March 7, 2014

L O C A L N E W S Y O U C A N U S EM A R C H 7–1 3 , 2 0 1 4

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 10

www.danapointtimes.com

County Agencies Discuss E-Cigarettes Monday at Dana Hills

EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

Senior pitcher Olivia Baltazar is one of three Division 1 commits on the Dana Hills softball team that is looking to reach the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs yet again. Photo by Steve Breazeale

SPRING FORWARD: SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR SUNDAY, MARCH 9

Rain or Shine, the Festival of Whales

Must Go On DP LIVING/PAGE 10

S P O RT S / PAG E 1 4

Fifth Annual Mongoose Cup to Benefi t

Wounded Warriors DP SURF/PAGE 18

Dolphin Spring Sports Preview

Dana Hills High School spring sports teams gear up for new season

Photo by Denielle Conley/DolphinSafari.com

What’s Up With...D A N A P O I N T ’ S T O P 5 H O T T E S T T O P I C S

1LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTINGEYE ON DP

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times March 7–13, 2014

DPDana Point

THE LATEST: State Assemblywoman Diane Harkey’s (R-Dana Point) Board of Equal-ization field of opponents was whittled down Friday as state Sen. Mark Wyland (R-Escondido) pulled his name from the heated tax board race.

In a statement Friday, Wyland said he will instead focus his efforts, and personal finances, on his educational foundation.

“At this point in my life, it is more im-portant to me to help students rather than to achieve another political office,” Wyland said in a release.

The race between the lawmakers heated up in July when Wyland mentioned legal troubles had by Harkey’s husband Dan. Dan Harkey and his real-estate investment company were sued by investors for fraud. A jury held him and the company viable and awarded investors some $10 million.

Harkey sued Wyland for defamation in September, but later dropped the suit.

WHAT’S NEXT: The five-member state board administers sales and property taxes, and acts as an appellate body for business and personal tax appeals. Harkey is running for the seat covering Los Angeles, Orange, Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

The seat is being vacated by Michelle Steel, because of term limits.

FIND OUT MORE: Follow upcoming election coverage on www.danapointtimes.com.—AP

…the Board of Equalization Race?

5

CITY AND BUSINESS CALENDAR

SATURDAY, MARCH 8

Community Recycling Event9 a.m.–11 a.m. Residents can drop off plastic bottles and aluminum cans in the Dana Hills High School parking lot, 33333 Golden Lantern. Event will be held rain or shine. Funds collected are distributed to student programs.

Farmers Market9 a.m.–1 p.m. Fresh produce, flowers and more are available at this weekly La Plaza Park market, 34111 La Plaza. Call 949.573.5033 to find out about renting a booth.

MONDAY, MARCH 10

Planning Commission Meeting6 p.m. The Planning Commission meets at City Hall, Council Chambers to discuss area developments and more. Check out the meeting agenda at www.danapoint.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 11

OC Board of Supervisors Meeting9:30 a.m. County leaders gather in the Board Hearing Room, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., 10 Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana.

Dana Harbor Toastmasters Meeting7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Participants can practice public speaking skills in a friendly environment each Tuesday at the Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road. Go to http://1707.toastmaster-sclubs.org for more.

VFW Veterans Assistance1:30 p.m.–3 p.m. Dana Point VFW Post 9934 offers free veterans’ benefits assistance at the Dana Point Com-munity Center, 34052 Del Obispo St. Call 949.248.1419 for more info or visit www.vfwpost9934.org for more.

THE LATEST: After receiving a report about a man possibly carrying a shotgun and locking down three area schools, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies detained and

THE LATEST: The city’s efforts to rehab Pacific Coast Highway and the northern end of Del Prado Avenue have been under-way over the past few weeks, marking the first step in Town Center Lantern District improvements for the downtown area.

Over the next two weeks, construction crews will work on PCH between Copper Lantern and La Plaza Park to upgrade side-walks, gutters and traffic signals. The work could result in some lane and side street closures, according to a city press release.

Additionally, at the northern end of downtown, where PCH and Del Prado meet, crews will continue trenching work for electrical and utility upgrades and make curb and sidewalk improvements.

WHAT’S NEXT: Overall improvements are anticipated to last through October.

…School Lockdowns?

…the Lantern District?

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THE LATEST: Due to inclement weather last weekend and citing public safety, the city of Dana Point canceled the Dana Point Festival of Whales parade scheduled for Saturday, March 1.

Along with the cancellation, the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce withdrew its annual street fair.

The city made its decision after vendors and parade participants pulled out of the events, said Brad Fowler, the city’s director of public works and engineering. Neither will be rescheduled.

An outdoor movie at Lantern Bay Park was relocated to the Dana Point Com-munity Center, but other weekend events were canceled. Saturday, the Dana Point Fine Arts Association show was canceled, as was the SoCal Woodies car show. Sun-day, the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club called off its Diamond Dig, but has rescheduled the event for March 9.

WHAT’S NEXT: Weather outlooks appear promising for this weekend’s events.

According to the National Weather Ser-vice, Friday night is expected to be mostly clear and in the 50s; Saturday looks sunny with highs in the 60s and Sunday should follow suit.

FIND OUT MORE: For additional info, visit www.festivalofwhales.com.—Andrea Papagianis

THE LATEST: Various agencies are teaming up this month to educate parents and the community on the prevalence of electronic cigarettes in Orange County schools.

A series of five talks presented by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will

…the Rainy Weather?

…Electronic Cigarettes?

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At the end of work, PCH will become a two-way street. For the time being, detour and directional signage has been placed throughout the corridor, as well as “Open” signs for businesses.

FIND OUT MORE: Updates are posted on www.danapoint.org under the PCH/Del Prado Construction tab.—AP

searched a different man, similar to the original description, and discovered a handgun in a vehicle, department spokes-man Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

Hallock said the man was taken into custody for possession of a firearm.

Authorities received a call around 2 p.m. on Friday about a man who appeared to have a shotgun in a vehicle, Hallock said.

WHAT’S NEXT: Sheriff’s deputies from San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point and San Clemente responded and immediately locked down three nearby schools, Marco Forster Middle School and Del Obispo and Kinoshita elementary schools.

All three schools, however, had already dismissed or were in the process of dismissing students. Deputies helped regulate traffic flow of guardians picking up their children, Hallock said.

FIND OUT MORE: Track breaking news on Twitter @DanaPointTimes.—Brian Park

introduce attendees to various types of e-cigarettes, how they are used, health con-cerns and prevention tips. The first will be at Dana Hills High School, 33333 Golden Lantern, on Monday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m.

At Dana Hills, less traditional cigarettes and more of the electronic form are trend-ing, said school resource officer, Deputy Mike Woodruff. The concern is this mode can still lead to tobacco addiction, he said.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council moved the way of anti-smoking bans nation-wide and barred the e-cigarette use in res-taurants, parks, workplaces and other public areas. LA joins New York, Boston, Chicago and the District of Columbia in placing limits on the practice known as vaping.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not currently regulate e-cigarettes.

A proposed rule change could bring e-cigarettes under the FDA’s jurisdiction, much like cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco products. Such a move could force companies to register, list their ingredients and limit marketing to children.

WHAT’S NEXT: Additional OCSD presenta-tions will be held throughout the county at the Laguna Hills Community Center on Wednesday, March 19; Stanton Civic Cen-ter on Thursday, March 20; Lake Forest City Hall on Tuesday, March 25 and Rush Park Auditorium on Thursday, March 27.

Presentations in Laguna Hills and Stan-ton will be in English and Spanish. All are open to the public and are free of charge.

FIND OUT MORE: Contact OCSD Sgt. Mike Pixomatis at [email protected] or 714.647.1806 for additional information.—AP

EYE ON DP


s the 15 member Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency’s governing body unanimously

reversed a 6-year-old statute authorizing the chief executive officer and chairperson to spend funds outside the public’s scope, one thing became clear: More transpar-ency was needed.

