March 28, 2014

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

OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICEMarch 28-April 10, 2014 FOUNDED IN 2002 | VOLUME 12, ISSUE 6

www.thecapistranodispatch.com

Historic House on the Market SJC LIVING/PAGE 17

Around 40,000 people fi lled the streets of downtown San Juan Capistrano for the city’s signature event. Photo: Brian Park

The 56th Swallows Day Parade in Photos

San Juan Capistrano celebrates Festival of the Swallows

Premier High School Baseball Tournament

Returns to JSerra SPORTS/PAGE 18

Local Reggae Band Signs with

Record Label SJC LIVING/PAGE 14

Accidents on Swallows Day, Longtime City Planner

Retires and More EYE ON SJC/PAGE 3

E Y E O N S J C / PAG E 6

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTINGEYE ON SJC

Three Injured in 2 Horse-involved Swallows Day Parade AccidentsTHE LATEST: Two spectators and one parade participant were injured in two separate accidents involving horses dur-ing the Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 22.

The fi rst accident occurred shortly after the parade began, according to Capt. Steve Concialdi, spokesman for the Orange County Fire Authority. Two large horses pulling a carriage careened into a crowd of parade-goers, near the start of the parade route at El Camino Real and Camino Capistrano.

A 52-year-old male double amputee was injured when he fell out of his wheelchair and one of the horses fell on him, Con-cialdi said. The man suffered “moderate” injuries, including two black eyes and abrasions, and was taken to Mission Hos-pital, according to Concialdi.

A 64-year-old woman was also taken to Mission Hospital with knee and lower-back injuries. A 30-year-old woman suf-fered minor bumps and bruises but did not want to be hospitalized, Concialdi said.

The second incident involved a 55-year-old woman who fell from a chariot being pulled by a miniature horse. She was hospitalized with head injuries.

WHAT’S NEXT: The fi rst accident stopped the parade for about 30-45 minutes while paramedics tended to the injured. Orange County Sheriff’s deputies interviewed witnesses and cleared the scene before the parade resumed, according to Lt. John Meyer, chief of San Juan Capistrano’s police services.

FIND OUT MORE: For the full story, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. –Brian Park

Father Arrested for DUI After Crash That Killed 5-year-old DaughterTHE LATEST: Antolin Brito, a 30-year-old San Juan Capistrano man, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and drunken driving after a crash that killed his 5-year-old daughter and injured three

of his other chil-dren on Saturday, March 22.

Brito was arrested in his hospital bed at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana Saturday night, just hours after the single-car accident that killed his daugh-ter, Yuliana Brito,

according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Lt. Jeff Hallock.

The crash occurred shortly before 7 p.m. when Brito was driving four of his children in a Ford Explorer, heading westbound on Junipero Serra Road toward its terminus at Camino Capistrano. The vehicle went through the intersection, the parking lot of Silverado Senior Living and down into an embankment, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Con-cialdi said.

Sheriff’s deputies and OCFA paramed-ics attempted to resuscitate Yuliana at the scene. She was pronounced dead at Mis-sion Hospital in Mission Viejo.

WHAT’S NEXT: Brito’s 8-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter were also taken to Mission Hospital with a possible fracture left arm and fractured left leg, respectively, Concialdi said. An 11-year-old daughter with rib injuries was taken to Western Medical Center.

Family friends have set up a donation account to help the children’s mother, Rocia Segura, defray medical expenses. Donations can be made at Chase Bank, 31791 Camino Capistrano.

FIND OUT MORE: For more information

on how to help the family, email [email protected]. –BP

SONGS Panel Holds Inaugural Meeting in San ClementeTHE LATEST: The inaugural meeting of the community engagement panel for the de-commissioning process at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station included an updated timeline on Southern California Edison’s plans for the fi nal demolition of the plant, as well as a look at future topics the panel will take up.

Thomas Palmasino, Edison’s new chief nuclear offi cer, presented an overview of the utility’s current plans for the site. In front of a capacity crowd at the San Clemente Community Center, Palmasino said the utility’s plan, which has yet to be approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, would try and have the plant dismantled within 20 years.

The panel’s chairman, UC San Diego professor David Victor, noted that the goal of the panel is transparency and expressed hopes the panel could balance the views of the different members and act as a watchdog.

WHAT’S NEXT: In addition to meetings, the panel wll hold a number of workshops on specifi c aspects of the decommission-ing, addressing concerns over waste storage and what the plant’s site could someday become. –Jim Shilander

Longtime Assistant Planning Director to RetireTHE LATEST: Bill Ramsey, a mainstay in

the city of San Juan Capistrano’s planning department for 24 years, announced he will be retiring, effective May 2.

Ramsey, 60, currently serves as as-sistant director of development services. During his time at City Hall, he has served as secretary to a number of city com-missions and committees. As a project manager, he helped oversee a compre-hensive update of the Los Rios Specifi c Plan in 1999, as well as helping with the Whispering Hills Estates-Rancho San Juan and Distrito La Novia-San Juan Meadows projects.

“As one of our most tenured employees of 24 years, Bill’s knowledge, expertise and true passion for San Juan Capistrano will truly be missed. We wish him the joy he deserves in this next chapter of his life,” City Manager Karen Brust said in a statement.

WHAT’S NEXT: Ramsey, an avid ultra-runner, said he plans to spend the next few months traveling and training for two upcoming races. “It’s going to be the ‘sum-mer of Bill,’” he said.

Ramsey said he also hopes to stay involved in the city through the Historical Society and Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum.

FIND OUT MORE: For the full story, visit www.thecapistranodispatch.com. –Brian Park

CUSD Puts Major Facilities Upgrades on HoldTHE LATEST: San Clemente High School parents and staff heard last week that im-mediate needs at the school will be handled this summer but major renova-tions will likely be on hold until the Cap-istrano Unifi ed School District has a new funding mechanism or a facilities bond is passed.

During the economic downturn, the district was forced to raid its deferred maintenance fund in order to address budget shortfalls, retiring Superintendent Joseph Farley told the crowd. Now, the district’s need for facilities upgrades is near the $1 billion mark.

While needs are districtwide, aging schools in San Clemente and Dana Point have some of the highest needs. At Dana Hills High School the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system needs replac-ing. Estimates place project costs at $2.5 million.

WHAT’S NEXT: The district has since developed a master plan for improving SCHS facilities, totaling $76.3 million. But funding for these projects is scarce. Farley said the district is willing to put a bond proposal before voters, but wants to be “fairly certain” it would pass before com-mitting. –JS

Yuliana Brito. Courtesy photo

After 24 years working for the city of San Juan Capistrano, Assistant Development Services Director Bill Ramsey will retire, effective May 2. Photo: Brian Park

What’s Up With...Five things San Juan should know this week

www.thecapistranodispatch.comThe Capistrano Dispatch March 28-April 10, 2014

The Capistrano Dispatch March 28-April 10, 2014

EYE ON SJC

TUESDAY 4.1

City Council, Housing Authority and Successor Agency Meeting6 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adel-anto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

WEDNESDAY 4.2

Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Brian Freye, a representative from San Diego Gas & Electric, will offer cost-saving, energy-efficient tips for business owners during the chamber’s networking breakfast. $15 for chamber members, $25 for non-members. To RSVP, email [email protected]. The Vintage Steakhouse, 26701-B Verdugo Street.

