LOCAL NEWS YOU CAN USE DECEMBER 13-19, 2013 VOLUME 6, ISSUE 50 www.danapointtimes.com Water District Moves Ahead with San Juan Creek Boat, RV Storage EYE ON DP/PAGE 3 Nearly 100 people packed the Dana Point Community Center gym Monday for the Planning Commission’s Doheny Hotel hearing. After dozens spoke in opposition and the developer, Beverly Hills Hospitality Group, presented an alternative plan, the Commission continued the hearing to February 10. Photo by Andrea Papagianis VOTE FOR THE “BEST OF DANA POINT” AT WWW.DANAPOINTTIMES.COM Dana Hills Grad Killed Saturday in Four-fatality San Clemente Crash EYE ON DP/PAGE 8 EYE ON DP/PAGE 5 High School Senior Vogeler Reflects on Football Experience SPORTS/PAGE 20 Inn Dissension Doheny Hotel developer’s Option B doesn’t sit well with community
Transcript
L O C A L N E W S Y O U C A N U S ED E C E M B E R 1 3 -1 9, 2 0 1 3
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 50
www.danapointtimes.com
Water District Moves Ahead with San Juan
Creek Boat, RV Storage EYE ON DP/PAGE 3
Nearly 100 people packed the Dana Point Community Center gym Monday for the Planning Commission’s Doheny Hotel hearing. After dozens spoke in opposition and the developer, Beverly Hills Hospitality Group, presented an alternative plan, the Commission continued the hearing to February 10. Photo by Andrea Papagianis
VOTE FOR THE “BEST OF DANA POINT” AT WWW.DANAPOINTTIMES.COM
Dana Hills Grad Killed Saturday in Four-fatality
San Clemente Crash EYE ON DP/PAGE 8
E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 5
High School Senior Vogeler Reflects on Football Experience
SPORTS/PAGE 20
Inn DissensionDoheny Hotel developer’s Option B
doesn’t sit well with community
What’s Up With...D A N A P O I N T ’ S T O P 5 H O T T E S T T O P I C S
1LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTINGEYE ON DP
www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times December 13–19, 2013 Page 3
DPDana Point
THE LATEST: The South Coast Water District unanimously approved moving forward with a self-development plan Friday of an 11-acre boat and recreational vehicle storage site along the Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano border. The meeting was the district’s fifth on the subject.
The board directed staff to plan a 5- to 7-acre storage site, and work with the city of Dana Point to permit 11 acres of the 30-acre site on Stonehill Drive along San Juan Creek, allowing for expansion.
Currently, the site contains the district’s groundwater recovery plant, water and sewer lines and industrial storage for about 42 tenants. The development of the site would be utilized by Orange County during its $140-million Dana Point Harbor revital-ization project, with long-term boat and RV storage options after.
Brad Fowler, the city’s director of public works and engineering, raised concerns about water quality and flood plain manage-ment. The district’s newly hired General Manager Andrew Brunhart said an analysis and flood management plan would be con-ducted and included in a proposal as staff designs the site.
WHAT’S NEXT: Staff could present requests for proposals for board review in early January. Proposals for project management and for environmental impact identification, under the California Environmental Quality Act, from vendors will follow.
The board also held its annual reorgani-zation votes at the meeting, unanimously selecting Wayne Rayfield and Bob Moore to serve in their current seats, president and vice president, respectively.
… Boat Storage?2
THE LATEST: In observance of the Christ-mas and New Year’s holidays, the city of Dana Point and certain municipal govern-ing bodies will go dark as 2014 approaches.
City offices will be closed between Tues-day, December 24 and Wednesday, January 1 and will reopen Thursday, January 2 at 7:30 a.m.
Also in observance of the holidays, a reg-ularly scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 17 has been canceled, as has a Planning Commission meeting on Monday, December 23. Additionally, the Ocean Water Quality Subcommittee meet-ing Christmas Eve is canceled.
WHAT’S NEXT: Dana Point Police Services will continue uninterrupted. City Council will reconvene Tuesday, January 7 at 6 p.m. for its first scheduled meeting of 2014.
FIND OUT MORE: By visiting the city’s website, www.danapoint.org.—AP
… City Hall Closures? 5
CITY AND BUSINESS CALENDAR
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
Community Recycling Event 9 a.m.–11 a.m. Residents can drop off plastic bottles and aluminum cans in the Dana Hills High School parking lot, 33333 Golden Lantern, for students from the school’s organizations to sort. Events will be held rain or shine. Funds collected are distributed by the school’s PTSA for student programs.
Farmers Market 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Seasonal produce is on the ticket
at the weekly outdoor market, located at 34111 La Plaza Street. Call 949.573.5033 to find out about rent-ing a booth.
Winter Festival and Tree Lighting Noon–7 p.m. Carnival games, holiday tunes, a visit from Santa Claus, crafts, pony rides and snow will top off the city’s annual celebration at La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza. The tree-lighting ceremony begins at 5:15 p.m., followed by a showing of the movie Arthur Christmas at 5:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
Anime Club 1 p.m.–3 p.m. The Teen Advisory Board welcomes teen fans of anime and graphic novels to the Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, to watch films and enjoy snacks. Call 949.496.5517 for more information.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17
City Council Meeting—Canceled. Dana Point City Council will be dark through its first 2014 regularly sched-uled meeting on Tuesday, January 7.
THE LATEST: A state regulator is investigat-ing Dan Harkey, the husband of State As-semblywoman Diane Harkey of Dana Point, for “making misrepresentations of facts to investors.”
In July, Harkey and one of his companies, Point Center Financial, was ordered to pay more than $10 million to investors after the company went bankrupt as a result of the downturn in the real estate market. Inves-tors who sued Harkey claimed he and the company profited from fees paid on loans made with investor funds.
The state Department of Real Estate is considering revoking Dan Harkey’s cor-porate broker license. The board filed the allegations November 19.
WHAT’S NEXT: So far, no hearing has been formally set.
FIND OUT MORE: Follow us on Twitter @danapointtimes for updates.—Jim Shilander
THE LATEST: The City Council unanimously approved a contract last Tuesday with LSA Associates Inc. to conduct and environmen-tal impact report for a proposed 169-unit development on a U-shaped, 9-acre lot at Pa-cific Coast Highway and Del Obispo Street.
The land once held a mobile home park. A zoning change allowing for mixed-use development was approved by the city in 2009. In 2012 the change, with modifica-tions, received California Coastal Commis-sion approval and the City Council amended
… Dan Harkey?
… the Proposed Development at PCH
and Del Obispo?
3
4
THE LATEST: The City Council unanimous-ly approved a $75,000 contract last week with a consulting firm handling the South Coast Water District’s community outreach during Town Center construction.
Brad Fowler, the city’s director of public works and engineering, said the staff hoped hiring Constructive Community Relations would streamline communication efforts as both entities work to upgrade the downtown corridor’s infrastructure.
Early next year, the city will begin street-level construction on Pacific Coast Highway to create bus pullouts, change the landscaping and add medians, chang-ing the flow of traffic to allow two-way travel. This will come as the water district finishes upgrading underground sewer and water lines along PCH, and moves to do the same improvements on Del Prado Avenue.
To kick-start outreach efforts, Fowler and Community Development Director Ursula-Luna Reynosa hosted two meetings over the last week, fielding questions about the upcoming construction. One concern raised by members of the business com-munity was signage rules.
