October 27, 2016

EYE ON SC

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week

Lightning Causes Tree, Electrical Fires in Orange County

THE LATEST: A major thunderstorm and frequent lightning strikes descended upon San Clemente on Monday morning, Oct. 23, striking multiple trees throughout South Orange County, causing them to catch on fire, according to Orange County Fire Authority officials.

A few infrequent power outages were also reported due to lightning strikes to electrical transformers and other infrastructure.

WHAT’S NEXT: No injuries were reported from the storm. San Clemente rarely sees lightning, especially around its coastal areas. —Eric Heinz

Two Men Arrested in San Clemente after Fleeing Border Patrol

THE LATEST: Two men were arrested in San Clemente on the night of Thursday, Oct. 20, after allegedly fleeing U.S. Border Patrol agents and throwing bags of cocaine out of their car as they tried to evade officials.

Wendi Lee, spokesperson for the U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector, said at about 6:15 p.m., Border Patrol agents attempted to stop the driver of a vehicle for a drug search.

The driver did not stop, and agents pursued the vehicle on Interstate 5 into San Clemente before they were stopped and arrested near Avenida Vista Hermosa.

Lee said two suspects in the vehicle threw bags of cocaine out of the windows of the car—one of which struck an agent, who had to be taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A total of 15 bags of cocaine, two of which were still in the vehicle, were recovered from the scene.

WHAT’S NEXT: The two suspects, whose names have not yet been released, are currently in Border Patrol custody. California Highway Patrol and Orange County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the scene.

The incident is still under investiga-

tion, and Lee said it could take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to process the evidence and the incident. It was not released where the suspects were from, and the make and model of the vehicle was also not released.

Two northbound lanes of I-5 had to be shut down and a hazmat unit was dispatched to the area.

No other injuries were reported, and no damage was done to other vehicles on the road.

“We were so glad no other incident occurred. The San Clemente checkpoint is one of the busiest checkpoints,” Lee said.

Lee said in Fiscal Year 2016, Border Patrol agents seized 1,230 pounds of cocaine at the San Clemente checkpoint. —EH

Fire Heavily Damages Arlie Waterman Field Snack Bar, Announcers Box

THE LATEST: A fixture of San Clemente youth sports was damaged by a fire early on Sunday, Oct. 23.

The Arlie Waterman Field snack bar, announcers box and portions of the backstop were destroyed in the fire. The total monetary loss is estimated to be $125,000 to the structures and $25,000 to their contents, authorities said. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Bill Lackey said firefighters responded to a call at 1:28 a.m., and the fire was under control in about 10 minutes. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Lackey said the cause of the fire “does not look suspicious.”

A few teenagers, young children and parents stopped by Sunday afternoon to see the wreckage. Dave Smith, who grew up playing baseball on the field and coached his children on it, came to see the damage.

“It’s just sad. As a kid I grew up about a half mile away from here, rode my bike five days a week to come over here and play,” Smith said. “The entire league (used to be) based out of here, ages 7 to 12. This is where I developed my passion for baseball.”

Smith said the structure has stayed the same throughout its history, with the exception of some new coats of paint.

Reaching 200 feet from home plate to the outfield fence, the ballpark is nestled in a hidden corner of a neighborhood, located at 402 Calle Bahia at Vista Bahia Park, just across from one of the holes of the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course. It’s not far from the coastline, but foliage— including two giant trees beyond center field—and homes block its view of the ocean and nearby surroundings.

Arlie Waterman Field was built in 1954 and hosts various ages of youth baseball

teams. Its name was dedicated in 1994 after Arlie Waterman, who was the city’s superintendent of Parks and Recreation for 22 years and one of the founders of San Clemente Little League.

WHAT’S NEXT: Assistant City Manager Erik Sund said the building was still being analyzed by OCFA on Tuesday and the city’s insurance adjuster is looking at it. Sund said the city wants to conclude those investigations before they decide on anything. —EH

Dana Point City Council Considers Bringing SHACC to its City

THE LATEST: The Surfing Heritage and Culture Center (SHACC), located in San Clemente, is looking for a permanent location and representatives have been speaking with Dana Point officials to consider relocating there, according to documents from the Oct. 18 Dana Point City Council meeting.

The discussion was focused on awarding a contract to Griffin Structures to conduct a “preliminary needs assessment” to seek a feasible location for the center in Dana Point.

According to the documents, the city explored this possibility in 2009 at Sea Terrace Park, but the plans were halted due to resident opposition.

Dana Point City Manager Doug Chotkevys said it’s going to be difficult to find space for the center within the city’s 6.2 square miles.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Dana Point City Council approved the contract for the study. Dick Metz, one of the founders

of SHACC, said it’s no disrespect to San Clemente, but the current location of the center and museum, at 110 Calle Iglesia in a business park, doesn’t lend itself to high foot traffic. Metz said he tried to get it into the Miramar Theater, but that never came to fruition. He said Dana Point is not the only city to which they’ve explored relocating. We will follow this story as it develops. —EH

Salute to Military Stars is Nov. 4

THE LATEST: The annual Salute to Military Stars, hosted by the San Clemente Military Family Outreach, will contribute to U.S. Marine Corps service members and their families at a fundraising dinner with music, silent auction items and more on Nov. 4.

All event proceeds support the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway to 1,000 families on Camp Pendleton and ongoing programs and assistance for Marine families. The dinner will include auction items, music and other activities. The ticket includes the dinner and a complete Thanksgiving dinner for a military family.

WHAT’S NEXT: The event is $60 per person and starts at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4 at Talega Golf Club, 990 Avenida Talega. If you can’t make it, you can still donate a Thanksgiving dinner for a Marine family for $25. For more information, visit www.militaryfamilyoutreach.com.

The annual Thanksgiving turkey dinner giveaway to military families is scheduled to take place at about 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 21 at the Camp Pendleton San Onofre commissary. More details on that will be available in coming weeks. —Staff

Red Ribbon Week Tells Students to ‘Leaf’ Drugs Behind

This year’s theme: ‘Make like a tree, leaf drugs behind’

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Marching in solidarity against drug abuse, students of various San Clemente schools came together Monday afternoon, Oct. 24, on Avenida Del Mar in support of Red Ribbon Week.

The event was created to encourage young people to stay away from harmful narcotics and alcohol abuse.

Community Outreach Alliance and the

Wellness and Prevention Program at San Clemente High School helped organize the parade and participated in its procession.

Children who participated wore primarily red clothing or some kind of red garment.

A pep rally was hosted following the parade at the San Clemente Community Center. SC

NEWS BITES

COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ

Veterans Day Celebration

San Clemente Area Republican Women, Federated will host a Veterans Day celebration at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Talega Golf Club, 900 Avenida Talega. RSVP to 949.361.8743 by Nov. 3. Tickets are $27 at the door or $28 by credit card.

The organization will honor the veteran guests by asking attendees to wear something patriotic, like scarfs, pins and hats. People may also bring photos of family members who served in the military.

Youth Summit on Domestic Violence is Nov. 12

The San Clemente Domestic Violence Task Force, Wellness and Prevention Center and Jamboree Housing are supporting the second Youth Summit from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Mendocino Apartments Community, 123 Calle Amistad.

The Task Force will address topics such as domestic violence, mental health in schools, gender violence and stress. San Clemente High School students will have the opportunity to share their concerns with local and county officials and profes-

SC Sheriff’s Blotter

Monday, October 24

VANDALISM REPORT Via Socorro, 200 Block (10:42 a.m.) Juveniles tagged and egged school buildings.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Avenida Salvador, 900 Block (6:30 a.m.) Lightning ignited a fire on a palm tree after striking it in a resident’s backyard.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES 1400 Block, Calle Mirador (12:53 a.m.) The caller said the neighbors were doing something to “make pot stronger” because the caller’s apartment smelled of marijuana.

Sunday, October 23

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Bonanza, 2900 Block (9:42 p.m.) The caller said a man was hiding under a table in the backyard.

Former professional volleyball player and TV host Gabby Reece and professional surfer Laird Hamilton work together at San Clemente-based company Sambazon’s “Train Like a Warrior” event at their Malibu home on Oct. 19. Photo: Sambazon

sionals in group discussions. The panel this year includes Lt. Dave Moodie, chief of the San Clemente Police Department; Tracy Theodore, JD Orange County Family Justice Center; Nicholas Dewald, San Clemente High School teacher; Joseph Castagno, JD, family law attorney; Barbara Scheinman, MSW, medical social worker; Susan Parmelee, LCSW Wellness and Prevention Center; James Makshanoff, San Clemente City Manager; and Patricia Drown, PhD, San Clemente Domestic Violence Task Force.

The Task Force is actively seeking high school participants for the summit. Preregistration is required for this free event. Current high school students can contact scdvtaskforce@gmail.com to register. For more information, visit www.sctritons.com.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Avenida Mateo, 100 Block (1:24 a.m.) A drunken man was reported on the roof of a residence.

Saturday, October 22

BURGLARY IN PROGRESS Avenida Cabrillo/ Ola Vista (11:08 p.m.) A man was seen trying to break into a red pickup truck outside of the Cabrillo Playhouse. The man then tried to break into a new restaurant in the area.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Avenida Pico/Calle Amanecer (10:47 p.m.) Orange County Fire Authority responded to a brush fire on the north side of Avenida Pico.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 500 Block (4:36 p.m.) A man was chasing customers out in front of the business. He did not have any weapons on him, but he was possibly on drugs, the caller said.

Friday, October 21

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Cabrillo, 100 Block (7:33 p.m.) Two men were possibly on drugs at a business. The caller found drug paraphernalia in the bathroom; one man was inside the business, and the other was dancing in front of it.

DRUNK IN PUBLIC E. Avenida Palizada/

Orange County Grand Jury Recruitment for 2017-2018

The Orange County Superior Court has started the Grand Jury recruitment process. In the next few months, Superior Court judges and current grand jurors will be speaking to members of local community organizations about serving on the Grand Jury. Some of the responsibilities include having the opportunity to investigate the performance of county, city and other local agencies, look into citizen concerns and local government agencies, and verify tax dollars are spent wisely. The application deadline is Jan. 20. Qualified applicants serve a one-year term.

SOCGEMS Annual Holiday Bazaar

The South Orange County Gem & Mineral Society’s (SOCGEMS) annual “Holiday Bizarre Bazaar” is scheduled from 7:15-9:30 p.m. on Nov. 16 at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville. Each vendor will display and sell various items, such as jewelry, rocks and fossils. Admission is free. Call 949.498.8358 for more information.

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

El Camino Real (4:10 p.m.) A man was possibly drunk and yelling at people by the 7-Eleven while throwing beer bottles at passersby. The man then fell over, “too drunk to get to his feet.”

Thursday, October 20

INDECENT EXPOSURE Avenida Del Poniente, 100 Block (11:18 p.m.) A woman said a man pulled his pants down in front of her as she exited a car.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Avenida Victoria, 200 Block (8:38 p.m.) A woman said another woman is checking the windows of her home. The woman outside was banging on the caller’s door, who said she didn’t know the woman. The caller also said she wouldn’t talk to deputies unless they talk to her through her door because she “doesn’t trust anybody.”

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Vista Luna, 1600 Block (5:53 p.m.) Police were called to a man “running around saying he is going to show his private parts.”

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Avenida Vista Hermosa/Camino Vera Cruz (5:19 p.m.) A man, described as in his 50s wearing no shirt and red pants, was carrying a gas can while walking up and down Vista Hermosa. The man was seen talking to himself and had been walking back and forth for about an hour.

Community Meetings

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday. Avenida Del Mar.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

SUNRISE ROTARY

7:15 a.m. San Clemente Sunrise Rotary meets every Tuesday at Talega Golf Course Signature Grille. 990 Avenida Talega. www.scsunriserotary.com.

SAN CLEMENTE WOMAN’S CLUB MEETING

10:30 a.m. San Clemente Woman’s Club will meet at Talega Swim & Athletic Club, Fireside Room. 100 Calle Altea. 949.388.3734. www.sanclementewomansclub.com. All are welcome to attend.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

6 p.m. The City Council will host its regularly scheduled meeting. 100 Avenida Presidio, San Clemente. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

SAN CLEMENTE TOASTMASTERS

7 p.m. The club meets every Tuesday, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. for social and networking time. San Clemente Baha’i Center. 3316 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente. 805.794.0653. www.sanclementetoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org.

