLLOW THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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

Page 12

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX GUEST OPINION: By Mary DeMers

Say Yes to Trolley Stops at the Library

A

recent City Council meeting included a surprise decision to not include library stops on the summer trolley route. Upon expressing disbelief at the council’s decision, staff said to go out and drum up support. So, here we go.

Here are our concerns: 1. The city is reducing parking limits on El Camino Real from five to three hours and designating the library lot as permitted employee parking for downtown businesses.

2. Even with good parking karma, this change negatively affects the ability to find parking anywhere near the library, requiring a several-block walk in summer heat carrying heavy books. This is an undue hardship for those who are disabled or wheeling strollers.

3. With a trolley, patrons might be willing to park off-site and hop aboard to the library. If there are no continuous stops at the library, they may not return and will use neighboring libraries. This would reduce participation in children’s programs, author lectures and concerts, causing a downward trend in library usage and impacting services and resources. For example, if the summer concert series is not well attended this year, it will likely not be around next year.

Research shows public libraries have wide social impacts on individuals and communities. They improve quality of life, raise property values and bring new commerce and patronage to existing businesses. Our library brings the third largest number of regular downtown visitors, spending six times more per person at surrounding businesses.

The library also adds cultural and historical import due to its architectural significance. The “Pearl of San Juan” is a temple to lifelong learning designed by internationally renowned architect Michael Graves. With Graves’ recent death, the world is seeing a rebirth of the significance of his postmodern, humanistic approach to public spaces. Our turrets, mini-towers, columns, geometric shapes, Art Deco fixtures, odd-shaped windows, stencils, nooks and central courtyard are once again drawing architectural aficionados from around the world.

We saw an outpouring of support when we celebrated our 30th anniversary last year and again this year when Michael Graves died. It was heartbreaking to hear Graves say last year, “it looks like the library has been overlooked since I was last here.”

Page 14

The San Juan Capistrano Library. Photo by Brian Park

Though inside the Mission District, the library is outside the two-block radius that erroneously defines “downtown” and is consistently ignored in city planning on signage, Mary DeMers verbiage and video footage of San Juan. We expanded “downtown” into Los Rios District and look at its success. We can do the same with the library and bookend “downtown” with these cultural assets.

Why we would not spotlight this treasure at every possible opportunity instead of discounting it defies logic.

Putting looped trolley stops at the library is the first step in bringing it back to the forefront and will show downtown visitors that we value our library on its merits and as an architectural icon. It adds to the cultural San Juan experience.

Join our campaign to “drum up support for a trolley stop.” We thank residents and City Council members who have expressed support. City Hall says staff is looking into our request for a stop at the library and will get back to us. Please nudge them to re-prioritize the library and ensure it’s on the regular route. Call 949.493.1171 to register your support if you value and appreciate your library. Let staff know your concerns, and tell them you’re on board to use the trolley to access the library.

Thank you, San Juan and Capistrano Valley residents, for your continued support. We love our library and want to bring it back into the conscious mindset of people in our community, our civic and business leaders and our over-worked, under-appreciated civil servants.

Mary D is President of the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library, a nonprofit promoting, supporting and enhancing literacy, arts and culture in the community by engaging with the public and raising awareness of library programs, reading materials and events. 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

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List

available for sale. For more information, visit www.saddlebackartleague.com.

EDITOR’S PICK

Tuesday | 12

What’s going on in and around town

Veterans’ Assistance 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. The Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 provides free veterans’ assistance on the second Tuesday of every month at the Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo, 949.275.3142, www.vfwpost9934.org.

COMPILED BY STAFF

Friday | 08 FUN AND FABULOUS MOTHER’S DAY FASHION SHOW LUNCHEON 10 a.m. Presented by the Catholic Charities Auxiliary Chapters 4 and 5, the show includes fashions by Chico and special guest Gerri Gerkin, 2014 Catholic Woman of the Year. Social hour begins at 10 a.m. at El Adobe de Capistrano; the luncheon begins at noon. The event also includes a pre-loved jewelry sale, opportunity drawings, free champagne and door prizes.