With crews working on streets and sidewalks throughout the 0.8-mile stretch of roadway for about eight-months, Luna-Reynosa indicated an exception to the city’s municipal code could be made, allow-ing business owners to post banners and other signs for customers.
WHAT’S NEXT: An official construction date has not been set.
That night, the council also moved to rebrand Town Center as the “Lantern District,” to create a unique trademark. The decision could mean a reworking of the district’s retrofitted entryway signage at Copper Lantern, completed this spring.
… Town Center?1 FIND OUT MORE: Stay up on water district news with www.danapointtimes.com.—AP
FIND OUT MORE: Track the city’s road to revitalize downtown on www.danapointtimes.com by searching “Town Center.”—Andrea Papagianis
its General Plan, clearing the way for the project.
The land, previously owned by Makar Properties, changed hands in 2011 when it was purchased by AG/A&M Doheny, LLC.
WHAT’S NEXT: The proposal has not been deemed complete by the city’s Community Development Department, therefore it is not public record, said department director Ursula Luna-Reynosa.
The estimated $254,000 cost for prepara-tion of the EIR is covered by the developer. The EIR is expected to be complete in 42 weeks—or early next fall—which could include public feedback, Planning Commis-sion and City Council considerations.
FIND OUT MORE: Search “Makar” and “mobile home park” at www.danapointtimes.com.—AP
EYE ON DP
www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times December 13-19, 2013 Page 5
ne of Dana Point’s biggest conver-sations from the latter half of 2013, the Doheny Hotel, must wait until
next year for its fate to be decided. Monday, the Dana Point Planning Com-
mission followed staff advice and contin-ued its public hearing of the 258-room, two- to five-story Doheny Hotel, proposed at the southwest corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Dana Point Harbor Drive, until February 10.
The decision came after the hotel’s developer, Beverly Hills Hospitality Group, presented an adapted proposal—for the first time—to the five-member commis-sion and more than 100 people packed into the Dana Point Community Center gym with hopes of addressing parking, traffic, density and commercial delivery questions raised at the body’s November 18 meeting.
Dozens of residents stuck through a near two-hour-long parking and traffic presentation by city senior planner Erica Demkowicz, followed by the developer’s parking and traffic consultants, to hear the hospitality group’s proposal.
“We feel that we have really listened to the community and Planning Commission through our meetings,” Coralee Newman, the developer’s communications consul-tant, said at the meeting. “We have taken in your input and modified the plan.”
Bob Keeler, an architect with the hotel’s designer Langdon Wilson International, presented modified plans, which include developing a portion of Lantern Bay Park to extend the hotel’s driveway, stepping the building back 30 feet from PCH and parking solutions. It was the first time staff, commissioners and residents heard the plan, although a version was presented as an alternative in an Environmental Impact Report released this summer.
Currently, the site houses a Jack in the Box, vacant store and 46-room hotel structure, previously operated as the Dana Point Harbor Inn. All buildings would be demolished. Plans for the hotel include conference rooms, restaurants, rooftop lounge amenities and an underground parking structure with 275 spaces.
If approved by the commission, new plans would see the developer seek City Council approval for a 30-foot easement onto parkland. The land was given to the city by Orange County, with a deed restric-tion attached that it only be used as a park.
The developer is proposing utilizing a northern hillside of Lantern Bay Park, near the parking lot and recreational courts, to serve as a front driveway, eas-
Inn Dissension
By Andrea PapagianisDana Point Times
Doheny Hotel developer’s Option B doesn’t sit well with community
O
ing hotel access. The city could make a case that parking access could meet county set terms, City Attorney Patrick Munoz said, adding the city would seek something in writing if the project gains commission and council approval.
Thus far, there have been no negotia-tions or discussions with the city over a possible land encroachment, said Ursula Luna-Reynosa, director of community development.
“Until they (Beverly Hills Hospitality Group) have approval, it would be an exercise in futility,” Luna-Reynosa said.
The proposed driveway extension would provide an entrance to a subterra-nean parking structure, house taxis and shuttles, and act as a second commercial loading zone. Previous plans only ac-counted for a 10-by-100-foot loading zone on Pacific Coast Highway, which com-missioners and residents alike expressed concern about, at previous meetings.
Another item residents have taken issue with is a height variance request to build up to 60.5 feet—well above the city’s 35-foot restriction. Presented alterations slightly reduce the building’s height, but the developer still seeks to push up the city’s limit, for a five-story structure.
While the developer presented alterna-tives as a responsive measure, speakers debated just how responsive their new proposal was, asking the commission not to create a precedent throughout town, in granting a height variance.
“The location doesn’t bother me. What troubles me greatly is the Doheny Hotel variance with zoning code for height,” said resident Susan Hinman. “This sig-
An existing Jack in the Box, vacant building and hotel would be demolished to make room for the proposed Doheny Hotel. The hotel’s developer, Beverly Hills Hospitality Group, proposed utilizing a portion of a Lantern Bay Park hillside to extend its driveway and ease the flow of traffic. Photos by Andrea Papagianis
nificant exception grants special privilege to the applicant … and will set a precedent for surrounding properties.”
A precedent is something staff has said, in the past, will not be set as each develop-ment proposal is evaluated individually, and site topography is taken into account. The developer has held its proposed height would not block coastal views, due to the land on which the hotel could sit.
Several residents echoed Hinman’s fears, including Chris Mitchell, owner of Crown Acquisitions in Dana Point. Mitchell, whose company is rehabbing a building on the northwest corner of PCH and Crystal Lantern for its headquarters, challenged the developer saying the building would “annihilate” any view his company has. In redoing the structure, Mitchell said he specifically opted out of upgrades that would have required a 6-inch city height variance. He said the proposed hotel just doesn’t fit.
“It’s like trying to cram me into a size 29 jean, when I am really a 36,” he said. The audience broke out into applause and had to be quieted by commission Chairman Gary Newkirk several times throughout the public comment period.
Of the two residents speaking in favor of the project, Harold Kaufman offered commissioners a piece of advice. Kaufman served on the city’s first Planning Com-mission after city incorporation in 1989 and said he too had heard similar com-plaints when the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort was being considered.
Commissioners, absent Norm Denton—who recused himself because his home-owners association owns land within 500 feet of the proposed hotel—left the public comment period open and continued the discussion until its February 10 meet-ing. At that time, staff should have more information on the developer’s intentions, Luna-Reynosa said. DP
Commission Applauds Mixed-use Town Center Project
The first mixed-use development since Dana Point implemented its Town Center Plan got a unanimous OK from the Planning Commission Monday night.
Combining residential, retail and res-taurant space, John Chen, the project’s principal developer, will take a vacant lot at Del Prado Avenue and Violet Lantern up a notch.
Plans for the lot include a three-level structure, with first-floor restaurant and retail spaces and two floors of residential units above. The building will feature a total of 18 units and have three levels of enclosed parking for all uses.
“We were early supporters of the Town Center project,” Chen told the Commission and more than 100 people gathered Monday night. “We endured a difficult economic environment, but presently have a (financial) window of opportunity to take advantage of.”
A handful of residents were concerned about noise, height, parking and traffic, but all expressed a desire to see the project go through. Chen said his firm, which has owned the land since 2006, is willing to work with residents to mitigate their concerns.
Commissioners Norm Denton and Liz Claus raised questions about restaurant noise impacting nearby residents, point-ing to past issues with Purple Feet Wines, now Luxe Restaurant, housed in a mixed-use building on an adjacent corner.