BILY MEETING

7-9 p.m. Meets every Tuesday. Because I Love You helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices. Presbyterian Church. 119 Avenida De La Estrella. www.bilysc.org.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2

SAN CLEMENTE ROTARY

Noon. The San Clemente Rotary meets every Wednesday at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course Wedgewood Restaurant. 150 E. Avenida Magdalena. 949.233.7981. www.sanclementerotary.org.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 6 p.m. The City Council will host its regularly scheduled meeting. 100 Avenida Presidio, San Clemente. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

Full Force

San Clemente residents share concerns about crime at meeting

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Making San Clemente a safer place in the eyes of its residents came to a head at a meeting hosted at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 25, and citizen suggestions on upgrades in policing ranged from the pedestrian to the Orwellian.

The meeting was conducted with the city’s contracted consulting firm, Matrix Consulting Group, in order to gather community input on what would be sufficient increases to San Clemente Police Services.

Many of the meeting’s attendees said they have noticed an increase in burglaries and other crimes, and that the city does not have enough officers and needs to bring back community watch organizations.

Greg Matthews, a senior manager of Matrix Consulting Group, which analyzes cities’ police departments and provides feedback to local officials, led the meeting. Matthews is a former law enforcement officer and said he has conducted about 95 police department consulting studies.

The study is expected to last 16 weeks, with Tuesday being the middle of the fourth week. Matthews said the results of the study will be compiled and available to the public by the end of January.

“After the interview process, we’ll continue to collect data, then we’ll develop a profile document, which essentially is a regurgitation of our understanding of the police department, and that is a factual document only, because we need a baseline of information,” Matthews said. “Then … we develop a best practices assessment to compare department operations. Then (we develop) an issues list and then a final report.”

Matthews said the community input will supplement the fact-based data to ensure the requests of the community are taken into consideration.

“As we continue going through this town hall process, as people come to some conclusion that these key issues are important, we’ll take a look at those in an analytical fashion,” Matthews said.

During the meeting, people listed their biggest concerns about crime—which included car break-ins, problems with sober living homes and “drugged-out zombies”— which were then discussed in groups in an effort to brainstorm solutions.

Some of the recommendations included implementing web cameras around town, increasing police officers (and their presence in the community), adopting more ordinances to abate panhandling and more.

People at the meeting also said they want to have another substation for police services because of San Clemente’s size.

The current Orange County Sheriff’s Department substation in San Clemente is located at City Hall.

Matthews said the final recommendations could impact levels of patrol, number of deputies, changing a beat system, increasing investigators, fleet increases and more.

“With regard to some recommendations, some need to be considered over 12 to 24 months; some could be up to three years,” he said. “It depends on the complexity of the recommendation and how difficult it could be to implement the

recommendations.

“We’ll also be looking at the (OCSD) contract conditions to make sure they’re consistent with best practices,” he said.

Matthews said everything from petty offenses to more serious crimes are taken into consideration during the study.

According to the city of San Clemente Public Safety Services website, the city dedicated $24.9 million for public safety efforts—which equates to 44 percent of the total General Fund. It is broken down as $14.2 million for police services, $9 million for fire services, and $1.7 million for Marine Safety.

LeRoy Cox, who led a discussion based on suggestions from his study group, said many of the officers in town do not stay long in San Clemente because they’re looking to move up to larger cities or other divisions of crime enforcement.

“Neighborhood Watch was a good program,” Cox said, alluding to a program that no longer exists. The city does have a volunteer program, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, but primarily they exist to issue parking citations and help with crowd control at events.

Cox also said he would like to see a clearer definition of the responsibilities of deputies.

“We really don’t know what they do,” Cox said.

Recently, the city adopted ordinances to give private property owners more power to have trespassers cited or arrested. The city has also expressed in letters its displeasure with Proposition 57, which will be on the November ballot, and could release thousands of “non-violent prisoners.”

The city increased its total police force by one and a half (part-time) officers for this year.

Assistant City Manager Erik Sund said it will be up to City Council to determine what recommendations are implemented for Police Services.

“There will be a report that comes to Council that goes over all the findings and comments and et cetera,” Sund said. “In the back of the report will be recommendations that Council will have to deliberate on. Some of them will have (fiscal impacts), and some of them may have changes in service levels.”

Sund said the purpose of the study is to get an independent, objective analysis of the police services. The City Council approved $49,000 to pay for the study in July.

According to crime statistics from OCSD, there has been one homicide in San Clemente in the last three years. Home burglaries are up from 44 to 59 reported cases, but the biggest concerns residents seemed to have related to the (arguably) increasing homeless population, vehicle burglaries and other offenses that they said are linked to sober living homes.

City Councilwoman Kathy Ward, who was at the meeting, said she’s seen an increase in larceny in her neighborhood (somewhere in southwest San Clemente). SC

EYE ON THE ELECTION 2016

Big Decisions, Part II

California voters will determine the fate of several major state ballot propositions this year

BY MATT CORTINA AND MAGGIE FETTERLY, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

As part of our ongoing coverage of the 2016 election, San Clemente Times selected several ballot propositions that all California voters will face in November to dissect. This week, we’re taking a look at Proposition 64, which would legalize recreational marijuana sales, and Propositions 62 and 66, which are competing to determine whether to abolish the death penalty, or, in a way, actually speed it up.

For information on all the ballot propositions, or on any of this year’s local or state races, head to wwww.sanclementetimes. com.

PROPOSITIONS 62 AND 66

To Mend or End the Death Penalty

California’s Prop. 62 would repeal the death penalty in the state. The proposition, if approved, will replace the death penalty with the sentence of life without the possibility of parole as the maximum punishment. The measure would also require the individual found guilty to work while in state prison in order to pay restitution to their victims’ families.

However, another proposition on the ballot, Prop. 66, would keep the death penalty in place but change the procedure to speed up the appeals process in the courts.

The controversial history of the death penalty in California began in 1972, when the California Supreme Court decided to abolish the death penalty, deeming it unconstitutional. However, in 1978, voters approved Prop. 7 to re-institute the death penalty in California. According to proponents’ statements in the state’s official Voter’s Guide, since 1978, 13 inmates have been executed in the state of California, costing a total of about $5 billion to taxpayers throughout the years.

Californians rejected a measure to ban capital punishment in 2012.

The main argument for Prop. 62 is twofold: first, advocates say it would prevent potentially innocent people from being put to death; and second, taxpayers would save money by building a cost effective

system that creates opportunity for work, and closure for the victims’ families. According to proponents, taxpayers would save $150 million a year if Prop. 62 passed. It is also argued that the risk in executing an innocent person and racial inequality in the criminal justice system would be improved.

Those who oppose the initiative argue it would be too expensive for taxpayers and would protect criminals instead of protecting the victims’ rights.

Proposition 66, meanwhile, proposes a mend to the trial system that would speed up appeals but not abolish the death penalty. Supporters of Prop. 66 argue that taxpayers won’t pay for these criminals while they wait on death row for 30 or more years due to the faster and more efficient court system created.

Prop. 66 would require trial courts to be in charge of petitions challenging death penalty convictions with a time frame for review and an appointed attorney to only work these types of cases. Prop. 66 follows the same compensation requirements to the victims’ families.

Allison Martin, campaign spokesperson for Yes on Prop. 62, said, “California’s death penalty is broken beyond repair. Prop. 66’s exorbitant price tag and extreme proposed remedy prove just how irreplaceable California’s death penalty system is. Prop. 62 is the only real solution to our failed death penalty.”

Both propositions offer solutions to the death penalty process in California, but both are at far ends of the spectrum on how to do so. If both propositions are approved, whichever initiative has the most yes votes will be enacted and the other will not. —Maggie Fetterly

For Prop. 62

Former President Jimmy Carter, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, California Democratic Party, California NAACP, several ACLU groups, select religious and humanist organizations

Contributions for Prop. 62 Yes on 62, No on 66 (Taxpayers for Sentencing Reform):

$7,220,713.82.

Million Voter Project Action Fund: $1,755,000.

For Prop. 66

California Republican Party, dozens of law enforcement advocacy groups, and dozens of district attorneys and sheriffs throughout California.

Contributions for Prop. 66

Californians to Mend, not End, the Death Penalty (Supported by Prosecutors and Law Enforcement):

$4,664,882.70 No on Prop 62 (political action committee): $8,372,260.10

PROPOSITION 64 To Legalize Marijuana

Medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996. Prop. 64 would legalize recreational marijuana—that is, you wouldn’t need a doctor’s note—for adults over 21 years of age, with a lot of stipulations.

If passed, smoking marijuana in public and while driving would be illegal, as would possession in school zones. Californians would be able to possess up to 28.5 grams at a time, and could cultivate six plants at home.

In order to sell marijuana, businesses would be required to get a state license. On top of that, municipalities would be able to ban the sale of recreational marijuana, but they won’t receive a share of the tax revenue. Businesses would also not be able to sell within 600 feet of a school, day care center or youth center.

A newly reformatted Bureau of Marijuana Control would regulate and license marijuana businesses. Though both medical and recreational marijuana sales are technically illegal under federal law, the Department of Justice, under President Obama’s direction, has said it would not prosecute those following local and state marijuana sales laws. Currently, recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska, and in addition to California, voters in Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada and Arizona will also be voting on statewide legalization measures. Half the country currently allows either medical or recreational marijuana sales.

Two new taxes would be created and levied on cultivation and retail sales of marijuana. Revenue from the taxes would be used to fund drug research, youth programs, remedies to environmental concerns regarding marijuana cultivation, and an initiative to help police determine whether or not a driver is high. The taxes would include $9.25 per ounce for flowers (aka buds) and $2.75 per ounce for leaves, with exceptions for certain medical marijuana sales and cultivation. The other tax would be a 15 percent tax on the retail price of marijuana. Local governments, if they allow recreational marijuana sales, could add on additional local taxes.

Penalties for using or possessing marijuana underage include community service and drug counseling. If businesses are caught selling illegally, they would face jail time and fines.

Proponents of Prop. 64 say legalization is a long time coming.

“Marijuana is available nearly everywhere in California—but without any protections for children, without assurances of product safety, and without generating tax revenue for the state,” wrote Steven Downing, deputy chief of the L.A. Police Department, and Donald Lyman, chief of chronic disease at the California Department of Public Health, in the proposition’s

official support statement.

Proponents expect about $1 billion every year in new tax revenue should Prop. 64 pass, and the nearly 8,800 marijuanarelated felony arrests to cease upon legalization.

Opponents claim that Prop. 64 would double automobile accidents, citing the proposition’s lack of standards for “high driving”—the measure only includes a mechanism to finance research on the subject. They also claim danger, citing that people will be able to grow plants inside their home, inside of school zones. Opponents also claim ads for smoking will increase, the black market for drugs will increase, and underprivileged neighborhoods will experience a proliferation of marijuana retail shops nearby, hurting the local community. —Matt Cortina

For Prop. 64

California Democratic Party, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, ACLU of California, California NAACP, California Nurses Association

Contributions for Prop. 64 Yes on 64 (business, physician, environmental and social justice PAC):

$15,156,939.70

Drug Policy Action (nonprofit): $4,470,000 Fund for Policy Reform (nonprofit): $4,237,000

Against Prop. 64

California Republican Party, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Rep. Bill Brough and dozens of sheriffs, district attorneys and police organizations

Contributions against Prop. 64 No on Prop. 64 (California Public Safety Institute):

$1,124,001.16

Sam Action Inc. (nonprofit): $1,364,000

SOAPBOX SC

San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

by Lew Avera

Where Have

All the Leaders Gone?

s the spectacle of the current presidential election has evolved, it has made me think of the many elections and presidents during my lifetime. The question that continually comes to mind today is, “Where have all the leaders gone?” It comes to mind because I know that presidents can make decisions that directly affect us as individuals.

The earliest president I remember is Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) from days prior to World War II and then into the war. He died in office prior to the end of the war with Vice President Harry Truman assuming the presidency. Truman subsequently ordered nuclear bombs be dropped on Japan, effectively ending the war.

I recall exactly where I was in a small store in my hometown when I heard of FDR’s death. Truman finished this term and then served an elected term until he was succeeded by Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952.

As indicated above, presidents often

Letters to the Editor

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS SHOW INTERESTS OF CANDIDATES

Larry Corwin, San Clemente

Now that the election cycle is in full stream, there appears to be an abundance of campaign and negative campaign mailing. Most recently, I have received what appears to be “hit” mail targeting our mayor, Bob Baker, and sitting Councilman Chris Hamm. The mailing features some shadowy bogeyman named Charles Mann manipulating his puppets, Councilmen Baker and Ham.

