July 26, 2019

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SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

JULY 26-AUGUST 8, 2019 • VOLUME 17, ISSUE 14

For Sale?

After years of talks, the potential relocation of city hall could be gaining momentum E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 6

Talks of relocating the city’s headquarters and moving out of the nearly 50-year-old city hall building have gone on for decades. Photo: Courtesy of Map Data 2019: Google

Golf Tournament Raises $8,000 for Charity EYE ON SJC/PAGE 4

SJC Chamber Recognizes Scott, Diana Schmitt at Annual Awards Dinner EYE ON SJC/PAGE 4

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Judge Signs OC Board’s Settlement for Homeless Lawsuits EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

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EYE ON SJC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

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care and services is a completely different issue,” Bartlett’s office said in an email.

“We have these services available, and are ready to help all residents.”

WHAT’S NEXT: The cities of San Juan, Aliso Viejo and San Clemente filed a motion earlier this month for the court to dismiss OC Catholic Worker’s suit against the South County cities. The court is expected to notify the parties in the case whether a hearing is needed to hear oral arguments on the motion after Aug. 9, a recent court filing states. —Shawn Raymundo

Five things San Juan should know this week Judge Finalizes OC Board’s Settlement Agreement for Homeless Lawsuits THE LATEST: U.S. District Judge David O. Carter on Tuesday, July 23, finalized a settlement agreement the Orange County Board of Supervisors proposed earlier this month, resolving a pair of homelessrelated lawsuits filed against the county last year.

“This is the most significant settlement concerning homeless issues, certainly in the county and perhaps the state,” Carter gushed at the outset of Tuesday’s courtroom hearing in Santa Ana. Carter later called the settlement a “game changer” and a “role model” for other counties in the state to follow.

Components in the agreement include requirements for the county to set up “Standards of Care,” advertise the availability of clinical assessments for treatment programs and resources, and provide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations at county-contracted shelters in the north and central regions.

Board Supervisor and Chairperson Lisa Bartlett said the finalization of the agreement marked “a really momentous day for the county and all stakeholders involved.”

Bartlett, who represents the county’s Fifth District, which encompasses several South County cities, also stated that the county will work with the South OC cities to get shelters in that Service Planning Area (SPA).

“The county stands ready to also work with the South County SPA,” Bartlett said, adding, “We’re very amenable to stepping up, from the county perspective, with additional services, with financial resources to make sure that we get something up and running when the cities step up to the plate and create some shelter capacity or something else in South County, so we can have a complete system throughout the whole county.”

The lawsuits that the now-effective consent decree settled stem from the removal of a homeless encampment in the Santa Ana riverbed last year and do not address similar litigation several South County cities are currently facing.

This past February, the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano were named in The Capistrano Dispatch July 26-August 8, 2019

Orange County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Chandler Pierce, San Juan Capistrano’s homeless liaison officer, talks to Harry Bradford, a homeless man who would hang around downtown and read books. Photo: Emily Rasmussen

a lawsuit filed by Orange County Catholic Worker, which alleges the county and those cities haven’t done enough to provide homeless shelters.

A federal judge recently granted a request from some of those South County cities to have Carter disqualified from the most recent suit, in part because of statements he had previously made that were perceived as biased.

According to the settlement document released Tuesday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department must also develop policies and procedures relating to the enforcement of the anti-camping and anti-loitering ordinances that meet the requirements of Martin v. City of Boise on county-owned property.

Last year’s Boise ruling bars cities and authorities from enforcing anti-camping ordinances unless “adequate indoor shelter” for the homeless is offered.

Prior to enforcing anti-camping ordinances against a homeless individual, authorities will first need to work with System of Care personnel in order to place the person in an appropriate shelter within his or her respective SPA, the agreement stipulates.

“OCSD will not transport homeless individuals across SPAs for the purposes of shelter placement,” the agreement states. “To any individual who declines the offered placement, OCSD will, where feasible, give the person a warning and an opportunity to immediately relocate to a location where the person may lawfully be present before issuing a citation and/or effecting an arrest.”

Such policies, the agreement notes, could be used in cities OCSD contracts with, provided that the city has met the requirements under the Boise decision.

In South County, OCSD currently contracts with Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

San Juan Capistrano Mayor Brian Maryott has been critical of the settlement agreement, having previously called it “a huge mistake” and “really dumb,” while opining that the South County cities were never consulted.

In response to the finalization of the agreement, Maryott said his position hasn’t changed and that he remained “very disappointed.”

“I’m disappointed as ever; I’m frankly disgusted,” Maryott said. “I think the county leadership, which has been very open about their blasé attitude about mental health and county resources and the delay in deploying them properly, has exacerbated this problem along the way.”

Maryott said a housing-first approach isn’t effective in this state, but rather the ideal path toward stemming homelessness is by addressing drug addiction and mental health issues.

Maryott lamented that the settlement will create a situation in which homeless individuals suffering from drug addiction and who refuse treatment will migrate to South County.

Camping is “very much a preferred lifestyle for some of them,” Maryott said, before stressing that he’s “not implying they make that decision on a sound mind. . . . I’m not suggesting that they’re making a thoughtful decision about their life, but that’s what they’re compelled to do” because of their addiction.

Bartlett’s office said the county provides services including treatment for mental health and substance abuse, but conceded that the issue of whether a homeless individual accepts such care is “a completely different issue.”

“The County has built out a system of care and continues to expand services that include shelters, recuperative care, substance abuse treatment, treatment for mental illness, and employment training.

Whether a person wants to accept our

Page 3

Affordable Housing Project for Seniors Moves Forward THE LATEST: A city council vote allowing the developer of a proposed affordable housing facility for seniors to begin securing funding for its construction brought the project another step closer to breaking ground.

Following a few months of negotiations, councilmembers voted unanimously Tuesday, July 16, to approve a resolution setting the terms for C&C Development to acquire city-owned property called the Groves and build a 75-unit apartment complex for low-income seniors.

The property where the project would sit is located on the northwest corner of Camino Capistrano and Junipero Serra Road, across from JSerra Catholic High School and Silverado San Juan Capistrano Memory Care Community.

The project’s price tag is just shy of $40 million—up from the $23.2 million initially estimated in April—which C&C is expected to pay for, in large part, with taxexempt bonds from the state and partnership equities, according to the city.

Nearly $9 million will come from the city through loans, $4.1 million of which is what C&C will eventually pay for the transfer of the Groves.

Under the terms of the newly approved Affordable Housing Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) with C&C, and its partner Sean Rawson, the city will provide a $4.8 million loan from the Housing In-Lieu Fee—the city’s program to collect money from residential developers to pay for affordable housing.

San Juan’s municipal code requires new residential developments to dedicate at least 10% of its units as affordable.

Developers can opt out by either helping the city construct affordable housing in another location or pay the Housing InLieu fee that is calculated using housing market variables.