Admission is $40 for members, $45 for non-members. Contact Teress Weber at 949.488.3872 for reservations. El Adobe de Capistrano, 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, www.eladobedecapistrano.com.

MERMADE MARKET 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The semi-annual Mermade Market handmade-only craft bazaar features original crafts including fine art, gifts, jewelry, décor, candles, textiles and more. May 7-9. Event is free to attend.

Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan Avenue, Dana Point, www.mermademarket.com.

Saturday | 09 ANNUAL 5K MOTHER’S DAY MEMORIAL B.L.B RUN/WALK 7 a.m. Four Directions Education will host the third annual 5K Mother’s Day Memorial B.L.B. Walk in honor of all mothers, grandmothers and aunts. The walk will start and finish at the Laguna Niguel Regional Park. Registration/check-in starts at 7 a.m., and the walk begins at 8 a.m., rain or shine.

The registration fee is $25. The event raises money for nonprofit Four Directions Education, Native American tutoring services for South Orange County and other local charities. The first 100 people to register will receive a race T-shirt, and all participants receive a free day pass to the park. All ages and fitness levels welcome. For more information, contact event chair Nathan Banda at info@fourdirectionseducation.org.

ELEGANT AND ENCHANTING GARDEN TOUR 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Rose Society of Saddleback Mountain presents their annual Elegant and Enchanting Garden Tour. The theme for this year’s tour is “Garden as Inspiration to Create” and features five unique and innovative private gardens in Capistrano The Capistrano Dispatch May 8-21, 2015

OPEN MIC NIGHT 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters perform at the Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument, bring your voice, The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

Ty Taylor and Vintage Trouble perform at last year’s Doheny Blues Festival atop the Sailor Jerry stage, one of three venues at the two-day music festival. Photo: Andrea Swayne

Wednesday | 13

DOHENY BLUES FESTIVAL • SATURDAY & SUNDAY MAY 16,17 Surf melds with blues as Bonnie Raitt, Paul Rodgers, Boz Scaggs and more take the stage at this two-day music festival at Doheny State Beach. Performances spread across three stages with food, beer and wine vendors throughout. $5 shuttle service from Dana Hills High School. General admission $60 single day; $115 both days. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.360.7800, www.dohenybluesfestival.com.

CASA WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: YOGA 9 a.m. Practice multiple yoga traditions.

Bring your own mat. Class is suitable for beginners to seasoned practitioners.

Admission $5, free for members. Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica. org.

Beach, San Clemente and Laguna Hills.

Proceeds provide scholarships for college students studying horticulture. Advance tickets are $25 and may be purchased at www.rosesrosesroses.org or 949.837.2141.

On the day of tour, tickets may also be purchased at 27786 Hidden Trail in Laguna Hills, one of the featured homes.

in San Clemente (The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy), call for directions, 949.923.2210, www.rmvreserve.org.

BIKE RODEO 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nonprofit Great Opportunities will give away bikes and properly fit helmets for San Juan Elementary and Kinoshita Elementary students. The event will also include an Orange County Sheriff’s Department lecture on the rules of the road, and an Orange County Fire Authority paramedic will explain the importance of wearing a helmet and safety gear. After the presentations, children can participate in an obstacle course. The event is open to the public and free to attend. San Juan Elementary School, 31642 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 714.299.0912, www.greatopps.org.

Sunday | 10 MOTHER’S DAY NATURE WALK 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Celebrate Mother’s Day in beautiful natural surroundings on a fun discovery walk down Gato Road. Ages 8 and up. Moderate difficulty. $10 for adults, $5 for kids, free for supporters. Participants must be registered by 4 p.m. May 8. Talega Trail

STILLWATER ACOUSTIC MUSIC SHOWCASE 5 p.m. Comedian Rita Rudner will host a showcase featuring five of the hottest young singing acts in the area at StillWater Spirits & Sounds. Admission is free. For a reservation, call 949.661.6003 or visit www. danapointstillwater.com. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point.