City Attorney Patrick Munoz said the City Council addressed mixed-use noise issues with a blanket approach in the Town Center Plan. He added the city hopes residents go into downtown knowing mix-use developments are being encouraged, and understand noise can come with such uses.
All members of the five-member body expressed excitement about the project, and the developer’s inclination to soften the building’s look. Commissioners also praised the developer’s dedication to the project and pointed to the mixed-use structure being a “great way” to launch the $19 million Town Center redevelopment.
“It has been a longtime coming,” said Chairman Gary Newkirk. “It is great we have an applicant here with staying power. This is a project that will serve well as a blue print example for other developments to come.”
Commissioners approved the project with a condition the developer soften the building’s east facade with landscaping, art or signage.
In anticipation of approval, the developer submitted a grading permit application prior to the meeting, said Ur-sula Luna-Reynosa, the city’s community development director. With the Commis-sion’s OK the application was approved shortly thereafter, she said, meaning the developer’s excavation of the site could begin soon, though no official timeline has been set.—AP
EYE ON DP
www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times December 13–19, 2013 Page 6
Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about awards,
NEWS BITESP R O P S , R E C O G N I T I O N S A N D M O R S E L S O F I N F O
Compiled by Andrea Papagianis
Pooches Take the Plunge to Benefit Animal Shelter
Play Santa Claus for Foster Children, Disabled, Elderly
u There’s still time to make a Christmas donation as Orange County collects gifts for children in foster care, and elderly and dis-abled adults through Thursday, December 19.
Each year, volunteers collect toys and gifts through Operation Santa Claus to give foster children and adults under the care of county agencies a holiday surprise. An estimated 42,000 gifts are handed out each holiday season. The county is asking resi-dents to add one more gift to their holiday shopping lists this year.
Unwrapped toys and gifts for children, teens and seniors can be dropped off at vari-ous Dana Point Harbor locations, including the OC Sailing and Events Center, 34451 Ensenada Place; Coffee Importers, 34531 Golden Lantern Street; Dana Wharf Sport-fishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern Street and the Dana Point Marina Inn, 24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive.
Leading up to his busiest day of the year, Saint Nicholas himself will also make stops at the Harbor to finalize his naughty-and-nice-list. Swing by, bring the camera and say “Hello” to the holly, jolly Christmas figure. Santa will be in the courtyard near Dana Wharf on Thursday, December 19.
Pets love gifts from Santa Claus too, and the Pet Project Foundation knows it. For a $15 donation, four-legged creatures, or those who fly and slither can have their picture taken with the man in red Saturday, December 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All funds raised benefit the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. Learn more at www.petprojectfoundation.org.
DP Sheriff’s Blotter
COMPILED BY QUINN CONWAY
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 in-cident 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.
Monday, December 9
INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWNDel Obispo Street, 33600 Block (9:26 a.m.)Authorities responded to a downed home-less male, covered in a blanket, who had not moved in more than two hours. The caller reported the man sleeping near the Dana Capistrano Animal Clinic at Del Obispo and Stonehill Drive.
Sunday, December 8
DISTURBANCEDel Prado Avenue, 24400 Block (9:49 p.m.) Two possibly drunken men were pounding on the front windows of Jack’s Restaurant. The caller said she had locked herself inside the eatery. The assailants were described as being in their 20s or 30s and having long hair.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCEDiana Drive, 33800 Block (9:06 p.m.)Authorities detained a drunken man who was pounding on a garage door and trying to open the caller’s front door. The man was arrested and taken to the Central Mens’ Jail in Santa Ana. His bail is set at $70,000.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCEPacific Coast Highway, 34200 Block (2:51 p.m.)A skateboard ramp was blocking open parking spaces in the Del Taco parking lot. The caller added there were numerous bags surrounding the ramp belonging to homeless people.
ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCYChristina Drive, 33200 Block (10:36 a.m.)A 50-year-old male patient at a residential detox facility stopped breathing. The caller was unable to move the man because of his weight but started administering CPR. Orange County Fire Authority personnel were dispatched to the scene and trans-ported the patient to Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach.
DRUNK IN CARStreet of the Blue Lantern/Pacific Coast Highway (1:35 a.m.)Authorities performed a patrol check for a man leaving The Point Restaurant and Bar in a silver Dodge with
graphics, after drinking all night. The call-er said the man “should not be driving.”
DISTURBANCE-FAMILY DISPUTEPacific Coast Highway, 33400 Block (12:40 a.m.) Two subjects got into a physical altercation in the valet area of the Double-Tree Suites. Hotel security was unable to restrain those in the scuffle. By the time authorities arrived, one of the subjects left the area and the one remaining declined to press charges.
DRUNK DRIVINGLa Plaza, 34100 Block (12:34 a.m.) A drunken 23-year-old female driver of a sliver Volkswagen sedan hit the caller’s vehicle near Hennessey’s Tavern. The intoxicated driver remained in the car and refused medical attention. Authorities arrested the young woman. She was taken to the women’s Intake Release Center in Santa Ana, cited and released around 3 p.m. Sunday.
Saturday, December 7
DRUNK IN PUBLICPacific Coast Highway, 34300 Block (8:32 a.m.) An intoxicated man was sitting in the bushes near Carl’s Jr. telling passersby that “he’s blind.” When asked to leave, the man refused.
DISTURBANCEStreet of the Golden Lantern, 34500 Block (12:50 a.m.) There was an altercation between a man and two women in the Harbor parking lot near Harpoon Henry’s, where the man began punching one of their cars. He left the scene in a silver hy-brid and was last seen on Golden Lantern. The caller believed he would soon return.
Friday, December 6
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCEDel Obispo Street, 33600 Block (4:36 p.m.) A “jumpy” man in his 50s, wearing a blue beanie and gray shirt was seen defecating behind a building.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCESan Juan Avenue, 24600 Block (11:33 a.m. and 3:09 p.m.) Two calls were received nearly four hours apart from one an-other about a man, who appeared to be homeless, building a tree house outside the caller’s office window. The arboreal builder was described as being 30 years old and wearing a dark green jacket with no shirt.
Wednesday, December 4
SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCEStreet of the Golden Lantern, 32500 Block (7:53 p.m.) A caller stated that a security guard for the complex was threatening children with his Taser and had been us-ing drugs. The caller said he had video of the subject to show deputies, but did not give his name or a specific location to the dispatcher.
A canine competitor races at the Pet Project Foun-dation’s annual Wag-a-Thon. Photo by Tony Tribolet
Santa Claus gets a big hug from Gavin Petin, 4, at the Dana Point Harbor last year. Photo by Andrea Swayne
u With one of North Beach’s historic fa-cades soon getting a facelift, the city of San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department is taking advantage and host-ing its first-ever Polar Pooch Plunge, giving canines a chance to rule the pool.
The event will be held Saturday, Decem-ber 14, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Ole Hanson Beach Club pool at 105 W. Avenida Pico. The event is only possible because the pool will be drained for the club’s remodel.
Cost for participation is $5, payable by cash or check, per dog, and owners are admitted free of charge.
All proceeds will benefit the San Clem-ente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. The Pet Project Foundation will also be providing goody bags for each swimming dog.
Owners are required to supervise their dog, monitor their interaction with other dogs and clean up after them. Aggressive animals will be excused from the event. All dogs must be properly licensed with current vaccinations. Dog owners are not allowed in the pool.