Rotary Club Meeting6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. Regular meeting includes fellowship and an informa-tive presentation from a guest speaker. Occurs every Wednesday. Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot, 26701 Verdugo Street, Ste. 201. www.sjcrotary.org.

FRIDAY 4.4

Coffee Chat8 a.m. A spirited town hall forum on community issues, hosted by The Dis-patch founder Jonathan Volzke. Occurs every Friday. All are welcome. Mission Grill, 31721 Camino Capistrano.

MONDAY 4.7

Open Space, Trails & Equestrian Commission Meeting6 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adel-anto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

TUESDAY 4.8

Planning Commission Meeting6:30 p.m. City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adel-anto. www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

WEDNESDAY 4.9

Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening for Rancho Capistrano Winery5:15 p.m. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of San Juan Capist-rano’s newest winery. The Chamber of Commerce’s evening networking mixer will follow, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. $15 for chamber members, $25 for non-members. Rancho Capistrano Winery, 26755 Verdugo Street, Ste. 100.

FRIDAY 4.11

Next issue of The Dispatch publishes

CommunityMeetings

Veterans Honor San Juan Hills Senior, West Point AppointeeMembers of the Veterans of Foreign

Wars Serra Post 3801 in San Juan Capistra-no recognized and honored San Juan Hills High School senior Jessica Boerner for her appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. during their regular meeting earlier this month.

Post members hosted a dessert social to congratulate Boerner and presented her with a certificate and thanked her for her service to the country.

Boerner, who was sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa, will report to boot camp in July.

Ladera Ranch Storage Company Donates $25,000 for New Score-board at San Juan HillsThe next time San Juan Hills High

School baseball fans want to know how their Stallions are faring, the results will be as clear as day, thanks to a $25,000 donation from Ladera Ranch-based Smart-Stop Self Storage.

Michael Schwartz, CEO of the com-pany, presented Stallions head baseball coach Jeremey Wooten with a check for a new scoreboard at the school’s field on Wednesday, March 19. Wooten was joined by several senior players for the ceremony.

The team, including several parents and supporters, had been working to install a new scoreboard since 2008. Although the school received approval from the Capistrano Unified School District, the team still needed to raise more money. A parent put Wooten in touch with Schwartz, who quickly put up the money to pay for the bulk of the costs.

“This will be a top-notch scoreboard, one of the best for a high school field,” Wooten said in a release. “The community has wanted this for a long, and it’s been a long time coming. But that makes it that much more exciting.”

The scoreboard will take two months to produce and is expected to be installed around the end of the season.

Clinic Trains Dogs to Avoid RattlesnakesThe Ortega Equestrian Center and Otra

Mas are offering a special clinic for dog owners on avoiding rattlesnakes.

Herpetologist Richard Andreuss will lead the clinic, which will train dogs to


NEWS BITES

DANA POINTA line of skateboards and colorful helmets provided a different sight at Dana Point’s City Hall last week as more than 50 sup-porters let the City Council know they want a skatepark in town. Dozens supporting Skatepark of Dana Point filled the chamber’s entryway, waiting for their chance to speak. Six went before the body asking members to consider the benefits of supporting action sports. “I see no difference in the kids and families participating in skateboarding and surfing compared to those participating in traditional sports, however there is a major difference in the support these two groups receive from local government,” said Ben Classen of San Clemente. Speakers high-lighted how action sports help drive the local economy and give kids, uninterested in team sports, an outlet where they can thrive.

SAN CLEMENTELast week, the San Clemente City Council declared the city is in a drought. The declara-tion means residents are now being asked to voluntarily cut down on water usage by ap-proximately 20 percent. The city is also tak-ing steps to lessen water impacts on its own property. San Clemente working to complete its recycled water expansion project, to in-clude the city’s parks—the city’s largest user of water. Both the Beaches, Parks and Recre-ation and Utility departments are looking into removing “non-functioning turf” in areas that aren’t used often, said water conservation officer Andrew Kanzler. Residents are encour-aged to contact the city if irrigation systems are not functioning correctly.

News Next DoorWHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS

COMPILED BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS AND BRIAN PARK

avoid the sight, smell and sound of rattle-snakes.

The clinic will be held Saturday, April 12 at 9 a.m. in the large field on the corner of Paseo Tirador and Calle Arroyo in San Juan Capistrano. The cost is $60 per dog. For more information or to register, con-tact Kathy Holman at 949.661.3130.

Sendero Recognized by National Home BuildersSendero, the first village to open in the

developing Rancho Mission Viejo commu-nity, was named “Master-Planned Commu-nity of the Year” at a national convention of home builders in February.

The Rancho Mission Viejo Company received the award during the Internation-al Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. Sendero was chosen from a group of five finalists, which included communities in Colorado, Georgia, Texas and Virginia, by the Sales and Marketing Council of The National Association of Home Builders.

It is the second such award the vil-lage has received. The Greater Sales and Marketing Council for the Building Industry Association of Southern Califor-nia awarded a similar honor to Sendero as well.

Sendero debuted late June 2013 and includes more than 1,200 attached and detached homes spread throughout 11 different neighborhoods. So far, the Ran-cho Mission Viejo Company reports that nearly 450 homes have been sold. Homes range in price, from around $400,000 to just under $1 million.

When it is fully built out over the next 20 to 25 years, Rancho Mission Viejo will include 14,000 homes, including 6,000 for residents 55 and over.

San Juan Hills High School senior Jessica Boerner (center) was recognized earlier this month by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Serra Post 3801 for her appointment to the United States Military Academy. Here, Boerner is seen with Navy veterans Les Blair (left) and Bill Hardy. Courtesy photo

EYE ON SJC

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

Monday, March 24

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Calle Acordarse, 33800 Block (8:24 a.m.) A man called about a “major” leak in a broken gas line. The Orange County Fire Authority and the Gas Company were notified. The man called back saying he thought he stopped the leak, but OCFA still responded.

Sunday, March 23

TRAFFIC HAZARD Rancho Viejo Road/Ortega Highway (10:02 p.m.) Dispatch was noti-fied by the Orange County Fire Authority about a disabled vehicle in the roadway. Contact was later made with the vehicle’s owners, who said they were waiting to get gas.

PETTY THEFT REPORT Avenida Cabrillo, 25900 Block (9:47 p.m.) A male caller said he had left his wallet in his friend’s car the night before. When he got his wallet back, his social security card was gone, and he also reported his eyeglasses were missing.

MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATIONS Calle Chueca, 30600 Block (4:50 p.m.) Subjects were seen spray painting a car in a driveway.

CITIZEN ASSIST Calle Chueca, 30600 Block (11:31 a.m.) A woman, whose cousin was assaulted the night before and had been taken to the hospital, called to ask ques-tions and provide more information about the incident.