This agency body oversees the county’s toll road system, including the 133, 241 and 261 toll roads.

The board rescinded a 2008 provision on Feb. 13 granting the CEO author-ity to sign contracts of up to $25,000 for legislative support and legislative strategy measures. Two weeks later, CEO Neil Peterson was put on leave. TCA officials confirmed his leave but would not elabo-rate on the reasons behind it.

Peterson, who was appointed in 2013 according to the agency website, was criti-cized along with Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett in light of contract approvals not being brought before the full board.

While CEO’s could execute certain con-tracts alone, anything more than $25,000

Bartlett Responds to TCA Policy Changes, Internal Audit

By Andrea PapagianisDana Point Times

Procedural changes shed light on Foothill/Eastern TCA board of director’s policy

needed the board’s authorization. But a provision written into the budget in 2008 allowed the chairperson to waive the limit.

Bartlett, the mayor of Dana Point, de-fended the “widespread” practice.

In governing bodies across the nation, contract approvals of certain amounts are authorized without full body consent—a practice followed in Dana Point, San Cle-mente and other municipalities, as well as within the Orange County system.

Bartlett joined her colleagues in doing

A

The Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency board of directors oversees the 133, 241 and 261 toll roads. File photo

away with the practice but noted the Foot-hill/Eastern board’s monetary restrictions for such approvals were stringent. She called the practice “standard operating procedure” but agreed more board, and public, oversight was needed.

To say these contracts didn’t have board approval is incorrect, Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. However, he said, the authority was given by a previous board, and the practice had become rifled in multiple contract extensions—where $25,000 consulting expenses grew to $50,000 and beyond.

Spitzer was highly critical of the practice prior to the vote, highlighting contracts with ex-legislators—such as former Gov. Gray Davis, and former Assemblymen Richard Katz and Robert Maylor—and others that had grown exponentially over the years.

One such contract is with the San Diego-based Gable PR. A $20,000 contract that was penned in December 2007 had grown to more than $500,000 in approvals by 2014, according to a TCA spreadsheet tracking the expenditures. The purpose: to work with media to “ensure balanced cov-erage” and “increase support in San Diego

for the 241 extension,” records show. To Spitzer, the practice was null, as he

believed funds spent without scrutiny lead to mistrust of the agency. Ultimately, he said, the “proof was in the pudding” as there was no 241 Toll Road extension.

An effort to extend the toll road from Oso Parkway, outside of San Juan Capist-rano, south of San Clemente to Interstate 5 was rejected in 2008 by the California Coastal Commission and federal Depart-ment of Commerce.

A reignited attempt was rejected late last year by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board. The TCA has ap-pealed this decision.

Bartlett said while some agency policies have served their purpose, others have not faired so well.

An ad hoc committee was recently formed, comprised of representatives such as San Clemente and Dana Point councilmen Jim Evert and Scott Schoeffel, respectively, to audit internal happenings, Bartlett said. The committee is addressing concerns raised by the board and could present recommendations for operation changes and refinements at a meeting later this spring, she said. DP

DP Sheriff’s Blotter

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

Friday, February 28

DRUNK DRIVINGPacific Coast Highway, 34200 Block (10:54 p.m.) The driver of a white Nissan Versa was weaving in and out of traffic lanes and running red lights. The driver was last seen in a fast-food drive thru.

CITIZEN ASSISTJeremiah Drive, 247000 Block (6:17 p.m.) A city tree fell down and was lying across the caller’s lawn.

COMPILED BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS

WELFARE CHECKPacific Coast Highway, 34200 Block (3:00 p.m.) Front desk employees contacted authorities after a woman, who arrived by cab, refused to stay at the hotel because “they hire minorities.” The woman had no mode of transportation.

Thursday, February 27

DISTURBANCEDel Prado Avenue, 24800 Block (7:24 p.m.) A verbal altercation escalated when a bald man in his 30s began making sexual gestures toward the caller.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCESDana Bluff West/Via Verde (3:58 p.m.) Two women were reportedly “rolling joints” in the backseat of silver sedan near Louise Leydon Park.

PETTY THEFTDel Obispo Street, 34100 Block (9:59 a.m.) A 50-year-old man with gray, shoulder-length hair walked into a business and took a cell phone off the caller’s desk. The man was wearing a denim jacket and was carrying a bag full of bread.

Wednesday, February 26

DISTURBANCEDel Obispo Street/Pacific Coast Highway (3:00 p.m.) A beanie-wearing man is his 20s threw rocks at an apparently homeless

SPONSORED BY Dana Point Police Serviceswww.HideitLockitOrLoseit.com

man. A witness said the man left but re-turned 10 minutes later and became verbal.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCESPacific Coast Highway, 34100 Block (1:31 p.m.) A man with messy gray hair was seen urinating in a dumpster.

Tuesday, February 25

TRAFFIC HAZARDPacific Coast Highway/Palisades Drive (8:09 p.m.) Officials received word of a possible rockslide after a caller drove her Fiat over rocks in the roadway. The driver believed her tires were blown out but would not leave the vehicle to check. Neither the driver nor a passerby who stopped to help could provide authorities with an incident location. Officials located the rubble and said it was “minor.”

INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWNDel Prado Avenue/Street of the Copper Lantern (6:54 p.m.) Orange County Fire Authority authorities responded to a man down report. Multiple callers reported a man, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, shorts and running shoes, lying in traffic lanes. A passerby reportedly helped the man off the road.

DRUNK IN PUBLICDoheny Park Road/Victoria Boulevard (5:32 p.m.) Deputies performed a patrol check for a 60-year-old drunken man who

was stumbling into traffic while attempt-ing to sell crocheted hats.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCESAndalucia Drive, 0 Block (5:07 p.m.) A redheaded man wearing a camouflage shirt, pants and rubber boots was “creep-ing around” bushes near the 14th hole’s tee box at Monarch Beach Golf Links. The man held a long pole in his hand and appeared to be hiding.

Monday, February 24

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCYVia California, 26300 Block (4:33 p.m.) Orange County Fire Authority officials responded to a complaint of a neighbor burning yard waste.

ABANDONED VEHICLEVia Lenita/White Sands Street (2:26 p.m.) Officials checked on an abandoned car that was sitting atop jack stands and had no wheels. The vehicle’s registered owner was contacted. The owner assured authori-ties the car’s wheels would be reattached and it would be moved.

RECKLESS DRIVINGCrown Valley Parkway, 32400 Block (10:24 a.m.) Authorities were notified of a swimsuit wearing female who recklessly drove through an apartment complex parking lot in a green convertible before stumbling into a unit.

Dana Point Times March 7–13, 2014 www.danapointtimes.com

San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTSSOAPBOX

DPDana Point

Dana Point Times, Vol. 7, Issue 10. The DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

EDITORIAL

Group Senior Editor> Andrea Swayne

City Editor, DP Times> Andrea Papagianis

Sports Editor> Steve Breazeale

City Editor, SC Times> Jim Shilander

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch> Brian Park

ART/DESIGN

Senior Designer> Jasmine Smith

ADVERTISING/MULTI-MEDIA MARKETING

Associate Publisher> Lauralyn Loynes

> Lisa Cosenza (San Clemente)

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

OPERATIONS

Finance Director> Mike Reed

Business Operations Manager> Alyssa Garrett

Accounting ManagerDistribution Manager> Tricia Zines

SPECIAL THANKSRobert Miller

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

EDITORSTORIES, NEWS, CALENDAR, ETC.

Andrea Papagianis, 949.388.7700, x112 [email protected]

ADVERTISINGPRINT AND ONLINE

Lauralyn Loynes, 949.388.7700, x102 [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, [email protected]

BILLINGAlyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 [email protected]

HOW TO REACH US

PICKET FENCE MEDIA

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

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

Letters to the EditorDO OUR DANA POINT OFFICIALS GET WHAT WE ARE SAYING?

