March 10, 2016

Woman Rescues Terminally Ill Dog

Twice SC LIVING/PAGE 18

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

L O C A L N E W S Y O U C A N U S EMarch 10-16, 2016

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 10

www.sanclementetimes.comSupporters of the Save San Clemente Hospital Foundation protest Wednesday, March 9 in front of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in San Clemente. Photo: Eric Heinz

Settlement Reached in Landslide Lawsuit,

Homeowners Want Repairs EYE ON SC/PAGE 8

Gudauskas Brothers Launch Surfboard Drive for Jamaica

SC SURF/PAGE 26

EYE ON SC/PAGE 7

Hospital to Close May 31

MemorialCare offi cials say San Clemente campus no

longer fi nancially sustainable

Elks Lodge Reports Increase in MembershipPAGE 16

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LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTINGEYE ON SC

www.sanclementetimes.comSan Clemente Times March 10-16, 2016 Page 3

SCSan Clemente

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

Children and parents of the San Clemente Skateboard Coalition packed City Hall on Tuesday night during the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Photo: Eric Heinz

City Looks to Require Commercial Drug Rehabilitation Stay in Hospital-Use ZoningTHE LATEST: According to the agenda item released Tuesday for the March 15 City Council meeting, the city is looking to repeal its current moratorium to allow for sober living facilities to be established under the current designation of hospital-related use zoning. The new hospital-adjacent uses zoning, approved at the Jan. 19 council meeting, would require sober living facilities only be allowed to exist within the zone near the existing hospital.

WHAT’S NEXT: The moratorium on the establishment of sober living facilities was enacted July 7 and was amended to last a full year. The ongoing moratorium prevents the city from issuing necessary permits, according to the city’s staff re-port. The meeting on March 15 begins at 6 p.m. at 100 Avenida Presidio in the Council Chambers. —Eric Heinz

Skateboard Coalition Packs Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting THE LATEST: City Hall was filled to the brim with people wanting to see an expan-sion of the Ralphs Skatepark off Avenida La Pata as well as have lights put in for nighttime skating.

The San Clemente Skateboard Coalition recently formed to convince the BP&R Commission to add the expansion of the skatepark to amendments of the current BP&R Master Plan. The process of amend-ing the Master Plan began recently.

Danny Craig, a member of SCSC, said skateboarding has become just as popular as the major sports already established in San Clemente.

“Surfing is the heart and soul of San Clemente, no offense to the organized team sports,” Craig said. “With that comes skateboarding. It’s a hotbed for a growing number of extremely talented skateboard-ers. San Clemente has grown a lot since our current skatepark was established.”

Craig said the main reason the coalition wants to expand the park is because many of the younger skateboarders cannot find room in the crowded park, which often overflows with young people.

President of SCSC Stephanie Aguilar also spoke during the meeting. Aguilar has a 5-year-old son who she said has flourished because of skateboarding.

Others who spoke said nearby cities have already expanded their skateboard-ing opportunities, such as the new facility in Huntington Beach.

An empty lot exists next to the San Cle-mente skatepark that SCSC members said could be used to expand the existing park.

WHAT’S NEXT: Throughout the process, people will be able to submit comments to the BP&R department, and public meetings will be held to discuss possible changes or additions. SCSC members said they have been working with private sponsors and are looking for public fund-ing to help with the costs. Adding lights to the park could run between $100,000 and $200,000, and the expansion’s cost is yet to be determined. Members said they have received 1,000 signatures in support of skatepark expansion. —EH

Council to Receive Rec-ommendation on T-Street Amenity Improvements THE LATEST: The Beaches, Parks and Rec-reation Commission voted to recommend City Council explore the design process of functional repairs to the restrooms and concession stand at T Street.

The city’s Master Plan identifies needs

to refurbish the restrooms to be acces-sible to people with disabilities and to paint the interior and fix the cracked walls. Similar projects are slated for the concession stand. The San Clemente Pier restrooms were improved last summer.

The budget for the project is more than $583,000, but $453,000 from the project budget was allocated by the city to fund the Ole Hanson Beach Club improve-ments. The cost for functional mainte-nance is less than $300,000.

None of the improvements include Spanish Colonial Revival architecture overlay unless significant improvements are determined to be made to the conces-sion stand and the restrooms.

The combination of structural and func-tional repairs would cost $1.25 million.