Monday | 11 OPEN PAINTING STUDIO WITH COSTUMED MODELS 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Explore colors, textures, anatomy and more while painting a costumed model. Cost is $15 per class, or purchase a one-month block for $12.50 per class. San Clemente Art Supply, 1531 N. El Camino Real, 949.369.6603, www.scartsupply.com.

SPRING REFLECTIONS FINE ART EXHIBITION The Saddleback Art League presents its 16th annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition through May 22 in the Mission Viejo Library, 100 Civic Center, Mission Viejo. The artists represented in the show are mostly local residents, many with noteworthy reputations for creative styles and subject matter in a variety of media.

Much of the artwork on display will be

Page 16

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 | 14 YAPPY HOUR 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Follow Fido to happy hour at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel for this monthly cocktail party. Four-legged friends can enjoy complimentary biscuits while lapping up chicken, cheese, beef and bacon flavored water. Their human counterparts can purchase burgers, brews and wine. Funds raised in the 2015 Yappy Hour season will help support Canine Companions for Independence which provides service dogs to the disabled and the nation’s veterans. Event also runs on June 11, July 9, Aug. 13 and Sept. 10. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point, www.ritzcarlton.com.

SAN JUAN CHAMBER NETWORKING MIXER 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of networking in the unique setting of The Vintage Steakhouse at the Capistrano (Cont. on page 18) www.thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT (Cont. from paage 16) Depot. Chamber members $15, potential members $25. Admission includes appetizers and two drinks. Raffle prizes welcome (value 25$+). RSVP to info@sanjuanchamber.com. The Vintage Steakhouse, 26701-B Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.3400, www.thevintagesteakhouse. com.

Friday | 15 LIGHTNING TRAIN 7:30 p.m. Live music at The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

Saturday | 16 ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR 10 a.m. A guided tour of San Juan Capistrano’s historic adobes, Spanish-era dwellings and modern buildings. Occurs every Saturday. Meet at the train depot on Verdugo Street. $5 donation benefits the SJC Friends of the Library. For more information, call 949.489.0736 or visit www.sjcfol.org.

BIOLUMINESCENCE CRUISE 8 p.m. The Ocean Institute’s nighttime Bioluminescence Cruise aboard the RV Sea Explorer provides a unique opportunity to learn about and witness the remarkable ability of some marine animals to glow in the dark. Cruises are also scheduled for June 12 and 13, July 18, Aug. 15, Sep. 19 and Oct. 10. (Oct. 10 cruise begins at 7:30 p.m.). $35 for adults, $22 for children ages 4 to 12. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

Sunday | 17 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 through grassland, oak woodland, riparian and sandy cactus scrub communities. Ad-

mission 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.

ON IMPULSE AT CABRILLO PLAYHOUSE 2 p.m. Headed by Emmy-nominated producer/director Pamela Peak, the On Impulse Acting Troupe will open their summer season at the Cabrillo Playhouse with a hilarious night of Neil Simon comedy scenes. Tickets and the summer show schedule are available online at www. pamelapeakproductions.com/2015-season.

Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465.

Monday | 18 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GARDEN CLUB 10 a.m. Garden Club guest speaker Lucian Toma will discuss how to create and maintain a sustainable backyard garden within southern California’s climate. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. San Juan Hills Golf Club, 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.584.1680, www.sanjuancapistranogardenclub.com.

Tuesday | 19 LUNCH LOCAL 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Join the SJC Chamber of Commerce for a networking lunch at the San Juan Hills Golf Club. RSVP to claire@sanjuanchamber.com. 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.1167, 949.493.1167, www.sanjuanhillsgolf.com.

Wednesday | 20 NATIVE AMERICAN BASKET WEAVING 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn about the traditions and culture of basket weaving at Mission San Juan Capistrano. First and third Wednesday of every month. Free with

At the Movies: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ a Slow Start to Summer

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

O

ne of the biggest difficulties in filmmaking is creating a sequel equally as good as the original.