“Those fees are restricted to only be used on housing developments, so the use of the site for the development of (Cont. on page 4) thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC (Cont. from page 3) affordable senior housing really works hand-in-hand,” said Laura Stokes, the city’s housing supervisor and associate planner.

Stokes also noted that one aspect the city required of C&C is to give preference to San Juan Capistrano residents and those who work within the city limits.

C&C will be responsible for repaying the city the $8.9 million through receipts from its housing development operation, according to the city.

The developer’s current plan for the project is to build a three-story complex to house 75 units to accommodate seniors aged 62 and older who qualify for either low-, very low- or extremely low-income housing.

One of the housing units will be reserved for an on-site manager, while 10 are intended as permanent supportive housing for extremely low-income seniors. Another two units will go to verylow-income seniors, and the remaining 62 will be used for low-income seniors.

The building is set to incorporate Mediterranean architecture and the rest of the site will include space for 75 parking stalls, a walking path around the complex for residents and a small dog-park area.

Addressing the council during the public hearing portion of the topic, San Juan resident Ann Ronan spoke highly of C&C, noting that she recently toured another one of the developer’s facilities in Sana Ana. “They know what they’re doing,” she said of the developer.

She also said the project’s inclusion of 10 permanent supportive housing units was the right direction for the city.

Todd Coddle, a principal with C&C, told the council the development team is excited about the site and its layout.

He also assured the council that C&C wouldn’t just build the facility and later sell it, stating that they’re “long-term owners.”

“We joke with the cities that you get us for life. We’ve never sold an affordable community that we developed,” he said.

WHAT’S NEXT: The next city council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 6.—SR

Golf Tournament Honoring Nordeck Raises $8,000 for Charity THE LATEST: The inaugural Nordeck Golf Tournament at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club on Friday, July 19, attracted more than 100 local golfers and brought in roughly $8,000 that will go to support the charitable efforts of the Swallow’s Inn Foundation.

The tournament was organized to pay tribute to the life and philanthropic The Capistrano Dispatch July 26-August 8, 2019

work of the late Stephen Nordeck, who died of cancer at the age of 76 just over a year ago this past June. Nordeck, a beloved member of the San Juan community, was known for his generosity and started the Swallow’s Inn Foundation to help raise money for several local organizations.

“I always looked at Steve as sort of an outgoing guy who really cared,” said Joe Chiquete, a friend of Nordeck’s and the tournament’s CEO. “He was so involved with the community that when he passed away, we thought we’d do something so we could recognize him for all his community efforts.”

Up until his death, Steve owned the Swallow’s Inn, one of San Juan’s favorite watering holes, as well as El Adobe de Capistrano, a Mexican restaurant in the town’s downtown corridor.

Chiquete, who put the event together with the help of several volunteers, credited Cal Grimes, the manager of the Swallow’s Inn, for providing the seed money needed to get the tournament started.

On Monday, July 22, Chiquete said his team was still finalizing the numbers, but that the tournament had raised more than $25,000, generating an estimated $8,000 in proceeds to be given to the Swallow’s Inn Foundation.

According to Chiquete, 110 golfers signed up to play in the tournament and items worth about $5,000 were donated for the raffle giveaway.

WHAT’S NEXT: Chiquete said he plans on making the tournament an annual event.—SR

OCDA Chief of Administration Announces Run for 73rd Assembly District THE LATEST: Another hat has been tossed into the Republican race for the 73rd Assembly District. Melanie Eustice, a Rancho Santa Margarita resident and chief of administrations for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, has declared her bid for the 2020 election.

Eustice is the second Republican challenger to announce a campaign in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations made against incumbent Assemblymember Bill Brough. Mission Viejo Councilmember Ed Sachs announced his run in July.

“I had heard speculation of allegations against Brough before, but I had never heard details of a specific incident or a specific name,” Eustice said. “When I read about what Lisa had said, detailing the incident and having filed a complaint soon after, I was enraged … This is a stain on the Republican Party.”

On Monday, June 17, Orange County Supervisor and Chairperson Lisa Bartlett spoke at a Republican Party of Orange County’s (OCGOP) Central

Committee meeting about an alleged incident that occurred in 2011, while both Bartlett and Brough served on Dana Point City Council. She cited the incident, in which she alleged Brough put his arms around her (while intoxicated) and suggested they go somewhere to get a drink, as reason for the party not to endorse Brough in his bid for reelection in 2020.

Brough denies the allegations and has since rescinded his application for OCGOP’s endorsement.

In Eustice’s release announcing her campaign, she vows to “restore integrity to the 73rd Assembly seat, fight to protect families and push back against stains on the Republican brand.”

“Brough has abused the power of his office,” Eustice said. “It’s time we restore the integrity of the Republican Party.”

Eustice is a former trustee for Western Placer School District and currently oversees 220 employees with a $159 million budget for Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer’s office. She says her experience in establishing the Bridges at Kraemer Place homeless shelter in Anaheim and her experience in state and local government is what sets her apart as a top candidate.

“We have a serious issue with homelessness, and we need to do more. I have the focus, and I have the experience in solving problems,” Eustice said.

WHAT’S NEXT: California is holding its primary election in March 2020. So far, the sole Democratic challenger is Scott Rhinehart.—Lilian Boyd

SJC Chamber Recognizes Scott, Diana Schmitt at Annual Awards Dinner THE LATEST: San Juan Capistrano’s business community gathered Thursday, July 11, at El Adobe de Capistrano, where longtime residents and local photographers Scott and Diana Schmitt were presented with the annual Man and Woman of the Year awards, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“We love San Juan!” Scott Schmitt exclaimed after he and Diana received the award.

“This is the jewel and the crown of our life’s works,” Scott told The Capistrano Dispatch following the ceremony. “To get this kind of recognition from our peers, friends and fellow San Juan residents is beyond an honor.”

The San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce hosts its Annual Installation and Awards Banquet to celebrate the work of local businesses and citizens, recognizing them for their work and efforts to help the community.

Scott and Diana, who run Accent Portraits by Diana and San Juan Photo & Digital, have lived in San Juan for more 30 years and have become staples of the community, being regularly seen at Page 4

Scott and Diana Schmitt embrace for a kiss after being presented with the Man and Woman of the Year during the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Installation and Awards Banquet on Thursday, July 11. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

events with their cameras.

The couple was brought to tears during the banquet after getting caught off guard with winning both awards. The awards portion started with Scott and Diana being recognized with the Man and Woman of the Year awards. And to cap it off, Chamber CEO George Peppas III surprised the couple again with the Lifetime Achievement honors.

“I was completely surprised, but I have to say, after all these years, it was so easy to do because we love doing what we do, because we love our community,” an elated Diana Schmitt told The Dispatch.

The award for Business of the Year was also given out during the annual event. This year, it went to Sweet Home Capistrano Bakery Café, which is owned

by James Parris.