HIT AND RUN PARKED CAR Camino Capist-rano, 31700 Block (11:30 a.m.) A white Ca-dillac Escalade was hit by a dark gray Ford Ranger pickup in the parking lot at The Swallow’s Inn. The pickup was last seen heading southbound on El Camino Real.

INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN Hilltop Way, 30600 Block (8:39 a.m.) A male juvenile was seen lying in the bushes in an empty parking lot across from the caller’s loca-tion. The caller was unsure if the boy was breathing but didn’t think he was home-less. The Orange County Fire Authority responded. The boy was later released to his mother.

Saturday, March 22

DISTURBANCE Via Sonora/Calle Arroyo (7:48 p.m.) A group of juveniles started a

bonfire down in the creek area.

INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN Camino Capist-rano, 31700 Block (5:43 p.m.) A woman was found on the ground in the parking lot behind The Swallow’s Inn. The caller said the woman was barely breathing. Dis-patch reported hearing the caller telling someone to “leave her alone.” The Orange County Fire Authority responded.

SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE Via Del Rey/Paseo Miraflores (10:53 a.m.) An elderly driver was seen driving a silver Ford Mustang on the walking trail beside the creek bed.

Friday, March 21

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE La Za-nja Street/Camino Capistrano (7:29 p.m.)Police detained three females who were seen drinking wine on the stairs at the soc-cer fields earlier.

ILLEGAL PEDDLING Camino Capistrano, 31900 Block (2:40 p.m.) A subject was selling oranges at the property of Black Belt Tae Kwon Do Academy.

Thursday, March 20

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Ramos Way, 31600 Block (10:04 p.m.) A caller requested a patrol check for a black van near Los Rios Park that made them feel uncomfortable. The caller said the van was possibly occupied.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Forster Street/El Camino Real Three male tran-sients were seen urinating in the park and wandering around.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Camino Capistrano, 3200 Block (5:57 a.m.) Customers at Starbucks complained about two males who were out front, harassing people for money.

Wednesday, March 19

CITIZEN ASSIST Paseo Barona, 27700 Block (6:07 p.m.) A man said someone was possibly hacking into his computer. The man had called police in February with a similar complaint.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Camino Capist-rano/Ortega Highway (2:17 p.m.) A dog was locked inside a silver Hyundai Elantra parked next to the Mission.

Tuesday, March 18

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Camino Capistrano/San Juan Creek Road (8:35 a.m.) A car wash was flying its flag upside down, and according to the caller, that was a sign of distress.

DISTURBANCE San Juan Creek Road, 32100 Block (6:18 p.m.) Two juveniles were seen fishing on the golf course.


COMPILED BY BRIAN PARK


EYE ON SJC

n assemblage of colorful characters, ornate costumes and horses of all sizes made up the 56th Swal-lows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 22.

Around 40,000 spectators lined downtown streets to watch the procession of parade participants that make up what’s heralded as the nation’s largest non-motorized parade. This year’s Swallows Day Pa-rade featured over 3,200 walking participants, around 500 horses and a dozen marching bands.

It was one of the more eventful Swallows Day Parades in recent years, as two separate horse-involved accidents near the start of the parade route required assistance from Orange County Fire Authority para-medics. The accidents caused delays of around 30 minutes each, leaving some parade-goers perplexed. Announcers stationed at several spots along the parade route kept onlookers entertained before the parade resumed.

After a one-year hiatus, beer sales resumed at the parade’s companion event, the Mercado Street Faire at Historic Town Center Park. During the parade, and especially afterward, guests enjoyed food, drinks, games and exhibitor booths displaying and selling their wares. CD

The 56th Swallows Day Parade in PhotosAround 40,000 parade-goers descended upon downtown San Juan Capistrano to celebrate the Festival of the Swallows

A

Members of Mariachi for All smile for the camera while playing their instruments during the parade.

Mayor Sam Allevato waves to the crowd of parade-goers.

Riders with Rancho Arroyo, noted for their dancing horses, make their way up the parade route.

From aboard a horse-drawn trolley, members of the Las Vaqueras Riding Club wave for the camera.

Spirit squad members of the Clifton Clubs Marching Band wave banners while walking up the parade route.

Taylor Powell points toward the next parade entry while sitting on his father Andrew Powell’s lap.

The 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, San Juan Capistrano’s adopted regiment, made the trip from Camp Pendleton to take part in the parade.

Jim Curwood, grand marshal of the 56th Swallows Day Parade, waves to the crowd.

Cathy Pritchard, a member of the Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society, and her horse await the start of the parade.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRIAN PARK, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

EYE ON SJC

n the week leading up to the Swallows Day Parade, the Fiesta Association cel-ebrated the Fiesta de las Golondrinas

season with two other signature events, Fiesta Grande and Hoos’Gow Day.

If the association’s El Presidente Ball is an Old West formal, then Fiesta Grande is a Wild West shindig. A collection of scrag-gly beards, well-manicured mustaches, oversized belt buckles and sultry-dressed damsels were on display at The Swallow’s Inn on Wednesday, March 19.

In addition to live music and dancing, the highlights of the event were a series of contests, including the popular Hairiest Man competition, which went to San Juan Capistrano resident Steve Holt.

Other winners included Jim Eakin for Best Belt Buckle; Trish Wilson for Best Prairie Woman; Susan Stansbury for Best

Joseph Leone cheers on his frog in the Fiesta As-sociation’s inaugural frog race.

The Fiesta Association’s “deputies” threw two unlucky passersby into the hoosegow.

The ladies at Fiesta Grande compete in the Best Soiled Dove contest.

Before the Parade...

ISTORY AND PHOTOS BY BRIAN PARK, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

San Juan Capistrano resident Steve Holt won the Hairiest Man competition.

Hat and Outlaw Woman; Renee Stitt for Best Soiled Dove; Doug Davis for Best Mustache; and Dave Faylor for Best Beard.

On the Friday before the parade, the Fiesta Association’s “deputies” were out on patrol throughout San Juan Capistrano to wrangle up city slickers found wearing anything but Western attire and throw them into mobile jails, or hoosegows.

To close out the day, the association and their guests gathered at Mission Grill for their inaugural frog race. Participants placed bets on frogs, and after some coax-ing—in the form of stomping feet—the frogs hopped and skipped their way in five races. The first-ever winner in the opening race was Joseph Leone, great grandson of longtime Fiesta Association volunteer Boots Leone. CD

Senior dignitaries James and Deborah Valgean award Doug Davis for the best mustache.

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

EDITOR’S NOTE: By Andrea Swayne

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTSSOAPBOX

The Capistrano Dispatch March 28-April 10, 2014 www.thecapistranodispatch.com

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The Capistrano Dispatch, Vol. 12, Issue 6. The Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch ) is published twice monthly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and the SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs, or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

EDITORIAL

Senior Group Editor> Andrea Swayne

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CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Victor Carno, Catherine Manso, Tawnee Prazak, Jenna Ross, Dana Schnell, Tim Trent

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Letters to the EditorHAPPY FOR NO REASON

—Donna L. Friess, San Juan CapistranoThe other day, as I was going to meet

my walking pals, I admired the sunfl ow-ers whimsically planted in the fi eld by Ambuehl Elementary School. I smiled and thought, “Ah, spring is in the air.”