Charles and Jeri Mann are two of the least likely people to draw notoriety upon themselves. Charles and Jeri did support a successful referendum to save San Clemente open space, and they were instrumental in stopping the city from giving a private, for-profit business our public beach parking.

make decisions that impact our lives. Such was the case with Eisenhower. I was in college ROTC in 1952 with the goal of becoming a career non-pilot, ground officer in the Air Force. With the military bloated in size from WWII, Eisenhower made a policy that required any new officers into the Air Force be qualified and become pilots. I was aeronautically colorblind and could not pass the flight physical. Thus, my transfer to Army ROTC and eventually a direct commission into the U.S. Marine Corps led to my wonderful 20 years in the Marines. Looking back, this presidential decision was one of the most meaningful points of my life.

From Eisenhower on, we have been rewarded with true leaders, regardless of their political affiliation, notwithstanding some mistakes on their parts while in office, i.e. Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Clinton, both Bushes and Obama. Again, remembering the famous song by Peter, Paul and Mary, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?,” I wonder, “Where have all the leaders gone?”

Remembering those earliest elections, media coverage consisted only of radio, magazines and newspapers. There were no live visuals such as television or the internet. Probably the highest impact change factors on our election process have been advancements in technology— the electronic media in all of its dimen-

The campaigns of Dan Bane and Steve Swartz have benefitted from tens of thousands of dollars in “outside” interests. This includes anti-Hamm and -Baker mailers from a shadowy PAC, Residents for Reform, who are receiving large contributions from unnamed sources. Could this be from developer interests and operators? That is a possible scenario, but regrettably, PACs are not required to reveal their contributing sources.

I have heard Mr. Bane and Mr. Swartz state their support for business signage without specifying why. Is it because our city is underserved by signage? Too few signs we have to look at each day? I would welcome the candidates to comment on their support of obtrusive signs with a reason other than they were paid to think like that.

Baker and Hamm have done an outstanding job representing the citizens of San Clemente and have fought hard to keep our unique character despite these professional attacks on their exemplary record. I hope you will join me and thousands of other community first citizens supporting Bob Baker and Chris Hamm.

sions. This also embraces “transportation.” In the older days, there were no jet aircraft to transport candidates quickly to so many locations. Candidates had special “election trains” and buses that traveled along major arteries to a limited number of major cities for limited physical exposure to people.

If one factor can be singled out, “Technology has reinvented our entire presidential election process.” It’s fortunate that our younger generations, who will be around 35 years from now in 2050, will have grown up in this world. They will not only have to live with the changes in the election process, but more so with the impact that such a new way of governing will bring.

One final dynamic, as a matter of record, elected presidential political parties tend to change after an eight-year term of the other party. While this is not exact and precise, if you trace back presidents to the 1930s, there is a rotation back and forth in fairly symmetrical patterns. If this was precise, this would be a Republican year.

Again, where have all the leaders gone?

Lew Avera is a retired career officer, Lt. Col., U.S. Marine Corps. He has been a director of the Talega HOA since 2003 and served on the San Clemente Planning Commission from 2005 to 2013. SC

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, Oct. 28 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso

Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome.

OLE HANSON BEACH CLUB REMODEL DECIDES VOTE

Bill Brooks, San Clemente

Since 2009, I’ve been taking a great class called Yoga for the Back. When I started taking the class, it was offered in the upstairs recreation room at the Ole Hanson Beach Club. This was an excellent venue for the class as it was a large, rectangular-shaped room with wooden floors. It had ample natural light and cool ocean breezes—the perfect place for yoga. In 2012, the Beach Club closed and the class moved to a room in the newly opened San Clemente Aquatic Center.

PICKET FENCE MEDIA

EDITORIAL

Group

This room is much smaller, square, and it has concrete floors covered with laminate. The room is air conditioned, and some class participants are too cold while others are too hot. In addition, the Aquatic Center is a noisy place. This is not an optimal location for yoga classes.

When we moved to the Aquatic Center, our instructor told us that this location would be our class’s temporary meeting place until the Beach Club re-opened. During the closure/construction time period, the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department assured me the class would move back.

The Beach Club is now open, and I just learned this week that the second story recreation room has been exclusively leased to a catering company for special events and that yoga classes would no longer be held in that room. It is hard to believe that as taxpayers of San Clemente we cannot use this room unless we rent it from a private company.

In two weeks, we have the opportunity to elect two new Council members. I urge you to not vote for incumbents Bob Baker and Chris Hamm as the mismanagement of the Beach Club remodel occurred under their watch. We need more recreation venues, and now we have one less because the city leased the entire upstairs at the Beach Club.

VOTE “NO” ON MEASURE M

Jim Kirkwood, San Clemente

Do you ever get tired of Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) saying, “if we only had more money, we would be able to serve our students and community better?” Have you ever noticed that the only answer to education is the need for more money? The truth is no matter how much money taxpayers give CUSD, they manage to squander our taxes on everything except making our children and the facilities a priority. I have lived in San Clemente for 28 years and raised all of my children in San Clemente schools. We have had great experiences with teachers, arts programs, school staff, sports and many of the parent-led volunteer programs. However, my experiences with the district administration officials and the trustees have been disingenuous. It is disturbing that CUSD passed a 25-year bond 15 years ago and many of the very same facility commitments that were proposed back then are being promoted again in Measure M. That means they want us to continue paying for the old bond for another 10 years and approve a new $900 million, 35-year bond, which is the largest bond in Orange County history. Also, take the time to look at the numbers; the $43 the district is using assumes no increase in interest rates, which they admitted could double the cost of the bond. District officials now use words like accountability, transparency, etc. because they know the public is tired of their irresponsible management of the publics’ tax dollars. In the beginning stages of developing

this bond, the public was told that there would be specific budget categories established so that each community would have an understanding of where the money would be spent and what their priorities were. Yet, CUSD did not provide any specificity and instead wants us to write them a blank check.

I encourage my fellow citizens to vote “no” on Measure M.

ALTHOUGH EXPENSIVE, MEASURE M CAN HELP FUNDING NEEDS

Mike Conlon, San Clemente

This retired San Clemente High School teacher has been going back and forth on Measure M. I’d like to see the school upgraded, but it will come at a significant price to us homeowners. The Capistrano Unified School District office hasn’t recently instilled confidence in the San Clemente residents, with a dismissed principal, Mella-Roos assessments, etc.

I’m not one of those citizens who rejects all taxes because of government mismanagement of funds. I don’t think the public services we enjoy appear via patriotic slogans and low bidder. However, even though the bond would raise my taxes hundreds of dollars a year over decades, I can immediately see the application of this “investment” at the school site.

I also realize that prior to Proposition 13, 47.1 percent of school funding came from local taxes, compared to 25 percent now. Patchwork school repair can inch along on current funding, but upgrading aging facilities only occurs, not just here but across the state, through bond measures.

Some suggest waiting for a smaller local bond measure. However, Measure M has a greater possibility of passing in the district as a whole. Initial and significant funds would first be directed to San Clemente and its feeder schools, because they need repairs and upgrades the most. This is why representatives of areas with newer schools are opposed to the bond measure.

Additionally, this year only, California’s Proposition 51, currently polling well, will match local funds raised up to $229 million. If we don’t pass any measure this year, this matching funding is gone.

So, I will keep track of the renovation progress through the principal. I will monitor reports from the mandated citizen oversight committee. Lastly, I will vote for the board member who promises to focus on keeping our tax dollars on track. After all, it’s my investment in the future education of our children.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@ sanclementetimes.com. San Clemente 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. Please limit your letters to 350 words.

GETTING OUT SC

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

EDITOR’S PICK

SATURDAY, OCT. 29 TO MONDAY, OCT. 31: CASA CREEPY HAUNTED HOUSE

7-9 p.m. Encounter ghosts, mummies and creepy-crawly surprises around every corner during spooky tours of our historic 1927 home. Period films such as Nosferatu and vintage-themed special effects will ‘reel’ in the whole family. $12 for adults, $10 for members, $5 for kids under 12. Runs through Monday, Oct. 31. Casa Romantica. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org. Photo: File

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

COMPILED BY STAFF

Thursday | 27

WINE TASTING

7-9 p.m. Taste California Cabs and French Bordeaux wines. The $25 tasting fee includes light appetizers. Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, No. 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.

LIVE MUSIC: TERRY VALLES & FRIENDS

7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from Terry Valles & Friends at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

Friday | 28

PLAYSCHOOL HARVEST FESTIVAL

10 a.m.-noon. Join Playschool and celebrate the changing seasons. Children ages 3-5 are invited to come in costume and enjoy crafts, games, pumpkin decorating and more. Tierra Grande Park. 399 Camino Tierra Grande, San Clemente. 949.429.8797. www.san-clemente.org.

‘RAINBOO CLASSIC’ GOLF TOURNAMENT

Noon. The eighth annual scramble golf tournament takes over San Clemente Municipal Golf Course with a shotgun

start at noon. Registration begins at 10 a.m. The $150 entry fee includes a cart, lunch, a pair of Rainbow sandals and other goodies. Prizes to be given out at OC Tavern following the event. Marine color guard and San Clemente High School drum team will kick off the event. Benefits the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Contact raybertt@cox.net or 949.361.6696 for more information.

BOO CRUISE

5-7 p.m. Hop aboard one of serval 20-minute Harbor cruises. There will be a costume contest on every cruise. Rides are $5 per person, benefitting Community Autism Now. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 888.224.0603. www.danawharf.com.

HAUNTED HOUSE

6-10 p.m. Walk though this all-ages haunted house featuring animatronics, lightning and fog. There will also be candy and glow sticks. Also runs Saturday, Oct. 29. Admission price is canned goods, which will be donated to Family Assistance Ministries. 1601 Via Ameno, San Clemente.

LIVE MUSIC: FAMILY STYLE

7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Family Style at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

LIVE MUSIC: POUL PEDERSON

8 p.m. Listen to live music from Poul Pederson at Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, No. 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com. (Cont. on page 29)

In this edition of Crib to College, we chose to include stories that help inform and appeal to students, parents, teachers and community members of all ages. We share stories about outstanding students, help parents think about financing college, showcase innovative schools and more. You’ll hear the opinions of South Orange County schools from foreign exchange students, and find ways that kids, and kids at heart, can use community offerings to enrich their education.

Places TO GO Things TO SEE

South Orange County is home to dozens of regular and year-round activities for kids

By Andrea Papagianis

There are a bevy of opportunities for kids of all ages to experience culture in South Orange County. Whether it’s attending a theatrical production, checking out museum exhibits, getting outside or more, kids in the tri-cities can explore what the world has to offer, all within a 20-minute drive.

Here are some upcoming events and exhibitions, along with year-round destinations and ongoing offerings.

TAKING CENTER STAGE

Enter the enchanting wizarding world as a live symphony orchestra performs each note from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone while the magical film plays on a titan screen. Shows run Nov. 11-13. $49-$99. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556-2787, www.scfta.org.

’Tis the season to share a holiday classic with the entire family. The heartwarming Miracle on 34th Street sees Macy’s jolly Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, confirmed as the true merriment-spreading, toy-giving man in red. Runs Nov. 25-Dec. 18. Tickets are $27-$37. El Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS

Discover the region’s natural backdrop on a one-mile, ranger-led hike through Bell Canyon. Hikes are held each Sunday from 8-9 a.m. Suitable for all ages. $5 a vehicle parking fee. Caspers Wilderness Park, 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.923.2210, www.ocparks.com.

It’s kids’ turn to take the stage. Cast members from ages 4 to 16 will answer the call of the Acting Academy for Kids to bring the Oscar-winning twisted fairytale Shrek to life. The beloved green ogre Shrek, Donkey, Princess Fiona, Lord Farquaad and misfit band of creatures take the stage March 19, 25 and 26. Rehearsals begin in January. Casts will have three rehearsals over the course of the spring. Participation fee $395-$495 plus materials and costume costs. El Camino Real Playhouse, www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

A DAY AT THE MUSEUM

Through the new year, join the “heroes in a half shell,” the pizza-fanatic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and put your problemsolving and collaboration skills to the test cracking puzzles, navigating mazes and overcoming obstacles in the sewer. Tickets start at $12.95. Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, 714.542.2823, www.discoverycube.org.