Here’s the complete list of awards and recipients from this year’s Installation and Awards Banquet: Man & Woman of the Year: Scott and Diana Schmitt Business of the Year: Sweet Home Capistrano Bakery Café Sister City, Ensenada, Mexico Award: Mares Foundation Sister City, Capistrano, Italy Award: Regency Theatre Lifetime Achievement Award: Scott and Diana Schmitt Ambassador of the Year: Randi Peshkin New Volunteer of the Year: Kelly Kaban, DDS & Larry Kaban, DDS Cornerstone Award: Mission San Juan Capistrano EDITOR’S NOTE: A photo gallery of the banquet can be found in the online version of this story at TheCapistranoDispatch.com.—SR thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

NEWS BITES

Community Meetings

COMPILED BY STAFF

CUSD Passes Resolutions Intending to Establish Facility Improvement Boundaries around DP, SC In anticipation of introducing regional bond measures to upgrade schools, the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday, July 17, passed a pair of resolutions that intend to establish facility improvement boundaries around San Clemente and the cities of Dana Point, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel.

Should CUSD move forward with placing the bond measures on the ballot for the March 2020 Primary Elections, voters within those boundaries, or School Facilities Improvement Districts (SFIDs), would decide whether to support a new tax to fund renovation projects at several of the schools in their area, primarily Dana Hills High School and San Clemente High School.

The resolutions, which both passed in 6-01 votes, with Trustee Amy Hanacek absent, proposes to create a Southern SFID around San Clemente and a Western SFID around Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel and Dana Point (not including Capistrano Beach).

Before the boundaries are officially created, the public will first have an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed SFIDs during the Sept. 18 board meeting. Following the hearings, the trustees could vote to form the boundaries and then receive drafts of the bond measures, as CUSD is eyeing an October deadline for determining whether to introduce those initiatives.

The bond initiatives for both SFIDs would create a tax levy of $34 for every $100,000 of assessed home value. CUSD has stressed that proceeds generated from each of those SFIDs would stay within those boundaries to renovate schools specifically in those areas.

The Western SFID bond is expected to generate $293 million in available proceeds for the district to upgrade Dana Hills High, Aliso Niguel High School and Niguel Hills Middle School by implementing new buildings, replacing portable classrooms and renovating classrooms.

The Southern SFID is expected to yield $113 million in proceeds. If voters in San Clemente pass the bond, more than $87 million of those funds would pay for classroom renovations and new buildings at the 54-year-old high school.

MemorialCare Opens Medical Magnet Program for JSerra Catholic High School Students JSerra Catholic High School and The Capistrano Dispatch July 26-August 8, 2019

TUESDAY, JULY 30 Because I Love You (BILY) Meeting 6:30-8:30 p.m. Meets every Tuesday. Because I Love You (BILY) helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing because of their children’s (adults or minors) poor choices. San Clemente Presbyterian Church, 119 Avenida De La Estrella. bilysc.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31 Kids from the Mission Basilica School trot through the 2019 Swallows Day Parade dressed as swallows. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center have entered into a partnership to allow students into its Medical Magnet program.

Students will be paired up and work with medical professionals and rotate through a variety of departments in the medical facility, including Emergency, ICU, Operating Room and others.

With just 9 miles separating the school and the medical center, students in the Medical Magnet Program are at an advantage with regard to time, given the ease of access to the center. The students will meet and be paired with professionals at least 15 times during the school year, for four hours each time.

The Magnet Program is designed to begin with students in their freshman year, but sophomores may be accepted if the requirements can be met. The program has an average of 15 students per class and is very demanding and rigorous, but it also can provide opportunities to the students and provide the steppingstones to a promising future.

According to a report by MitchellInstitute.org.au, it’s important and critical for students to experience the working field before finishing school. The Magnet Program offers just that, with an emphasis on the medical field for students who are pursuing careers in that field.

It increases engagement and participation, which can aid in the understanding of material. Partnerships, such as this one, deliver a range of experiences that can only benefit the students.

For more information about the Medical Magnet Program, visit JSerra.org.

The Medical Magnet Program will begin in the coming school year.

Fiesta Association Announces Theme for 2020 Swallows Parade The Fiesta Association, which organizes San Juan Capistrano’s annual Swallows

Day Parade & Mercado Street Faire, recently announced that it has selected a theme for next year’s Fiesta De Las Golondrinas season: “Follow the Swallows!”

For the 62nd annual parade, the Association wanted to bring the theme back to basics by making it “all about the birds,” the group said on its Facebook page announcing its yearly call for ideas.

During the group’s latest monthly meeting on July 10, several theme submissions were presented to members for an opportunity to debate and vote on a finalist.

This year’s theme was provided by former San Juan Mayor Kerry Ferguson and Nina Leone, a former Fiesta dignitary who held the title of Ms. Fiesta for the 60th Swallows Day Parade season.

Last year’s theme, “How the West Was Really Won: Celebrating the Women of the West,” highlighted women’s involvement in Wild West history. The Association had also selected retired San Juan Elementary School Principal Silvia Mazzeo Pule to represent the parade as its 2019 grand marshal.

While Pule was one of a long line of other women to hold the title of grand marshal in the parade’s 61-year history, she was the first woman selected since 2012.

The Fiesta Association is expected to announce the dignitaries for the 2020 parade during the annual Farewell to the Swallows BBQ this October. Such positions include grand marshal, Señor San Juan, Ms. Fiesta, Jr. Señor San Juan and Jr. Miss Fiesta.

Fiesta Association President Jim Taylor said discussions are already underway to select the junior dignitaries, and a few people have also expressed interest in running for Ms. Fiesta and Señor San Juan.

The BBQ event is scheduled for Oct. 19, but a venue has yet to be determined, according to Taylor.

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

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San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club 6:15 p.m. The Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano meets every Wednesday at the Rotary Scout Hut, 31372 La Mantanza. For more information, visit sjcrotary.org.

FRIDAY, AUG. 2 Coffee Chat 8 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues. Occurs every Friday at Hennessey’s Tavern, 31761 Camino Capistrano. All are welcome.

Follow Coffee Chat SJC on Facebook for more information.

SATURDAY, AUG. 3 Annual Rummage Sale 7 a.m.-noon Join South Orange County Women’s Networking Group by donating used items to sell during its annual fundraiser in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley. 1 Via Positiva, San Juan Capistrano. Call 949.637.2259 for drop-off information.

TUESDAY, AUG. 6 City Council, Housing Authority and Successor Agency Meeting 5 p.m. The city’s governing body will meet at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit sanjuancapistrano.org THURSDAY, AUG. 8 Design Review Committee 4:30 p.m. The City’s Design Review Committee will meet at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To see the agenda, visit sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, AUG. 9 The next edition of The Capistrano Dispatch publishes.

thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON SJC

For Sale?

After years of talks, the potential relocation of city hall could be gaining steam

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

F

or several years, city of San Juan Capistrano officials have discussed the idea of finding a new site for city hall.

A recent item listed on the city council’s closed session agenda for July 16 indicates that movement toward a potential sale of the city’s headquarters and relocation could be gaining traction.