Soon the miles were fl ying by as we power-walked along the trail at Cook Park, when suddenly, my friend exclaimed, “Donna, look. You’re always on the look-out for precious moments. Here’s one!”

She pointed toward the neglected, wild open space. I gazed more carefully to discover something magical and serendipi-tous: about a dozen brightly colored bird-houses planted like a garden in a forgotten patch along the pathway by Calle Arroyo.

All evening, I could not stop thinking about it. I shared it with my husband, and he reported that he saw a mother in the car next to him, singing her heart out at the signal nearby. Happiness seemed to be abounding.

The next day, I went back to take pho-tos. I examined a blue birdhouse labeled, “The Swallows Inn,” and another bright yellow one that read, “By Cash Vargas, age 7.” Another one had a crazy skull-and-crossbones painted on it. The garden was alive with color and whimsy. I was delighted by each little work of art.

Returning to my car, I asked a lady crossing the street about the garden. “Oh, the neighbor down the street, the pastor, thought it was a shame that in our beautiful town, we have such neglected areas. He began with the stone wall and then some birdhouses. People have added plants, more birdhouses and feeders. It’s growing,” she said.

I am inspired. I am going to plant a birdhouse garden using the houses the grandkids have crafted through the years. Perhaps I can show them off. With the drought upon us, it is a perfect time to

take out some water-hungry plants and try something new. But there is more here. The man behind this used his imagination and took action as he created something precious. My guess is that he is happy for no reason at all.

I hope you are singing your heart out in the car and fi nding precious moments in the strangest places.

LOCAL LEADERS SHOULD ADDRESS FRACKING

—Joanna Clark, San Juan CapistranoFor the past eight months, the Center

for Public Integrity, InsideClimate News and The Weather Channel have been ex-amining what Texas, the nation’s biggest oil-producing state, has done to protect its residents living near the Eagle Ford Shale from the industry’s pollutants.

What’s happening at Eagle Ford is impor-tant not only for Texas, but also for Califor-nia, Colorado, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and other states where horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, have made it profi table to extract oil and gas from deeply buried shale.

Fracking and acidizing, which are used to recover oil and gas from shale forma-tion, as well as the use of injection wells for the storage of waste water and fl uids, threaten our water supplies. Add the extended severe to exceptional droughts we are experiencing and runaway popula-tion growth and we’re on the fast track to a major catastrophe. Our water supplies

are now threatened beyond anything California has experienced in more than 100 years. Our Governor, as well as a number of our elected offi cials in the state legislature, support the expansion of frack-ing throughout California, in essence, guaranteeing catastrophe.

Efforts to get San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Dana Point to join a growing list of towns and adopt a resolution to ban or place a moratorium on fracking have pretty much fallen on deaf ears. Why is it so diffi cult to get a simple statement that we “have a right to clean air, pure water and the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of our environment” added to our local regulations?

All you need to do is write your city council representative and tell them to protect our water supply, air and environ-ment and support the ban on fracking.

RECALL ATTEMPT WAS UNNECESSARY—R.A. Clark, San Juan CapistranoI’m aware of the terrible troubles of the

San Juan Capistrano City Council. Though I did send money to the “No on Recall” cam-paign in support of Mayor Sam Allevato, my contribution was not meant to buy his or anyone’s vote, favor or infl uence. I have no axe to grind or a horse in the race. For me, it was only a matter of principle. The majority of donors and supporter appear to be local, and like all of the local donors, I am a citizen, a taxpayer and a voter.

Mayor Allevato was not guilty of theft or fraud, malfeasance in offi ce or anything illegal that would cause a recall action. Some people just did not like the way he voted on the water issue. Whether you agree or not, that is not a good reason for an expensive, $100,000 recall election.

I am also tired of this petty bickering. Surely, there are more productive and positive things to do that would make San Juan Capistrano a better place to live.

TUnveiling a Fresh New Look

he Capistrano Dispatch has come a long way since its 2002 debut and acquisition by Picket Fence

Media in 2007, but our mission has always remained to deliver “Local News You Can Use” in an inviting and user-friendly format.

Our unique magapaper—with its hybrid reporting of news in a magazine-style layout—has continued to draw fans by

keeping the community informed of the day’s issues and celebrating the people and events that make San Juan Capistrano an amazing place to call home.

As we embark on our 12th year, we are pleased to present a fresh new look for the paper that we hope will both preserve and extend our goal of informing and enter-taining you, our valued readers.

A huge kudos goes out to our very

talented art director Jasmine Smith for all of her work on this re-design. The entire team also deserves many thanks for all they do to ensure The Dispatch continues to be your best source of local news and information.

Thank you for reading. The entire Picket Fence Media team looks forward to serving you for many years to come.

A small garden fi lled with hand-painted birdhouses delighted one San Juan Capistrano resident enough to pen a Letter to the Editor. Photo: Donna L. Friess

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNERGETTING OUT


Friday | 28FAMILY YOGA FOR EPILEPSYAWARENESS6:30 p.m. Free, fun-fi lled family yoga class at The Playful Practice to spread aware-ness and show support to those living with epilepsy. 1321 Calle Avanzado, Studio D, San Clemente, 760.889.3829, www.playfulpractice.wordpress.com.

JUSTIN ABRAMS AND BC8 p.m. Concert at The Coach House; also with Erland, Kyle Reynolds, Moon Police. Tickets $10. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

Saturday | 29SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Explore ridges and canyons looking for spring wildfl owers with guest biologist Tony Bomkamp at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Admission $5-$10. Call for info and directions. 949.489.9778, www.rmvreserve.org.

VR GREEN FARMS PRODUCE BASKET PROGRAM10 a.m.-1 p.m. Fresh produce baskets, fruit, gourmet specialties and more every Saturday at VR Green Farms, located at Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club. 200 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente, www.vrgreenfarms.com/basket.

Sunday | 30THE SERRA CHAPEL TOUR11:15 a.m. Tour at the Mission in honor of Father Junipero Serra, who was born 300 years ago this year. Offered Sundays. Admission $6–$9. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

FREE FISHING FOR KIDSNoon. A fi shing lesson and more for kids at Dana Wharf Sportfi shing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR1 p.m. Meet at the Depot platform for the Historical Society’s guided tour of San Juan Capistrano, every Sunday. Cost $2-$4. More info: 949.493.8444, www.sjchistoricalsociety.com.

WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER5 p.m.-8 p.m. Fundrasier for the Dana Hills High School Instrumental Music Program at What a Dish Café. Enjoy live bossa nova music, a variety of wine, appetizers and more. 24921 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Ste. 100, Dana Point, 949.683.7657.

The ListWhat’s going on in and around town this week

Monday | 31LOCALS ONLY POP UP DINNER6 p.m. The Cellar presents a dinner event with locally sourced food, specialty drinks and music. Reservations available online. $45. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

SMOKEY KARAOKE8 p.m. Your turn to get onstage at Beach-Fire. 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232, www.beachfi re.com.