Because $545,000 of the BPR budget was used for the Ole Hanson Club, Com-missioner John Dorey said that it would be difficult for City Council to approve projects with that expense. But he added that the functional repairs are necessary.

WHAT’S NEXT: Aaron Donnelly-Terry, a city park planner, said the repair timeline is not determined and any type of structur-al rehabilitation would have to wait until after summer.

“If we just do the functional mainte-nance, we could start looking at doing that before this summer,” Donnelly-Terry said. “If we were going to do any type of rehabilitation beyond that, we would likely wait until after the summer.”

FIND OUT MORE: A detailed report on the project can be found at www.san-clemente.org under the Beaches, Parks and Rec-reation Commission meeting packet for March 8.

Estrella Plaza Sports Authority not on Bankruptcy Closure List THE LATEST: After it was announced by TCA Stores, Inc., Wednesday, March 2, that Sports Authority will close 140 of its 400-some stores nationwide as well as two distribution plants in Denver and Chicago in a bankruptcy liquidation, a list of the stores was released by the company.

San Clemente’s proposed store, located in the Estrella Plaza, is not on that list.

The bankruptcy filing was made in United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

“In conjunction with the Chapter 11 filing, the Company expects to have access to up to $595 million in debtor-in-posses-sion (DIP) financing. Subject to Court approval, the DIP financing, combined with the Company’s cash from operations, is expected to provide sufficient liquidity during the Chapter

11 process,” the statement read.Residents in the area of the shopping

plaza have eagerly awaited the arrival of Sports Authority, as well as the rest of the additions to the Estrella Plaza.

WHAT’S NEXT: The San Clemente location is expected to open sometime in Septem-ber, according to Sue Jagodzinski, a devel-opment manager with Kornwasser Shop-ping Center Properties, which is working with Burnham USA on the Estrella Plaza development. —EH

OCEMS, Emergency Medical Services Commit-tee to Hold Meeting on SC Hospital ClosureTHE LATEST: The Orange County Emer-gency Medical Services and Emergency Medical Care Committee will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed closure of the Emergency Department at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center. The hearing will explore the different effects of the hospital’s closure.

WHAT’S NEXT: The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. on April 29 at the Commis-sion Hearing Room, County of Orange Hall of Administration, 333 West Santa Ana Blvd. in Santa Ana. —EH

forward in helping us increase Left Coast’s availability throughout California. As a family-owned operation, it’s great to part-ner with a fellow family-owned business whose values align with ours,” said Left Coast Brewing Company general manager Tommy Hadjis. “They have attentive cus-tomer service and are knowledgeable in the craft beer segment. Triangle is exactly what we look for in a distributor.”

Currently, Left Coast produces 11,000 barrels of beer with thousands of accounts in 17 states and seven countries. Left Coast has won more than 25 prestigious awards such as the gold and bronze medals from the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. For more information, visit www.leftcoastbrewing.com.

State Farm Insurance Donates $10,000 to Boys & Girls Club Through its $15,000 Good Neighbor

Citizenship Company Grant given last year to the Boys & Girls Club of South Coast Area, State Farm Insurance has provided another $10,000.

The money helps support and expand the College Bound Program State Farm, said Allen Reese, Chief Professional Offi-cer of the club. The program helps provide teens with resources, support and experi-ence needed to graduate high school and pursue their futures. The funds also help prepare more high school students to at-tend college through the club’s academic and study-skills support services. The Boys & Girls Club of South Coast Area serves about 2,000 students per year. It also provides mentoring support for stu-dents to attain and retain a job. The club has recently completed the Teen Center, where learning and academic development takes place for students.


Have something interesting for the community? Tell us about awards, events, happenings, accomplishments and more. We’ll put your submissions into “News Bites.” Send your information to [email protected].

NEWS BITESCOMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ

EYE ON SC

Dance Team to Finish Regular Season this WeekendOn March 5, the San Clemente High

School Girl’s Dance Team completed its 19th regional competition season. During the regular season, they participated in eight regional competitions in Southern California from Dec. 12 through March 5. Their next stop is the California State Championships on March 11 and 12 at John Burroughs High School in Glendale. The week following will provide the team the opportunity to compete against the best of the best in high school dance at the USA Nationals held at the Anaheim Convention Center on March 18 and 19. The team has faced stiff competition this season from more than 50 high schools from Los Angeles County down through San Diego County but plans to uphold the team’s legacy as 14-time USA Nationals Champions.