Such a possibility was given further credence based on a post Councilmember Derek Reeve had put up on social media a week prior to the council’s closed session meeting. In the July 10 post on his Facebook page, Reeve stated, “After 50 years of having a temporary manufactured building as our city hall, we finally really need a new city hall.”

“We have reached the point that keeping the building together with spit and tape just isn’t working,” he added. “With an outstanding staff, and business-orientated city council, we have a unique opportunity to creatively develop a plan to make a new city hall possible.”

The item for the closed session agenda stated that the council would confer with City Manager Ben Siegel and City Attorney Jeffrey Ballinger about the “price and terms of payment concerning the City Hall property.”

Reeve couldn’t comment on many of the questions The Capistrano Dispatch had asked about the agenda item, because it was part of the council’s closed session.

In an email to The Dispatch, however, Reeve, who stressed that he was speaking for himself and not the rest of the council, stated that “these issues will be further addressed in closed session meetings, and if we, as the city council, develop a viable strategy for a new city hall, we will present the proposal(s) to open sessions of city council to seek residents’ input and whether there is interest from the community to proceed.”

Reeve, who is currently serving a fifth term on the council, added that since being elected, nearly every council iteration “has discussed the need for a new city hall.” Given the current lineup of councilmembers, Reeve is hopeful the plans can move beyond just talks.

“As I indicated on Facebook, I believe we have an opportunity to make a genuine city hall a reality,” Reeve wrote in the email.

The Listing According to Siegel, talks of relocating and replacing city hall have occurred for decades. Built in 1970, the metal, prefabriThe Capistrano Dispatch July 26-August 8, 2019

San Juan Capistrano City Hall was built nearly 50 years ago. City officials note that the metal, prefabricated building has been having issues with its HVAC system, plumbing and roof. Photo: Shawn Raymundo

cated building housing city hall has seen better days.

“We currently experience challenges with the HVAC system, plumbing, roofing issues, etc.,” Siegel said in an email.

Like Reeve, Siegel couldn’t comment on the specifics of the agenda item. He did note that the city hall site is currently zoned as “Very High Residential,” which could allow for up to 30 housing units an acre.

In total, the city hall property is approximately 5.7 acres, which includes the city hall building, as well as several modular trailers that had been added to the site over the years. According to the city, 3.2 acres of the site is zoned as Commercial Manufacturing.

The Buyers According to the agenda, the item lists three negotiating parties: C&C Development, Jamboree Housing Corporation and Orbis Capital Consultants.

Both C&C and Jamboree are real estate companies that develop affordable housing.

As for Orbis, its president, Chad Wanke, explained to The Dispatch that his firm represents Meta Housing, a Los Angelesbased real estate developer of affordable and mixed-income apartment communities.

Wanke, as well as representatives from C&C and Jamboree, couldn’t provide additional details of the city’s plans with city hall other than to note that the city is just in the preliminary stages of the potential relocation, and that includes fact-finding.

“On a development, (fact-finding) would be discussing particulars of different needs, desires and what’s possible on this site,” Wanke said. Right now, it’s a “very preliminary, high-level discussion. I think the city just started this process.”

Wanke emphasized that there haven’t been any negotiations regarding a sale of city hall, but rather only discussions on the possibility of getting affordable housing built on the site.

C&C is currently working with the city toward constructing an affordable housing facility for seniors on another city-owned property called the Groves, located on the northwest corner of Camino Capistrano

and Junipero Serra Road.

Todd Cottle, a principal with C&C, said the company appreciates the opportunity of being considered, but noted that they haven’t received any feedback from the city regarding the sale of the property, as San Juan officials are only “talking about options for the site.”

“Obviously, the city hall is on that location; there’s definitely an existing use on the site,” he said, adding that sale of the property and development of an affordable housing facility is “a bigger discussion down the line.”

Jamboree’s Chief Development Officer, Michael Massie, said the company is constantly in touch with cities throughout the state on coming up with potential sites for affordable housing developments. In San Juan specifically, he said, Jamboree has been talking with city officials about a number of issues and exploring ways to address affordable housing.

“It’s part of our mission to help build better communities. The fact that we’ve had those discussions with the folks of San Juan is just further into that mission,” he said. “Whenever we’re in the early stages of trying to address some of these solutions, we look at literally everything that we can, lots of creative things . . . to see what sticks.”

Affordable Housing Mandates The site of city hall, which was rezoned to Very High Residential in 2016, is 2.5 acres, giving it a “capacity for 61 units at densities appropriate to accommodate lower-income housing,” a report on the city’s 2014-2021 Housing Element from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) states.

California’s housing-element law requires cities and counties to put together a Housing Elements report to “adequately plan to meet the housing needs in the community,” according to the HCD. The city’s 2014-2021 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)—a similar report to the Housing Elements document that’s developed by the Southern California Association of Governments under state law—notes that there are 638 total housing units, 371 of which are to be

Page 6

allocated for very-low, low- and moderateincome groups.

Siegel notes that under the RHNA, the city is obligated to demonstrate to the state, through its Housing Elements report, that it can accommodate the 638 housing units somewhere in the city. The city, each year, has to submit a progress report to the state on how many new housing units have been built in relation to the RHNA. Out of those 638 housing units, 23% are designated for very-low or extremely lowincome households, 16% for low income and 19% for moderate income.

“Based on the last report submitted to the state that covers up to calendar year 2018, 12 affordable housing units and 517 market-rate units have been built during the 2014-2021 RHNA period,” Siegel said in an email that also stated: “The City has demonstrated this to the State’s satisfaction, and therefore our RHNA obligation has been fulfilled for the current planning period.”

According to the city, there are currently four affordable housing locations in town: Seasons Senior Apartments, a 150-unit facility for seniors; Villa Paloma Senior Apartments, an 84-unit facility for seniors aged 55 and up; Casa de Amma, an assisted-living facility that has 10 affordable housing units; and Little Hollywood, a 24-unit neighborhood.

When asked whether the city is looking to have an affordable housing facility built on the current city hall site, Reeve said he couldn’t answer that specific question.

He did, however, offer his opinion on the matter.

“I came up with the idea a number of years ago to rezone the current city hall location for affordable housing. It is a great location, being downtown, next to the Sheriff station and a park, and has minimal impact on existing residential neighborhoods,” he said in the email. “It also helps fulfill our state mandate requirement for affordable housing.”

Such a development could possibly come in the form of permanent supportive housing for the homeless “either in part or exclusively,” Reeve also said in the email.

San Juan and a handful of other South County cities are currently facing litigation for allegedly not doing enough to provide shelters to the homeless.

Reeve said that lawsuit, which was filed this past February by Orange County Catholic Worker, along with the Emergency Shelter Coalition and Housing is a Human Right Orange County, has no impact on the city’s interest to move forward with relocating city hall.

“Our interest in exploring potential opportunities for a city hall has no bearing on that lawsuit,” Reeve wrote, noting that the city is seeking a dismissal from that case.