STEVEN MOSS, Dana Point

So far it appears that the Planning Commission might not get what many residents are trying to tell them about the Doheny Hotel: Height, traffi c impact, possible tsunami zone problems, water us-age impact, loading zone on Pacifi c Coast Highway and not to forget parking prob-lems and the issue of giving away park space for them to build parking spaces.

Then many of us didn’t realize how this could also impact the other hotels in the area that currently only operate at a 60 percent occupancy and what they bring to our fair city in tax revenue. What would we do if they left? What impact would that

bring us? Do we really need another hotel?I hope Mayor Lisa Bartlett is looking into

this with a clear conscious that is not being impacted by the generous campaign contri-bution given to her by the hotel’s developer.

Attending the last Planning Commission meeting showed that consultants did not do their due diligence when looking into the above, or turned a blind eye. If the variance and land give away goes through, which it shouldn’t, then those elected—like the Mayor—will most likely face lawsuits and never get re-elected.

PUBLISHER’S LETTER: by Norb Garrett

Lots to Celebrate at Picket Fence Mediaince the DP Times celebrated its sixth anniversary this February—hard to believe, isn’t it, where did the

time go—we wanted to take a moment to thank all of our readers and advertising partners for your continued support. It is truly our honor to serve this amazing com-munity every day, online and each week in our paper, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

In an effort to take our efforts even one step further, we’re thrilled to announce the hiring of a new sales/marketing person to our team: Lisa Cosenza.

Lisa comes to us after spending the past 20 years working in community media with the Los Angeles Times community media group, where for the past 10 years she was the director of advertising for all of their community newspapers and web-sites. Like all of us, she has a passion for community media and brings knowledge and experience to our team.

While Lisa will work across our network of community media properties, such asthe San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch, she will pri-marily focus her attention on San Clemente alongside longtime San Clemente Times sales/marketing rep Michele Reddick and associate publisher Lauralyn Loynes (who

also heads up our efforts in Dana Point). Debra Wells continues to focus on The Dis-patch and the San Juan Capistrano area.

We have lots of great new projects planned in 2014 and are excited to con-tinue to expand our reputation as your best source for local news.

We invite you to stay connected, not only to our print edition, but also to our online editions and other popular social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram.

Adding a one-touch bookmark to the home screen of your cell phone or tablet is a great way to stay connected to our websites for up-to-date local news. And for those of you who use iPhones and iPads, it’s now even easier than before. Search www.danapointtimes.com (or any of our other titles) in your browser and a convenient prompt appears which will allow you to add a home screen button to our publications.

Please reach out to Lisa and help us welcome her to the Picket Fence team at [email protected] or call her at 949.388.7700, ext. 111.

It’s going to be a great year! DP

S

Join us in welcoming Lisa Cosenza (right) to the Picket Fence Media team. Also pictured (L to R) sales asociate Debra Wells and Lauralyn Loynes, as-sociate publisher of PFM. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

CLARIFICATION: Comments from Dana Point Mayor Lisa Bartlett, who also serves as chairwoman of the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency board, did not make it in before press time last week for a story about the board’s recent vote to change the way certain contracts are approved. The board voted unanimously to do away with a 2008 resolution giving the CEO authority to approve “legislative support” contracts of up to $25,000 outside of the public’s eye. For contract extensions, the board’s chair was required to sign off. Bartlett’s comments are included in an online version at www.danapointtimes.com and a follow-up story on page four.

Doheny Hotel plans call for a more than 250-room two- to fi ve-story structure at Dana Point Harbor Drive and Pacifi c Coast Highway. The hotel’s developer, Beverly Hills Hospitality Group, is expected to present updated plans at the Planning Commission’s April 14 meeting. Rendering courtesy of Langdon Wilson International

Dana Point Times March 7–13, 2014 www.danapointtimes.com

3YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

GETTING OUT

THE LISTA day-by-day guide to what’s happening in and around town. COMPILED BY TAWNEE PRAZAK

Dana Point

DPDana Point

BILLY WATSON ANDROBIN HENKEL 7 p.m.–10 p.m. Live music at The Cellar. 156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.3663, www.thecellarsite.com.

DUSTIN FRANK 7:30 p.m.–11 p.m. Live music at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.

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

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

BLOOD DRIVE 10 a.m.–4:15 p.m. The Red Cross visits the Dana Point Li-brary for donations. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.

PAJAMA STORYTIME 7 p.m. PJs and bedtime stories at the San Juan Capistrano Library. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

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SOUTH COUNTY’S GOT TALENT 7 p.m. The South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts a talent show at The Coach House.

Tickets $75-$100. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

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PRESCHOOL AND TODDLER STORY TIMES10:15 a.m., 11 a.m. Dana Point children’s librarian Ericka Reeb hosts two story times each Tuesday for preschoolers, tod-

dlers and their caretakers. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.

AN OCEAN ODYSSEY AT THE CASA 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Dana Point artist John Hall opens “An Ocean Odyssey” at Casa Romantica. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

tuesday11

GEORGE FRYER & THE CATCH 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Listen to classic-rock tunes while en-joying a wine tasting at DaVine Food & Wine. Five wines for $20. 34673 Golden Lantern,

Dana Point, 949.493.4044, www.davine-wine.com.

LORD OF THE STRINGS CONCERT: LAURENCE JUBER 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Laurence Juber, two-time Grammy winner and Wings lead guitarist, performs at the Dana Point Community House. $25. 24642 San Juan Ave., 949.842.2227, www.lordofthestringsconcerts.com. DEREK BORDEAUX 7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. Live music at Salt Creek Grille. 32802 Pacifi c Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.661.7799, www.saltcreekgrille.com.

WHALE OF A BEACH CLEANUP 9 a.m.–noon. Celebrate the return of California gray whales by getting debris off the beach before it washes out to sea

and poses a threat to marine life. Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.6172, www.dohenystatebeach.org.

MARIACHIS AT THE MISSION 10 a.m.–11:15 a.m. Enjoy live mariachi music at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Free with admission. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

BING EXHIBIT RECEPTION 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Event at the Surfi ng Heritage and Culture Center featuring Bing Cope-land and a timeline of Bing surfboards. Admission $5. 110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente, www.surfi ngheritage.org.

EL PRESIDENTE BALL 6:30 p.m.–11:30 p.m. Fiesta As-sociation’s annual formal Western-style dinner and dance with live music and more. Dress in early-California attire. El Adobe de Capistrano, 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1976, www.swallowsparade.com.

MARCH WILDFLOWER WALK 9 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Guided hike searching for wildfl owers and more at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy. Admis-

sion $5 to $10. 949.923.2210, www.rmvreserve.org.

FARM TO FORK: ADULT COOKING CLASS 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Explore the garden, harvest fresh pro-duce and learn how to prepare a delicious meal at The Ecology Center under guided instruction from a profes-sional chef. Tickets $40 members, $20 non-members. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

CHOIR CONCERT 2:30 p.m. Saddleback College Choirs Perform Mozart, Mendelssohn and more. Gener-al admission is $15. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, 949.582.4656, www.saddleback.edu/arts.

friday07

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sunday09

BOW WOW WOW AND GENE LOVES JEZEBEL8 p.m. Rock/pop groups in concert at The Coach House. Tickets $15. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capist-rano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

UPCOMING: FRIDAY, MARCH 14

SHAMROCK SHINDIG 6:15 p.m.–8:15 p.m. Club Literacy teachers will narrate magical St. Patrick’s Day folktales for pre-kindergarten through fourth-grade children. Come enjoy snacks, stories, games, music and dance an Irish jig. Wear green if you feel lucky. $20 per child. RSVP by March 13. 34085 Pacifi c Coast Highway, Suite 105, Dana Point, 949.717.6624, www.clubliteracy.com.