The team helps enhance SCHS school spirit and performs at football games, spirit assemblies and pep rallies. Their season culminates in an end-of-the-school-year dance concert to be held in the large gym on May 20 and 21. This event is always sold out and the team showcases its competition numbers alongside the popular co-ed dance, IB dance and ROP dance numbers. The SCHS Dance Team practices between 16 and 20 hours a week for the entire school year.

The team is coached by interim head coach Dani Braithwaite, assistant coach Hartley Klement and assistant coach Marissa Prolo. The coaches continue the dance team tradition as all three are alumni of SCHS and the Dance Team. This year SCHS hired Lauren Peterson

as dance program director and physical education teacher.

Following the USA Nationals, the team will hold auditions on March 29, 30 and April 1. Dancers interested in trying out for the 2016-17 team can contact Tracy Stay or email [email protected] for more information.

San Clemente Deputy Fighting Rare CancerDeputy Courtney Ward of San Clemente

was recently diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer. According to San Clemente Police Services, she is only the 201st person in the country currently diag-nosed with that particular form of cancer. Police Services is selling challenge coins to raise funds for Ward and her family. Coins are $10 each. Email CSO Stephanie Jones at [email protected]. At this time, Police Services are asking for cashier’s checks or cash for payment. San Clemente Police Services is located at 100 Avenida Presidio and office hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, exclud-ing holidays.

Left Coast Brewing Co. Signs Partnership with Triangle Distribution CompanySan Clemente-based business Left Coast

Brewing Co. announced it signed a part-nership Monday with Triangle Distribut-ing Company to distribute bottles, cans and kegs throughout South Los Angeles County. With already existing Left Coast presence in the area, the partnership will enable a production increase through new distribution points and an even greater customer service experience for existing accounts.

“This partnership is a significant step

San Clemente Junior Woman’s Club’s Annual Charity Gala April 16It is time again for the San Clemente Ju-

nior Woman’s Club’s Annual Charity Gala. This year’s theme is “Light up the Night” and the event will be held at Bella Collina Towne & Golf Club on April 16 starting at 5:30 p.m. Cocktail attire is requested and tickets are $85 per person, which includes appetizers, dinner with wine, dessert and an after-gala performance by ’80s cover band Neon Nation. We will be auctioning off some awesome prizes for some great local causes as well. Visit the website for more information and to purchase tickets.

All proceeds go to helping local schools, elderly, abused women and children, and many more causes. There is a discount if you purchase a table, and there are marketing opportunities available. Visit www.scjwc16.bpt.me for tickets and more information.

Las Palmas Village Celebrates Grand OpeningThe National CORE housing complex

Las Palmas Village hosted a grand open-ing on March 2. The complex, completed last fall, has 19 affordable one-bedroom housing units. The project was funded by low-income-housing tax credits, city of San Clemente Inclusionary Funds, a Housing and Community Development infill infra-structure grant and tax-exempt bonds.

The San Clemente High School Dance Team participates in a recent regional competition. Photo: Courtesy of Stephanie Anderson

San Clemente Mayor Bob Baker, center, cuts the ribbon to the Las Palmas Village on March 2. The housing complex is the city’s first workforce housing development. Photo: Courtesy of city of San Clemente

fter an 18-month effort to keep MemorialCare’s Saddleback Memo-rial Medical Center in San Clemente

open, officials announced last week they will close the campus on May 31.

In a statement released by Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, administrator Tony Struthers said the health care pro-vider will continue to examine possibili-ties of providing forms of urgent care to San Clemente residents, but the hospital services will cease May 31.

“At this point, we will continue to provide ongoing medical and emergency services,” Struthers said in an email March 3, adding the services will continue for at least 90 days.

Struthers said the hospital, located at 654 Camino De Los Mares, will continue to meet with local officials and agencies to plan “a transition of services.”

MemorialCare officials have said since August 2014 the current hospital model is not feasible to keep open because of declining inpatient numbers. Inpatient services traditionally are large sources of funding for hospitals.

MemorialCare has owned the San Cle-mente hospital since 2005.

“This is not a decision we reached quickly,” Struthers stated. “It is the result of many discussions and deliberations. This was not the outcome we had sought or expected. We had hoped the campus could be used to expand health care services in the community. We envisioned a new modern ambulatory center that would better meet the community’s future health care needs and transform the cam-pus into a health care destination.”