With the second Avengers film out this month, Age of Ultron, the expectations were particularly high after Marvel’s huge hit Guardians of the Galaxy last year.

With the all the hype of the trailers, new cast members and darker themes, Joss Whedon’s second effort for the superhero series surprisingly falters and feels rushed.

After saving the world in the first feature, the Avengers (Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo) are back together to track down twins Pietro and Wanda Maximoff (Aaron Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen) who were given light speed and telekinesis as the

paid admission. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB MAY MEETING 6 p.m. The club’s topic this month is South Orange County’s ongoing water shortage, conservation efforts and the controversial topic of desalination, including the project in Doheny Beach. The meeting will feature Harvey DeLaTorre, principal water resources planner for the Municipal Water District of Orange County, and Andrew Burnhart, manager of South Coast Water District. Dinner is served at 6 p.m., and the program starts at 7 p.m. Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan Avenue, Dana Point, www.socdc.org.

Photo: © Marvel 2015

result of a sketchy science experiment. At the same time, Tony Stark (Downey) and Bruce Banner (Ruffalo) design and build an AI called Ultron (James Spader) thinking it will help get rid of Earth’s flaws. Instead, Ultron becomes sentient and completely turns on them with its own evil agenda.

Cobie Smulders and Paul Bettany return as Agent Hill and Vision. One obvious misstep in Ultron is Whedon’s attempt at building an abundance of backstory for characters in an already heavy ensemble.

Johansson’s Black Widow and Ruffalo’s Hulk are given a much too melodramatic and juvenile romance. Renner’s Hawkeye has a family that adds nothing to the plot and the CGI and actors’ accents are very obvious. In the final analysis, movie fans may want to avoid Ultron and re-visit the first Iron Man or see Ex Machina. CD

Thursday | 21 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 949.606.6386, www.goinnative.net.

OPEN ARTIST STUDIO 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy a creative workspace alongside a community of artists. Free. Ages 16 and up. San Clemente Art Supply, 1531 N. El Camino Real, 949.369.6603, www.scartsupply.com.

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

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

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Moments in Time by Jan Siegel

Honoring Two Women Behind San Juan’s Preservation This Mother’s Day, remember the women who tended to the conservation of historic San Juan

L

ast week was National Preservation Week, and Sunday is Mother’s Day. Sometimes the women in our community are overlooked by history, so this seems like a good opportunity to honor two women whom you may not know much about, but who have added greatly to the history of San Juan Capistrano.

On June 29, 1929, Father St. John O’Sullivan paid homage to a woman that history has mostly forgotten. During a speech in Serra Chapel at the Mission to the Orange County Historical Society, he spoke of Mary Magdalena Murillo. She came to San Juan Capistrano in 1886, and from that date until 1929, she came to Serra Chapel every week to place flowers at the altar, sweep the corridors and put the church in order. O’Sullivan said, “She is one of the real characters to which the Mission is indebted for its present preservation.”

Mary Magdalena also kept and repaired the vestments that the priest wore, as she was a professional seamstress. At the time that Fr. O’Sullivan was in town, Magdalena lived at the Avila Adobe where she had her dressmaking business.

Magdalena told Fr. O’Sullivan that when she arrived in San Juan Capistrano, it was the year that Fr. Mutt left so there was no priest at the Mission. The Mission was open to anyone, and tourists would go

into Serra Chapel and actually put on the vestments that had been left out and prance around in them. Mary Magdalena was outraged and told the tourists that they should be ashamed of themselves. She took MOMENTS IN TIME the vestments home,

By Jan Siegel made sure that they were properly altered, and put them in the old vestment cases so that they were preserved. Without her efforts, we might not have the old vestments that you can see at the Mission today.