Those of us who grew up in the 1990s remember enjoying entertainment brought to us by Disney and Nickelodeon. At the same time the Japanese animation Studio Ghibli introduced the family cult-classics, Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001). Ghibli now brings us its latest fantasy adventure, The Wind Rises. The animated tale shows the vibrant life and career of Jiro Horikoshi (voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) as he dreams and studies to be a great airplane designer. From childhood to adulthood, Jiro’s relationships with his younger sister Kayo (Mae Whitman), his soulmate Nahoko (Emily Blunt), his best friend Honjo (John Krasinski) and grouchy boss Kurokawa (Martin Short) unfold against the backdrop of the Great Depression and World

War II. William H. Macy, Stanley Tucci, Mandy Patinkin and Elijah Wood also provide voices for the American dubbing of the fi lm. Director Hayao Miyazaki, who received a Best Animated Feature Oscar nomination for The Wind Rises, is considered one of the greatest animation directors of all time. In The Wind Rises, he takes a more subtle approach compared to Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle (2004). The beautifully drawn sequences, along with historical references, may actually interest older viewers more than younger audiences. This only goes to show that animation appeals to all ages. While Disney and DreamWorks move forward with computer animation, 2D animation stays vibrant through Ghibli. —Megan Bianco

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR ‘THE WIND RISES’

© 2013 Nibariki - GNDHDDTK

AT THE MOVIES

EDITOR’S PICK: DANA POINT FESTIVAL OF WHALES 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. The 43rd annual festival continues this Saturday and Sunday with a variety of fun and educational and activities including whale watching, arts and crafts, food and more around the Dana Point Harbor. All the details at www.festivalofwhales.com.

Young buccaneers are invited to the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual Diamond Dig Sunday at Baby Beach. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

4PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

DP LIVING

DPDana Point


By Andrea PapagianisDana Point Times

he 43rd annual Dana Point Festival of Whales got off to a soggy start, but rain didn’t deter runners, whale

watchers, festival goers, participants or volunteers from making the best of the weekend’s festivities.

City officials pulled the plug on the fes-tival’s parade down Pacific Coast Highway

Rain or Shine, the Festival Must Go OnDespite cancellationsFestival of Whales festivities commence

Tdue to inclement weather and public safety concerns Friday morning. Along with the cancellation, the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce decided to forego its annual

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 members man a pancake breakfast booth. Photo by Jasmine Smith

Stephanie Mings, paints Dana Hills High School junior Alex Russell’s face. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

Emily Forster, 15, carves a surfboard in the OC Parks sculpting contest. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

Kai Masby, 3, gets a little putting help from his dad Peter. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

Students from Hidden Hills Elementary gear up for the Kid’s 1K run. Photo by Steve Breazeale

Dana Point’s Mariner Sea Scouts partake in the Kids’ Adventure Expo. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

Dina and Victor Flowers of San Clemente stop for a photo before the Grunion Run. Photo by Steve Breazeale

SUDOKUby Myles Mellor

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

Last week’s solution:

SOLUTIONSOLUTIONSOLUTIONSOLUTION

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

street fair at La Plaza Park. Despite the absence of the festival’s

yearly opener, crowds still made their way to the Dana Point Harbor for a weekend’s

worth of events and nature tours aboard seafaring vessels.

Rain fell hard Sunday morning, but cleared away as the day progressed with sunshine and warmth making its way in by the afternoon. And as the clouds cleared, kids flocked to the adventure expo for carnival games and inflatable rides with painted and smiling faces, sand enthusi-asts worked their creative magic in the Whale of a Sand Sculpting Competition and festival goers perused green, environ-mentally-friendly exhibits at the Ocean Awareness Day expo.

Weekend two festivities kick off Friday, March 7 with a Dana Point Symphony performance aboard the Ocean Institute’s Pilgrim. On Sunday, the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club is making up for a canceled event with a rescheduled kids’ Diamond Dig at Baby Beach.

See the official Festival of Whales event guide for a full list of events still to come at www.danapointtimes.com or visit www.festivalofwhales.com for the latest developments. DP

DP LIVING

ana Hills High School recently held its first “What If” Week, a series of events designed to raise awareness

for the everyday issues students face and to unify the student body.

With the help of faculty members, the event was organized by Dana Hills students and Associated Student Union members Jan Yonan, Jayden Tatman, Catherine Takata and John Stafford.

The week included various events and activities such as an “If You Really Knew Me” wall, where students anonymously posted their personal struggles, a compli-ment wall, a cross the line activity and various guest speakers.

The idea arose when Yonan and his fellow teammates attended the Orange County Leadership Conference last sum-mer. After learning about the week and its success at other schools, including El Toro High School, ASU unanimously decided to bring it to Dana Hills.

“The purpose behind the week was, simply put, to begin to change the culture of Dana Hills,” said Yonan. “Students at Dana and across the country experience struggles on a daily basis, some incredibly difficult, that they can’t handle alone.”

Many faculty members also stepped up to lend a hand, such as math teacher

“What If” Week Brings Dana Hills CloserD Jake Schwartzberg, who

spoke about his wife’s death at the hands of a drunk driver and the im-portance of staying sober behind the wheel.

“That was what I found the most moving,” said teacher Brittany Casey, who helped organize the

event alongside activities director Ken Nedler. “The fact that Mr. Schwartzberg and other teachers were willing to...make themselves vulnerable in front of the stu-dent body was incredibly touching.”

I was able to witness these events first-hand. Originally, I was skeptical that the event would have its desired result. I was wholly supportive, but concerned about how receptive my peers would be.

We’ve all seen the film Mean Girls. It’s a familiar fact that teenagers can be self-absorbed, cliquey and unequivocally cruel. I worried that the week wouldn’t be taken seriously and that those who opened up with their struggles would be shut down.

Thankfully, the response to “What If” Week has been quite the opposite.

The events have touched me and the rest of the student body in unimaginable ways. Although every day brought a pow-

erful experience, the most heartrending for me was the “Cross the Line” activity.

During the activity, my peers and I were asked to stand side-by-side on a line. We were then asked a series of questions, ranging from simple to more sensitive and difficult to answer. If the question applied to us, we were asked to walk across the gym and cross the line on the opposite end. The questions began with “Do you have a sibling?” and escalated to more delicate questions such as, “Have you ever purposefully harmed yourself?”

Seeing people I’ve grown up with, people I played tag and jumped rope with, cross the line to admit that they’ve had thoughts of suicide or intentionally harmed themselves was devastating.

When the time came, I crossed the line to admit that I struggled with depression and anxiety. When I got to the other end of the room and looked to either side of me, I saw so many familiar faces. Some friends, some strangers, but many I’d known for most of my life. I was overcome with emo-tion and relief, and I had never felt more close to my peers standing beside me.

“The outcome we are working toward is a slight change in attitudes among stu-dents at Dana,” Yonan said. “We recognize that’s a lot to ask for teens, but our vision

Jenna Ross

GUEST OPINION: By Jenna Ross, Dana Hills High School senior

is to continue this event in the coming years so that by the time the current fresh-man are seniors, there will be a completely different atmosphere on campus: One of hope, one of acceptance and most of all one of understanding.”

As far as I can see now, the vision of Yo-nan and the rest of ASU is being realized.

Walking through the halls that week and seeing walls filled with sticky notes detailing people’s personal struggles was heartbreaking. But even more awe-inspiring and heartwarming was the overwhelming amount of encourag-ing messages, compliments and positive responses written in reply.

There’s been a visible change in our school, a sense of camaraderie that wasn’t there before. Four words have been resounding through the school this week, whether it be scribbled in response to someone’s anonymously posted confes-sion or whispered while hugging a friend: “You are not alone.”