“Regardless of the court decision on our motion, the city will continue our efforts to meet state mandates regarding affordable housing,” he also said in the email. CD thecapistranodispatch.com

EYE ON RMV

NEWS & HAPPENINGS AT THE RANCH

Events at The Ranch JULY 27

Astronomy Night

8:30-10:30 p.m. Come out to The Reserve on July 27 for Astronomy Night, where you can still view more celestial phenomena than elsewhere in urbanized Orange County. Enjoy an evening outdoors, as you gaze into the heavens, learn the constellations and peer through the telescopes of volunteer astronomers.

The Reserve astronomers are all volunteers who enthusiastically share their telescopes and expert sky knowledge with you. Register for this event by 4 p.m. Friday, July 26. Bring warm clothing, red cellophane flashlight, binoculars and an optional beach chair. The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.

949.489.9778.

The 19th annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo is scheduled for Aug. 24-25 at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Photo: Allison Jarrell

Annual RMV Rodeo Welcomes Ranch-Based Competition

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

The Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo, one of The Ranch and San Juan Capistrano’s biggest events of the year, is less than a month away and set to rope in thousands of spectators to watch cowboys participate in ranch-based competitions such as bull riding and tie-down roping.

The annual Rodeo is meant to showcase the region’s Western culture by featuring world champion cowboys at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, located on the border of San Juan and The Ranch.

“Hosting the Rodeo is our way of

The Reserve at RMV Hosts Community Service Hours Project The Capistrano Dispatch July 26-August 8, 2019

showing folks that we have a tremendous Western heritage, one that we feel privileged to share with the community,” Tony Moiso, Ranch chairman and CEO, said in an emailed statement. “We wanted to bring the Western lifestyle and tradition to Orange County, since Rancho Mission Viejo is the last working ranch in the county.”

Moiso said more than 9,000 people came out to last year’s two-day event. But with the first-time addition of an online portal to purchase tickets, The Ranch is expecting an even bigger turnout for this year’s festivities.

The Ranch, Moiso said, has worked to improve the event. “We always have the best stock and the best competitors—the top 30 cowboys and cowgirls in the world.

It has been exciting to introduce the Rodeo and ranch way of life to a new generation each year,” he said in the email. “For some, it is their first time seeing a roping demonstration or a bull up close. And knowing that these animals are their neighbors here on Rancho Mission Viejo makes the event

that much more special.”

Since its inception in 2001, the Rodeo has raised more than $2.4 million in proceeds that have been donated to local charities, according to Moiso. This year’s proceeds, he said, will benefit the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, CHOC Children’s Mission Hospital, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley and Justin Sports Medicine.

For those in South Orange County and Rancho Mission Viejo, the Rodeo “represents the legacy of the land and a heritage that is so unique to this part” of the county, Moiso said.

“The Rodeo is an experience that brings the community together,” he said in the email. “Attendees fully embrace the traditional Western lifestyle, right down to the clothing.”

The 19th annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo is scheduled for Aug. 24-25 at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. To find out more information or purchase tickets, visit RMVRodeo.com.

BY HALEY CHI-SING, FOR THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

at the Reserve’s headquarters.

The community service tasks generally entail maintenance projects, including weeding, tree trimming and making paths, to name a few. Students can also complete projects off the Reserve’s headquarters if any maintenance is needed.

The upcoming Community Service event is the last one for the summer, according to Tendick. The project was an ongoing event

The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo will hold a Summer Community Service Hours project for students to complete their school-required service hours next month.

The Community Service Project varies in activities and tasks. According to Strategic Communications Principal Arlene Tendick, the jobs vary on what is needed to be done

Page 7

AUG. 2

Hilltop Bar Night & Swirl. Sniff. Sip.

5-9 p.m. The spacious event bar at The Hilltop Club is open every Friday evening, so come grab a drink, then stay to hang out with good friends and close neighbors.

65 Esencia Drive, Rancho Mission Viejo.

949.768.1882. ranchomissionviejo.com.

AUG. 5

Summer Community Service Hours

9-11 a.m. Students, complete your service hours this summer by volunteering at The Reserve. The service project site hosts school field trips, summer camps and other programs. Maintaining the space allows for a safer and more enjoyable experience for all of its visitors. Earn volunteer service hours while giving back to the community.

Drinks, snacks, gloves and tools are provided. Participants must be registered by Friday, July 12. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778.

throughout the summer for students looking to complete their school community hours.

The volunteer project is scheduled for Aug. 5 from 9-11 a.m. at the Reserve’s headquarters, located at 28811 Ortega Highway.

Space is limited, so students wishing to participate need to RSVP by Friday, Aug. 2.

Head to RMVReserve.com for additional information and to register.

thecapistranodispatch.com

SOAPBOX

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Bartlett Bulletin by OC Supervisor Chairperson Lisa Bartlett

County Resources to Prepare for Disaster

S

outhern California got a wake-up call on Fourth of July, and again on July 5, when 6.4 and 7.1 earthquakes rattled though our neighborhoods. The epicenter was around Ridgecrest in Kern County, and they were the largest quakes to hit California in nearly 20 years. The tremors could be felt in areas as far as Phoenix and Mexicali, Mexico. The damage was so intense that a crack in the earth’s crust can be seen from space. Some small surrounding cities went for a week without access to basic utilities such as electricity and water. So, the question is, are you prepared for the next one?

There are a lot of questions we need to ask ourselves when preparing for a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or a wildfire. Do you have an emergency kit ready? If there is no cellphone service, is there a means of communication you need to contact your loved ones? Do you have

a family emergency plan? Incidents such as the quakes on Independence Day ignite our interest and alertness, which is an unexpected benefit of natural disasters.

The County of Orange is always looking for ways to engage our residents with options and suggestions of how to best be prepared for any emergency. Using innovative technology and data, the County of Orange has created two products for our residents to use in disaster situations: ReadyOC and AlertOC. ReadyOC.org is an online resource for information on how to prepare for a disaster, what to expect when disaster strikes, and information related to the risks facing Orange County. On the site, you can create and order your THE BARTLETT own emergency kit, make BULLETIN a thorough plan following

By Lisa Bartlett a step-by-step guide, and even sign up to volunteer as a member of the Citizen Corps, where you will learn training skills and local emergency planning measures to help in any possible situation.

AlertOC.org is a countywide mass notification system designed to keep Orange County residents and businesses informed of emergencies as they develop. During an emergency, AlertOC will have the most up-todate information on safe locations, hazards to avoid, and emergency responses. Sign up online to receive these up-to-date notifications.

If the recent quakes are not enough of a reminder, we are now entering into

another wildfire season in California. The difference between life and death in a disaster can come down to minutes, and both ReadyOC and AlertOC aim to lessen the possible negative outcomes of an emergency situation. We need to be prepared and focused on a plan for ourselves, our families, and our community, so we can minimize the devastation and impact to our day-to-day lives and the community.

As many of you know, I, along with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Orange County Fire Authority, and the City of Mission Viejo, always host an annual South County Emergency Preparedness Expo.