This event will be held rain or shine. Visit www.san-clemente.org or call 949.429.8797.
Explore Dana Point’s Past with Historical Society Walk
u The Dana Point Historical Society partners with the Nature Interpretive Center for a 1.5-mile, two-hour-long walking tour exploring the history of the area.
Historical Society board members Terry and Lee Walsh will lead the walk around Bluff Top Trail, first developed in 1924 by the San Juan Point Corporation. Participants should meet at the Sampson Gazebo at Blue Lantern just south of Santa Clara Drive at 9 a.m. To register, call 949.542.4755.
The DPHS Museum at City Hall will be open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday next week, but will close for the weeks of Christ-mas and New Year’s days along with the city offices.
EYE ON DP
San Clemente:
FOUR KILLED IN SATURDAY MORNING CRASH
our people were killed and a fifth injured in a single car accident early Saturday morning near the corner of South El Camino Real and Avenida Valencia in San
Clemente.Three men and one woman, including the driver of
the vehicle, were pronounced dead at the scene, said Lt. Jeff Hallock, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities responded to the scene around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Pablo Vargas Diaz, 25, of San Juan Capistrano. Three of the passengers has also been identified as, Martin Nieto, 26, a 2006 Dana Hills High School graduate of Laguna Niguel and Lucia Solis, 27, and Luis Olivar, 22, both of San Juan Capistrano.
A 24-year-old female passenger, whose name has not been released, was transported to a local trauma center. She is expected to survive.
Hallock said the investigation is ongoing, but speed and alcohol are believed factors in the crash. It could be weeks until the final investigation report is released, which should include the victims’ toxicology reports, he said.
Don Bolender, the owner of the Christmas tree lot near where the accident took place, and whose fence is now adorned with flowers, photos and candles remembering the victims, said he was sleeping when the crash oc-curred. When he awoke at 6 a.m., Bolender discovered police had blocked off the street.
News Next Door
FS
Vehicle parts and a light pole knocked down by the crash were strewn throughout the tree lot, and bits of glass were found in some trees, he said. The last several days have brought a nearly constant stream of mourners to the site.
One of the victims, Silva, worked as a barber at Señor Barber in San Juan Capistrano. His father, Jose, is an employee at the Mission.
A viewing for Silva was held Thursday at Lesneski Mortuary in San Clemente, according to a post on the Señor Barber Facebook page. A mass will be held Friday, December 13, at 1 p.m., at Mission Basilica Church. A reception will follow and the family has requested mourn-ers not wear black but colorful clothing.—Jim Shilander and Brian Park
San Juan Capistrano:
EMBATTLED COUNCILMAN CHOSEN AS MAYOR
an Juan Capistrano City Councilman Sam Allevato, who is the target of an ongoing recall effort, was selected as the city’s new mayor Tuesday, December
3, during the council’s annual reorganization.Allevato, a 37-year resident of San Juan who was first ap-
pointed to the council in 2004, has served as mayor twice before. He was reelected to the council November 2012.
Allevato found support from his council allies, outgoing mayor John Taylor and Larry Kramer, who was selected mayor pro tem. Councilman Derek Reeve voted against both Allevato’s and Kramer’s nominations while Council-man Roy Byrnes abstained from voting.
In recent months, the council’s fractured relations have fissured further with Kramer’s accusations of legal and ethical misconduct against Byrnes and Reeve. A 3-2 deci-sion to begin an official investigation into Kramer’s allega-tions was rescinded within a month in favor of seeking the opinion of the state Attorney General’s office.
Allevato, Kramer and members of the community also recognized Taylor for his year of service as mayor.
“He really taught me to soften my rough edges because he truly is a man that really cares about this community,” Allevato said. “Truly, John, you’ve done a great job. You’ve been an inspiration for our residents.”
The council also selected Kramer as chairman and Byrnes as vice chairman of the city’s successor agency to the redevelopment agency. Byrnes was selected chair-man of the city’s Housing Authority. Reeve will serve as vice chairman. The seats occupied by Kramer, Reeve and Taylor are up for election November 2014.—BP DP
A makeshift memorial bears remembrances of the four people, all in their 20s, killed in a fatal car accident Saturday morning on South El Camino Real in San Clemente. Photo by Jim Shilander
Dana Point Times December 13–19, 2013 Page 10 www.danapointtimes.com
San Clemente
VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTSSOAPBOX
DPDana Point
Dana Point Times, Vol. 6, Issue 50. The DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch.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 2013. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
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PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide vari-ety of opinions from our community, the DP Times 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 refl ect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at [email protected].
To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at [email protected] or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. Dana Point Times 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.
Susan Wilson
GUEST OPINION: Susan Wilson, Chairwoman of the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission
Discussions are taking place to consider future governance of Orange County’s ‘last frontier’
W
South County Answers Aren’t So Simple
Letters to the Editor
ith most of Orange County now urbanized and the patchwork of city and special district service
providers largely in place, the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commis-sion still faces one signifi cant challenge in south Orange County: identifying viable long-term governance options for south county’s remaining unincorporated communities—Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Wagon Wheel and the developing Rancho Mission Viejo prop-erty, located south of Mission Viejo and east of San Juan Capistrano and planned for 14,000 homes. When fully developed, the Rancho Mission Viejo community will be home to approximately 90,000 Orange County residents.
If history is our guide, why not just allow the remaining south Orange County unincorporated communities to incorpo-rate and become their own cities? Forming new cities was an effective governance so-lution for growing communities in Orange County in the 1950s and 1960s and again in the 1980s and 1990s. Unfortunately, in 2013, the answer is not that simple. From the state level, the way revenues are allo-cated to newly formed cities has changed dramatically, making the incorporation of a
NATURAL RESOURCES TRUMP FOUR-STAR AMENITIES
BRANDON PHILLIPS, Dana Point
Neighbors, let’s let the cat out the bag. The city is looking to develop any-thing and everything to grow the city’s fi nancial status … right?
Why does a growth in development, pollution (noise and environmental), traf-fi c congestion, population and a decline
new city increasingly dif-fi cult. The newest city to incorporate in California in July 2011, the city of Jurupa Valley in Riverside County, may also gain the notoriety of being the shortest-lived—and maybe the last—incorpo-
rated city in California’s 162-year history, according to City Manager Stephen Harding in an article published in Western City magazine. A last minute maneuver to balance the state budget resulted in the elimination of the single most important source of revenue to newly incorporated cities, vehicle license fees. Jurupa Valley is now considering fi ling for disincorporation unless the VLF funding issue is corrected by the state legislature. Simply stated, the city is running out of money to provide essential services.
As chair of OC LAFCO, I help oversee the network of local governments that provide municipal services to Orange County residents. What a network we have. As the third most populous county in California, we have 34 cities, 27 special districts and the County of Orange, each providing critical services to our county’s
of open space seem to be benefi cial to our community? Being a young man who has deep roots in our coastal communities and also a soon-to-be father, my wife and I are reconsidering raising our children in Dana Point (or anywhere in Southern California).
Beaches are lined with trash and gated communities. Parks and open spaces are becoming a nuisance to city council mem-bers. Public schools are overpopulated and valuable educators are leaving their
three million residents. Once a rural county dotted by orange groves, cattle ranches and vast expanses of open space, Orange County’s population boom started in the 1950s. We grew quickly as the result of a post-demand for affordable housing in close proximity to the beach. From 1950 to 1970 alone, Orange County’s population grew from 216,224 to 1,420,386.