I have hope these words will continue to resonate through our halls and hearts.PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide vari-ety of opinions from our community, the DP Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the DP Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at [email protected]

DP LIVING

ypically, as we enjoy each season of whale watch-

ing, the annual Dana Point Festival of Whales kicks off with a parade. This year however, in the 25th year of Dana Point’s cityhood, the 43rd annual festival’s pa-rade was canceled due

to severe weather. But that didn’t stop the celebrations from starting.

With the festivities come memories of the festival’s grassroots start, along with a bit of historical controversy regarding the festival’s tenure.

Started by the late, pioneering science educator Philip Grignon in 1972 with Don Hansen and his fleet from Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, the festival involved some of the first events aimed at attracting visitors to the new Dana Point Harbor. In a 2012 letter to the Dana Point Times and the Dana Point Historical Society, Grignon also credits colleague Patricia Cassi for having a hand in conceiving the festival idea.

Grignon taught at San Clemente High School before becoming Dana Hills’ first principal and later the Capistrano Unified School District’s science coordinator. He first approached Hansen in the late ’60s to give start to whale watching, with initial excursions being tailored to Grignon’s students. These first outings launched from the San Clemente Pier.

Just before the Dana Point Harbor opened in 1971, Hansen moved his opera-tion to Dana Point where whale watch-ing opportunities were extended to the general public.

In 1973, came a children’s costumed walking “parade” organized by the late Orange County historian and author Do-ris Walker. The popular event grew each year and in 1977 even included Disney-land’s Donald Duck as the grand marshal.

Memories, Milestones and Misunderstandings

Dana Point Councilman Carlos Olvera takes part in the Dana Point Festival of Whales parade last March. Due to weather, this year’s parade was canceled. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

T

So shouldn’t 2014 actually mark the 42nd annual event?

(1972 + 43 years = 2015.) Traditionally the first event of any orga-

nization is not called the “first annual” but rather the inaugural. The following year then becomes the first annual event. In 1991, 20 years after the Harbor opened, it would be reasonable to assume that it should be marked as the 20th annual Festival of Whales. So, the 19th annual name was skipped in order to correct the supposed error.

Although past news articles and writ-ten histories show the first official festival took place in 1972, it is clear that whale watching was celebrated in Dana Point at least one year before—43 years ago.

This year’s event marks the first time a parade has ever been canceled due to rain. This issue of rain has been ad-dressed throughout the years as organiz-ers tried to plan festival events on the

Festival of Whales parade cancellation a first, recollections find controversy over annual count

right weekend to avoid the rainy season. Start dates have been as early as January 31 in 1976, but were pushed back in 2003 to March 8.

After Dana Point became a city, a motorized parade began down Santa Clara Avenue and crossed Pacific Coast Highway at Violet Lantern. Eventually Santa Clara was closed to through traffic, so an alternative route was tried “down” Golden Lantern but did not fare well with horses because of the steep descent.

Dana Point later got control of PCH and the parade grew significantly, requiring a larger staging area.

Today, the parade winds down PCH from Selva Road to Golden Lantern. The volunteer organization and an out-of-pock-et budget gave way to the city as they became a major sponsor. The festival be-came a nonprofit organization with major sponsors celebrating ocean awareness.

Since 2001, parade grand marshals

have been selected for their personal or business involvement in the city and the festival—folks like Walker, Hansen, longtime parade announcer and this year’s Citizen of the Year Gene Burrus, and even yours truly.

But one significant trivial event hap-pened 25 years ago that may never be repeated again.

When Dana Point became a city in 1989, Mayor Judy Currie looked around at her January swearing in and turned to me and said, “We need a big parade this year.”

The then three-weekend festival was scheduled for Feb. 25 through March 12, leaving not much time to create a parade down “Main Street.” And Caltrans would not let “the committee” use PCH. Insurance was too costly. So groups of residents, organizations and businesses walked or drove down Santa Clara from Blue Lantern to Violet Lantern. Caltrans also would not let organizers stop traffic on PCH to allow people to cross the street as the parade was heading to La Plaza Park to join the first Street Fair put on the by Dana Point Chamber of Com-merce.

So, to cross PCH and Del Prado a volunteer keep pressing the walk button to stop the through traffic.

While this year’s parade was sorely missed, there are still many opportunities to celebrate the California gray whale and Dana Point in its second weekend, March 8 and 9. Visit www.festivalofwhales.com for a full lineup of events and activities.

—Andrea Swayne contributed to this article.Carlos N. Olvera is Vice Chair of the OC

Historical Commission, and a Dana Point City Councilman. DP

IT’S HISTORY By Carlos N.

Olvera

GUEST OPINION: It’s History by Carlos N. Olvera

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

5STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

SPORTS& OUTDOORS

DPDana Point


OUTDOOR SPOTLIGHT

A little morning rain was not enough to keep runners of all ages from descending upon Doheny State Beach on March 2 to take part in the 6th annual Dana Point Festival of Whales Grunion Run. The race, which started and ended on the beach trail, featured a 10K, 5K and Kid’s 1K run.

The morning started off with the 10K, which was won by Miles Galla-Rini of Orange.

The runners competing in the popular 5K followed. Owen Kiley of Pasadena and Claire Collinson claimed the first-place medal for the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.

The Kid’s 1K fun run started off with a bang, as the youngsters sprinted off the starting line and completed a one-lap loop around the Doheny State Beach parking lot. —Dana Point Times

Children burst from the starting line during the kid’s 1K run at the 6th Annual Festival of Whales Grunion Run. Photo by Steve Breazeale

Dana Hills starting pitcher Louis Raymond will lead the Dolphins pitching staff in 2014. Photo by Steve Breazeale

RUNNIN’ IN THE GRUNION

ollow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports all season long for in-game updates, news and more on all the Dana Hills High School spring sports teams.

SOFTBALLFirst-year head coach Brandon Cosenza admits to

walking into a good situation with this year’s Dana Hills softball team. The Dolphins return their top two starting pitchers as well as the entire starting infield. The team fin-ished in a tie for second-place in the South Coast League last year and got hot in the postseason, making it to the

Dolphins Spring Into Action

By Steve BreazealeDana Point Times

Dana Hills High School spring sports teams gear up for the new season

CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals.With so many returning players, including three Divi-

sion 1 commits, the Dolphins are in good position to chal-lenge Mission Viejo for the top spot in league.

Seniors Olivia Baltazar and Lindsey Cassidy make up the one-two punch in the pitching rotation. Baltazar made her starting pitching debut on March 5 against Wood-bridge and turned in a complete game, nine strikeout effort in an 8-5 win.

Table setters in the lineup include speedsters Sami Wil-liams (second base) and Madison Killebrew (shortstop). Senior first baseman and University of Virginia commit Dani-elle Ingraham will provide the power in the cleanup spot.

BASEBALLThe Dana Hills baseball team has made defense and

pitching their trademark in recent years. The Dolphins ability to play small ball at the plate, get outs in the field and have their starters pitch deep into games put Dana Hills in contests that were decided by one or two runs 16 times last year. The team’s overall record in those games turned out to be 7-9, which head coach Tom Faris chalked up to bad luck.

The 2014 version of the Dolphins is cast in the same mold, with their strength revolving around two top-of-the-rotation pitchers and a stout defense.

F

Senior right-handed pitcher Louis Raymond (2.35 ERA in 2013) will be the team’s No. 1 starter with junior Mar-rick Crouse behind him. Behind Raymond and Crouse, Faris plans on using a mix of positional players to fill out the rotation.

The Dolphins are no stranger to hit-and-runs and bunts, which will make team speed integral to their success. Top of the order hitters like junior Luke Williams, a versatile two-sport athlete, will set the table for hitters like junior Jay Schuyler, the team’s returning first baseman. Schuyler hit .303 with 15 RBIs in 2013.