Explore special exhibits featuring interactive art, nature and science activities during the annual Art & Nature Festival exploring art’s

Each second Sunday, track whale seasons on this 1.5-mile hike. Greys from fall to spring, blues in summer, watch from the Dana Point Headlands as the ocean’s largest creatures migrate through local waters. Nature Interpretive Center, 34558 Scenic Drive, Dana Point, 949.248.3527, www.danapoint.org.

entwinement with the natural world. Festival runs Nov. 3-6. From 2-5 p.m. on the events last day admission is free for the Family Festival Sunday. Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, 949.494.8971, www. lagunaartmuseum.org.

Prominent female scientists across the study spectrum lead hands-on workshops for middle and high school aged girls aimed at giving participants an inside look at careers in oceanography, ecology, marine biology, biochemistry and more. Registration opens Nov. 14. Conferences held on Feb. 18 and March 18. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

GRAB A TALL TALE

Tuesday is kids’ day at the Dana Point Library. Toddler story-time kicks off the festivities at 10 a.m., followed by the all-ages Stay and Play at 10:30 a.m. and preschool story-time at 11 a.m. Then, mans’ best friend becomes a beginning reader’s perfect story companion at 2:30 p.m. Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org/libloc/dana.

Explore one of California’s most visited beaches. San Onofre State Beach offers kayaking, surfing, swimming, fishing and more. Overnight camping in three campgrounds is available. The natural playground is located just three miles south of San Clemente on I-5. 949.492.4872, www.parks.ca.gov/sanonofre.

Sixth- through eighth-graders are invited to hang out, play games, watch movies and do crafts every Wednesday. Tween Scene is held from 3:30- 5:30 p.m. San Clemente Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3493, www.ocpl.org/ libloc/sc.

Join the fun each Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. for stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish. All ages are welcome. San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org/libloc/sjc.

GROW WITH OTHERS

The Community Outreach Alliance (COA) is the answer to many teens’ gripe of “I have nothing to do.” Instead of developing bad habits, COA connects kids with each other in a variety of programs. COA helps create relationships through healthy lifestyles, and does so via art and music lessons, an open mic jam night, a bike club, a gaming network, sports groups and more. 1050 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, 949.388.0114, www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

OutStANdiNg Kids

WilLIam REdMonD

Aeronautical Engineer Student

Local students highlight what South Orange County youth has to offer

By Matt Cortina

Three local students are doing South Orange County proud at home and across the country. Whether they’re running aeronautical missions, presenting scientific lectures at museums or, you know, saving the planet, these three young people are using their talents to make the world a better place.

WhiTnEY waChTEl

Ecology Club Founder, Environmental Pioneer

Whitney knew she wanted to make a mark on Dana Hills High School even before she was enrolled there. As a member of the Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano, Whitney reached out to the Advanced Placement Environmental Sciences teacher at the school, Dolores Dang-Wright, and asked if she would oversee an environmental club.

Now, four years later, Whitney is a senior and the Ecology Club holds monthly educational sessions at Dana Point elementary schools to inspire youth toward a life of environmental stewardship.

“It’s a really good experience,” Whitney said. “Younger kids are going to have to inherit the planet’s situation so the ability to engage children, it’s been really cool to see their development on how excited they are when we come every month, and it’s cool to hear when they take a plant home how they are tending to them.”

Whitney says sustainability and ecology will be a part of her upcoming college experience and eventual career. For now, she’s running the club and also writing an environmental column for the Dana Hills school newspaper.

Shorecliffs Middle School’s William Redmond recently graduated from the renowned Space and Aviation Challenge at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

William says the experience was gratifying, as he was able to use his knowledge and experience in engineering to help the group execute militarylike operations.

“It was really, really cool,” William said. “Tons of great activities. Sometimes you’d go patrolling in the nighttime. You’d fly around in jet simulators. It was overall a great thing to go through.”

The operations included nighttime excursions with missions, like, for instance, saving a downed pilot and securing intelligence while camp officials simulate gun fire.

Lectures were given throughout the program, and William says he hopes to parlay what he learned into an upcoming aeronautical program at Duke University.

KatE PoInTer

Future Cyber Archaeologist

Kate Pointer, 10, is a San Juan Capistrano fifth grader, who recently gave a presentation on new techniques in archaeological technology to a full room at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.

Pointer says she’s been interested in the subject since watching a children’s movie several years ago. From there, her appetite for all things archaeology has been insatiable.

“When I’m older, I want to get my doctorate as a cyber archaeologist and go between the computer and office, to out around the world digging for stuff,” Kate said.

For the presentation, Kate researched excavating techniques, particularly those used in Egypt and the Middle East, where Pointer says her interest lies in the artifacts archeologists uncover of the various ancient languages and religions. She worked with several key researchers in the field to prepare.

PLAYING TO LEARN

By Eric Heinz

In traditional education, playtime has typically been regarded as a reward for hard work.

At St. Margaret’s Episcopal School’s Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) in San Juan Capistrano, it’s part of the curriculum.

Chris Lozon, director of St. Margaret’s ECDC, said integrating students with a variety of activities helps cultivate their minds. The center focuses on students ages 3 to 5.

“We have teachers working with small and large groups, and there are parts of the play-based education where skills are being taught,” Lozon said.

The play-based curriculum focuses on particular subjects. For literacy, students play with blocks with letters on them or play some kind of game incorporating letters; the same goes with math-and-science-based learning using numbers and logic-based activities.

“Because our ratio is 1:6 (teachers to students), the teachers can work individually with children and identify patterns,” Lozon said. “Some children choose only to do blocks, and some choose only to do dramatic play, and the teachers know that they’ll need to incorporate something with patterns. They will incorporate figurines and do little drama pieces to diversify (students’) education.”

The day starts with parents dropping off their children or spending a little time with them before the children go off to make their choices of playing for the period. They then gather in a circle for story time or some other group activity before going to the “big outdoor classroom,” Lozon said.

“After about an hour out there, they go out and make more choices, and then have lunch and then cleanup and rest and then back to the outdoor classroom,” she said.

Lozon said the outdoor classroom has a garden and small animals the students are able to interact with as well as typical playground equipment.

“Young children learn from experiences, and what we provide are tons of experi-

ences,” Lozon said.

According to a 2009 study by the Center for Early Childhood Education, studies showed play-based curriculums, even without the assistance of “props” or educational toys, can be beneficial to students’ growth.

“Phonemic awareness in preschool is one of the best indicators we have about how well a child will learn to read,” the study stated. “It is not surprising, then, that early play abilities are related to reading scores many years later.”

Lozon said the school’s own research has shown progress from the time they enter ECDC to the time they graduate from high school. St. Margaret’s is a private preschool to high school institution.

“Play-based education does improve physical knowledge and sensory integration and social knowledge … and the logical mathematical knowledge is the understanding in the brain about numbers,” she said. “The true understanding is they know that one object is one and two is two. Let’s say you put up your hands and count that last finger and say five. Because of the experiences the children are building, they’re using that knowledge to build that mathematical knowledge.”

Inevitably, advertising education as “playbased” comes with raised eyebrows.

“There are very common misconceptions, and (some people) think that it’s the teachers saying, ‘Go and play’; that is not play-based learning,” Lozon said. “It’s an active, hands-on learning. The teachers have to scaffold the learning, and they work side-by-side (with the students), and they’ll sit next to them and compare and contrast their learning.”

Lozon said play-based learning also helps students with social interactions, which start to show as they enter elementary, middle and high school. She said it’s been proven that students who build proper physical attributes, such as being able to sit upright and focus during instruction, and social interaction sets a foundation to keep students engaged in their studies. •

Going Abroad

Students from all over the world are currently living, studying in South Orange County

By Kristina Pritchett

This school year, a handful of foreign exchange students are living with host families in South Orange County, including Dana Point and San Clemente.

These teens are part of the Orange County AFS Hosted Student program, which allows students from other countries to travel abroad and attend school, live with a host family and experience a different culture.

In Dana Point, Ella Tervonen traveled from Finland and attends Dana Hills High School.

In San Clemente Bárbara Wolfenson Marchant traveled from Chile; Eduardo Thomas Noronha is from Brazil; and Jón Thordarson is from Iceland. All three attend San Clemente High School. Over the summer, Monica Aguirre traveled to Japan for six weeks. But all were able to immerse themselves in a different culture.

We sat down with the four foreign exchange students and asked them what they’ve experienced so far, what differences they saw between their home countries and their Southern California lives and more.

The biggest difference, all four said, was the size of their high schools.

“The school, at least for me, is way bigger,” Eduardo said. “It’s about 10 times bigger; my school has around 300 students, and this school has around 3,000.”

Ella agreed and said there were about 600 students at her school in Finland, including middle school and high school students.

The students also said it was different how their classrooms were spread out and not under one roof. Eduardo added he was not used to the desks being in different arrangements.

“At my school, they were in straight lines; here, some are in clusters,” Eduardo said.

Jón said another big change is just speaking English every day.

“I never expected talking would be so tiring,” Jón joked.

Bárbara agreed and said if she could, she would sleep all day.

“The first week was so difficult because you had to think of what word it is, and our brains are doing a lot of work, not to translate but to understand,” she said.

When asked about the classes the stu-

“The school, at least for me, is way bigger. It’s about 10 times bigger; my school has around 300 students, and this school has around 3,000.

EDUARDO THOMAS NORONHA

”dents are taking here, compared to the ones back home, they said there’s a difference in variety.

“Here, you have way more choices on how hard your education is,” Jón said. “You can take easy classes, you can take hard classes.”

Bárbara said there’s more choices, such as electives like ceramics, and people have the ability to choose classes.

“In my country, you cannot pick your classes,” Bárbara said.

Ella said at her school in Finland, stu-

dents will take a course for two-and-a-half months, but must complete 75 classes in three years.

Jón said U.S. History has been different, but he’s enjoying it.

“The perspective here is way different,” Jón said about the class. “I feel like there’s less differences than I thought, but we’re taught very neutrally (in Iceland).”

One thing the students also noticed are the amount of clubs in which they can choose to participate.

The boys are currently in the Blood Drive club, the Sign Language Club and the Robotics Club. Ella is in Best Buddies, Traveling Club and a couple others. Bárbara took full advantage of the variety of organizations and has joined many.

“I’m in Pennies for Puppies, because I love puppies. I’m in Cinema Club, we watch movies and eat pizza, it’s so great. I’m in Fashion Club, Cool to be Kind and more,” Bárbara said.

Ella said at her school in Finland they don’t have sports, clubs or activities like homecoming or prom.

Bárbara said going to the football games is something Americans take for granted, but since her school doesn’t have sports like that, it’s a new experience.

“Everyone is so happy, and they’re cheering,” Bárbara said.

Eduardo and Jón said they’ve noticed that the sports at the high school bring everyone together.

“Sports here mean a lot, they’re a way to

college,” Eduardo said.

Ella said she really enjoyed attending homecoming, but loved participating in the half-time show out on the field.

The boys attended a Blink 182 concert, something Jón said he’d never thought he’d get to do.

“It’s been a dream,” Jón said. “They’re my favorite band.”

The three San Clemente High students also recently attended homecoming. Before the dance, Jón said he was looking forward to it.

“It’s very different, but I think it will be a lot of fun,” Eduardo said.

Each of the students said they tried to incorporate something from their home country into their American lives. For Ella, she teaches her host parents Finnish. Bárbara has cooked for her family, and the boys are always sharing music from their home countries.

Besides school, Jón said the weather is definitely a change—and so is driving.

“There’s way more cars here. We have one road that has three lanes, and we have slippery roads,” Jón said. “It’s not really harder, but it’s harder in a different way.”

One thing the four teens could agree on was learning to rely on others for rides.

“And there’s no public transportation,” Eduardo interjected. “It makes things kind of difficult to hang out with friends because you don’t really want to bother your family, they have things to do, but you want to hang out with your friends.”

Sydney, whose Bárbara ’s host sister, said she was looking forward to having a host sibling, especially one who spoke another language she was interested in.

“We can help each other,” Sydney said. On the opposite side, students from South Orange County are also able to study abroad in other countries.

Monica, 16, a junior at San Juan Hills High School, went to Japan for six weeks over the summer.

“[I chose Japan] because I’ve always been fascinated with the Japanese culture,” Monica said.

One difference Monica experienced was going from a family with three other siblings, to a host family with older siblings who didn’t live at home any longer.

“It was definitely strange,” she said.

Another thing she noticed was the culture.

“The way they would speak to each other, their manners,” Monica said. “Things they would say or do here would be OK, but there it’s not.”