Another woman who has often been overlooked by history is Polonia Montanez. Polonia was married three times, and was subsequently widowed three times. Perhaps she is best known for the folklore about how she had children pray for rain during the 1890 drought. One day, the children walked down to Dana Point praying and chanting. The second day, they walked to Trabuco Canyon. The third day, they walked to Capistrano Beach and it started to rain so hard that wagons were sent to rescue the children and Polonia.

But besides that adventure, Polonia was a known healer. While she likely picked up some medical skills from her third

The Montanez Adobe, named after Polonia Montanez, is located in the Los Rios Historic District.

Photo: Allison Jarrell

husband, who was a doctor, Polonia also knew about healing with herbs and plants.

There are still residents in town who had relatives cured by Polonia. She was also the best known midwife in the town. In the years without a priest at the Mission, Polonia taught catechism to the children of the community. She had an altar erected on the north side of her home on Los Rios Street.

The Montanez Adobe bears her name and you can spend a ‘Moment in Time’ every Saturday and Sunday visiting the

Adobe and hearing the stories of Polonia.

She was a woman way ahead of her time.

Remember these two women who have made a difference in preserving the history of this San Juan Capistrano. Although neither of them had any children of their own, they mothered our community.

Happy Mother’s Day. 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

PET OF THE WEEK: Skinny Minny

W

hen this sweet kitten was found wandering the streets of San Juan Capistrano, she was indeed skinny! Now safely onboard The Ark, she is back to normal and ready to be adopted into a loving home. Skinny Minny is about nine months old and is ver y loving and talkative—she’ll even curl her head into your hand for more petting. She is looking for that special person to show her how much better life off the streets can be. Come see her anytime in The Catter y at the San Juan PetSmart or at The Ark’s Saturday adoption event at The Catter y from noon to 4 p.m.

Contact The Ark at 949.388.0034 to The Capistrano Dispatch May 8–21, 2015

Skinny Minny.

arrange another time to meet Skinny Minny.

The Ark of San Juan is a nonprofit organization that rescues animals from the San Juan Capistrano area.

For more information, visit www. arkofsanjuan.org. CD Page 20

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SJC LIVING

Sundried Tomato Unveils New Event Venue ar Ribbon Cutting venue of this quality and versatility to our offerings and to the Southern California community,” said Rob Quest, Sundried undried Tomato American Bistro managing partner. “It offers a first-class and Catering opened the wrought destination for events of all kinds and is a iron gates of its new event venue, perfect complement for serving our superb Plaza Magdalena, in downtown San Juan Capistrano on April 30. Restaurant manage- cuisine.”

Plaza Magdalena is located at 31781 ment, community leaders and residents celebrated the grand opening with an open Camino Capistrano. To book an event at house and ribbon cutting ceremony led by the new venue, call 949.661.1299. Sundried the Chamber of Commerce. The new plaza Tomato specializes in New American cuisine, with locations in San Clemente and includes an open-air courtyard and two San Juan Capistrano. For information on indoor spaces designed to accommodate events and catering, visit www.sundriedtoan array of events. matobistro.com. CD “We are very pleased to be adding a STORY AND PHOTOS BY ALLISON JARRELL, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

Flashback Friday William McPherson, left, and Father Humilis stand together in a Mission doorway. McPherson, principal of the tworoom San Juan Capistrano Elementary School from 1895 to 1899, purchased a primo box camera and equipment necessary to develop and print pictures. A large collection of his early Orange County photographs, including San Juan Capistrano snapshots, was donated to Pomona College when he died. This photo was taken in the exterior of the former Mission gift shop; the doorway connects to the Mission central courtyard.

Photo: Courtesy of the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society

Spring Events Flourish in Downtown San Juan

F

rom celebrating San Juan’s rich history to embracing new drought-tolerant gardening techniques, residents and visitors have been treated to a wide array of events this spring in San Juan Capistrano. For more event photos, check out our slideshow at www.thecapistranodispatch.com. CD

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium The Capistrano Dispatch May 8-21, 2015

From left, Karen Jacoby, of Corona del Mar, participates in a workshop taught by Stacey Fitts, owner of San Juan-based Floral Occasions. The workshop was one of many hands-on learning opportunities at Goin Native’s second annual Eco Garden Expo in Los Rios Park.