“I think speed is going to be a key factor in what we do. If the kids buy into reading the ball in the dirt, dragging, pushing, hitting, running, stealing and everything that we do here, we’re going to do real well,” Faris said.

SOF TBALL

Date Opponent Location, Time3/20 Aliso Niguel (double header) DHHS, 3:30 p.m./5:30 p.m.3/25 Edison EHS, 3:30 p.m.3/29 Murrieta Valley (double header) MVHS, 10 a.m./12 p.m.4/1 Beckman BHS, 3:30 p.m.4/3* Mission Viejo DHHS, 4:30 p.m.4/15* San Clemente SCHS, 4:30 p.m. 4/17 Capistrano Valley DHHS, 4:30 p.m.4/22* El Toro DHHS, 4:30 p.m.4/29* Tesoro THS, 4:30 p.m.5/1* San Clemente DHHS, 4:30 p.m.5/6* Mission Viejo MVHS, 4:30 p.m.5/8* El Toro ETHS, 4:30 p.m.5/14* Tesoro THS, 4:30 p.m.*--denotes league game

BASE BALL

Date Opponent Location, Time3/7-15 Loara Tourn. TBA, TBA3/21* Aliso Niguel ANHS, 3:30 p.m.3/22 Valencia (double header) VHS, 11 a.m./1 p.m.3/26* Laguna Hills DHHS, 3:30 p.m.3/28* San Juan Hills SJHHS, 3:30 p.m.3/29-4/2 Anaheim Lions Tourn. TBA, TBA4/8* San Clemente DHHS, 3:30 p.m.4/15* Aliso Niguel DHHS, 3:30 p.m.4/17* Aliso Niguel ANHS, 3:30 p.m.4/22* Laguna Hills LHHS, 3:30 p.m.4/24* Laguna Hills DHHS, 3:30 p.m.4/30* San Juan Hills DHHS, 3:30 p.m.5/2* San Juan Hills SJHHS, 3:30 p.m.5/7* San Clemente SCHS, 3:30 p.m.5/9* San Clemente DHHS, 3:30 p.m.5/14 Pacifica (double header) DHHS, 3:30 p.m./ 5:30 p.m.*--denotes league game

SPORTS & OUTDOORS


BOYS TE N N IS

Date Opponent Location, Time3/11* Mission Viejo DHHS, 3 p.m.3/12 Edison DHHS, 3 p.m.3/20* Capistrano Valley CVHS, 3 p.m.3/25* El Toro DHHS, 3 p.m.4/1* San Clemente DHHS, 3 p.m.4/3* Tesoro THS, 3 p.m.4/15* Capistrano Valley DHHS, 3 p.m.4/16 Corona del Mar CDMHS, 3 p.m.4/17* San Clemente SCHS, 3 p.m.4/22* Tesoro THS, 3 p.m.4/24-25 Ojai Tourn. Ojai, TBA4/29* El Toro ETHS, 3 p.m.5/6-7 League Finals TBA, TBA5/13-23 CIF Team Championships TBA, TBA6/5-7 CIF Individuals TBA, TBA*--denotes league match

BOYS AN D G I R LS TRAC K AN D F I E LD

Date Opponent Location, Time3/12 Great Oak DHHS, 2 p.m.3/14 South County Classic SCHS, 3:30 p.m.3/15 Irvine Invit. IHS, 7:30 a.m.3/22 Trophy Invit. Laguna Beach, 8 a.m.3/27* Trabuco Hills DHHS, 2:30 p.m.3/29 Beach Cities Invit. Huntington Beach, 8 a.m.4/3 San Juan Hills DHHS, 2:30 p.m.4/5 Trabuco Hills Invit. THHS, 8 a.m.4/17* San Clemente SCHS, 2:30 p.m.4/24* Tesoro DHHS, 2:30 p.m.4/26 OC Championships TBA, TBA4/30* Mission Viejo DHHS, 2:30 p.m.5/6-9 League Finals SCHS, 3 p.m.*--denotes league meet

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Date Opponent Location, Time3/11 Jserra DHHS, 5:30 p.m.3/13 Santa Margarita SMCHS, 5 p.m.3/14-15 Best of the West Tourn. TBA, TBA3/21-22 OC Championships TBA, TBA3/27* Trabuco Hills DHHS, 5:30 p.m.4/1 Aliso Niguel DHHS, 5:30 p.m.4/3* Capistrano Valley CVHS, 6 p.m.4/15* San Clemente DHHS, 5:30 p.m.4/17* Tesoro THS, 6 p.m.4/22* Trabuco Hills THHS, 6 p.m.4/25 Laguna Beach DHHS, 5:30 p.m.4/29* Capistrano Valley DHHS, 5:30 p.m.5/1* San Clemente SCHS, 6 p.m.5/6* Tesoro DHHS, 5:30 p.m.

BOYS GOLF

Date Opponent Location, Time 3/10 Wolverine Tourn. Aliso Viejo CC, noon3/11 Fallbrook Monarch Beach GL, 3:30 p.m.3/12 Laguna Beach Aliso Viejo CC, 3 p.m.3/13 Laguna Beach El Niguel CC, 3:30 p.m.3/18 Corona del Mar Newport Beach CC, 3:30 p.m. 3/19 El Toro/Corona de Mar El Niguel CC, 2:30 p.m.3/20 El Toro Mission Viejo CC, 2:30 p.m.3/25* Tesoro Coto de Caza CC, 2:30 p.m.3/26 San Clemente Talega GC, 3 p.m.3/27* Tesoro El Niguel CC, 2:30 p.m.3/31 Fallbrook Pala Mesa GC, 3 p.m.4/1* Capistrano Valley El Niguel CC, 2:30 p.m.4/2* Capistrano Valley San Juan Hills GC, 3:15 p.m.4/15* Aliso Viejo Aliso Viejo CC, 2:30 p.m.4/17* Aliso Viejo El Niguel CC, 2:30 p.m.4/29* Trabuco Hills El Niguel CC, 2:30 p.m.4/30* Trabuco Hills Dove Canyon CC, 3 p.m.5/6 League Finals Talega GC, 12:30 p.m.5/12 CIF Southern Indiv. Regional TBA, TBA5/19 CIF South Coast Team Champ. Talega GC, 7:30 a.m.5/27 CIF Indiv. Champ./SCGA Qualif. Mission Lakes CC, 8 a.m. *--denotes league match

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD The Dana Hills girls track and field team’s recipe for

success in recent years has been to stock up on talent in the field events. So far, it’s been paying off for the Dol-phins, who in 2013 won the South Coast League title for an eighth consecutive year.

When assessing this year’s squad, head coach Ryan Crane does not see the team’s usual numbers in terms of quantity, but he does see quality.

Sophomore pole vaulter Claire Kao will be a key figure in the Dolphins field events. Kao set a school record last year when she cleared the 12-4 mark.

Senior Michaela King (sprints, hurdles) is already mak-ing an impact. On March 5, King posted a time of 14.91 in the 100-meter hurdles in an exhibition meet against Great Oak, which, according to PrepCalTrack.com, is currently the fastest time in the state under any conditions.

Junior Kimiko Tanaka and Chole Deol will add depth to the Dolphins relay and mid-distance teams.

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD Much of the Dolphins runners who were on the successful

cross country team in the fall make up a deep and talented distance running team for track and field in the spring.

Standout sophomore Jake Ogden, junior Mason Coppi and seniors Gavin Diem and Wyler Svoboda were mem-bers of the cross country team that finished third in the CIF State Championships and will compete in distance events like the 800, 1,600 and 3,200.

Jacob Harbin, who played right guard for the Dolphins football team, threw 48-9 in the shot put at the South Coast League finals last season and according to head coach Craig Dunn, the senior has already bested the 50-foot mark in the offseason.