This year, the 12th annual event will be on Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at Norman P. Murray Community Center. This free, family-friendly event will feature information on preparedness and emergency services from our community experts. Stay connected by signing up for my weekly newsletter for more details to be announced.

We are very fortunate to live in such a vibrant region, but that does not make us immune to disasters. By creating an emergency plan that fits you and your family’s needs, you are helping the community remain resilient and safe.

Lisa Bartlett is the chairperson of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, serving as the representative of the 5th District. She was re-elected in 2018. 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

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

HOW TO REACH US CITY EDITOR Shawn Raymundo, 949.388.7700, x108 sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com SPORTS Zach Cavanagh, 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com ADVERTISING PRINT AND ONLINE

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PICKET FENCE MEDIA Real Estate Sales > Debra Wells (SJC)

PUBLISHER Norb Garrett EDITORIAL City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch > Shawn Raymundo City Editor, DP Times > Lillian Boyd

—MICHAEL LAUX, San Juan Capistrano There has been a lot of discussion lately about what exactly we will get with a commercial shopping center on the nursery property at 31825 Los Rios Street.

We are familiar with the environmental impacts: the additional 2,700 cars on Del Obispo; reducing outbound Paseo Adelanto into one lane for left and right turns, which will back up traffic into the Los Rios neighborhood; the noise, the congestion and a loss of quality of life driving out the residents next to the mall.

The developer will promote the project as being about “Connection. A connection to the past, to culture, to community and to place . . . by embracing our cultural diversity and eclectic spirit, to create a place where people come together . . . in agrarian roots.”

That really sounds like San Juan, doesn’t it? But it’s not written just for us. This is the

Special Projects Editor > Andrea PapagianisCamacho

The Capistrano Dispatch July 26-August 8, 2019

Rendering: File

sales pitch by the developer for his project in Ontario and also Whittier. I believe it’s a formula that he’s using across Southern California. He seems to be using the same pitch in San Juan that he has presented to numerous city councils across the Southland.

So like here, without specific restrictions by the cities on who the mall tenants will be, he goes with the chains that he’s used in the past. The reality is that we will get whoever can pay the rent. Don’t take my word for it. Check it out yourself.

You’ll see that it’s got the Red Barn, The Marketplace, the Water Tower, etc. It looks just like the River Street Marketplace project.

The oldest neighborhood in California

deserves something much better than just another cookie-cutter mall.

Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning. The Capistrano Dispatch reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published.

Art Director > Jasmine Smith

OPERATIONS

Sports Editor > Zach Cavanagh

ANOTHER COOKIE-CUTTER MALL

ART/DESIGN

Graphic Designer > Chelsie Rex

City Editor, SC Times > Cari Hachmann

Letters to the Editor

Multi-Media Assistant > Kendra Burns

Finance Director > Mike Reed General Manager > Alyssa Garrett

Copy Editor > Randall Youngman

Accounting & Distribution Manager > Tricia Zines

ADVERTISING/MULTIMEDIA MARKETING

SPECIAL THANKS Robert Miller

Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Tim Trent

> Traci Kelly (SC) > Debra Wells (SJC)

EDITOR EMERITUS Jonathan Volzke

The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 17, Issue 14. The Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch) is published twice monthly

by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (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 2019. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

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GETTING OUT YOUR EVENT PLANNER

The List What’s going on in and around town

At the Movies: ‘The Farewell’ is Bittersweet

EDITOR’S PICK

COMPILED BY STAFF

HAVE AN EVENT? Submit it to The Dispatch by going to thecapistranodispatch.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

Saturday | 27 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO GHOST WALK 8-9:30 p.m. As the sun sets on the walls of the ruins of the great stone church, the dead walk the streets of old San Juan Capistrano. Join the newest venture into the dark and the macabre through the historic streets of one of California’s oldest cities. Tours meet just outside the brick visitors’ information booth near the train tracks located behind the Franciscan Plaza Parking Structure at the end of Verdugo Street. 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. 866.446.7803. hauntedoc.com.

Sunday | 28 SUMMER PICKLEBALL 2:30-5:30 p.m. Come to play indoor pickleball this summer at the San Juan Capistrano gymnasium. The group will meet every Sunday from July 7 through Oct. 27.

New to the game? No problem. Instruction and all equipment will be provided. For additional details and to register, please call the Community Services Department at 949.493.5911. 1 Via Positiva, San Juan Capistrano.

HOT AUGUST NIGHT 6 p.m. The San Juan Capistrano-based nonprofit CREER Comunidad y Familia will host an evening filled with music, food and fun to benefit its educational and recreational programs for local underserved youth. The event will feature live music from Hot August Night. Tickets are $50 and are available at Eventbrite.com or at the door at San Juan Hills Golf Club. 32120 San Juan Creek, San Juan Capistrano.

Creeroc.org.

Wednesday | 31 WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA 7:30-9:30 p.m. Enjoy friendly competition and craft beers among friends during the BrewHouse’s weekly trivia night. Food trucks are on site during the trivia contest.

The BrewHouse. 31896 Plaza Dr., Suite D3, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.6181.

The Capistrano Dispatch July 26-August 8, 2019

Photo: A24 Films / Big Beach Films

BY MEGAN BIANCO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Photo: Eric Heinz

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3: FESTIVAL OF THE BUTTERFLIES 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit this free street fair along the Los Rios Historic District in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Los Rios Park and Garden Angels. Enjoy garden walking tours, plant sales, butterfly education, kids’ crafts, live music, food, a petting zoo and fun from the Los Rios participating merchants. Goin’ Native will host a “Butterfly Market” filled with butterfly-themed goods and will have native plants for sale. For kids, there will be bubbles, coloring and chalk art, face painting and a butterfly tent to surround yourself with butterflies at the Goin’ Native headquarters on Los Rios. Trevor’s at the Tracks will also have food and drinks for sale, while Front Porch Pops will be selling popsicles at Goin’ Native. 31661 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. 949.606.6386. goinnative.net.

thebrewhousesjc.com.

31872 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

949.489.8082. CaminoRealPlayhouse.org.

Thursday | 01 OPEN MIC NIGHT 6-9 p.m. Five Vines Wine Bar presents its Open Mic Night every Thursday. Five Vines is looking for musicians, comedians, poets—anyone who wants a mic and an audience. Must be 21 and older. 31761 Camino Capistrano, #11, San Juan Capistrano. 949.800.9145. fivevineswinebar.com.

Saturday | 03 “PETER AND THE STARCATCHER” 7:30 p.m. Beaming with dizzying humor and delightful stage magic, Broadway’s Peter and the Starcatcher is a “big dipperful” of fun. Peter Pan will never grow up, and his origin story has matured nicely.

Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, this play is the recipient of five Tony Awards and is great for the whole family to enjoy. The play will be performed both Saturday and Sunday at the Historic Town Center Park and will be the final weekend the Camino Real Playhouse stages it. Bring your picnics, jackets and folding chairs or blankets. Tickets are $15.