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

Page 21

Bob Minty plays the anglo concertina on the steps of the O’Neill Museum, located on Los Rios Street, during the annual Fiesta Days celebration. Minty also displayed his collection of nautical antiques, including authentic whaling memorabilia.

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

Couples’ Blind Date Proves World is Small

Maria Moser, Ken Halvorsrude meet Greta Cohn and Tom Blake for a “couples’ blind date” in Austria.

Photo: Courtesy of Tom Blake

I

n April, when I wrote in this column that my life partner Greta and I would be vacationing in Graz, Austria, reader Ken Halvorsrude emailed, “I have been enjoying your articles in the Dana Point Times for quite a while. I was interested to see you will be in Graz, Austria, soon. I will be in the Graz area from May 1 until May 9.

“My life partner, Maria (Moser), has a beautiful home not far from Graz. We travel a lot, as you and Greta do. Maybe we should meet for a drink or a meal? We might learn from one another, and even have some fun.”

After an exchange of emails with Ken, we agreed that the four of us would meet at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, by the fountain in the Haupt Plaza, which is in the heart of the old city of Graz and just a few steps from where Greta and I are staying. Maria made a dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant. Since Greta and I had never met Ken and Maria, it was kind of an older ON LIFE AND couples’ blind date.

LOVE AFTER 50 As Greta and I waited

By Tom Blake by the fountain, we wondered if they would recognize us and even if they would show up at all. When people travel overseas, many things can delay them that are out of their control. Our day had started at 8 a.m., two hours south of Munich, Germany, at a rural train station and included making two eight-minute connections, one at the Munich train station and one at the Salzburg, Austria station.

Luckily, our trains were all on time.

Ken and Maria had just arrived from the Tulip Festival in Amsterdam.

But this couples’ blind date was meant to be. Soon, the four of us were seated in the restaurant Maria had selected and the first question for both was, “How did you meet?”

“Maria was a 60-year friend of the mother of my wife Renate, who was from Austria. Renate and I married in 1988,” Ken said. “She died of cancer in 2012. I called Maria shortly after Renate died, asking if Page 22

she could provide me with the name of a hotel in the Wagna area where I could stay (I had to travel there to conduct family business). Maria told me she had a large house and I could stay there rather than at a hotel.

“When I arrived at the airport in Austria, Maria met me. I was still grieving, and to see this gorgeous, wonderful woman standing there gave me a huge lift. We got along very well during that period and we have been together ever since.”

Similar to Ken, Maria had also been widowed and enjoyed traveling. She had lived in many places in the world and was happy she could help Ken during his difficult time.

Sunday night at the restaurant flew by as the four of us shared experiences.

The coincidences kept arising. Ken and I are both from the Midwest. Ken owned a business in San Clemente for 25 years and recently sold it. I owned my Dana Point deli for 26 years and sold it Jan. 30. Ken has no children and I have no children.

And yet, Greta and Maria are both mothers and grandmothers. (Greta is a great grandmother three times over).

Our couples’ blind date went so well that we agreed to get together again this week. Maria and Ken have offered to take us on a day-trip tour of the “Wine Street,” area in Southern Austria from Leibnitz to the Slovenian border.

Oh, and one last coincidence. Ken and Greta have homes in San Clemente, one block from each other, on the same street.

The world is indeed small.

To read Tom’s travel blog, go to www. travelafter55.com and click on the “travel blog” tab at the top of the home page.

Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and San Clemente resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at 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.

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

A hot start at Triple-A El Paso earned San Juan Capistrano’s Austin Hedges a call up to the San Diego Padres this week. Photo: Ivan Pierre Aguirre

Austin Hedges Makes Big League Debut for Padres COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE

A

ustin Hedges, a former JSerra Catholic standout catcher, made his Major League Baseball debut on May 4 for the San Diego Padres against the San Francisco Giants.