Struthers said no decision has been made regarding the sale of the San Clemente Campus.

EYE ON SC

Closing Date AnnouncedSan Clemente hospital will cease operations on May 31, officials say


Stephen Geidt, CEO of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center (left) and Tony Struthers, the hospital’s administrator. Photo: Eric Heinz

People wave to a fire truck as it passes people Wednesday, March 9 during a protest of the closure of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center. Photo: Eric Heinz

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

“At this point we have had some inqui-ries but nothing beyond that,” he stated in an email.

CEO of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center Stephen Geidt said MemorialCare is “exploring all options.”

MemorialCare officials said they intend to but have not yet filed litigation regard-ing the city’s new zoning ordinance, which requires the owner of the land on which the hospital sits to provide emergency services and maintain a hospital.

Struthers said the hospital was averag-ing 11.6 inpatients a day before the clo-sure. A total of 16 inpatient surgeries were done in February, less than one per day, and outpatient surgeries totaled 56 in that month. That was not enough to sustain the hospital, he said.

“We felt that was improper taking of private property, but we’ll let the courts settle that…to see if it was legal to do,”

Geidt said. “It left us with something that cannot be sustained, continue

to operate a hospital that is not sustainable or close, and I think we made the right decision.”

Geidt said current health care practice, availabil-

ity of insurance and advancements in

technology are all factors that are keeping people from needing inpatient care.

“I think it’s

probably a function of the fact that we see a major transformation going on in the medical industry,” Geidt said. “The shift is from a hospital-centric health care delivery system to a health-centric health care delivery system. The idea that the hospital is not the center of the universe is becoming very clear to the people who are in the industry.”

Geidt said a change in the medical industry has been going on in the last 10 years and accelerated in the last five due to the Affordable Healthcare Act.

People currently taken to the San Clemente hospital for emergency care for cardiac, stroke and trauma cases are stabilized but have to be taken to another emergency facility due to the lack of services the hospital provides, Struthers said.

“Like many small hospitals across the country, the San Clemente inpatient facil-ity has continued to experience declining volumes,” Struthers said.

Options That Never Came to Pass Originally the hospital came up with

proposals to establish a large outpatient ambulatory care center in the hospital’s place, but that was dismissed by com-munity members as not being adequate medical services for San Clemente.

Officials then made a legislative effort to allow for a free-standing, or “boutique” or “satellite” hospital, with fewer ame-nities but similar emergency services hospitals offer. This is currently not legal under California law.

Assemblyman Bill Brough and State Sen. Patricia Bates introduced separate bills in their respective houses to try to change that law, but both bills died in committees in January. Following that

defeat, the city of San Clemente enacted the zoning ordinance.

“Without legislation to allow a satellite emergency department and given this new restrictive rezoning that requires hospi-tal services and a declining census, that makes operation of an acute care facility unsustainable,” Struthers said. “The vision to convert the campus into a modern am-bulatory care center cannot be achieved.”

Jobs Some employees from the San Cle-

mente hospital are currently or will be retained within the MemorialCare system, while others have sought employment elsewhere.

“We are working with our approximately 150 full-time and part-time employees to help them identify other potential employ-ment opportunities within the (Memori-alCare) health care system and our sister facilities,” Struthers said. “We hope to place as many employees in other posi-tions within the health system and with other sister facilities.”

The nearest hospitals to San Clemente that provide emergency services are Mis-sion Hospital, 7 miles from Saddleback Memorial Medical Center; Mission Hospi-tal in Mission Viejo, about 9 miles away on Interstate 5 and MemorialCare’s Laguna Hills location, about 15 miles away on I-5.

Reactions to the Closure Both Brough and Bates said they will

pursue further options to provide health care in South Orange County.

“We are considering all options and are consulting with community members to find a realistic solution that works for the region,” their joint statement read.

During various community meetings, many people criticized MemorialCare’s assertions of not being able to continue hospital operations as flawed reasoning, citing the margins of revenue from the hospital’s nonprofit tax forms. Hospital officials countered that the nonprofit margins were combined tax forms and that San Clemente’s population could not support a large hospital facility.

In a statement, Gus Gialamas, presi-dent of Save Saddleback San Clemente Hospital Foundation, said “12,000 people have signed petitions to save the hospital, four City Councils have voted the same way, MemorialCare themselves said they wanted to maintain emergency services, yet they will close our only hospital cost-ing lives, health care and jobs in our community.”