Tuesday | 01WHALE WATCHING10 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m. Half-priced whale watching with Dana Wharf Sportfi shing &Whale Watching. Tickets $22.50. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

ADDICTION: TAKING SERIOUS ACTION7 p.m.-9 p.m. best-selling author David Sheff addresses addiction, prevention and treatment at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, 949.680.0516, www.sosschs.com.

Wednesday | 02CASA KIDS STORY TIME10 a.m.-11 a.m. Stories for kids at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens every Wednesday. Free admission. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO FARMERS MARKET3 p.m.–7 p.m. Fresh produce, crafts and more every Wednesday at Camino Cap-istrano and Yorba Street in downtown San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.4700.

Thursday | 03GARDEN ANGELS8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Volunteers meet every Thursday in front of the Montanez Adobe at Los Rios Park in San Juan Capistrano to help maintain the garden and more. Bring gloves and wear close-toed shoes. 949.606.6386, www.goinnative.net.

PIZZA PORT FUNDRAISER11 a.m.-10 p.m. Raise money for local San Clemente resident Sean Lynn, who was paralyzed in a car accident. Present the event fl ier and Pizza Port will donate 20 percent of all receipts back to HelpHO-PELive to help Sean. Call or email for information on how to get a fl ier. 301 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.940.0005, [email protected].

Friday | 04FISH DINNER AT OUR LADY OF FATIMA4:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Community dinner at McGowen Hall with a no host bar, beer and wine. Cost $7-$13, or $40 maximum per family. Take-out available. 105 N. La Esperanza, San Clemente, 949.492.4101, www.olfchurch.net.

(Cont. on page 12)

COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

ROMANCING THE WEST • MARCH 297 p.m. The epic story of the American West in music, rare fi lm, historic photos and video at San Juan Capistrano Library’s La Sala Theater. Tickets $25. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 541.292.7829, www.romancingthewest.org.

Get set for a night of music, parodies and laughs when The Dan Band stops by the Coach House Saturday, April 5.

Known for tongue-in-cheek appear-ances in such blockbuster movies as Star-sky and Hutch, Old School and The Hang-over, The Dan Band blends music and laughter into a thoroughly entertaining show. In Old School, the band belted out Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in a wedding scene, and in The Hangover, lent a classic wedding singer-style remix to 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop.”

The Dan Band’s Dan Finnerty said what started as a joke, soon gained at-tention and popular demand.

“After my last performance in the Broadway show ‘Stomp’ a few of us went to a karaoke bar where I got up on stage and began to sing ‘I Am Woman’ by Helen Reddy as a joke,” Finnerty said.

A few just-for-laughs performances later, he was being asked when and where his next gigs would be. Later, being booked as the opening act for the Pussycat Dolls led to movie and televi-sion roles.

The Dan Band has since appeared in a Bravo network special, “The Dan Band: I Am Woman” and is currently working on an album for Comedy Central called, “The Wedding Album,” expected to drop this summer.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at www.thecoachhouse.com or by calling 949.496.8930. The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. CD —Victor Carno

On Stage at the Coach House:

The Dan Band

The Dan Band. Courtesy photo

Jacque Nunez, vice chair of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Tribal Council and noted Native American educator, is part of an all-star lineup of performers in the “Romancing the West” show, which tells the story of the American West. Courtesy photo

EDITOR’S PICK


GETTING OUT

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

Have an event? Send your listing to [email protected]

(Cont. from page 10)

BIKRAM YOGA6:30 p.m. San Clemente’s community yoga class meets the first Friday of each month. Drop in rate $5; proceeds donated to charity. 711 North El Camino Real, www.san-clemente.org.

LORD OF THE STRINGS CONCERT7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Richard Smith and Julie Adams, national guitar champion and award-winning cellist, play for the concert series at the Dana Point Community House. Tickets $30. 24642 San Juan Ave., Dana Point, 949.842.2227, www.lordofthestringsconcerts.com.

Saturday | 05NEW CO-OP GROCERY STORE9 a.m. Stop by to learn about the first co-op grocery store in Orange County. Organizers of the San Clemente Com-munity Market will be on hand to provide updates on the project and explain how the public can become involved. 1506 Calle Valle, San Clemente, 949.441.1266,www.sanclementemarket.com.

ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR10 a.m. Discover 200 years of San Juan Capistrano architecture on a 90-min-ute guided walk that includes adobes, Spanish-era dwellings and modern build-ings. Meet at Verdugo Street. Tours run every Saturday. A $5 donation supports the Friends of the Library. For more info, call 949.489.0736.

FAMILY FILM FEATURE10 a.m. The family is invited to watch a fun movie at the library. Free admission and popcorn. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

THE ARK OF SAN JUAN RESCUED PET ADOPTIONS10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dogs and puppies at PetsP-lus, 32022 Camino Capistrano. Noon-4 p.m. Cats at PetSmart. 33963 Doheny Park Road, San Juan Capistrano, 949.388.0034, www.arkofsanjuan.org.

CASPERS WILDERNESS PARK 40TH ANNIVERSARY10 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy a day of adventure in the great outdoors with natural history tours, wildlife exhibits, musical entertain-ment, arts and crafts, games and refresh-ments. Free. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.923.2210, www.ocparks.com/caspers.

Sunday | 06WHALE WATCHING WITH UNDERWATER VIEWING PODS Join Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari for a 2.5-hour trip search-ing for whales and dolphins aboard a high-tech catamaran sailboat with underwater viewing pods. Call for departure times. Tickets $59 adults, $39 kids (2 to 12), under 1 free. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com.

BIRD WALK8 a.m.-10 a.m. Reserve docent and bird expert Tom Eastman leads the adventure observing resident and migrant birds at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Admission $5-$10. Call for info and directions, 949.489.9778, www.rmvreserve.org.

SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET9 a.m.–1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday on Avenida Del Mar. Rain or shine.

VILLAGE ART FAIRE 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Shop and stroll downtown San Clemente where over 60 artisans offer fine arts, crafts and more. Free admission. 100 block, Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.395.7008, [email protected].

ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Cruise the Dana Point Harbor and enjoy wine aboard Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching’s luxury catamaran. Tickets $49. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

Monday | 07TRAIL CLEARING & WEEDING7:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Spend time in the beautiful outdoors and volunteer to clear/maintain trails at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy. Free. Call for directions. 949.923.2210, www.rmvreserve.org.

COUNTRY DANCIN’ WITH PATRICK AND FRIENDS6:30 p.m. Every Monday at Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

Tuesday | 08SJC WRITERS GROUP6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. San Juan Capistrano Library. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

Wednesday | 09GOURMET FOOD TRUCKS5 p.m.-8 p.m. An array of food trucks gather at San Clemente High School. Funds from food sales benefit the SCHS Marching Band. 700 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, 949.492.4165, www.sctritons.com.

SNAKES 1017 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Free informative lecture at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Call for info and directions. 949.489.9778, www.rmvreserve.org.