She said she enjoyed learning Japanese, and it “wasn’t as difficult” as she thought it would be.

She said her favorite part of the trip was being able to go to the mountain spring, but she also enjoyed going to karaoke with friends and meeting new people.

“I met people from Hong Kong, France, Mongolia and other countries,” Monica said. Monica said she would have loved to stay longer but didn’t want it to interfere with her school back in the states, and would definitely plan another trip back.

To find out more about hosting or traveling with AFS, contact www.afsusa.org/ team/orange-county-ca. •

As spring arrives, seniors make painstaking decisions and announce their college destination by sporting their school’s spirit wear. In August, they attend emotional farewell celebrations and delight in detailed dorm shopping.

After years of hard work, high school graduates are ready to fly from the nest. Or are they?

Emotional Readiness vs. Academic Readiness “ ”

When are high school seniors ready to fly from the nest?

By Shelley Murphy

In the coming months, anxious high school seniors will check their mailboxes and inboxes for college admissions decisions. Their collegiate fates will be determined by three words: accepted, rejected or waitlisted.

Last October, the Harris Poll, in partnership with the JED Foundation, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and the Jordan Porco Foundation, released the results of a nationwide online survey of 1,502 college students

environments, control negative emotions or behavior and build positive relationships.”

For many college freshmen, the emotional hurdles faced their first year of college can be greater to overcome than academic obstacles.

When my boys left for college, I equated their college acceptances with college readiness. I reasoned since they’d completed the required coursework, passed the mandated tests and received college offers that they were prepared. I didn’t stop to consider how stressful the transition from high school senior to college freshman can be for students.

For many college freshmen, the emotional hurdles faced their first year of college can be greater to overcome than academic obstacles.

evaluating the freshman year experience.

The poll revealed 87 percent of students felt more emphasis was focused on being academically ready for college rather than emotionally prepared.

An overwhelming 60 percent of the firstyear college students wished they’d had more help emotionally preparing for college.

Emotional readiness is a significant indicator of first-year college success. The survey defined emotional readiness as: “the ability to take care of oneself, adapt to new

The poll shines a light on the emotional toll teens face their first year of college: 50 percent of surveyed students reported feeling stressed most or all of the time. One in four freshmen admitted to feelings of loneliness and one in five reported feeling depressed all or most of the time. The majority of these students (65 percent) chose not to seek help but to keep their troubles to themselves.

Popular culture and social media exacerbate teen stress and contribute to 45 percent of surveyed students saying, “It seems like

everyone has college figured out but me.”

According to U.S. News & World Report, feelings of stress and loneliness are among the top reasons that as many as one in three first-year students don’t return for their sophomore year.

Parent support can play a key role in helping freshman cope with first-year stresses.

Susan Parmelee, executive director of the Wellness & Prevention Center at San Clemente High School says, “Agree on a weekly facetime check-in, shoot for every Sunday so that kids have a chance to decompress and regroup for the week ahead.”

With 49 percent of college freshman reporting the college experience did not live up to their expectations, she advises parents to be encouraging. “Remind them that college is a time to explore new things and meet new people.”

Parmelee suggests parents begin the college conversation early and listen to their kid’s concerns. “The more we do to educate teens before they leave home, the better they will fare.”

While the results of the Harris Poll are startling, it starts a discussion among parents, educators and students about the importance of emotionally preparing teens for their first year of college.

It takes students years of hard work to make it to college and it takes time to adjust once they arrive. Emotionally supporting high school seniors as they fly from the nest to the college dorm can help them not only survive, but thrive. •

Not Your Parents’ tradE pRogRam

By Shelley Murphy

Last August, Capistrano Unified School District’s Regional Occupational Program (ROP) shed its decades-old title and adopted the new name, College and Career Advantage (CCA).

The objective of CCA is to provide Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways to all students from kindergarten through high school, leading to college and career success.

“We felt that this name better reflects the highly technical and high value of the program courses today,” said Pati Romo, CUSD executive director of CTE.

Established in 1970, ROP classes included wood shop and horticulture. CCA still offers some traditional courses but with a technological twist. Today, the popular Automotive Technology and Repair course includes a new computerized focus that includes industry certifications.

“We have biotechnology and forensics courses that meet the highest growth industries in Orange County. Students have a variety of choices with over 300 sections of CTE offered at the high schools,” said Romo.

To teach students cutting-edge technical skills, Romo said, “we are installing CTE

AVID:

Raising Expectations and

increasing

studEnt succEss

By Shelley Murphy

Established in 1980, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a global nonprofit organization providing students academic and social support through its college readiness program, designed to increase the number of students enrolling in four-year colleges.

At San Clemente High School, Erin Dollar serves as AVID coordinator and program teacher; she’s also a staff developer for the national AVID Center.

“AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students, especially those least served in the middle

Investigation labs at all middle schools over the next two years. We have our first one at Las Flores Middle School.”

Currently, CCA provides a well-rounded education to 7,800 students and boasts a program completion rate of 97 percent.

“Students graduate from high school as college-ready with career skills. Many of them have completed an internship with local businesses and industries such as Kaiser Permanente, Monarch Beach Hotel, CHOC and auto dealers,” said Romo.

The most popular student career pathways are the health sciences, specifically patient care and biotechnology. CCA provides students the exciting experience of handson learning in a job setting. Romo said, “Our dental lab looks and smells like a dentist’s office. The surgical tech lab is an operating room. Do you remember how much you learned at your first job? It’s like that—there’s nothing like it.”

See the CCA website for more information: www.ccadvantage.org. •

of the academic spectrum, for college readiness and success in a global society,” said Dollar.

AVID’s four-year program encourages students to enroll in challenging and rigor-

The San Clemente High School Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) senior class are part of a larger program that prepares students for college.

ous courses. The program holds students to high academic, behavioral and character standards; and, they learn to advocate for themselves and take ownership of their education.

“AVID is so great about teaching life skills that truly translate to college, career and life readiness,” said Dollar.

In the past two years, Dollar’s program has grown to over 250 students, becoming the largest AVID program in the school district and boasting a retention rate well above 90 percent. Dollar said student relationships built during the four years are key.

“Students really become a tight-knit family that supports and pushes each other,” she said.

For the past three years, 100 percent of AVID seniors earned acceptance at a fouryear college—although some seniors opt to attend community college instead or lack the necessary financial aid to attend.

“Our seniors have about a 74-80 percent rate of going straight to a four-year college, well above the national average,” said Dollar. “We have students at almost every UC campus, Fordham, Penn State and the list goes on.”

Just like her students, Dollar sets the bar high and said, “This year our goal is for every senior to have two or more college acceptances and a program total over $2.5 million in scholarship and financial aid offers.” •

CRIB TO COLLEGE

The new science building at Saddleback College features modern design and state-of-theart labs for students.

AN EDUCATIONAL GUIDE TO

Learning LAB

New science building at Saddleback College offers students new learning tools

By Victor Carno

It has been nearly two long years since construction began on the new science building at Saddleback College, but it is finally here and has exceeded most professors’ and students’ expectations. Even though the $67 million project was slated to open in late 2015, it’s certain that most academics did not mind the wait.

“There had been well over five years of planning that went into this project, even before demolition started,” Senior Laboratory Technician Tom Burrows said. “Our last science building didn’t have enough power to support all the computers and machinery we had, so having this state-of-the-art building definitely makes all of our jobs easier.”

The 51,244-square-foot building is equipped with eight lab rooms, 26 laboratory spaces, is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) approved and

has three floors separating chemistry, biology and physics courses. Some of the added benefits of adding all these classrooms is that professors can now offer more sections of their class so that classes won’t get filled as quickly.

“We have almost double the number of labs as we did in our last building. Not only do we have more classrooms, but we have more instruments for our students to conduct their projects and experiments. We actually just installed a cadaver refrigerator recently,” Burrows said.

Chairman and Biology Instructor Steve Teh explained that the building was all about usability.

“We have research facilities on each floor, lab benches and fume hoods that allows for more experiments,” said Teh. “This whole building is a conducive learning environment, and I’m excited to see what the students will do here.”

We will soon find out what will be done in the building, as this is the first semester where classes are offered in the new science building. The building’s grand opening was Sept. 29, and even the teachers are giddy about the drastic change in buildings.

“There are so many windows. So much natural sun light is allowed in this building, which is a huge change from the last building, where my office didn’t even have one window,” Burrows said. •

It Takes a Village

South Orange County schools and businesses on their community offerings

Bella Collina San Clemente

Bella Collina San Clemente is a private, family-friendly golf club where there are no strangers, just friends you haven’t met yet. In addition to the scenic 27-hole golf course, designed by legendary tournament champion Gary Player, Bella Collina also offers an active social calendar, where members enjoy wine dinners, concerts, festive holiday celebrations and much more, all year round. In addition to single and family golf memberships, Bella Collina San Clemente offers junior golf memberships for children and social memberships for non-golfers. Whether you’re looking to create lasting memories with your family or a place to escape your busy schedule, Bella Collina San Clemente is the perfect family getaway in your own backyard.

200 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente. 949.333.4830. www.bellacollinasanclemente.com.

Capo Valley Christian Schools

The dreams we have for our children are based on hopes for a lifetime of success, happiness and purpose. At Capistrano Valley Christian Schools, we believe the foundations of those dreams are built on a rich academic program coupled with an emphasis on spiritual and moral development. Our students learn through a program that values and develops critical thinking, innovation, creativity and foundational skills to prepare them for life after graduation. As you explore our website, we hope you sense the dynamic learning environment we have created in order to prepare our students for success in all their future endeavors.

CVCS has been serving students from junior kindergarten through high school for more than 40 years.

32032 Del Obispo St., San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.5683. www.cvcs.org.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish School Nurture ~ Encourage ~ Empower

OLF School cultivates faith-filled learners who demonstrate attainment of academic excellence, 1:1 technology acquisition, and dedicated service to their community. Visitors to our campus witness the engaging

learning environment that is centered on the value of family. Fully accredited, OLF is blessed with exceptional and dedicated teachers. OLF’s academic rigor is complemented with enriched offerings that include Spanish, Music/Piano, Art, Academic Decathlon, Technology, Choir, Physical Education and Drama. Our students cultivate a zest for life-long learning, develop effective communication skills, and advance as globally responsible citizens.

OLF’s exceptional Transitional Kindergarten, the first year of a two-year academic Kindergarten program, is specifically designed to provide 4 and 5 year olds the “developmental gift of time.” With a cross-curricular approach to instruction, all students experience differentiated opportunities in which to explore, investigate, and integrate their academic abilities. Participation in the PAL Sports League, Extended Day Care, After School Programs, and Homework Clubs round out the OLF school day.

105 N. La Esperanza, San Clemente. 949.492.7320. www.olfschool.net.

Our Savior’s Lutheran School There’s something special going on at Our Savior’s Lutheran School. Dedicated teachers educate and inspire, creating a learning environment in which students excel academically. With small class sizes, a fully accredited school and a highly educated, credentialed teaching staff, students are able to develop their individual gifts and learn who they are—beloved children of God. Parents express their appreciation for the strong academics, and they appreciate even more the emphasis on the Christian value of love for one another. Our Savior’s Lutheran offers preschool through fifth grade with a full-day kindergarten and many enrichment opportunities for children both during and after the school day. Newborn to 3-year-old Parent and Me sessions are offered. We celebrate and honor the diversity of gifts, abilities and backgrounds each child contributes to the school community. All faiths are welcome. Open enrollment begins Feb. 17.

200 Avenida San Pablo, San Clemente. 949.492.6165. www.oursaviorsschool.net

Santa Margarita Catholic High School With academic tracks tailored to meet the needs of varied learners; more than 85 clubs (Continued)

Writing the The Perfect college essay

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON of College Admissions

With college acceptance competition and PSAT, ACT and SAT test-taking stress levels high, we reached out to local admissions experts on ways high school students can tackle the college preparation, research and admissions processes with the least amount of resistance. Here’s what they had to say.

strike a balance.

Find a balance between school work and extracurricular involvement: A student should add rigor appropriately to their curriculum throughout high school to continue to challenge themselves and display their preparation for college-level courses. Outside of the classroom, a student should find a few activities that they are passionate about and deepen their involvement by taking on leadership positions within the groups they feel most connected to. In college, there will be a lot to balance, between classes and involvement opportunities, so it is smart for a student to start figuring out how they can best manage their time and energy throughout high school.

—Colleen Tuohy, Admission Counselor, Chapman University

Narrow your list.