As the population continued to grow, new unincorporated communities began springing up in south Orange County—all under the guidance and governance of the county. As these communities matured and reached “build out,” the desire to make their own decisions over land use, budgets and governance issues became increasingly important. Beginning in 1988, a new wave of city formations began with the incorporation of Mission Viejo. Other unincorporated communities soon fol-lowed with Laguna Niguel and Dana Point in 1989, Laguna Hills and Lake Forest in 1991, Laguna Woods in 1999, Rancho Santa Margarita in 2000 and Aliso Viejo in 2001—all becoming cities within 12 years. These cities provided their residents a higher level of municipal services, im-proved access to local offi cials and offered an individual identity and long-term vision
positions in fear. The last thing I want to see is this great city lose its focus on what made it great in the fi rst place: natural beauty, a safe place to raise children and community values.
How many hotels and shopping centers are needed in a coastal community? Has Hawaii’s tourism thrived because visitors heard there are several four-star resorts? Or is it because folks tap into their natural surroundings and fi nd clean beaches
for their communities.OC LAFCO can look back over the last
50 years with a level of pride in our suc-cess in guiding our local agencies toward providing both effective and effi cient municipal services delivery to Orange County residents. While incorporation may not be the short-term answer to the south county governance question, OC LAFCO has undertaken a deliberate and open “visioning” process to explore all vi-able long-term governance options for this area. The visioning process will likely be a multi-year, phased effort what will include the development of credible fi nancial data and modeling and stakeholder discussions with local government and community leaders.
Susan Wilson is a Mission Viejo resident and is currently the chair of the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commis-sion and has served on the commission for 17 years. DP
and clear water paired with lovely local business owners that allow tourists to escape their busy, overpopulated and graffi ti covered cities?
Please consider future generations when prostituting this city’s resources.
Dana Point Times December 13–19, 2013 Page 15 www.danapointtimes.com
3YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER
GETTING OUT
THE LISTA day-by-day guide to what’s happening in and around town. COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET8 p.m. The classic holiday play at Camino Real Playhouse. Tickets $24. Shows through December 22 with Thursday, Friday and weekend shows.
31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.
OCEAN INSTITUTE PARADE OF LIGHTS HOLI-DAY CRUISE 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Listen to Christmas music and see the colorfully decorated boats cruising through the harbor aboard an Ocean Institute cruise. Sweets, hot beverages and wine will be served. Tickets $50 adults, $40 children (age 4-12). 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.
JIMMIE JAMES HARRIS 8 p.m. Live music at Wind & Sea Restaurant. 34699 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.6500, www.windandsearestaurants.com.
friday13
Dana Point
DPDana Point
SANTA PAWS EVENT 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Pet Project Foundation hosts the annual event where pets can have their picture taken with Santa for a small fee at the Dana Point
Harbor. All proceeds support the PPF. More info can be found at www.petprojectfoundation.org.
WINTER FESTIVAL AND TREE LIGHTING Noon-7:30 p.m. The city of Dana Point presents a holiday event with activities and a tree lighting at La Plaza Park. 34111 La Plaza St., Dana Point, 949.248.3530, www.danapoint.org.
CHRISTMAS TRAIN 4 p.m.-9 p.m. The Christmas Train at Irvine Park Railroad with rides and other fun holiday activities. Ride tickets $10, available online only. Train runs through December. 23. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, 714.997.3968, www.irvineparkrailroad.com.
DON MCLEAN 8 p.m. Legendary musician at The Coach House. Tickets $55. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.
THE MANHATTAN TRANS-FER: CHRISTMAS SHOW8 p.m. Grammy award-winning group performs holiday favor-ites at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. 600 Town Center
Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2121, www.scfta.org.
monday 16
PHOTOS WITH SANTA 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Bring your camera for a picture and visit with Santa in the retail area of the Dana Point Harbor. Find out more at www.danapointharbor.com.
LAGUNA BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER 7 p.m. Annual holiday performance featuring the nonprofi t junior ballet company on the McKinney Theater stage at Saddle-back College. Tickets $24. 28000 Marguerite Parkway., Mission Viejo, 949.582.4656, www.saddleback.edu/arts.
*For our full calendar, visit the “Event Calendar” at www.danapointtimes.com.
tuesday17
SAWDUST ART FESTI-VAL’S WINTER FANTASY10 a.m.-6 p.m. Final day to visit the 23rd annual winter art fes-tival with 175 artists displaying and selling original creations
including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, clothing and more at the Sawdust Festival grounds. Admission $3-$6. 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030, www.sawdustartfestival.org.
GOT UKULELE? 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Ukulele players and fans are invited to a Hawaiian music lesson and jam ses-sion, every Sunday. Call for location and more details. 949.829.2675, www.ekanikapilakakou.com.
WEST KOAST JONNY 3 p.m. Alternative rock at StillWater Spirits & Sounds. 24701 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater.com.
sunday 15
KARAOKE WITH LES AND JOEL 7 p.m. Every Wednesday at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capist-rano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.
WILL HEARD WITH GARY ROACH 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.
wednesday18
saturday14
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 7 a.m.-10 a.m. Join experi-enced birders for the annual bird count at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Bring binoculars and fi eld guide. Admission $5. Call for info and directions, 949.489.9778, www.theconservancy.org. CAPT. DAVE’S BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS CRUISE7 p.m.-9 p.m. Be a part of the boat parade while enjoying beautifully decorated boats, holiday music and waving to the folks on shore from a Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari vessel. Tickets $25. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com.
DISNEY ON ICE: ROCKIN’ EVER AFTER 7:30 p.m. Disney on Ice brings a rockin’ remix of royalty to Honda Center. Tickets $17-$79. Performances through December 22. 2695 E. Katella
HALF-PRICED WHALE WATCHING Noon and 2 p.m. Two-hour whale watching adventures are half-price year-round at Dana Wharf Sportfi shing & Whale Watching. Cost $22.50. Times may vary. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.
Joel and Ethan Coen have been making strange fi lms their entire careers, since 1984. While not weird enough to turn off most audiences, like directors Terry Gilliam or Todd Solondz, the Coens’ movies are often strange enough to keep viewers interested while raising an eyebrow. The brothers have established a cult following with Raising Arizona, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and became Oscar darlings with Fargo, No Country for Old Men and A Serious Man. Their latest feature, Inside Llewyn Davis, like their previous effort True Grit, tries to “normalize” the duo’s movies just a little bit. In 1961 Greenwich Village, a struggling folk musician named Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) sleeps on his friends’ couches regularly, owes money, can’t get his new solo album sold and is still mourning his music partner’s suicide. As if things aren’t bad enough, Llewyn discovers he’s impregnated Jean (Carey Mulligan), the wife of fellow musician Jim (Justin Timberlake). Garrett Hedlund, John Goodman, Adam Driver and F. Murray Abraham make appearances throughout Llewyn’s short odyssey. Inside Llewyn Davis features some noticeable “Coenisms” but carries a bleak realism that sticks with the audience. Isaac delivers one of the best lead performances of the year, one deserv-ing of some award nods, and T-Bone Burnett and Marcus Mumford create one of the great soundtracks of 2013. While Llewyn Davis fails as a successful musician, his story fi nds a small spotlight to shine. —Megan Bianco
AT THE MOVIES: IT’S A LITTLE WEIRD ‘INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS’
Courtesy photo
EDITOR’S PICK: BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTSGlowing vessels will brighten the channels beginning at 7:30 p.m. as the 39th annual Boat Parade of Lights cruises the Dana Point Harbor for its last night. Decked out boats of all shapes
and sizes will parade around the county’s southernmost port, competing for judges’ awards. Holiday light-goers can view the parade from most spots in the Harbor. Visit www.danapointharbor.com for a parade map or call 949.496.5794 for more information.