The foundation members protested the hospital closure at noon on Wednesday, March 9.

The San Clemente Hospital was built in 1971 and at one point provided more than 105 beds. Today, it provides 73 beds. SC

Editor’s note: More documents pertaining to this story can be found in the hyperlinks un-der the story “San Clemente Hospital to Close May 31” at www.sanclementetimes.com.

he continuous crack through 88-year-old Fran-ces Bier’s home, extending through another 11 homes on the 200 block of Via Ballena, has her

concerned. She said she doesn’t want to move and neither do her

neighbors. The neighborhood fears, though, if some-thing isn’t done soon to repair the damages from a 2011 landslide (which left homes significantly damaged or red-tagged), it could make the situation worse than it already is.

Last week, the homeowners affected by the landslide settled out of court with the city of San Clemente and Shorecliffs Golf Club.

Shorecliffs Golf Club and the city agreed to pay $10.8 million for the repairs, which would include restoring portions of the bluffs and creating a drainage pipe that doesn’t run under the homes. Currently water is flowing just past the bluff in a pipe next to the golf course. There currently is no timeline as to when construction can begin.

The city and the golf course were sued because they

EYE ON SC

Settlement Reached in Land-slide LawsuitLawyers want area marked for ‘emergency’ so reconstruction can begin

Anne Cole has owned her home on the 200 Block of Via Ballena for more than 40 years, but it was red-tagged after a 2011 landslide. She said she hopes to move back in some day. A “KEEP OUT” sign is posted on her front window. Photo: Eric Heinz


T

maintain the infrastructure, but because of the settle-ment no one is assuming liability.

The landslide, attorney Serge Tomassian said, was the result of a drainage pipe that built up pressure and ruptured, causing the hillside on which the homes sit to collapse.

Most of the money from the lawsuit is paid through insurance funds, according to Tomassian.

While the city and the homeowners have settled, City Engineer Bill Cameron said no work can begin until mitigation requirements—such as obtaining permitting from entities such as the California Coastal Commission and other entities—are met.

“Permits need to be obtained before construction starts,” Cameron said. “That was signed by all (involved).

The city is in favor of an expedited process.” Cameron said even if the city designated it as an emer-

gency site, it wouldn’t remove the requirements neces-sary to start the project.

“(The homeowners) are working on the plans right now and trying to get the permits in place to get the project started, and hopefully when all the costs are de-termined they’ll be less than the settlement agreement,” Cameron said. “You still have all these other steps for the rest of the settlement agreement. Basically it comes down to that. But the city is in favor of getting the repair done as quickly as possible.”

Engineers hired by Tomassian’s law firm stated in letters from January that the site should be designated as an emergency situation due to the condition of the hillside and the possibility that heavy rains could make the situation even worse.

“The undersigned and American Geotechnical recom-mend that you do whatever you can to light a fire under whomever needs to have that fire lit under them to get this project underway,” a letter dated Jan. 15 from American Geotechnical’s Gregory Axten to Tomassian read. “The tragedy has been substantial to the homeown-ers over the last few years but will be regrettable and disproportionately worse if another episode of landslide occurs. Such an event is very possible and even likely in response to the upcoming rains.”

Ralph Jeffery, president of Pacific Coast Land Con-sulting, also hired by Tomassian’s firm, echoed Axten’s sentiments in another letter.

One home that was red-tagged belongs to 93-year-old Ann Cole, who moved into the home when former Presi-dent Richard Nixon was in office. She said she wants to return to her home if possible.

“I really would love to get back into it, lord willing, if they get it fixed fast enough,” Cole said. SC

EYE ON SC

SC 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 dis-patcher. 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.

COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ


Community Meetings

THURSDAY, MARCH 10

Cyber Café: Introduction to Windows 10 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Learn the basics of the latest operating system. The class is provided by the Friends of San Clemente. A $35 suggested donation is requested. 910 Calle Negocio, Suite No. 101, San Clemente, 949.276.8866, www.sccybercafe.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12

Free Shredding Event 8 a.m.-Noon. No newspapers, maga-zines, soiled or wet paper. Paper clips are OK. No limits on the quantity. 390 Avenida Pico, 949.498.9436, www.san-clemente.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 13

San Clemente Farmers Market9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday. Avenida Del Mar.