After being called up to the big league squad on May 3, Hedges trotted out to the batter’s box as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and struck out on four pitches to reigning World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner.

The rookie got his first major league start on May 6, catching for starting pitcher Ian Kennedy. In his second at-bat of the day, Hedges hit an RBI single that gave the Padres a 5-0 lead in an eventual 9-1 victory.

Hedges was called up to join the Padres active roster after starting the year for Triple-A affiliate El Paso, where he produced strong numbers at the plate. Hedges was hitting .324 with an OPS of .926 in 70 at bats in the Pacific Coast League before his call up.

Hedges, a second-round draft pick in 2011, has been regarded as one of the top defensive catchers in the minor leagues, and has been a mainstay atop the Padres farm system rankings by multiple baseball media outlets. He is currently ranked the organization’s No. 4 overall prospect by Baseball America.

The scouting report on Hedges throughout his minor league career has been that he is an above average defensive catcher but lacked in the batting department. After the 2014 minor league season, his career batting average sat at .251 to go along with a .311 on-base percentage. His

Page 24

recent showing at Triple-A El Paso, where he drew a walk at the same rate he struck out (8:8) while also hitting two home runs and driving in 15 RBIs, is a positive sign offensively for Hedges moving forward.

Hedges’ pitch framing, which is the ability to receive a ball and influence the umpires decision, and throwing arm are what set him apart from other minor league backstops.

According to www.fangraphs. com, Hedges threw out 38 percent of potential base stealers while in DoubleA last season and produced the single best minor league pitch framing season Austin Hedges was called on record. In the up to the big leagues by the report, fangraphs San Diego Padres on May 4. points out that Photo: Ivan Pierre Aguirre Hedges earned his pitchers 37 more called strikes than the average catcher in the minor leagues over the course of the season. The next closest backstop earned his pitcher 21 more called strikes than the average.

In short, Hedges is a defensive wizard behind the plate.

Hedges will serve as the team’s backup catcher, splitting time with starter Derek Norris, who the Padres traded for over the offseason. Norris has had an excellent start to the 2015 season, batting .323. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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

FOR SALE PILATES REFORMER Black Aero pilates reformer. Folds up for easy storage. Great workout at home. $125. 949.533.9761

GARAGE SALES DANA POINT 14TH ANNUAL DANA KNOLLS COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE! Saturday, May 9th, 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Dana Knolls neighborhood, Cross Streets: Del Obispo & Blue Fin Drive, follow the signs & shop till you drop! Sponsored by: Gary Macrides, REALTOR, 01267654 Surterre Properties 949-370-6827

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! E-mail your garage sale to classifieds@thecapistranodispatch.com DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY CASITAS DEL RIO HOA COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015 Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Corner of Camino Del Avion and Alipaz HAMPTON HILL HOA COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015 Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Off of Del Obispo just South of Stonehill

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE

HELP WANTED PHILLY’S BEST CHEESESTEAKS SAN CLEMENTE LOOKING FOR PART TIME CASHIER/ COOK! Come in to fill out an application today at 638 Camino De Los Mares #F110 San Clemente, CA 92673 (949)489-3888

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

After-Hours Electric

Ca Lic #697355 714.396.2188, 949.573.8386, www.bbb.org The Capistrano Dispatch May 8–21, 2015

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

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

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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

Q&A With Olympic Silver Medalist Jennifer Kessy

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

J

ennifer Kessy has had a busy year, but not on the volleyball court, where the 37-year-old Olympic silver medalist is eying a comeback. No, Kessy tended to other things throughout the 2014 season, like her newborn daughter.

Kessy, a San Juan Capistrano resident, spent the entirety of last year’s Association of Volleyball Professional’s beach volleyball season, and international schedule, watching from the sideline as she became a new mother. Now, Kessy is ready for her return to beach volleyball’s biggest stage and a run through Olympic qualifying events.

The Capistrano Dispatch spoke with Kessy over the phone during the AVP’s 2015 media day on May 5 to catch up on her busy offseason and get her thoughts on the future.