It’s easy for students to feel building a college list is a daunting task. The fact is, students who invest time into considering their academic talents—along with personal skills and interests—are able to approach select-

ing colleges as a match to be made rather than as a prize to be won. The “match” concept provides a framework for students to be thoughtful about selecting appropriate colleges for their college lists.

—Roland Allen, Director of College Counseling, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

Do your research.

It is most impressive when a student is able to display that they have taken the time to learn about Chapman University in more ways than just having browsed our website. If it is offered at the schools a student is applying to, I recommend taking advantage of opportunities to interview. This can be a great time to ask meaningful questions about what the student experience at a particular university is really like, as well as demonstrate interest in the university. The very best way to get an understanding of a university is by touring campus. Family vacations are a great time to tour a school, even if it might not be the one a student is considering most seriously. By touring campuses of different sizes, locations and institution types (public vs. private, for example) a student can better identify what it is that they are truly hoping to get out of their college experience.

—Colleen Tuohy, Admission Counselor, Chapman University

Be authentic.

In terms of completing the application, I encourage my students to see applying to college as a natural evolution of their secondary school experience. Specifically, they have learned to do complex research, express themselves through writing, selfadvocate and speak to adults. These are the same skills students needed when they write effective college applications and interview. I’ve found students who understand these fundamentals present the most authentic voice when they apply to college. From almost three decades as a college counselor and college admissions officer at highly selective universities, I know that authenticity goes a long way in supporting a positive outcome in the college application process.

—Roland Allen, Director of College Counseling, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

By Matt Cortina

The college essay or personal statement is an important part of any prospective collegian’s application. But often, essay prompts leave too much room for self-inflicted writing mistakes. So, we spoke with Patrick Harris, a San Clemente High School guidance counselor and a former essay reader at UCLA, to find out what students can do to improve their essays. The following five tips are born out of what Harris has seen in student essays over the years.

Be Straightforward

Harris advises students that one of the key things is to be straightforward with whatever experience they are writing about. He says writers should cross out adjectives and adverbs on shorter essays, and be careful not to waste the words that do make it into the essay. Lastly, Harris says it’s important not to tell the reader anything that’s already in your application.

Don’t List Accomplishments; Pick One and Expand

It’s common for students writing essays to want to list all their accomplishments, Harris said. But the best essays use one experience that shows the writer’s values and interests. There are websites and counselors available at CUSD schools to help students identify what experiences are worth sharing, Harris said, as many students have trouble identifying which parts of their stories matter and are most impactful.

Show Your Essay to Someone New

Harris says he always tells students to run their essays by people whom the student does not know particularly well, like a college counselor or tutor. Someone not familiar with the writer will be able to help the student identify areas to emphasize or elaborate on. A teacher or academic advisor can also help writers pick out the important parts of their essay.

Reflection and Growth Should Be Evident

“There has to be reflection,” Harris said. “Almost every prompt wants the student to reflect on the meaning of what they did. That’s key.”

Harris said although the UC schools’ essay require straightforward—and even non-UC schools, which have room for anecdotes, should be concise—to-the-point responses, there is still the opportunity to show what the writer has learned from their experience.

Use a Positive Tone

The tone of the essay should “always be positive and constructive, and never negative,” Harris said. A writer can minimize negativity by showing how he or she overcame an obstacle and learned from it. Pity-gathering should have no role in a college essay, which Harris says does show up sometimes in students’ drafts.

It Takes a Village (Continued) and activities; competitive, character-building athletics; and an award-winning arts program—all in a nurturing, Christ-centered environment—Santa Margarita students are empowered to grow spiritually, intellectually, socially and morally. Santa Margarita has the distinction of being the county’s only Catholic International Baccalaureate high school and is ranked as the top Catholic high school in the county by www.niche.com and The Washington Post. The school’s beautiful 42-acre campus includes a Digital Media Studio, Eagle Athletic Center, Academic Services Center, modernized Library Media Center, Olympic-sized pool and Sacred Heart Chapel. Recognized as a Microsoft Showcase School, Santa Margarita’s Oneto-One Tablet PC Program provides an immersive educational experience preparing students for college and beyond. The Class of 2016 received $47.3 million in scholarship offers with 99 percent of the class continuing their education at the college level.

22062 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita. 949.766.6000. www.smhs.org.

Shoreline Dental Studio

Kristen Ritzau D.D.S.

Early and regular dental care is vital to children for both their health care and social confidence. At Shoreline Dental, we help kids keep their bright and healthy smiles by working hard to prevent tooth decay and support overall oral health. We encourage regular cleanings, promote healthy habits at home and offer helpful conservative solutions for patients that may need a bit of work. Whether it is taking a look at that first baby tooth or helping teenagers whiten their teeth for the Senior Prom, Dr. Kristen Ritzau and staff provide nothing but the best care for the entire family. We offer a number of sedation options for kids and adults alike. As someone who grew up in San Clemente and is a mom of a 2-year-old, Dr. Ritzau loves to give back to the community that helped raise her.

122 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente. 949.245.6046. info@shorelinedentalstudio.com.

St. Anne School

Nurture with care. Teach with creativity. Embrace life. Treasure faith. These are the guiding principles that shape St. Anne School, a private, independent Catholic school that welcomes preschool through eighth grade students of all faiths. St. Anne’s mission is to develop future generations of creative thinkers, innovative problem solvers, effective communicators and emerging leaders, guided by the Catholic faith, to

influence our local and global communities for the greater good.

The St. Anne experience promotes a love of learning through rigorous academic, artistic and athletic programs. With the guidance and dedication of faculty, students gain a solid foundation rooted in problemsolving, collaboration, creative expression, leadership, faith, technology and global citizenship.

We invite you to see for yourself all that St. Anne has to offer. Join us for our Admission Open House on Thursday, Jan. 12 ,from 9-11 a.m. RSVP to admissions@st-anne.org, or call 949.276.6753.

32451 Bear Brand Road, Laguna Niguel. 949.276.6700. www.st-anne.org.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School

Founded in 1979, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School is the premier, independent, collegepreparatory day school in Orange County serving 1,234 students in preschool through grade 12. A vibrant learning community where natural curiosity and academic pursuit flourish, St. Margaret’s educates the hearts and the minds of students to nurture the whole child. Students have unlimited opportunities to discover and explore interests and passions in humanities, STEM, arts, athletics, leadership and service.

The school’s Episcopal identity and mission drive a deep commitment to nurturing the growth and development of every student; who they are today and who they will become tomorrow. This enduring focus on shaping the lives of young people fosters a spirit of compassion, excellence and innovation in every aspect of the St. Margaret’s experience.

The school’s reputation for the depth and quality of its academic program brings more than 150 colleges and universities to campus annually to recruit its graduates. Boston College, Brown University, Cornell University, Duke University, Emory University, Georgetown University, New York University, University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University and Villanova University are some of the fine institutions that welcomed St. Margaret’s graduates from the Class of 2016 this fall.

St. Margaret’s is situated on a picturesque 22-acre campus nestled in historic San Juan Capistrano, California, with dedicated campuses for each school division, worldclass learning environments and technologies, including a performing arts center, library, science and technology labs, library, athletics fields, gymnasiums and campus commons.

With 2,000 alumni who have matriculated to colleges and universities across the country, St. Margaret’s is a vital member of the San Juan Capistrano community and educational landscape of Southern California.

31641 La Novia, San Juan Capistrano. 949.661.0108 www.smes.org

Ways to Save FOR COLLEGE

Matt Cortina

With college tuition expected to continue its steady climb—pending presidential and legislative changes, of course—and educational expenses skyrocketing, many parents are trying to figure out the best way to pay for their children’s educations. Two popular options for saving funds are the Coverdell Education Savings Account and the 529 Savings Plan. Both offer tax-free or tax-deferred investment options, with tax-free distribution of whatever’s in the account for educational expenses. There are differences between the accounts. Generally speaking, ESAs offer more investment options and can be used for more educational expenditures than 529s, while 529 plans allow for much more money to be invested into the plan. For more information, review the chart outlining basic information about both plans.

A Coverdell ESA is a savings account that you can set up at many banks or financial institutions and can be used to pay the qualified education expenses of a designated beneficiary, as in one of your children. The ESA generally allows a lot of investment options, and contributions are made with after-tax money, and there are strict contribution limits for each individual ESA. Withdrawals for qualified education expenses are tax-free, and for the most part, any income or gains made on investments in the ESA is tax-free.

Tax-free distributions from the ESA can be spent on “qualified education expenses,” as long as the designation beneficiary of the account was under 18 when the ESA was created. Qualified education expenses include a number of school-related expenditures for both K-12 and college students. These include, generally, tuition and fees, books, supplies, equipment (including technology like computers), expenses for special needs services, and room and board under certain circumstances. It also includes uniforms and tutoring for K-12 students.

You can only contribute up to $2,000 per year to any given ESA. A person under 18 may only have one ESA in his or her name, but a person may contribute to multiple ESAs. Also anyone, not just the account opener or parent, may contribute to any ESA, but the total contributions from all parties to one ESA may still not exceed $2,000.

ESA holders enjoy a wide variety of investment options. ESAs can be opened by any nymber of banks or IRS-approved entities in the U.S. Generally speaking, ESAs can be invested in anything except collectibles, with the exception of U.S. Treasury coins. This includes mutual funds, stocks, bonds, money market funds and more. Earnings in an ESA grow tax-free.

You may not be able to contribute to an ESA if your income is larger than $110,000 for single filers and $220,000 for joint filers. Also, a beneficiary’s receipt of ESA funds for educational expenses may limit his or her ability to receive financial aid.

Fees vary greatly in ESAs, depending on the financial institution that manages the account. Fees can include start-up costs, per-investment move and more.

A 529 Savings Plan is a state-run investment accont where earnings grow income tax-deferred and withdrawls are tax-free when spent on qualified educational expenses. Each state has their own 529 plan, which is usually operated by a third-party financial organization. For the most part, residents of any given state can open a plan in any other state, and there are few contribution limits to these plans. Some states allow for 529 contributions to go toward a prepaid tuition plan at participating universities, but California is not one of those states.

Money from 529 plans can be distributed tax-free when used on “qualified education expenses” such as tuition, some room and board fees, books, supplies and equipment including computers, internet access fees, software and more. Special needs students can use 529 funds on additional costs required for enrollment. Crucially, 529 plans cannot be used on K-12 students as they are only reserved for higher education costs.

Contribution limits vary from state to state, but are generally much higher than ESAs. In California, for instance, a 529 plan has a total contribution limit of $371,000. Although some states allow tax deductions for contributions to a 529 plan, California does not.

A variety of investment options are afforded any given state’s 529 plan, but usually plan administrators will offer a selection of options, including index funds, mutual funds and combinations therein. There are basic categories of investment portfolios specific to 529 plans, including age-based investment portfolios, which switches from an aggressive to a conservative investment strategy as the beneficiary gets closer to college age. There’s also a guaranteed option, where the objective is to preserve the money invested in it with little risk. And under tax law, an account holder may only change their investment strategy one time per year.

There are no income limits for most 529 plans. However, the beneficiary of a 529 plan may be less eligible for financial aid.

Fees are variable and based on the type of 529 plan selected. Some of the fees are collected by the state, and some are collected by the financial institution administering the plan. Some college savings plans will reduce or waive fees if the account balance is large, or the plan owner participates in the state’s plan in which they live—California generally offers lower fees than other states.

GETTING OUT

(Cont. from page 12)

LIVE MUSIC: JAM TAXI

8 p.m. Listen to live music from Jam Taxi at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

Saturday | 29

TALEGA RUN CLUB

7:30 a.m. All ages and running abilities are welcome to this weekly running club. 2XU, an athletic apparel store in San Clemente, supports the club and helps lead the runs. Group meets in front of Peet’s Coffee at 801 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. 949.558.5054. www.meetup.com/2XU-SanClemente-Outlet-Meetup.

LIVE MUSIC: DAVE’S NOT HERE

3-5 p.m. Food, drinks and dancing to music from Dave’s Not Here at Luxre Realty. 222 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.498.3702. www.luxrerealty.com.

HALLO-WINE PARTY

7 p.m. Listen to live music from the Show Killers, and participate in a costume contest—winner gets a bottle of wine. It’s happy hour all night, and there will be games and activities. Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, No. 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.