“We’re pretty well rounded. We think we have a chance, we have a lot of individuals who put in a lot of time in the offseason so we’re excited about this upcoming season,” Dunn said.

BOYS VOLLEYBALLThe Dana Hills boys volleyball team will have a different

look this year, most noticeably in their size. When they take to the court this season, the Dolphins will lack the size of year’s past, which has made ball control and pass-ing a priority this offseason.

With an emphasis on sharing the ball, the Dolphins can take solace in having senior Eric Matheis, a UCLA com-mit, at setter. Matheis, who was a standout player for the Dolphins basketball team, is a three-year varsity starter.

“It’s nice having (Matheis) in that position. With him at setter, he makes the other players around him that much better,” head coach Oz Simmons said.

The Dolphins, however, will be without standout senior opposite, and another UCLA commit, Christian Hessenauer, who played an integral role in the Dolphins’ South Coast League championship efforts last year. Simmons declined to

comment on Hessenauer’s absence from this year’s team.Sophomore outside hitter Grady Yould and junior Teddy

Fitzgerald will be among the team’s top outside hitters. Fitzgerald (6-foot) and Yould (5-11), who are both two-sport athletes, might be a bit undersized, but Simmons believes this could be a hidden advantage for his team.

“We have to be a small, ball-control oriented team if we’re going to be successful,” Simmons said. “We don’t necessarily have the power other teams do but we hit smart at the outside.”

BOYS TENNISIt’s no secret that the Dana Hills boys tennis team will

be strong at the top of their singles, as long as standout senior Chase Masciorini is there. Masciorini had a stellar 2013 that saw him advance to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Individual Championships. In the past three seasons, Masciorini has won the South Coast League title once and finished runner-up twice.

Masciorini has been effective on the court, but head coach Justin Green thinks his efforts off the court are what make him special.

“He’s one of the best leaders I’ve had in our boys pro-gram since I’ve been here. He just cares so much about the team,” Green said. “He is our best player, but he works with these other guys and what’s best for them.”

The Dolphins doubles teams are still taking shape in the preseason. The group that was young and new to the varsity game last season returns seniors Jon Alami and Arjun Boddu. –Brian Park contributed to this report

BOYS GOLFA slew of sophomores and juniors will lead the Dana

Hills boys golf team in 2014, which will be the final group that longtime head coach Phil Wilburton oversees. Wil-burton said this season will mark the end to his 28-year coaching career.

The group that will send him out is a young and tal-ented one that features four returning starters.

Sophomore Clay Feagler is the team’s top player and currently holds a 37-stroke scoring average. Wilburton said Feagler, who led the team as a freshman, shows poise at such a young age and has the ability to correct mistakes mid-round.

Rounding out the top five in the group will be Alex Diaz (39), Matt Fry (39), Tanner Podres (40) and Matt O’Leary (40).

The bottom of a lineup is always in flux and crucial to a team’s success, and Wilburton is still shuffling and adjust-ing it to see what works.

(Cont. on page 16)

Freshman high jumper Skyla Taylor takes off during a Dana Hills girls track and field practice. Photo by Steve Breazeale

Dana Hills tennis player Chase Aplin gets in some work at a practice. Photo by Brian Park

SPORTS & OUTDOORS


(Cont. from page 15)The Dolphins opened their season with back to back

nonleague losses to San Clemente and Newport Harbor on March 3 and 4, respectively.

GIRLS LACROSSELast year marked the first time in school history that a

Dana Hills girls lacrosse team reached the CIF-SS play-offs. The Dolphins finished third in the Sea View League and advanced to the first round in the postseason tourna-ment.

With momentum on their side, first-year head coach Dori Campbell will attempt to keep the Dolphins on an upward swing.

Campbell said the team benefitted from a large incom-ing freshman class with prior lacrosse experience, which had not happened before.

One of the freshman standouts is goalie Syd Allison, who Campbell says has quick reflexes and stands strong in goal.

Sophomore defender Samantha Warday, junior co-cap-tain and midfielder Arianna Gonzalez and junior midfield-er Malika Kolar return. Lindsay Spicer, the team’s 47-goal scorer from 2013, returns to lead the offense.

“I think there are a lot of confident players. We had a really successful season for fall ball,” Campbell said. “The connections that they’re making and their trust level is up. They’re not hitting the ground real rusty since playing last spring.”

BOYS LACROSSEThe coaching position for the Dana Hills boys lacrosse

team became vacant late in the team’s offseason. It was in February, by the time new head coach Chris Iltis landed the job and took the field with the players for the first time. With just under one month to prepare, the Dolphins and Iltis worked quickly on meshing together and learn-ing a new system.

Iltis said the Dolphins were an up-tempo, run-and-gun style team in 2013. Iltis changed that by implementing a more settled system that focuses on ball possession.

“I encourage taking chances but a lot of this game is possession. We’ll be a strong defensive team and strong in the faceoff,” Iltis said.

The Dolphins roster will return several players but took a hit after 13 seniors left to graduation, seven of which were starters.

Returning senior midfielder and co-captain Justin Vasu will anchor the team, according to Iltis. The coach believes Vasu has the best overall athleticism on the team and possesses the vision that an impact midfielder needs.

Faceoff specialist Tad Thayer and sophomore defender and co-captain Cade Norland return.

GIRLS SWIMMING AND DIVINGAfter losing only four seniors to graduation, Dana Hills

girls swim team head coach Cynthia Carlson believes her team is ready to build on a successful 2013 season.

The Dolphins finished second at the South Coast League finals last year, which is the highest finish the team has earned in the five years Carlson has been coaching.

Several Dolphins swimmers broke school records last year and are going after more in 2014.

Junior Cassidy Humphrey set new records in the 200 and 500 freestyle and will attempt to break the 200 indi-vidual medley and 100 butterfly this year.

Bridget Greuel, Kathryn Querner and Britton Forker return to make up a solid core of versatile swimmers.

The Dolphins dive team was a bright spot last year and return captain Lauren Pierce, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo commit, and San Diego State University commit Nicole Dutton. At the CIF meet last year, the dive team placed all four of their representatives in the top-10, putting Dana Hills in first-place after the diving portion. –Brian Park contributed to this report

BOYS SWIMMINGLast season the Dana Hills boys swim team rode their

depth to a convincing South Coast League title. Several players would go on to have successful CIF swim show-ings. With so many seniors set to graduate, it looked like that signature depth would not be there in 2014. But with a handful of freshman already making an impact, the Dolphins appeared to have solved the issue.

Freshman swimmers Trent Pellini and Michael Smith swam times at a nonleague meet on March 4 that head coach Matt Rosa said are already good enough to qualify for CIF.

Pellini and Smith will add much needed depth to the Dolphins roster, which includes versatile senior Mitch Heimbach (individual medley, backstroke and freestyle), Shane Forker and Keyon Boniadi (distance).

Heimbach mainly competed in the backstroke and individual medley last year, but due to departing seniors, he is converting to sprint freestyle alongside teammates Spencer Likins and Eric Thorpe.