Lighted boats cut the dark in the Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights. Photo by Lauralyn Loynes
4PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY
DP LIVING
DPDana Point
B Y B A R B A R A M E R R I M A N
www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times December 13–19, 2013 Page 17
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T
In the Spirit of Christmashe old adage, “It’s better to give than to receive” was never more evident than last Saturday, December 7.
The Dana Point Yacht Club was filled with Marines from Camp Pendleton and their families. They had been invited to come and enjoy lunch with Santa.
This has been an annual event for nine years and each year, as more club members participate, it gets a little better. There is even a waiting list to be an elf. Elf
hats are manda-tory, but pointy shoes are optional.
The families are asked to RSVP with the names and ages of their chil-dren, along with a request for a toy (in the $35 to $40
range) and a little something about each child so Santa can talk with them. The children are always surprised when Santa knows the name of their pet, if they are on the honor roll or if they have been helpful to mom or dad—or even if they have been in a playground fight. Our Santa this year was staff commodore Pat Shoemaker, who enjoys this gig and is really good at it.
The Marine families began arriving at 11:30 a.m. where they were greeted by our “check-in elves,” offered a Christmas tattoo by our “tattoo elves,” then shown to their tables by our “hostess elves.” At noon, the “serving and busing elves” were busy during and after lunch, and then the “gift elves” got into the act. We even had a couple of “photo elves” who took pictures of each family with Santa.
DPYC members provided enough donations to buy gifts for each of the 50 children (some years we have a few more, some years a few less) along with a gift card from Target for the parents.
Live music is provided by a member or two from the yacht club, known as our “music elves.”
This year, we were delighted to have the talent of violinist and Councilman Scott Schoeffel, a former mayor of Dana Point, playing carols, with me on the piano, as the guests were seated.
Christmas placemats with crayons and stickers were provided for each child, along with a small coloring book. We also had some special centerpieces this year. Each table was adorned with one of 21 little wooden trains made by Bill Taylor, nicknamed “Chief Toy Elf.” When the announcement was made that each family could take home a train, there was an audi-ble gasp in the room. It made us all smile. As the emcee, Bob Perdue, called each family up to visit with Santa and receive their gifts, excitement continued to build.
It truly is better to give than to receive
GUEST OPINION: Harbor Happenings by Barbara Merriman
PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide vari-ety of opinions from our community, the DP Times 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 DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at [email protected]
You could feel and see the happiness and the gratitude in the room as the fami-lies departed with their gifts. Each year, this giving event brings as much, or more, happiness to the members as it does to the guests from Camp Pendleton. It was, as always, a great boost to the Christmas Season for all involved.
Barbara Merriman is a former public school music teacher with a love for outdoor sports, primarily sailing and golf. She keeps a sailboat at Dana Point Harbor, has a passion for protecting the environment and serves on the Board of Directors at the Ocean Institute. DP
Volunteer elves from the Dana Point Yacht Club pose for a picture with Santa Claus. The group hosted about 50 Marine families from Camp Pendleton Saturday, December 7 for dinner and a gift giveaway. Courtesy photo
SUDOKUby Myles Mellor
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
Last week’s solution:
SOLUTIONSOLUTIONSOLUTIONSOLUTION
See today’s solution in next week’s issue.
wo of the 53 men and women who graduated from the nursing program at Saddleback College
on Tuesday evening hail from Dana Point.
Dana Point residents Cathleen Plaza and Allana Tobias were among those honored at a symbolic candle lighting and pinning ceremony at Saddleback’s McKinney Theater.
Other local, tri-city area gradu-ates are Robin Fouch, Brice Girdley, Margit Kalmus, Jessica Tanamachi and Christopher Wyatt, all from San Clemente, as well as Erica Warrington of San Juan Capistrano.
As part their commencement, the new nurses were presented with a pin, the traditional symbol of a nurse’s ser-vice and rite of passage into the pro-fession. A candle lighting ceremony symbolized the passing of the flame from the famed founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, to each of the new graduates.
Girdley, along with a fellow gradu-ate, delivered a speech titled, “Re-member When.” DP
The 2013 Saddleback College Nursing Program commencement Tuesday included pinning and candle lighting ceremonies. Courtesy photo
By Andrea SwayneDana Point Times
DP’S NEWEST NURSESTwo Dana Point residents among 53 recognized at Saddleback College pinning ceremony Tuesday
DP LIVING
ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50
By Tom Blake
GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake
PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers
with a wide variety of opinions from our community,
the DP Times 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 DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would
like to respond to this column, please email us at
s we age, many people develop serious health problems.
For singles who are dating, an important consideration is: when do you reveal your condition to a new person you meet and like?
You fear rejection. You are afraid if you reveal your ailment, the person will disap-pear. And yet you are an honest individual and want to be fair.
When do you have that health conver-sation? Is there a good time?
Yvonne says, “Maybe not on the first date, but within the first five. At least then your date knows exactly what he or she is dealing with they can decide how to proceed. Some dates will run, and that’s OK. But with honesty up front, there is no sense of having been deceived later on.”
Mary said, “After a few dates and if you sense that it might become an on-going relationship, you owe it to your compan-ion to reveal health issues. It happened to me when I went on lymphoma cancer watch. I told the man I was dating, even before I told my adult children.
“After two years of scans and lab work,
Is there a right time to reveal serious health issues to potential mates?
I was declared OK. The person I shared this with had cared for his wife for a number of years and I thought he deserved to know so he could leave if this troubled him. He didn’t leave until a year later, for different reasons.”
Daryl met a man on-line whose profile stated he loved flying his own plane and hiking at his cabin in Colorado.
She said, “He was a nice fellow who was anxious to meet for lunch. I arrived first and was watching out the window when he drove up. The problem was immediately clear when he had difficulty getting out of his automobile. Chunky but not obese, he commented that his knees needed ‘replacing.’
“When I mentioned that I walk every day with my 90-pound pooch, he was frank enough to say he was unable to walk down the block. The lunch was nice. Had he indicated he was scheduling the
surgery, I would have kept up a phone relationship, but he was ‘putting off the surgery.’ No way.”
Claire dated a man for two months. She noticed at times he had red blotches on his hands. When she asked about them, he said he had banged his hand on something. Claire said, “Three months into our relationship, he confessed he was dying from a rare type of cancer from which there was no cure. We cried together when he revealed this to me.
“He said each time I came to his house, he hid the calendar that had his doctors appointments on it and his pre-scriptions, because if I knew about his illness I would break off the relationship. I broke it off because I was beginning to love him and feeling an attachment to him. I did not want to go through losing him.”
Sid, 70, said, “I was a care-taker for my wife for six years before she passed away from breast cancer, and I don’t want to go through that again, especially in my later years. My advice is to have the conversation sooner rather than later and
before becoming intimate.”The consensus: Be honest. Reveal your
condition within a few dates. To share your thoughts, email Tom at
50 plus is Wednesday, December 18, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Tutor and Spunky’s Deli in Dana Point. The event will feature Carl the DJ and a fun, white elephant gift exchange. For more details, visit www.tutorandspunkys.com.