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 5:30-9:30 p.m. Music Under the Stars Summer Concert Series is a fundraising concert series in support of preservation and sustainability of Mission San Juan Capistrano. Each concert features a top-notch tribute band lineup, celebrating a variety of timeless and nostalgic classics in popular music at the beautiful and historic setting of the Mission. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. Missionsjc.com.

Tuesday | 06 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 6-9 p.m. Join San Juan Capistrano Police Services for this annual event. This community-building event promotes services provided by your local law enforcement agency, such as neighborhood watch, crime prevention and junior explorer programs. There will be educational booths, safety information, food and a free movie in the park. Descanso Park, 32506 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan Capistrano.

949.443.6369. sanjuancapistrano.org.

Page 10

N

ora Lum, also known as Awkwafina, has to have one of the biggest “glow-ups” in modern pop culture. She gained a viral cult following with her popular rap songs from 2012-14, was cast as comic relief sidekicks in blockbusters such as Neighbors 2 (2016), Ocean’s 8 (2018) and Crazy Rich Asians (2018), and now she is proving her range with dramatic acting in one of the most memorable independent releases this summer: Lulu Wang’s The Farewell.

While Crazy Rich Asians was a cute romcom about family visiting Singapore for a wedding, The Farewell is a more somber piece on a more eccentric family visit to China. Billi (Lum) discovers that she’s been rejected for a scholarship on the same day she learns her grandmother, Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen), has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Rather than tell Nai Nai, the whole family is planning on allowing her to live her last months in ignorance and reunite in their hometown of Changchun for Billi’s cousin’s wedding, which serves as a cover-up.

The Farewell is loosely based on Wang’s own upbringing, as well as her family’s experience during a similar situation years ago. This is one of the instances in which the old advice cliché, “write what you know,” is done correctly. The movie is a great collaboration of Wang’s personal script and direction combined with Lum’s impressive lead performance.

Billi is one of the most relatable and realistic characters this year in cinema, and Wang, in only her second full-length feature, demonstrates she has a bright future. The final scene is a bit unexpectedly misleading, but it doesn’t taint the viewing as a whole, fortunately. CD

thecapistranodispatch.com

GETTING OUT

On Stage at The Coach House: The Bacon Brothers

The Bacon Brothers will perform at The Coach House on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Fasano

iblings fight. They bicker. And they certainly get on each other’s nerves.

That’s just the way most families are.

When siblings are in a band together, there can be a bit of friction. And sometimes that friction is just too much for any one of them to handle—case in point: Oasis.

However, when it comes to The Bacon Brothers, a rock group led by Michael and Kevin Bacon, they’ve proven that blood is thicker than water.

“Well, I think that with the exception of when we get on each other’s nerves, which is rare, but it happens . . . it’s more canceled out by the fact this is a business, and when you’re in a business with your brother, there’s an inherent level of trust that goes into it,” said Michael, who sings and plays the guitar and cello for the band.

While Kevin is the most recognizable of the duo, as an accomplished actor in several hit movies such as Apollo 13 and A Few Good Men, Michael has earned the respect of Hollywood in his own right. Michael, the elder of the two, is an Emmy-winning composer who has scored several documentaries and audiobooks.

Together, Michael and Kevin have put out eight albums, the latest of which, The Bacon Brothers, was released last year. The band is rounded out by Paul Guzzone on the bass and back-up vocals, Joe Mennonna on keyboards and the accordion, Tim Quick on lead guitar, the mandolin and backing vocals, and Frank Vilardi on drums.

The band has been together since 1997, when they debuted their first album, Forosoco. However, the musical journey of Michael and Kevin actually started when they were just boys growing up in Philadelphia, Kevin explains.

“Well, Michael was a born musician; he started playing when he was a little boy, started playing the cello and the oboe . . . that’s what he did from the time he was a

little boy,” said Kevin, who also sings and plays the guitar and percussion. “My thing was listening to my older brother . . . seeing him, listening to him and looking at that and saying, ‘That sounds like fun.’ ” “So I started to have these melodies and these words in my head. I would sing them to Michael, and he would turn them into songs, and that sort of led to ‘Well, let’s do that again,’ ” Kevin said.

The Bacon Brothers are currently spending their summer traveling the U.S. for their Shaky Ground Tour, which is named after a line from one of their songs, “A Road We Know Too Well.”

“I think we always like to have the tour be a little ironic, that there’s aspects to it that are not like ‘this is just all fun’ and ‘this is all easy,’ ” Michael said. “And I think that all the tours sort of reflect that sort of thing.

It’s not like a black-and-white kind of thing, but something more of a gray area, which I think ‘shaky ground’ describes.”

While out on the road, Kevin said fans can expect the band to play a lot of material from their most recent album, in addition to performing and experimenting with new songs.

Last month, The Bacon Brothers released a new single entitled “Play,” but the brothers couldn’t state for sure whether they’re ready to release a full-length LP just yet.

“Were getting close enough to have stuff for another album. I guess the question is whether or not we do it as one album or we continue to put out some singles,” Kevin said. “We have to dig more, think a little bit more about that. We could probably put out 10 songs and then after the 10th one is out, put out another album, so we’ll see.”

Tickets to see The Bacon Brothers at The Coach House on Wednesday, Aug. 7, are $55. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show scheduled to start at 8 p.m.

The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. For tickets or more information, call 949.496.8930 or visit thecoachhouse.com. CD

The Capistrano Dispatch July 26-August 8, 2019

Page 11

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

S

SJC LIVING PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

GUEST OPINION: Dirt Therapy by Marianne Taylor

Flutter-on over to the Festival of the Butterflies

A

ugust marks the 10th anniversary of the Los Rios Park and the Los Rios Garden Angels, a volunteer group started by Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens that cares and maintains the native gardens and butterfly habitats.

To celebrate both anniversaries, Goin’ Native is hosting its inaugural Festival of the Butterflies on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the Los Rios Historic District, Los Rios Park and Goin’ Native’s headquarters.

This free event will bring awareness to the butterfly populations that are on decline worldwide because of a loss of habitats, bacteria viruses and from the use of pesticides and insecticides.

The 6.5-acre park is home to several types of Orange County butterflies, including the Anise DIRT THERAPY Swallowtail and the endanBy Marrianne gered Monarch butterfly.

Taylor Enjoy garden walking tours, plant sales, butterfly education, kids’ crafts, live music, food, museum, ZOOMARS Petting Zoo and fun from the Los Rios participating merchants. Upon arrival, pick up a street map for the Festival of the Butterflies at the train station kiosk or from a Garden Angel at the Los Rios Park. Follow the monarch butterfly on the map to the various street merchants on Los Rios Street and get a stamp for fluttering by. Fill up your passport with stamps from each participating merchant and get a free opportunity ticket at Goin’ Native.

Trevor’s at the Tracks, the premier sponsor, has created a butterfly café at the Goin’ Native gardens offering bites and beverages. Mike Evans of Tree of Life Nursery will be speaking on butterfly habitats and have plants for sale to encourage butterflies in the garden.