CHOLULAWEEN

7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from The Cholulas during a Halloween party at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

Sunday | 30

SOUTH OC BRIDAL EXTRAVAGANZA

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Prospective brides will be able to shop and compare a variety of wedding services. A fashion show, live entertainment and food samples will be offered. Ocean Institute. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive. www.southocbridalshow.com.

Monday | 31

PUMPKIN SPLASH

2- 5 p.m. Head to the Ole Hanson Beach Club for a floating pumpkin patch, pumpkin games, pumpkin decorating, spook-tacular music and more. Each participant will take home one pumpkin. All ages. Proper swim attire is required. 105 W. Avenida Pico, San Clemente. 949.361.8264.

‘WAR OF THE WORLDS’

8-10 p.m. H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds broadcast comes to life via the Janus Radio Theatre Players. Tickets are $20. Camino Real Playhouse. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

Tuesday | 01

HALF-PRICE WHALE WATCHING

10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Hop onboar d this cruise to see dolphins, whales and other marine life. $22.50. Half price on Tuesdays but trips are available every day. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

KARAOKE AT GOODY’S

8 p.m. Karaoke at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

Wednesday | 02

LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE

9-11:30 a.m. Bring a friend or come by yourself to learn bridge. South Orange County Bridge Center. 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 205, San Juan Capistrano. www.danaharborbridgecenter.org.

THE NOW INFAMOUS GOAT TOAST THE DISH

This is what pub grub should be— simple ingredients made well into thoughtful dishes. PUBlic 74 complements their robust selection of craft cocktails and beer with fresh takes on traditional dishes, and none is apparently as renowned as the “Now Infamous” Goat Toast. Two pieces of fresh sourdough bread were packed with a fluffy-bodied, yet punchytasting herbed goat cheese. The sandwich is grilled and topped with roasted tomato and a slightly sweet balsamic reduction. The bite is a great combo of texture—crispy bread, soft cheese and relenting tomatoes—and it’s a good balance of flavor—salty and funky cheese, with sweet and savory tomato and vinegar.

Who knows what made the sandwich infamous, but it’s certainly a grilled cheese worth talking about.

PUBlic 74 27211 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.481.2723. www.publicrestaurants.com

On Stage at the Coach House: Three Dog Night

BY

Jeremiah was a bull frog and Three Dog Night is coming to San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, Nov. 5. Now, “Joy to the World,” and “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” are not only iconic songs of the early 1970s, but only two of the band’s numerous top-10 hits. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that Three Dog Night recorded more top-10s than any band in history.

Danny Hutton, founder and vocalist of the band, said the songs are still as relevant today as they were more than 40 years ago.

“The songs, I think, have lasted and are still relevant to me anyway, and to most of the audience,” Hutton said. “They’re all

At the Movies:

‘Ouija’ Sequel from an ‘Origin of Evil’

Very rarely does a schlocky cashgrab not only get a sequel, but a sequel that’s twice as good as the original. Earlier this year, it happened with 10 Cloverfield Lane, and now it’s happening again with Ouija: Origin of Evil. The original Ouija (2014) was a forgettable, paint-by-numbers spooky flick that somehow ended up getting a quality horror director, Mike Flanagan of Oculus (2013) and Hush (2016), for Ouija 2

In 1967, Alice Zander (Elizabeth Reaser) is a fortune teller who uses impressive, secret gimmicks with her daughters, Lina (Annalise Basso) and Doris (Lulu Wilson), to help customers deal with their grief. Alice soon buys a new board game called Ouija that also supposedly speaks to spirits for a new trick. The game not only works, but seems to be spiritually connecting through Doris, who can now hear, see

about emotions, which don’t have a shelflife, which don’t get old. Our songs are about … having fun, having a good time.” Hutton said the band’s catalog remains relevant not only because of their universal message, but because they’re well crafted.

“They have great choruses,” he said. “The hardest thing to write is to write a hook. That’s why music is called music, and is not called poetry. The feeling when you hear a song, there’s this one moment in a song when this magical thing comes together.”

Grab ahold of that feeling at The Coach House on Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $79 and are available at www.thecoachhouse.com. SC

and talk to the dead.

Wisely, Origin of Evil has relatively nothing to do with the first movie, save for the very last scene, and instead Flanagan takes appropriate cues from The Exorcist (1973) and Poltergeist (1982) to give the film an eerie tone and setting. The film cleverly feels like it was actually filmed in the mid-20th century with vintage title cards and cinematography shot on film. With no big names in the cast, familiar faces Reaser and Henry Thomas effortlessly hold it together in between wellplaced jump scares. Flanagan shows once again that he knows how to direct horror with mediocre material that would have otherwise been Hasbro product placement. SC

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Locals Only

or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com.

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, 949.485.4979, www.bodymindspiritiop.com

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

Solstice Heating and Air 2208 El Camino Real, Ste. #1, 949.573.3607, www.solsticehvac.com

APPLIANCES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

APPLIANCE SERVICES & REPAIRS

ASAP Appliance Service 3200 Legendario, 949.361.7713, www.asapapplianceservice.com

ART GALLERIES

San Clemente Art Association 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.7175, www.scartgallery.com

CHIROPRACTIC

Spinal Vitality Chiropractic 647 Camino de los Mares, Suite 220, 949.616.5470, www.spinalvitality.com

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate 99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com

CONCRETE

Costa Verde Landscape Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

DENTISTS

Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com

Shoreline Dental Studio

Kristen Ritzau, DDS 122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.245.6046, www.shorelinedentalstudio.com

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back 949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

EDITING SERVICES

Perfectly Clear Editing Services

Judi Heidel: 949.281.6364 www.perfectlycleareditingservices.com

ELECTRICAL

Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

HOME DÉCOR

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT

Capistrano Valley Raingutters Scott Williams, 949.542.7750

Hoover Construction 949.292.6778

JEWELRY

Paradise Jewelers 166 Avenida Del Mar, 949.361.6661, www.paradisejewelers.com

LANDSCAPING

Costa Verde Landscape Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

MATTRESSES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

MORTGAGES

Brian Wiechman, Equity Coast Mortgage A division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage 949.533.9209, www.equitycoastmortgage.com

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

SC Rider Supply

520 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0521, www.scridersupply.com

MUSIC LESSONS

Danman’s Music School 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

OFFICE FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

PET SERVICES/HOUSE SITTING

2-dogswalking.com Ricky, 949.973.4128

Pet care –Insured & Bonded

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com

PLUMBING

A to Z Leak Detection 929 Calle Negocio #D, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com

Bill Metzger Plumbing 929 Calle Negocio #D, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com

Karl Aiken Plumbing-Rooter San Clemente, 949.366.8302

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

Radiant Pool & Spa Service Lic # 985800, 949.290.5616, www.radiantpoolservice.com

SC Pool & Spa Works 1311 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.7665, www.scpoolworks.com

REAL ESTATE

Marcie GeorgeStar Real Estate South County 949.690.5410, marciegeorge@cox.net

“Sandy & Rich” - ReMax 949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso 114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS

Salon Bamboo

150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, 949.361.3348, www.salonbamboo.com

Salon Bleu

207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com

Syrens Hair Parlor

217 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. E, 949.361.9006, www.syrens.com

SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools

32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.5683, www.cvcs.org

SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

SWIMMING SCHOOL

Waterbabies Swim School 142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512, www.waterbabiesswimschool.com

TERMITES

Colony Termite Control 1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design 949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction 877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

In print and online 52 weeks a year. View online at www.sanclementetimes.com. Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com

ROOM FOR RENT IN A PRIVATE SAN CLEMENTE HOME IN A GATED COMMUNITY.

Mostly private bathroom. Seeking a responsible, non-smoking female. Rent is $850/month and includes utilities (Wi-Fi). If you are interested please contact me at GarrettRN@cox.net.

DESERT- LA QUINTA PRIVATE VACATION HOME-NOV/DEC 2700sqft Desert Oasis-email for photos. 3 Bdrm 3 Bath (2 masterbedrooms). Salt Water Pool and Spa. Unobstructed views of the Mountains. Walking distance to Downtown La Quinta. $300/night 7nights. Big Discounts for longer stays. 949-285-9905 or email: laquintarental@yahoo.com

FORSTER RANCH COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE SATURDAY OCTOBER 29, 2016 8am-12pm. X st’s Camino Vera Cruz and Camino De LosMares

Must be a team player, fun friendly environment. Please apply in person 818 South El Camino Real, San Clemente.

HANDYMAN CHRIS

Flat screen TV’s installed, anything Electrical, Plumbing, Finish Carpentry, Drywall Repairs, Mold and Wood Rot issues, Waterproofing, Decks and Patio covers repaired, Doors, Windows, Kitchens and Baths, Water Damage Restoration, Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication and Much More. Phone Chris –949 510 6645

WOOD DECK REPAIR WIZZARD

Wood Rot Repair Certified Specialist, Wood Decks, Balconies, Patio Covers + Outside Stairs Repaired / Replaced, New Decking Systems, All work Guaranteed. Phone Chris949 510 6645

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

SC LIVING SC

San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

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

Assessing How Much to Talk about an Ex or Deceased Loved One

Awidow, who is beginning to date again, asked, “How much should a person talk about an ex or deceased spouse?”

I asked eight seniors, some widowed and some divorced, for their opinions. Gale, a widow, said, “Not enough to bore your current partner. I suggest a mutual exchange where each of you gets to talk about your exes, but briefly. No one wants to hear a running dialogue about an ex, especially if the date involves getting to know your current partner.”

By Tom Blake

Art stated, “This is how I handle the subject of my late wife. My feeling is that an occasional mention is OK when talking about a place you visited or something that relates to a current situation.”

Marian, divorced, said, “Too much or too little divulged by either person isn’t good for obvious reasons—still grieving/angry or unwilling to take ownership. Being able to talk about previous relationships opens a window to where the other person is in his or her healing and state of mind.”

Gail, also a widow, wrote, “I feel it is appropriate to tell your date that you are a widow or widower and for how long. Offer nothing else unless asked. It is very easy to ‘elevate’ a departed spouse to sainthood and that should be avoided at all times.”

Brenda, divorced, shared, “It’s OK to mention an ex. But don’t point out similarities or differences in your date. Don’t reference your previous life in every event. Be careful not to bring up ‘we did that’ or ‘she would have liked that’ as that is very annoying. I dated a widower briefly, and he did that. He even told me several times I was just like her. That made me angry. I think he was trying to justify dating me by making me seem just like her. She had been deceased for 10 years.”

Linda, divorced, after corresponding with a widower online, said, “I met him in person five months ago. A relationship began.

“He was married one time. He doesn’t have photos of his wife out (deceased three years), but he speaks frequently about the life they had. I wonder if he has gotten past the grief and can move forward into a new relationship?”

Dr. John, divorced after a 21-year marriage, said, “Death or divorce, if you were with a partner for a significant length of time, that’s part of who you are, and where you’re coming from. To expect a person to never talk about his or her ex, I think, is to refuse to deal with part of who that person is.

Maria, a widow, agreed with Dr. John: “Since we are older folks, we all have a history. We are bound to talk about people we have loved in the past, especially if someone has been widowed. It shouldn’t dominate the conversation, but I would like

to hear where a person has been with their past experiences—all part of getting to know and assessing the potential partner.

“We all need to be tolerant, but if someone is talking too much about an ex or past love, tell them how you feel. Communication is the key to a successful relationship.”

If a person talks about an ex frequently, it likely means he or she is not over the situation. That isn’t wrong; it’s a sign that the healing process is ongoing. It could be the person is still angry, hurt, or the heart has not mended. Perhaps, with more time, the person will be able to focus more on the feelings of the new person in his or her life.

It’s natural for seniors to mention oc-

Sudoku

BY 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

casionally a former spouse or significant other. But, keep in mind, people who do could be hurting the feelings of the new person. Done often enough, the new person might leave, and then, the talker might regret that she or he wasn’t more conscious of the new person’s feelings.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating. See his websites at www.findingloveafter50.com; www.vicsta.com and www. travelafter55.com. SC

San Clemente

Oktoberfest takes place at Vista Hermosa Sports Park

D Prost!

ebuting in its new location, San Clemente Oktoberfest drew hundreds of people to Vista Hermosa Sports Park on Saturday, Oct. 22.

People participated in beer keg bowling, beer pong, hula hooping and drinking competitions and more.

Local breweries including Pizza Port, Artifex and Left Coast poured beer for the patrons, and bands including the Aggrolites and Common Sense performed live music for the crowds.