Thursday | 10ALOHA DOC: PRESCRIPTIONS FOR A SURF LIFESTYLE7 p.m. Learn to live the “aloha” life with legendary surfer and physician, Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. General admission $15. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

BILLY WATSON AND ROBIN HENKEL7 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

As noted in the opening number of the latest Muppets extravaganza, Muppets Most Wanted is the puppet group’s seventh feature film since The Muppet Movie, 35 years ago. For a decade, there seemed to be a dry spell for the popular family perform-ers before Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller brought them back with a bang in The Muppets (2011). Now the revamped hit franchise is back a second time with Stoller and James Bobin penning the less than stellar Muppets Most Wanted.

After their successful comeback in the last movie, the Muppets are lured into man-agement by a seedy agent named Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais) who gets them gigs all across Europe. But the agent is secretly working with the “most dangerous frog in the world,” Constantine, a Kermit look-alike. The evil Constantine tricks Kermit into going into prison in his place and then takes over as leader of the “Muppet Show.”

Tina Fey and Ty Burrell co-star. Celeb cameos include Christoph Waltz, Salma Hayek, Saoirse Ronan, Chloë Moretz and Tom Hiddleston. As usual, the Muppets promise family-friendly entertainment for all ages, but Most Wanted seems to be fit more for the younger crowd, as evidenced by underwhelming box office numbers. While a gag or two tickles the adult sense of humor, parents will find themselves sitting through an hour and 42 minutes of entertainment meant for kids. — Megan Bianco

At the Movies: Muppets Not Wanted

©2014 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Guests can enjoy a glass of wine and a view of the Orange County coast while aboard Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching’s luxury catamaran on Sunday, April 6. Courtesy photo


ost people remember their fi rst love.

They’ve thought of him or her from time to time since parting ways, oh so many years ago. Some have pondered, “I wonder what would have happened if I had married Bill or Sue?”

Perhaps they have kept in touch or seen that person at a reunion. Often, however, they’ve lost track. They might remember that she or he was a hottie. If they met now, 50 years later, would the fl ame of pas-sion still be there?

Tina, age 70, a retired operating room nurse living in northern California, re-cently found her answer to that question.

She said, “Fifty years ago, in 1964, I met a young 2nd Lieutenant named John (not his real name) in training at Mather Air Force Base in the Sacramento area, and we fell in love. We had six wonderful months together before he was sent back to Florida. We wrote often but as stories go, distance makes maintaining a relation-ship diffi cult, especially at age 22.

“I saw him one time more, in 1965, on my way to the Caribbean on a stopover in Miami. He had married another lady and was happy. I was heartbroken but under-stood. I tucked him away in my heart as a memory.

“Through the years, I occasionally thought of him. I was most worried that he had perished during his tour of duty in Vietnam as a pilot. I tried to fi nd him sev-eral times to no avail. About a month ago, I got a ‘friend’ request on Facebook from John, asking if I was the lovely lady he had met 50 years ago.

“I was shocked. We chatted for several weeks and I invited him to visit this past week. He was here for two days and it was a wonderful reunion. He wasn’t the dash-ing young lieutenant I loved so much but he still had the personality and certain fea-

f it wasn’t for the demise of one band, then San Juan Capistrano-based reg-gae/rock group Joint Committee may

have never been.In 2011, Joint Committee bassist Adam

Gerhard and lead singer/guitarist Jer-emiah Rich were performing with another local band, The Badfooters, who were set to play a big show, opening for Grammy Award-winning reggae roots group Steel Pulse at The Coach House.

But their bandmate’s personal troubles led to an abrupt end to the group. Not wanting to cancel their show, Gerhard and Rich set out to recruit new musicians, who could, at the very least, help them fulfi ll their obligation.

Enter keyboardist Lavay Loranger, who knew Rich through their daytime jobs in the pool supply and repair business, and drummer Kevin Lyons, who Loranger recommended and, as it turns out, grew up with Gerhard in San Juan Capistrano.

In one month, the four managed to pull together a collection of songs and took the stage as Damage Control, a nod to their haphazard origin. Two years later, the band is still at it and has garnered a loyal fan base in the process.

What began as a quick fi x has potential-ly become a new life in music and valida-tion for years of practice and performanc-es. In February, the band signed their fi rst record contract with Lake Forest-based Wright Records and are set to enter the studio to produce their fi rst label-backed album, slated for release in the late sum-mer or early fall.

“Everyone’s ultimate goal as a musician is to sign with a label,” Gerhard said. “I took pictures of everybody signing the contract. I felt like a kid.”

tures I saw on his face. Fifty years change us all, but there was that broad smile and his bright twinkling Irish eyes.

“We talked and got caught up. Our lives had gone different ways, and we have totally different life styles now. He has lived in southern Cali-

fornia since 1967. So close, yet so far. He has been separated for 10 years from the woman he married back then. He has two grown children and is living a comfortable life.

“There was no ‘love connection’ in the sense we would pursue something. But, this time, I will never let him go as a close friend. I still love him, but not as that young man I met when I was so young. He was my fi rst love and will always be in my heart that way. I may never have found out what happened to him had he not been thinking of me all these years and decided to investigate. It’s a fairytale that some people never get to experience.

“He will always be in my life from this time forward. But, now it will be a love of friendship. We will see each other again. We may even go on a little vacation togeth-er. The romantic part is gone though.”

A vacation together? Romantic part gone? Tina may just be in for a little sur-prise after the suitcases get unpacked.

What would happen if you met up with your fi rst love?

To share your thoughts, email Tom at [email protected]. CD

While signing the contract may have brought out his inner child, Gerhard believes one of the reasons why the band was able to mesh so seamlessly was their maturity.

“We’re a little bit older. We’re in our mid 30s, so we kind of had the partying thing out of our systems,” Gerhard said. “We all just wanted to focus on our music.”

Even their name, Joint Committee, is a refl ection of their musical harmony, on stage and in practice, according to the band.

“It’s crazy how fast we clicked,” said Rich, refl ecting on their fi rst few practices. “Everything just clicked—personalities, music, everything.”

Although only Gerhard and Lyons hail from San Juan Capistrano—Rich lives in Dana Point, Loranger in Coto de Caza—the band considers the city their home base. Gerhard guesses they’ve played around 100 shows, many of them at The Coach House in San Juan. They’ve shared the stage with contemporary reggae-pop artist Shaggy and actors-turned-musicians Kiefer Sutherland and Dennis Quaid. Perhaps the most notable group the band opened for was The Wailers, the legend-ary backing band to reggae’s most iconic star, Bob Marley.

“When you grow up listening to reggae, you probably got turned on to it because of Bob Marley,” Gerhard said. “To be able to share the stage with some of his band mem-bers, you think, ‘What am I doing here?’”

Now with the support of a record label, there is little doubt Joint Committee be-longs on the stage. But according to Rich, the band is not approaching this new stage of their careers as if “we’ve arrived.”

“It was good, but I keep reminding the guys that this isn’t the goal,” Rich said. “It’s just a stepping stone. We still have a lot of work to do, and this is just the beginning.” CD

Reigniting an Old FlameLocal Reggae Band Signs with Record Label

Can fi rst love passion be rekindled 50 years later?