For a full version of this interview, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com The Capistrano Dispatch: How have you been adjusting to the return to pro volleyball?

Jennifer Kessy: Obviously having a baby is one of the most amazing experiences you could ever have. But you gain some weight, you get out of shape. I worked out a bit when I was pregnant but nothing compared to what I normally do. So getting back into the swing of working out all the time and eating perfectly and being in shape has actually been really hard.

I think being 37 and a new mom and an athlete, I think it kind of took a toll on my body. It was like, ‘No, no, no, we’re not going to move anywhere fast.’ I’ve just had to accept that.

CD: How long did it take for you to shake off the rust in your game?

JK: Volleyball-wise it was kind of like riding a bike. I started in January and honestly have gotten better every day since.

My jump and athleticism took a long time

San Juan Capistrano’s Jennifer Kessy returns to competition in 2015. Photo: AVP

to come back, but all my ball control, knowledge of the game and that competitive fire, all that stuff was still there, which I was very happy about.

I’m still not perfect in any means in volleyball, but I was never perfect before so I have to hold myself to that standard. But it’s been really, really fun and I’ve found the love for the game again and it’s great.

CD: Did you get antsy watching the 2014 season go by from the sidelines?

JK: I was. I wasn’t antsy to play because I couldn’t but I looked at the results thinking, ‘Wow, nobody is stepping up. No one is really putting themselves in that second spot for the Olympics,’ and I think that was a big decision for me to come back.

If there was a team that stepped up and

was in there and I had no chance, then I probably wouldn’t have come back to play internationally. Since its open, that fire came back.

CD: You will be playing with your new partner this season, 27-year-old Emily Day. What’s that process been like?

JK: It’s been going really well. We have our days where it goes great and the next day it goes really bad. Hopefully those down dips will get fewer and fewer but it’s hard I think coming back, being a mom and juggling all of that. Coming to practice is a different story when you’re up at 4:30 in the morning. For me, I’m dropping my baby off and it’s just a different game now.

I think we’re going to be great, it’s just juggling all of that is a little bit different.

I asked a few players, I asked (former partner) April Ross, who they would think be a good fit for me and they all kept saying Emily. I just went with my gut and Emily went with hers.

CD: Obviously the AVP beach tour is important, but are you two setting your sights on a higher mark, like a return to the Olympics?

JK: Yeah. Of course our main goal is to do well on home soil but the outlook right now is all about Rio. It’s all about qualifying for the Olympics and getting back there and getting another shot at the gold medal.

As happy as I was with the silver (in 2012) there’s still a little bitter taste in my mouth about that final. The main goal is to be back and have a gold medal. CD

Gerry Manning Honored at OC Lacrosse Hall of Fame Reception THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

G

Corona del Mar’s GW Mix and Foothill’s John Fox congratulate Gerry Manning, middle, during a reception for his OC Chapter-US Lacrosse Hall of Fame induction. Photo: Courtesy

The Capistrano Dispatch May 8–21, 2015

erry Manning, the founder of the lacrosse program at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, was honored by more than 40 guests at a reception at El Adobe Restaurant on May 2 as he was inducted into the OC Chapter of the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

It was announced March 9 that Manning, a mainstay in the local lacrosse scene, would be the newest inductee.

Manning began his lacrosse career in high school, playing for the OC Lacrosse Club in the 1960s.

Page 26

In his coaching career, Manning’s teams went a combined 123-54, winning better than 69 percent of their games. St. Margaret’s became the first CIF approved boys lacrosse program in Orange County in 2006 and the Tartans went on to win eight consecutive league titles in Manning’s tenure. Over 20 former St. Margaret’s players went on to continue playing in college at the NCAA Division 1, Division 3 and MCLA levels.

Longtime head lacrosse coaches GW Mix of Corona del Mar and Jon Fox of Foothill High School were on hand to congratulate Manning at El Adobe. CD www.thecapistranodispatch.com