There were also opportunities for families to hang out near the children’s section. SC

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

Root, Root, Root for the Home Team

Student cheering section brings new energy

to SCHS football games

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

There are times when I get to a high school football game hours before kickoff and it’s just me, empty bleachers and a few parent volunteers milling around, setting up the snack bar.

But this season, something is different.

When I show up early to a San Clemente High School football game, I’m not the only one in the stands anymore. Sometimes as early as two hours before kickoff, there are dozens of students setting up lights, speakers and banners. They are getting ready for a party, and by the time kickoff rolls around, the place is packed.

High school student cheering sections are back in a big way in South Orange County, and San Clemente now has one of the best in the area.

The student-run spirit club, known as the “SCHS Loud Crowd,” is in charge of picking a theme and making sure their fellow students show up to games ready to rock. Themes have ranged from “blackout nights,” where everyone comes decked out in black clothes, to beach night, to American night.

They get there early, and they stay late, inhabiting the east side of the home

stands, which they’ve dubbed “The Abyss.”

I’ve covered San Clemente football for four years, and while there have been good showings from the student sections in the past, I haven’t seen anything like

this year’s effort.

The Loud Crowd invested in smoke machines and laser lights, which go crazy every time the Tritons score, which is to say they’ve been put to good use this season. They have special cheers and chants they break out for each game. The excitement builds up to a fever-pitch just before the Tritons take the field, when the whole section sways back and forth and stomps their feet as one.

Sitting in the press box, it sometimes feels like the stands at Thalassa Stadium might give way to the noise.

Seniors Roberto Medrano, Kurt Crapo, Brigham Maready and Blake Birmingham are the masterminds behind the Loud Crowd. They felt Triton football games could have a little more energy in the stands, and brainstormed ideas on how to make the games feel more like an experience for students. What they came up with involved reaching out to other clubs and groups at SCHS, like the marching band and cheerleading squad.

The band used to sit on the west side of the bleachers, opposite the student section. Now, they have bleachers set up on the track that face The Abyss. Both the cheerleaders and drumline will do

choreographed performances in front of the students during games.

“It’s brought so many different people together on campus. Before the season, cheer, the student section and the marching band were kind of separate, whereas now we’re one combined group,” Crapo said. “When we were separate we weren’t that strong but when we came together, it’s just made something incredible. Everyone is so into it, and we all support each other.”

Students in The Abyss may be having fun, but there is also a reason behind the madness. They want the Tritons to win, and they want to do their part in making sure San Clemente has a home field advantage.

Tritons’ head coach Jaime Ortiz, along with the players, has routinely praised the Loud Crowd’s efforts this season. The student section’s involvement fits in perfectly with the “One town, one team” mantra, which has come to define SCHS.

“We’re kind of like a 12th man almost,” Crapo said. “It really helps our team perform and motivates them.”

The Loud Crowd holds weekly meetings, where they decide on themes and come up with new ideas. They also analyze their performance on film, just like the football team. They have a camera recording them and they use clips to review what Loud Crowd members did right, or wrong, during a game. It’s a fun exercise, although it’s mainly just for laughs.

The Loud Crowd leaders all attributed the sharp uptick in participation at games to the high level of school spirit at SCHS. It starts with the seniors, they said, and trickles down to the underclassmen. If enough people are talking about it and having fun, more people will show up. The group utilizes social media to help get the word out and their Instagram account has over 700 followers.

The Tritons played their homecoming game on Oct. 21, and the Loud Crowd had its best showing of the season. San Clemente needed a victory over visiting San Juan Hills to jump into a share of first place in the South Coast League. The energy was high, thanks to a capacity crowd, and the team came away with the important win.

Afterwards, as fans trickled out of the stadium, the student section serenaded the team with a version of Biz Markie’s famous hip hop song “Just A Friend,” but with a San Clemente twist attached. You’d have thought their voices would be hoarse, that they’d have no energy left after three hours of full-throttle cheering and singing. But there they were, saving their best for last.

“Oh S.C. you … You got what I need! So all you girls and boys, stand up and make some noise!” the students belted out, their voices washing over the field, carrying all the way down Avenida Pico to the beach and into the night. SC

Triton Report

BY STEVE BREAZEALE,

For in-game updates, scores, news and more for all of the San Clemente High School fall sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.

Triton Football Rolls Past Stallions

Quarterback Jack Sears and tight end Chris Kane linked up for three first-half touchdowns against visiting San Juan Hills on Oct. 21, and the San Clemente football team came away with a 35-20 South Coast League victory on homecoming night.

Kane, who had caught just 11 passes all season, reeled in eight catches for 98 yards and scored the first three Triton touchdowns against the Stallions.

Sears found Kane in the end zone for 10and 12-yard touchdown passes early to put San Clemente (6-2, 2-0 league) up 14-0.

Brock Cazel scored on a five-yard touchdown run for San Juan Hills (6-3, 1-2) on its next possession to trim the lead to 14-7.

After the Tritons recovered a San Juan Hills fumble on a punt return, Sears led his team downfield, and connected with Kane for a third time after rolling to his right inside the Stallions’ 15-yard line.

Kane, who stands at 6-feet-5-inches tall, leapt over two Stallions defenders to reel in the touchdown, giving San Clemente a 21-7 advantage.

“Over the summer Jack and I decided we were going to put a lot of extra work in. Just really work on getting better, work on timing and everything,” Kane said. “We really just had to work and have patience and trust each other. It’s worked out well.”

Sears kept the offense humming all night, both in the air and on the ground. He burst through a hole at the line of scrimmage on a play to start the third quarter, scoring on a 64-yard run for a 28-7 lead. Sears completed 16 of 22 passes for

157 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 108 yards and a score on 11 carries.

Tritons junior cornerback Matt Wasowski intercepted Stallions quarterback Matt Rodriguez twice in the fourth quarter. The first takeaway resulted in a San Clemente scoring drive, which ended with a fouryard touchdown run by senior Brandon Reaves.

The win puts San Clemente in the driver’s seat to claim one of the South Coast League’s two automatic playoff berths. The Tritons will travel to play Trabuco Hills (2-7, 0-2) on Oct. 28.

Golfers Compete in CIF-SS Individual Regional Tourney

Two members of the San Clemente girls golf team advanced to the CIF-SS Southern Individual Regional tournament at Dad Miller Golf Club on Oct. 25.

Aria Dalkas and Erica Cornelius represented the Tritons at the postseason tournament, but neither player advanced to the next stage of competition.

Dalkas and Cornelius earned berths into the postseason behind strong showings at the South Coast League Finals last week. Dalkas shot a two-day score of 162 (+18) and Cornelius carded a 163 (+19) at San Juan Hills Golf Club to place fourth and sixth overall, respectively.

Dalkas and Olivia French were named to the All-South Coast League first team at league finals.

Cross Country Runs in Riverside

Both the San Clemente boys and girls cross country teams got an early look at the site of the upcoming CIF-SS Championships last weekend while competing in the Riverside Showcase. The girls team placed fi fth and the boys team finished 11th in their respective divisions.

Junior Chandler Horton paced the girls team with an eighth-place finish. Senior Carlos de Jesus placed 12th to lead the boys team.

The cross country teams will return to Irvine Regional Park to compete in the Sea View League finals on Nov. 1.

SC SURF

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Art Brewer and Surfing’s Divine Prince of Decadence

How a Dana Point surf photographer stumbled into one of surfing’s most eccentric personalities and came to tell the story 40 years later

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

If surfing ever had a rock star, it was Bunker Spreckels. Born into L.A.’s upper crust, stepson of Clark Gable, heir to the Spreckels Sugar for tune, he had it all. Like Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin, Spreckels died young when he was only 27 years old, but unlike the stage, surfing was his vehicle of choice.

Since his passing in 1977, Spreckels’ story was largely lost to the sands of time, but a new documentary, aptly titled Bunker77, unearths a radical tale of one of surfing’s most eccentric characters. A linchpin in the telling of Spreckels’ tale is Dana Point’s Art Brewer. A legend in the field of surf photography, Brewer first came to know Spreckels while the two were on the North Shore of Oahu in 1969.

“The whole thing started in ’69,” said Brewer. “That was when I met Bunker for the first time and shot a roll of film of him on and around the beach at Pipeline. He was 19 when I met him, and I was 18.”

Several years later, again on the North Shore of Oahu, they reconnected.

“I ran into him again at the end of ’73 and into ’74,” continued Brewer. “He came by a friend’s house and asked me if I wanted to surf and shoot a few photos. So we went and rode some waves at Rocky Right’s.”

That led to an invitation from Spreckels for Brewer to join him on Kauai for an impromptu, inter-island surf trip. Mission complete, a life-altering, wildcard invitation from Spreckels soon followed.

“Bunker asks me, ‘You ever thought of going to South Africa?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I always thought of it, but have never had the opportunity or the money.’

“Then about three months later, I get a phone call from him asking me if I had a passport. I told him I did, and he said, ‘Well, grab it and meet me in town [Honolulu].’”

At the PanAm office in Honolulu, Spreckels purchased round-trip airline tickets to South Africa for himself, his girlfriend, Ellie, and Brewer, who was tasked with photographing whatever kind of madness happened to ensue. The crew set off in the spring of ’74.

“Landing in London, Bunker knew that Steve Miller and his band was over there,” remembered Brewer. “Steve was a friend of his from L.A., and Pink Floyd was playing with him out in the countryside at this music festival. So we took a limo out there and visited with Steve as he was doing his sound check. The guys from Pink Floyd were hanging around. It was a good start to the trip, but also a good indication that things might get weird.”

And things certainly did get weird. After a turbulent stint in Durban, which included being chased by an angry mob and shooting out stop lights, they headed to Jeffreys Bay, which at the time was a tiny sur f outpost in the middle of nowhere. After nearly two months of perfect point waves and crazy parties, Brewer reached wits end. After one particularly fiery argument, Spreckels pulled a 25-caliber handgun on Brewer.

“So I go, ‘Go ahead and shoot me… If

you’re going to shoot me, then shoot me!’ “Then Tony van den Heuvel [a South African surfing icon] tackles me just as a bullet flies over my head and ricochet’s off the wall behind me. That was it. He disappeared, and I didn’t see him for a week. He eventually came back, apologized and told me it was a misunderstanding.”

Spreckels, Ellie and Brewer eventually made it back to L.A. in one piece and quickly went their separate ways. Spreckels died in ’77 as a result of a drug overdose. His story was more or less forgotten about until Brewer and writer C.R. Stecyk III published the now sold-out book Bunker Spreckels. Surfing’s Divine Prince of Decadence in 2007. Following the success of the book, Brewer and Stecyk unearthed old audio interviews and Super 8 footage of Spreckels from the trip to South Africa. The new documentary film is comprised largely of this “lost” footage that’s been quietly tucked away in Brewer’s studio in Dana Point for nearly 40 years.

“All he wanted me to do was to come along and take pictures,” said Brewer. “I wasn’t being paid, I was just going along to take pictures. There really wasn’t anything specific about it, it was a funny little show.”

SC

Water Temperature: 61-65 degrees F Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 5-10’ Fair

Catalina: 15-20’ Fair-Good

Thursday: Shorter/mid period W swell with new SW swell slowly building. SSE swell from Seymour also in the mix. Look for knee-waistchest high (2-3’+) with shoulder high (4’) sets at standouts. Deep morning high tide an issue for many breaks early.

Outlook: Small to locally fun size blend of WNW and SSW swell through the weekend, keeping things rideable but mainly under shoulder high. Morning winds are light. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

GROM OF THE WEEK JETT SCHILLING SURF FORECAST

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Just because summer’s over doesn’t mean the surf season’s slowed down— and that goes double for Jett Schilling. As school swung back into session and the local waters enjoyed considerably lighter crowds, Schilling got to work. He started off his run with a very respectable third place finish at the RVCA Pro Junior in Newport Beach. Thanks to a healthy dose of tropical south swell, the conditions were pumping and the San Clemente goofy-foot capitalized in a big way.

Schilling then kicked off October with a solid showing at the Surfing America Prime contest held in playful, three-foot point surf at Church. The 13-year-old managed to make the semifinals of the Under 18 division, and did one better in the Under 16s where he placed thir d in the final.

Unrelenting in his pursuit of surfing glory, the following weekend, Schilling was rocking and rolling at the Seaside Open, where he made the finals in both the Men’s and Junior’s divisions.

Schilling may not have topped any podiums in the last month, but considering that he was surfing at a level well beyond his years, the experience surely outweighs the results. It’s only a matter of time before his name starts showing up in a lot more headlines. SC