M

I

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

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

ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50

By Tom Blake

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 diffi cult. Level: Medium

SudokuSolution:

BY MYLES MELLOR

San Juan Capistrano-based reggae/rock band Joint Committee signed their fi rst record contract with Wright Records and are aiming to release an album later this year. Photo: Thomas Valez/Valcorp

BY BRIAN PARK, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITYSJC LIVING

B U S I N E S S D I R E C T O R YLocals Only

949.388.7700 ext. 104

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SUBMIT YOUR CLASSIFIED AD ONLINE AT

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Abby’s Fine Jewelry Design 949.493.363232382 Del Obispo, Ste. C-3, www.abbysdesigns.com

JEWELER

Jarvis Restoration 949.362.538831942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

MOLD REMOVAL

San Juan Photo & Digital 949.661.566832301 Camino Capistrano, www.sjcphotodigital.com

PHOTO & DIGITAL LAB

Chick’s Plumbing 949.496.9731www.chicks-plumbing.com

PLUMBING

Excel Electric - CA #793860 949.493.776932238 Paseo Adelanto E-I, www.excelelectric.com

Karen Fischer, Professional Organizer, Get Organized and Move! 949.355.3487www.getorganizedandmove.com

ELECTRIC CONTRACTORS

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Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.132127126 Paseo Espada, Suite 1604, www.oasisair.com

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Independence Bank 949.373.896332291 Camino Capistrano, Suite A,www.independence-bank.net

BANKING

Jarvis Restoration 949.362.538831942 Paseo Sagrado, www.jarvisrestoration.com

WATER DAMAGE

Bryan Krueger Enterprises, Inc. 949.212.049933208 Paseo De Cerveza, Ste. B

ROOF MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools 949.493.568332032 Del Obispo Street, www.cvcs.org

SCHOOLS

Dress Well Boutique 949.922.804433712 Calle Miramar, www.DressWellBoutique.com

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NEW QUEEN PILLOWTOP MATTRESSIt’s not used, not refurbished. It’s a brand name, & brand NEW, still in the MFRs original plastic bag. I can let it go for $160. 1st Come, 1st Served. 949-842-9994

www.thecapistranodispatch.comThe Capistrano Dispatch March 27–April 10, 2014

LIST YOUR BUSINESSIN “LOCALS ONLY”

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Call Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or [email protected]

BRAND NEW KING PILLOWTOP MATTRESS Only $250 Not used or rebuilt. Still sealed in MFRs original factory plastic bag. Must sell ASAP. 949-842-9994

PROGRAM AIDE- TEEN CENTERPart-time position working with members ages 13 – 18 in our Teen Center’s after-school program. Duties include registration and assisting with programs in the areas of the Arts, Health and Life Skills, and Education. Hours will be: 2 – 6 pm, Monday through Thursday; on Friday, 2-10 pm. Requirements: high school diploma, experience working with children (working with teens a plus), com-munication skills to deal with members and with the general public (bilingual in Spanish a plus), CPR and fi rst aid certifi ed.

PROGRAM AIDE- MORNING PROGRAMPart-time Program Aide position to work with middle-school students. Hours will be prior to school hours: 7 am – 10 am, Monday through Friday. Duties will include planning and implementing activities in one or more of the following areas: education; social rec-reation; arts and crafts; and physical educa-tion. Requirements: high school diploma, experience working with children, communi-cation skills to deal with children and with the general public (bilingual in Spanish a plus), CPR and fi rst aid certifi ed.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley is an equal opportunity employer. If interested, please contact Nicole Watson, Area Director, at 949.240.7898 extension *11 or by email at [email protected].


SJC LIVING

or prospective homebuyers looking to grab a piece of San Juan Capist-rano history, an early 20th century

home, formerly occupied by one of Or-ange County’s most prominent families, is now on the market.

After 11 years, Christopher Zell and his partner Matthew Jacob are selling their home, the historic Durnford-Forster House, located at 31319 Andres Pico Road, in the Mission Hill neighborhood.

The 2,214-square-foot home, which is listed at $1.25 million, was built in 1928 by Fred Stroschein for Marco Forster and his young family. Marco, a former city councilman and member of the former San Juan School Board of Trust-ees, was the great grandson of John “Don Juan” Forster, one of the largest landowners in California during the 1800s and whose family owned and lived in the Mission before President Abraham Lincoln deeded it back to the Catholic Church in 1864.

“I love telling that story,” Zell said, “that we have that connection not only to the

For Sale:A Historic Place to Call HomeMarco Forster’s historic home is on the market

F

“ I love telling that story ... that we have that connection not only to the Forster family but loosely to Abraham Lincoln.” –Christopher Zell

BY BRIAN PARK, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Forster family but loosely to Abraham Lincoln.”

Zell said the couple was drawn to San Juan by the history and beauty of the Mission. The couple first opened a salon business across from the Mission, which was sold five years ago and is now Brush Salon. Eight years into the business, the Durnford-Forster House became available, and the couple jumped on the opportu-nity to own an historic piece of property,

despite it requiring a bit of a facelift.“We came in like gangbusters and saw

the potential of what the house could re-ally be again,” Zell said.

Many of the newer elements in the home, like its wood front gates, were brought in from Mexico, said Zell, but many of the original features, like its doors and hand-carved beams, remain.

It’s during the restoration process that Zell and Jacob began to learn of the

home’s history. After working with city staff, the couple saw the city officially des-ignate the home on its list of buildings of distinction, thereby preserving its historic characteristics from drastic modifications.

A few years later, the San Juan Capist-rano Historical Society asked Zell and Jacob if their home could be part of their historic home tour. Around the same time, the couple met Pat Forster, son of Marco, at the Mission.

“I introduced myself and said I’m now the caretaker of this house,” Zell said. “Pat knew we were on the home tour, so we invited him up.”

Pat, who lived in the home from 1945 to 1956 with his late brother Tony and sister Joyce, spent the entire day there on his visit. In each room, Pat was able to recall the story behind a particular blemish or dent.

“When I was 4 years old, I lit this candle in the window. My mother called me for dinner and I forgot about the candle. It caught the drapes and burned part of the beam,” Pat said. “The fire trucks came. No one said anything to me, but I knew I was in trouble … I learned not to play with fire.”

Pat said he’s impressed by the job Zell did to restore his childhood home and hopes its next owners share Zell’s appre-ciation for history.

“He did a wonderful makeover,” Pat said. “It’s like looking at the back of your hand.”

Zell, too, hopes whoever buys his home keeps the Forsters on their mind.

“To really appreciate and to really know the true meaning of a place like this is important,” Zell said. “It was a privilege for me to be the owner and caretaker of this house.” CD

WAVELENGTHS By Jim Kempton

GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton

The Luck of the Draw“It is the mark of an inexperienced man not to believe in luck.” – Joseph Conrad

hy do Americans have such a pervasive belief that we are the product of our own making?

Ask most people and they will say that we create our own luck. But we so often forget that no matter how much prepara-tion, energy and perseverance we invest, unpredictable luck still plays a critical role. Yet we usually don’t want to admit it.