Tom Blake is a Dana Point business owner and San Clemente resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at www.findingloveafter50.com for more dating advice. DP
Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com
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SALES PERSON WANTEDPicket Fence Media, owner of the San Clem-ente Times, Dana Point Times and Capistrano Dispatch, is looking for an advertising sales rep to join our dynamic team. We’re looking for an organized, hard-working individual with a great personality who can create marketing solu-tions for local businesses and push for growth in both print and online media platforms. Ideal candidate will have prior experience with me-dia sales. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Alyssa Garrett at [email protected].
Danman’s Music School 949.496.655624699 Del Prado, www.danmans.com
5STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE
SPORTS& OUTDOORS
DPDana Point
www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times December 13-19, 2013 Page 20
Dolphin Report
By Steve Breazeale
OUTDOOR SPOTLIGHT
In his monthly newsletter Dana Wharf Sportfi shing & Whale Watching captain Brian Wooley anticipated that December would be a good month to catch rockfi sh and so far, that prediction has held true. Anglers have been pulling in a good amount of rockfi sh along with sculpin and sand bass.
This month also marks the start of lobster hoop netting trips, which are offered on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The Dana Hills boys cross country team toed the starting line with 21 of the best high school teams from around the country at the Nike Cross Nationals on December 7 and came away with an 18th-place fi nish.
Senior Gavin Diem led the way for the Dolphins, fi nishing 31st overall with a time of 15:56.
Jake Ogden (42nd), Mason Coppi (51st), Alexander Smith (106th), Timothy Wilson (117th), Joseph Benrubi (128th)
T
Anglers aboard a Dana Wharf Sportfi shing & Whale Watching boat display their rockfi sh. Courtesy photo
here is nothing like playing football under Friday night lights. The energy and the atmosphere are indescribable
and omnipresent. There are many sports in high school,
but none are similar to football. Football draws the biggest crowds, the student section goes crazy and the school’s pride rests on the pads of all the players.
Most schools’ student body energy runs off of their football team. If the team wins, it uplifts the vibe on campus. It’s vice
Under the LightsFootball player refl ects on his time spent as a Dolphins athlete
sand bass, 3 calico bass, 2 sheephead, 1 cabezon, 1 white fi sh, 1 lingcod.
The race capped the end of a success-ful season for the Dolphins, one that saw them take third at the CIF State Champi-onships.
DOLPHINS BOYS BASKETBALL EARNS THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
Senior Eric Matheis fueled the Dana Hills boys basketball team to their third consecutive win on December 11, scoring a team-high 27 points in the Dolphins 50-42 nonleague win over visiting Laguna Beach.
Matheis put together an effi cient offen-sive game, making 10 of 14 shots from the fi eld, including fi ve of seven 3-pointers.
Dana Hills will host Rancho Buena Vista on December 13 before heading to play in the IWN Tournament in Tustin from December 17-20.
TRITONS OFFENSE TOO MUCH FOR DOLPHINS BOYS SOCCER IN 7-1 LOSS
Top ranked San Clemente traveled to play Dana Hills on December 11 and fl exed their offensive muscle in a 7-1 non-league victory.
Tritons junior forward Blayne Martinez recorded a hat trick and helped ignite a four-goal fi rst half effort.
The Dolphins (1-3) schedule will not get easier anytime soon. They will host No. 8 ranked Capistrano Valley out of the South Coast League on December 13.
GIRLS SOCCER OPEN SEASON AT ALISO CUP
The Dana Hills girls soccer team opened up their 2014 campaign at the high profi le Aliso Cup on December 9 and lost to Beckman 2-0.
The Dolphins (0-1) were set to play Esperanza on December 12. Results were
not available at press time.
DOLPHINS GIRLS WATER POLO GRAB WINS AT BENSON CUP
The Dana Hills girls water polo team went 3-1 at the Benson Cup Tournament from December 5-7. The Dolphins (3-2) defeated Bell Gardens, El Dorado and Villa Park. The lone loss came against Rosary on December 6.
DOLPHINS GIRLS BASKETBALL IN TOURNAMENT MODE
The Dana Hills girls basketball team is in the midst of a tough tournament schedule, which so far has produced mixed results.
The Dolphins (2-5) defeated Los Ami-gos 49-36 on December 7 and lost a close match against La Habra 55-52 on Decem-ber 9 as part of the Hawk Holiday Classic.
The Dolphins will play Corona del Mar at Los Amigos High School on December 13.
versa if they lose. In many ways, I think high school football teams bond the whole school together, to form one tight-knit community of students and staff.
Playing through high school, I have developed lifelong friendships, as well as memories I will remember for the rest of my life.
Going through two-a-days creates a brotherhood amongst the whole group. It was like I had 70 brothers I could tell any-
thing and everything. Even though two-a-days is by far the biggest challenge of the season, it is where the band of brothers is created. When it is 100 degrees outside and your whole body is in pain, it doesn’t hurt nearly as bad knowing that all your best buddies are right there, by your side, going through all of it with you.
I was fortunate enough to spend my four years playing at Dana Hills, under a phenomenal coaching staff and great group of teammates. When head coach Todd Rusinkovich took over three years ago, it was the start of something we call the Dolphin Dynasty.
My junior season, I became a starter on defense, playing safety. I was originally an offensive player as a sophomore, but coach Rusinkovich moved me to defense. Initially I felt as if I belonged on offense, but then realized a move to the other side of the ball was best for the team.
That same year I was lucky to be a part of Dana Hills’ fi rst ever league champion-ship. The experience was unbelievable, and I am honored to have been a part of it. When I am older and come back to visit, it
will be an awesome feeling, looking up at the lone football banner in the basketball gym, seeing the year 2012 emblazoned on it.
As a senior, I was expected to be a leader amongst my teammates. I had a great season, and we made the playoffs for the fi rst time in fi ve years. Unfortunately, we had a tough ending to the year, losing to Newport Harbor in the fi rst round. But it was still an amazing experience to play in a playoff atmosphere in front of our home crowd.