There will also be a butterfly bubble market with wings and things to entertain the wee ones, as well as park garden tours, talks and a live butterfly release of 300 Monarch butterflies at 1 p.m. at the Los Rios Park.

During the free garden talks and tours, you’ll learn about the various butterflies that call Los Rios Park home, including Monarchs, Mourning Cloaks, Cloudless Sulphur, Yellow Sulphur, Anise Swallowtail, White Checkered Skippers and the Gulf Fritillary.

In 2013, the park received recognition as a certified North America Butterfly Association (NABA) approved garden.

To become a NABA-certified butterfly garden, the park needed to provide a minimum of 12 host and nectar plants from the required plant list to support regional native butterfly habitats.

To help stop the extinction of these butterflies, learn how to add host and nectar plants in your garden pallet. To gain a NABA certificate for your garden, visit naba.org.

As a nonprofit 501c3, Goin’ Native is committed to providing horticultural education, emotional and physical rehabilitation and practical life skills to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds while promoting environmental sustainability and saving community resources.

Not only does Goin’ Native care for the butterfly habitats at the park each week,

FROM THE ARCHIVES Leon Eyraud, operator of San Juan Hot

Springs, sits on a tractor. It is unclear when this photo was taken.

Every issue, The Capistrano Dispatch will publish a historical photo. Online, The Capistrano Dispatch will create a gallery of the month’s photos. To submit your historical photo for consideration, provide information about the photo along with your name, date, location and a small description to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com.

Goin’ Native cares for adults with developmental disabilities who help maintain the gardens. We support and nurture these adults who come from various public and private day programs in Orange County, helping them find meaningful experiences and vocational opportunities.

You can contribute to the growth of our weekly program by attending the tropical cocktail fundraising party at ZOOMARS following the festival. The fundraiser will benefit the butterfly sanctuary at the park and the adult workability group.

Participate in the silent auction and sway to the sounds of Caribbean steel drum music while enjoying sweet nectar drinks and tropical tastes from the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce’s

recently named Business of the Year, Sweet Home Capistrano Bakery Café.

Tickets are $100 per person, $50 for children under 16 and $250 for families of four. Order online at goinnative.net.

Marianne Taylor, of San Juan Capistrano, is the founder and executive director of Goin’ Native Therapeutic Gardens, 501c3, teaching gardening and life skills as a way of empowering, engaging and connecting people. Goin’ Native focuses on educating local families, special-needs adults, seniors, at-risk youth and members of the military. 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.

Sudoku

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Karl

BY MYLES MELLOR

Solution:

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

K

arl is a 4 1/2-month-old kitten with bright eyes and striking markings. Like many kittens, Karl is full of energy and loves to play.

Karl is just one of the many adorable kittens ready and waiting to be adopted at the shelter. Come meet them today!

If you would like to know more about Karl, please call the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter at 949.492.1617 or visit with him at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente. CD

Photo: Courtesy of Santa Ana Public Library

Karl. Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

The Capistrano Dispatch July 26-August 8, 2019

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 Page 12

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY CLASSIFIEDS Submit your classified ad online at thecapistranodispatch.com GARAGE SALES ENCANTAMAR ANNUAL COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Dana Point. July 27th 8AM-1PM Corner of Golden Lantern and Camino Del Avion. Multi-family with tons of great items, too much to even list.

HOLIDAY GARAGE SALE Sat. July 27th from 9am to 4pm. 33801 Calle Conejo, SJC. Clearing out all Holiday decor for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween and Easter.

Christmas tree with lights attached. Holiday focused table cloths Holiday Table decorations witches, bunnies, Christmas scenes. Christmas CD’s. Outdoor Christmas lights. Christmas Village scenes. 5 piece outdoor furniture.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@thecapistranodispatch.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email debra@wellsadsolutions.com

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email debra@wellsadsolutions.com

Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

LOST PETS MISSING: LOST CAT Responds to the name Dasha. Female. One-yearold. Maine Coon. Long Hair, Calico-coloring with white chest and belly. Last seen in 34000 block of Camino El Molino in Capistrano Beach. If you’ve seen her, please contact Cari at 503-989-1243.

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE Call 949.388.7700, ext. 104 or email debra@wellsadsolutions.com

LEGAL NOTICES Notice is hereby given that on September 6, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, in Department C16 of the Orange County Superior Court – Central Justice Center, located at 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701, Petitioner Alyssa Garrett intends to apply for an order, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 6000, et. seq., declaring The Capistrano Dispatch to be a newspaper of general circulation for the County of Orange, State of California circulated in the City of San Juan Capistrano.

Do you want to reach 24,150+ people in the San Juan Capistrano area?

Then you need to be in The Capistrano Dispatch. Call us today!

949.388.7700 ext. 104 The Capistrano Dispatch July 26-August 8, 2019

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SPORTS & OUTDOORS STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Fall camps for city football teams begin July 31. The city’s five teams all begin preparing for their season openers, which kick off on Aug. 23. Photo: Zach Cavanagh

San Juan Preps Roundup

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

F

or in-game updates, news and more for all of the San Juan Capistrano high school sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCSports.

Football Teams Open Fall Camp on July 31 Summer is over for San Juan Capistrano’s five high school football teams, and the real practice is about to begin.

After months of seven-on-seven passing leagues and avoiding contact in T-shirts and shorts, teams finally will be able to bust out the helmets and pads. Most fall camps open on Wednesday, July 31.

San Juan Hills closed out its summer by going 3-1 at the Huntington Beach passing tournament on July 20. The Stallions open the season on Aug. 23 against Orange Lutheran at Orange Coast College.

JSerra got in its final tournament action on July 13 at the Mission Viejo passing tournament and dropped out of its scheduled appearance in the Huntington Beach The Capistrano Dispatch July 26-August 8, 2019

tournament. The Lions start their season with an out-of-state trip on Aug. 23 to take on East High of Salt Lake City, Utah.

St. Margaret’s opens fall camp on Aug. 1 and goes down to San Diego County to begin its season. The Tartans will play on a Saturday, Aug 24. at Vista.

Capistrano Valley Christian closed summer at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes passing tournament at Crean Lutheran on July 19. The Eagles begin camp on Aug. 5 and open the season in Los Angeles County on Aug. 23 against St. Monica at Santa Monica City College.

Saddleback Valley Christian kicks off the season on the road on Aug. 23 against Northwood at Irvine High School.

JSerra Alum Harris Named to Football Trophy Watch List University of Washington senior and JSerra alum Nick Harris was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list for the 2019 season. The Rimington Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding center in college football each season.

Last season at Washington, Harris, JSerra class of 2015, started 13 of 14 games for the Pac-12 champion Huskies and was named first-team, All-Pac-12.

As a senior at JSerra, Harris was named first-team, All-Trinity League, as the Lions posted a 7-3 record. CD Page 14