E.B. White once said, “Luck is not something you can mention in the pres-ence of self-made men.”

Although I have written about this before, I think the idea is worth revisiting. Here are some additional examples—some of which have kept me humble, thankful, respectful and appreciative whenever I get to thinking I personally deserve all my “self-made” successes.

At one point in my career, I became

the vice president of marketing at TransWorld Publishing. I was in charge of the marketing at both Skateboarding and Snowboarding maga-zines. I took all the things I had learned in my years working at Surfer maga-zine and applied them to

my plan at these two new publications. The skateboarding sector of the board-

sports business was in the doldrums but the snowboard industry was taking off like a rocket. So my efforts exploded the Snow magazine profits, but just barely kept Skateboarding afloat. I looked like a genius in snow and a dunce in skate, but did exactly the same things. It was simply the luck of the draw.

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

Sometimes it is literally the number on the card you get dealt: One of my friends and I received our notices about the Viet-nam draft status together. I’ll never forget opening our draft lottery letters on the lawn in front of the college cafeteria.

By the luck of the draw our lives were set in motion never to be the same. My number was 342—meaning I was in the 5 percent who was least likely to ever be drafted. I could finish school and explore the dreams I envisioned. His was num-ber five—meaning he was not going to complete college, his dreams deferred. He was off to the jungles of Southeast Asia to return as a very different man.

So the lesson from all this is not that hard work or perseverance doesn’t count, it is that you shouldn’t count on them. You still must have determination, honed skills

W and deep commitment to succeed at any-thing. Life is a little like playing cards. You can be the best poker player in the world, but you still need the luck of a royal flush to beat a guy who got dealt four aces.

Jim Kempton is a writer and surfer who readily admits to having had lots of luck come his way—his wife, his children and his many friends. He believes the secret to life is not so much in getting a great hand, but in knowing when to cash in your chips and go home for the night. CD

The current homeowners of the historic Durnford-Forster House in the Mission Hill neighborhood of San Juan Capistrano are looking to sell the property. The home was built in 1925 for Marco Forster and his family. Photo: Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORESPORTS & OUTDOORS


he South Coast Roller Derby League has been around since 2009 and since their inception, the league

has tried to make their impact not just one felt against the rails, but in the community.

The league, which is based in San Juan Capistrano, will hold one of their monthly charity bouts March 29 at the Laguna Hills Sports Complex. This month, the league will raise funds to support a local chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The bout will feature two of the league’s three teams, the Coast Highway Catrinas and the Killer Danas.

“We always like to promote awareness for certain causes. We do try and make a connection with the community,” league public relations director Brittany Winder said. “Some leagues just want to play but we’re a league that’s big on being a part of our community.”

The South Coast Roller Derby League features 15-20 women who play the up-

he Boras Baseball Classic, which will be held for a second consecu-tive year at JSerra Catholic High

School from March 29 to April 4, is re-garded as one of the premier high school baseball tournaments in the state, and for good reason.

The tournament will feature 32 se-lect teams from southern and northern California and when the event kicks off, 58 Division 1 committed players will take the fi eld. Three of the top-50 nationally ranked teams, according to www.perfectgame.com, will compete.

JSerra will be one of two host venues in the southern California bracket, the other being Mater Dei in Santa Ana. Elk Grove will serve as the northern California ven-ue. Winners of the southern and northern brackets will square off in the tournament championship game at the University of Pacifi c in Stockton on May 3.

The Boras Foundation, which is direct-ed by high-profi le MLB agent Scott Boras, puts on the event and donates $1,000 to each team.

“The primary objective of the Boras Baseball Classic is to give back to youth baseball,” Boras said in a press release. “We want to provide outstanding high

he Ragnar Relay Series Southern California race is coming through San Juan Capistrano. For those who

want to catch a glimpse of the runners, there will be plenty of time. The window in which to see them pass through town will be on Friday, April 4 between 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. the following day.

The Ragnar Relay Southern Califor-nia is a 195-mile team relay race that stretches from Huntington Beach to San Diego. Teams of six and 12 runners compete in different divisions, with an average fi nishing time between 30-32 hours, according to race organizer Lam-bert Budzinski.

The runners will cross into the San Juan area by way of Niguel Road and the Salt Creek Trail. They will travel down Pacifi c Coast Highway and snake their way south before exiting through Doheny State Beach. The San Juan stretch will be the 12th leg of a 36-leg race and is categorized as a “very hard” stretch on the event website. Each team is required to have one runner on the course at all times. The rest follow along in vans and await the next exchange.

Budzinski said that in years past, the relay would head east, into the Inland Empire, before making its way south to San Diego. But many of the event’s 700 teams in 2014 demanded a more scenic run, which caused the route to be altered and head south to coastal communities.

“One of the biggest complaints has been the run wasn’t coastal enough. There were not enough beach exchang-es. We really took it head-on to make sure it was along the coast this year,” Budzinski said. CD

Rollin’ For a Cause

Boras Baseball Classic Tourney Returns to JSerra

T

T

T

Members of the South Coast Roller Derby League. The league will hold a fundraising event at the Laguna Hills Sports Complex on March 29. Photo: C. Wise Photography

JSerra’s Chase Strumpf will lead the Lions baseball team as they compete in the Boras Baseball Classic next week. Photo: Steve Breazeale

Runners competing in the 2013 Ragnar Relay Southern California race. The race route will pass through San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point in 2014. Courtesy photo

“ Good teams always find a way to win, which is positive. But we haven’t played our best baseball of the year yet.”—Brett Kay

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

Ragnar Relay Trots Through San Juan

tempo skating sport, which has an intense cult following. Winder says that an aver-age of 100 spectators show up whenever the league holds a bout.

The benefi t bout will be held in conjunc-tion with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s own fundraising effort centered

on blood cancer research. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the LLS.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the bout set to start at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for military and pre-sale and $12 at the door. Children six years old and under are free. For more information visit www.lls.org. CD

school teams a chance to participate in an elite competition, while at the same time giving them a world-class venue to show-case their talent in front of collegiate-level coaches and professional scouts.”

The Lions (7-1, 3-0 league) enter the tournament riding a seven-game win streak. The wins have been against tough opposition, and they have all been close. JSerra has played in four consecutive one-run ballgames, most recently picking up a 1-0 victory over Trinity League rival Servite at Angel Stadium on March 20. The Lions tacked on the only run in the seventh inning on a squeeze bunt execut-ed by senior Parker Joe Robinson with two strikes against him.

“Good teams always fi nd a way to win, which is positive. But we haven’t played our best baseball of the year yet,” JSerra

head coach Brett Kay said. “It’s been a funky start. It’s been good, but it’s been interesting. We have really been riding our depth up and down the roster. But I’m still waiting for us to be fi ring on all cylinders.”

The Lions will open up their tourna-ment schedule with a match against San Fernando, the reigning CIF City Section champion, on March 29 at 6 p.m. To view the full bracket, visit www.borasclassic.com. CD

March 28, 2014

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