Football is a sport where it takes a whole team to win. I’ve learned that if only 10 people do their jobs, and one person doesn’t, it can be the difference between a win and loss. If there is one thing that I will miss the most about high school foot-ball, it will be the memories and relation-ships I formed with my teammates. DP
Dana Hills senior Michael Vogeler. Photo by Tony Tribolet/www.xpsphoto.com
GUEST OPINION: By Michael Vogeler,
Dana Hills High School Senior
PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide vari-ety of opinions from our community, the DP Times 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 refl ect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at [email protected]
5 sheephead, 4 sand bass, 3 white fi sh.12/8 • 4 boats; 77 anglers: 167
12/5 • 1 boat; 11 anglers: 30 rockfi sh, 25 vermillion rockfi sh, 1 sheephead and 1 white fi sh. —Compiled by Steve Breazeale
SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITYDP SURF
6
www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times December 13–19, 2013 Page 22
DPDana Point
DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:
Age: 12, Bernice Ayer Middle SchoolThe term “surf and turf” aptly represents Cole Thompson’s main athletic aspirations. Surfing and football are the sports Cole has set out to excel and advance in, and thus far, he’s succeeding. He’s also been a force on the hardwood for five years, most recently as center for his All Net club basketball team. Although he enjoys hoops, this sixth-grader is focused on preparing to earn spots as a shortboarder and a kicker on San Clemente High School’s surf and football teams and work toward a professional career in either sport. “I’ve been surfing for about four years now. I like to compete in surfing and would like to go pro someday, but if that doesn’t happen I’ll be fine with it,” he said. “I’d actu-ally really love to be a pro field goal kicker.” So far, he has logged three years on his Pop Warner football team, the Tritons, and is in his first year on the Bernice Ayer Middle School surf team. He likes surfing because “it’s energizing, fun and a really good work out.” Cole tries to paddle out every day but homework comes first for this ‘A’ and ‘B’ stu-dent. “I take school seriously because if you don’t get good grades, you can’t surf on the
surf team. So I try to make my grades work for that, and so that I can play football,” Cole said. “And besides, I want to get a good education and a good job someday.” —Andrea Swayne
GROM OF THE WEEK COLE THOMPSON
By Jim ShilanderDana Point Times
SURF FORECASTWater Temperature: 59-61 degrees FWater Visibility and Conditions:Local: 10-15’+ FairImmediate: Leftover northwest swell lingers as small new southwest swell mix begins to creep in. Better breaks run mainly knee-thigh high (1-2’+), with some better waist high+ (3’) sets for standouts. Fun-zone surf prevails on Friday off a blend of south-southwest and new west-northwest/northwest swells. Light winds in the morn-ings give way to light to moderate westerly onshores in the afternoons.Long Range Outlook: Modest scale west-northwest/northwest swell shows the most size through the weekend as modest south-southwest swell blends in. Better breaks run knee-waist high (2-3’) with some larger chest high (3’+) sets for standouts. Check out Surfline.com for all the details!
Honoring Hobie
Hobie Alter received surf fans and surfers like a gracious king Saturday at the Surfing Heritage and Cultural
Center. The event, a celebration of a new
biography of Alter titled HOBIE: Master of Water, Wind and Waves, brought out surf royalty like Phil Edwards, former Hobie employees and others just looking to get a glimpse of the surf legend.
Book author Paul Holmes, who also greeted well-wishers and signed copies of the book, said he was grateful for the turnout, but knew, after all, that it wasn’t for him.
“I’m very gratified so many turned out, not for me, but for Hobie,” Holmes said.
Holmes said the event had also given him the opportunity to catch up with—or meet in person for the first time—some of the people he’d spoken with for the book during his more than two years of research.
Barry Haun, the center’s curator and creative director, said Alter not only shaped surf culture, but had also touched other areas, from stand-up paddleboarding to sunglasses to remote control gliders. He noted the number of giants of the surf world in attendance, the likes of Edwards, who Haun called the “Joe DiMaggio of surfing,” and Mike Hynson, from End-less Summer, who don’t normally attend events.
“It shows what an icon Hobie is,” Haun said.
Many other supplicants came to speak with Alter as well. Cris Dawson, for example, was a member of an exhibition
Surfing royalty came to San Clemente Saturday to honor one of their own
Cole Thompson. Courtesy photo
RESULTSWSA Championship Tour, Event No. 5, Midget Smith Memorial Pier Rat Challenge, December 7-8, San Clemente, Pier
Local finishers only. Key: SC=San Clemente, DP=Dana Point, SJC=San Juan Capistrano.
MICRO GROM BOYS/GIRLS U9: 1. Dane Matson, SC; 5. Bryce Pinkerton, SC. BOYS/GIRLS U10: 2. Dax McPhillips, SC; 3. Brayden Burch, SC. BOYS U12: 2. Kai McPhillips, SC; 3. Kade Matson, SC; 4. Jett Schilling, SC. BOYS U14: 3. Kade Matson, SC; 5. Jett Schilling, SC. BOYS U16: 1. Kei Kobayashi, SC; 3. Nathan Carabba, SC. BOYS U18: 1. Brighton Reinhardt, DP. GIRLS U12: 2. Kirra Pinkerton, SC; 4. Samantha Sibley, SC. GIRLS U14: 2. Kirra Pinkerton, SC; 5. Samantha Sibley, SC; 6. Alexxa Elseewi, SC. GIRLS U16: 2. Malia Osterkamp, SC; 6. Cam-eron Duby, SJC. GIRLS U18: 1. Malia Osterkamp, SC; 2. Kirra Pinkerton, SC. BOYS LONGBOARD U14: 3. Jimmy Wynne, SC; 4. Ricky Fodor, DP; 5. Matt Economos, SC; 6. Joshua Hoffman, DP. JR. LONGBOARD U18: 2. Kaimana Takayama, SC. GIRLS LONGBOARD U14: 1. Cameron Duby, SJC; 4. Malia Mauch, SC. GIRLS LONGBOARD U18: 1. Emmy Lombard, SC; 4. Teresa O’Connor, SJC. MEN 18-29: 5. Ricky Lovato, SC. SENIOR MEN 40-49: 1. Rick Takahashi, San Diego. LEGENDS 50+: 3. Dale Baker, SC. OPEN MEN: 3. Cody Canzoneri, SC; 5. Brighton Re-inhardt, DP. OPEN WOMEN: 4. Samantha Sibley, SC; 5. Alexandra Frost, SJC. OPEN MEN LONGBOARD: 2. Cody Canzoneri, SC. OPEN WOMEN LONGBOARD: 2. Kyla Kelley, Capistrano Beach; 3. Cameron Duby, SJC; 5. Lexi Morgan, SC. SR. MEN LONGBOARD 40+: 3. Eric Rendon, SC; 4. Michael Takayama, SC.
For full results, log on to www.danapointtimes.com.
UPCOMING EVENTSDecember 14-15: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 3, Dana Point, Salt Creek BeachDecember 21-22: NSSA Open, Event No. 6, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Seaside ReefJanuary 4-5: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 6, Oceanside Harbor, South JettyJanuary 11-12: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 4, Santa Cruz, Steamer LaneJanuary 11: SSS, OC Middle School and High School, Event No. 3, San Clemente, PierJanuary 25-26: NSSA Open, Event No. 7, Dana Point, Salt CreekFebruary 8: SSS, OC Middle School and High School, Event No. 4, Oceanside, PierFebruary 8: NSSA Explorer, Event No. 8, Huntington Beach, 9th StreetFebruary 8-9: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 5, San Onofre State Park, Upper TrestlesFebruary 15-16: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 7, Huntington Beach, PierMarch 1-2: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 8, Oceanside Harbor, South JettyMarch 1-2: NSSA Open, Event No. 8, Ventura, C StreetMarch 15-16: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 6, Hun-tington Beach, PierMarch 22: SSS, OC Middle School and High School, Event No. 5, Huntington Beach, Goldenwest Street
skateboard team Alter sponsored in 1966, and came to reminisce with Alter, despite not having seen him since.
“Hobie is such a significant figure in ocean sports,” Surfers Journal co-publisher Steve Pezman said. “There are people here who’ve just come out of the woodwork.”
SHACC boardmember Denny Michel said he’d met people who’d come from as far afield as Hawaii, Australia, South Africa and Germany for the event.
For more information, contact SHACC at 949.388.0313 ext. 0 or check out their website www.surfingheritage.org, where the book is available for purchase. DP
Author Paul Holmes said the big turnout for the event was a reflection of the impact Alter has had on surf culture. Photo by Jim Shilander
Surf legend Hobie Alter greeted hundreds at the Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center Saturday at an event to celebrate a new book on his life. Photo by Jim Shilander