“We’ve got good depth. But I think the freshmen com-ing in are really helping us … They’re going to help build the program,” Heimbach said. –Brian Park contributed to this report DP

BOYS LAC ROSSE

Date Opponent Location, Time3/7 Northwood DHHS, 5:30 p.m.3/18 Mater Dei DHHS, 5:30 p.m.3/20 Mission Viejo DHHS, 5:30 p.m.3/22 Great Oak GOHS, 2 p.m.3/25* Capistrano Valley DHHS, 5:30 p.m.3/27* Laguna Hills LHHS, 5:30 p.m.4/1* San Juan Hills DHHS, 5:30 p.m.4/3* Aliso Niguel DHHS, 5:30 p.m.4/4 Amador Valley DHHS, 5 p.m.4/17* Capistrano Valley DHHS, 5:30 p.m.4/22* Laguna Hills DHHS, 5:30 p.m.4/24 Servite SHS, 5 p.m.4/25* San Juan Hills SJHHS, 5:30 p.m.4/29* Aliso Niguel ANHS, 5:30 p.m.5/3 St. Margaret’s SMES, noon *--denotes league game

G I R LS LAC ROSSE

Date Opponent Location, Time3/11 Tesoro DHHS, 5:30 p.m.3/13 San Clemente SCHS, 5:30 p.m.3/20 Mission Viejo MVHS, 5:30 p.m.3/25* Capistrano Valley DHHS, 5 p.m.3/28* Laguna Hills DHHS, 5 p.m.4/1* San Juan Hills SJHHS, 5 p.m.4/3* Aliso Niguel ANHS, 5 p.m.4/17* Capistrano Valley CVHS, 5 p.m.4/22* Laguna Hills LHHS, 5 p.m.4/25* San Juan Hills DHHS, 5 p.m.4/29* Aliso Niguel DHHS, 5 p.m. *--denotes league game

BOYS AN D G I R LS SWI M M I NG / D IV I NG

Date Opponent Location, Time3/11 El Toro DHHS, 3 p.m.3/14-15 Capo Relays CVHS, 3 p.m.3/18 Martin Luther King MLKHS, 3 p.m.3/20-22 Millikan Relays (Girls) CVHS, TBA3/25* San Juan Hills SJHHS, 3 p.m.3/27-29 Millikan Relays (Boys) CVHS, 3 p.m.4/1* Mission Viejo MVHS, 3 p.m.4/15* San Clemente DHHS, 3 p.m.4/23 Aliso Niguel ANHS, 3 p.m.4/29* Laguna Hills DHHS, 3 p.m.5/7 League Prelims CVHS, 3 p.m.5/9 League Finals CVHS, 5 p.m.*--denotes league meet

Dana Hills senior Mitch Heinbach will focus on competing in the sprint swimming events in 2014, with his eyes set on breaking the school record in the 50-meter freestyle. Photo by Brian Park

Dana Hills girls lacrosse goalie Syd Allison is one of several freshmenwho have made it on to the varsity team in 2014. Photo by Steve Breazeale

(Back row first, L to R): Junior Jessica Fernandez, sophomore Deanna Shontere, freshman Kaelyn Casazza and front: freshman Amanda Shontereand senior Lauren Pierce make up a talented Dana Hills girls dive team. Photo by Brian Park

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Patricia Powers 949.496.190024551 Del Prado, Ste. 364, [email protected] Farm/Ted Bowersox 949.661.320034085 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 204www.tedbowersox.comStatefarm/Elaine LaVine 949.240.894434080 Golden Lantern, www.elainelavine.net

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MENS SMALL WETSUIT Mens Rip Curl Wet-suit, short-arm, full suit. New condition. Size small $65. Call or text 949.533.9761.

HUGE RUMMAGE SALE!! Something for Everyone!! 3/15. NCL Monarch Chapter@Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. 33501 Stonehill, Dana Point 8:30AM – 2PM. Proceeds benefit our local charities

GARAGE SALE SATURDAY, MARCH 8THWonderful Sale! Paintings, posters, prints, vintage antiques, minerals, gems, household items and furniture.3000 Camino Capistrano, San Clemente 9:00am – 3:00 pm (NO EARLY BIRDS)

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SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITYDP SURF

6DPDana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

By Brian ParkDana Point Times

hen it first began, back in 2010, the Mongoose Cup at the Dana Point Festival of Whales primarily

drew adventurous water-sports enthusiasts looking to catch the stand-up paddleboard-ing wave, recalls legendary surfer Mickey “Mongoose” Muñoz, the event’s inspira-tion and namesake.

Since then, as the sport has grown expo-nentially in popularity, Muñoz said there’s been a greater need and a more focused effort to introduce stand-up paddleboard-ing to newcomers.

“Now, because it’s probably the fastest growing water sport in the world, it’s defi-nitely attracted more of the mainstream,” said Muñoz, a Capistrano Beach resident.

The Mongoose Cup has always served as a stand-up paddleboarding expo of sorts, a collection of activities to show off the latest and greatest in the sport through clinics, races and live demonstrations by companies and enthusiasts.

New to this year’s showcase on Saturday, March 8 is the Mongoose Cup’s partner-ship with the Wounded Warrior Project, a

W

Mongoose Cup Showcases the World of SUP

Age: 12, Bernice Ayer Middle School/Capo Virtual Online School

Elijah Shoenig was born a waterman. As a toddler he developed a love for the ocean and was always excited to be among the waves. He first took up wave riding via bodysurfing and bodyboarding. Then, just over a year ago, his dad taught him to surf. “All of my friends surf and I just decided it was time to give it a try,” Elijah said. “It took me awhile to get into it but now I love it, both longboarding and shortboarding.” Elijah is a dual-enrolled sixth-grader attending school part-time on campus at Bernice Ayer Middle School and part-time online. This is his first year on the BAMS Surf Club, which fulfills part of his physical education credit, much to his delight. Elijah is a multi-talented athlete, musician and a straight-A student. He plays lacrosse on a travel

team, stand-up paddles and was a Junior Lifeguard for three years. He also enjoys fishing and outrigger racing. “My Dana Outrigger Club team went undefeated last year then we won the championship,” he said. “That was really fun.” Doing most of his studies via independent study allows him to pursue other interests, such as studying robotics, he said. He is a member of Vex Robotics, a team that designs and builds robots for competition. Elijah is also a guitarist who has played gigs with his instructor’s band at Sunsets at the Pier and the Cabrillo Playhouse. “I love blues, surf and rock,” he said. “Some of my main influences are Johnny Cash, Freddie King and, of course, Dick Dale.”—Andrea Swayne

GROM OF THE WEEK ELIJAH SCHOENIG

Elijah Schoenig. Photo by Andrea Swayne

The fifth annual event at the Festival of Whales also supports the Wounded Warrior Project

nonprofit organization that supports veterans who have suffered severe injuries while serving in the military. The day kicks off with the Wounded Warrior Project Paddle, a recreational paddle that will take participants around the island at Dana Point Harbor.

Proceeds from the Mongoose Cup will

Stand-up paddling enthusiasts and newcomers take to the waters off Baby Beach at a past Mickey Muñoz Mongoose Cup event. Inset: Mickey Muñoz demonstrates his SUP style with his dog Gidget at a past Mongoose Cup event. Photo by Alan Gibby

benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, as well as the Sport of Kings Foundation, a nonprofit organization Muñoz helped start in support of those in the Southern California surfboard-building industry.

This year’s stable of activities also includes an adaptive paddling clinic for

disabled athletes. The clinic will include demonstrations by experts like Pam Pat-terson, who teaches adaptive kinesiology at Saddleback College. Contest director Barrett Tester highlighted one company that will be bringing a double-haul canoe that allows wheelchair-bound individuals to experience the thrill of paddling.

Tester also said the Mongoose Cup will feature a demonstration of XSUP, a new game that combines stand-up paddleboarding with elements of hockey, lacrosse and soccer.

In addition, there will be board and proper stroke demonstrations for begin-ners, as well as a yoga SUP clinic, where participants can practice yoga while out on their boards.

The Mongoose Cup will take place at Baby Beach, starting at 9 a.m. Entry costs $25 and includes the Wounded Warrior Project Paddle, paddling skills clinics, a “Luck of the Draw” relay and a barbecue lunch. For an additional $25, guests can enter into the Sport of Kings Foundation races and receive a Mongoose Cup T-shirt. Sign up at Baby Beach the day of the event or register online at www.mongoose2014.eventbrite.com. DP

March 7, 2014

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