TUESDAY, MARCH 15

San Clemente City Council Meeting 6 p.m. The city of San Clemente City Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8200, www.san-clemente.org.

Because I Love You (BILY) Meeting7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Every Tuesday. The meeting helps parents work with their children who have developed poor behavioral habits. 119 Avenida De La Estrella, www.bilysc.org.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16

San Clemente RotaryNoon. The San Clemente Rotary meets every Wednesday at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course Wedgewood Restaurant. 150 E. Avenida Magdalena, 949.233.7981, www.sanclementero-tary.org.

Monday, March 7

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Via Visalia, 1200 Block (11:49 p.m.) A man said he thought something or someone was walking on his roof over the master bedroom. He said he didn’t see anything, only heard something.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Estacion, 1700 Block (10:37 p.m.) A caller said “some drug dealers” set up a tent next to a hamburger stand in North Beach.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Estacion, 1700 Block (5:49 p.m.) Police were called to a report of men described as transients being verbally disruptive and taking toilet paper from the restrooms.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY El Camino Real, 1200 Block (3:44 p.m.) Orange County Fire Department requested assistance with a man who was “bleeding from the head and all over his body.” The man was unable to speak and was possibly in shock. It was unknown if he had been battered or hit by a car.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Via Cascadi-ta/Avenida Vaquero (2:21 p.m.) A woman with tattoos was seen driving a black sedan slowly through the neighborhood. The caller said she would park and then drive off again.

PETTY THEFT REPORT 700 Block, Avenida Pico (11:02 a.m.) A woman said two classrooms at San Clemente High School were broken into the previous night. She said she was not sure if the classrooms were locked, and items valued from $500 to $800 were stolen.

Sunday, March 6

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Ave-nida Victoria, 500 Block (11:42 p.m.)A woman said a man was walking up and down the street looking into a trailer parked in front of a motel for 15 minutes. The man was asking the caller where she was staying.

DISTURBANCE Calle Pintoresco, 200 Block (7:37 p.m.) Police were called to people throwing rocks at passing vehicles.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES CalleJuarez, 3000 Block (7:30 p.m.) A resident who lives near the location provided secondhand information. The caller was a Code Enforcement officer who said a home had been condemned because it was illegally remodeled and no one should be inside. He said his neighbor saw someone there and could hear a “pounding noise,” and a black vehicle was spotted in the driveway.

WELFARE CHECK Canada, 100 Block (6:46 p.m.) Police were called to an “older woman” described as transient who was “screaming and howling.” The woman was described as wearing a white beanie and a backpack and carrying a blanket. The caller said the location is “no longer a sober-living home.”

ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE Cristianitos Road, Interstate 5 Freeway (4:33 p.m.) A caller said a burgundy sedan was parked in the bike lane and blocking the street. The driver was “out of the vehicle and pray-ing.”

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE CalleOla Verde, 2100 Block (4:06 p.m.) A caller said a man was standing outside her house and asked her if he could come in and sit down. The man then went to sit by her garage. He was described as in his 20s or 30s, bald with some blond hair wearing a brown jacket and light beige shirt.

CITIZEN ASSIST Via Jacobea, 0 Block (3:58 p.m.) A man said he thought a “drug exchange occurred at a possible halfway house” three doors down from his home. Everything was eventually OK, but he had captured the incident on video camera and wanted to show a deputy.

DISTURBANCE North El Camino Real/El Portal (3:48 p.m.) A naked man was seen walking southbound on El Camino Real.

DISTURBANCE West Avenida Palizada/Calle Puente (1:14 p.m.) Police were called to a report of a 20-year-old man who was carrying some kind of pipe used for taking controlled substances. The caller said the man was being “obnoxious.”

WELFARE CHECK North El Camino Real/El Portal (12:02 p.m.) Police were called to check out a 30-year-old man described as having a buzzed haircut, thin build and wearing boxer shorts, walking south-bound past the YMCA with scrapes on his forehead.

TRESPASSING Avenida Del Presidente, 3100 Block (8:35 a.m.) A teacher at a school said a man had set up a tent and was sleep-ing inside one of the classrooms.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 300 Block (7:33 a.m.) A woman described as a tran-sient was yelling at a customer, threaten-ing him and saying she is a police officer.

n March 3, Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials announced a 17-year-old male

suspect was taken into juvenile hall custody after breaking into a home on the 1200 Block of Buena Vista.

The owner of the home was alerted of a burglar in his home about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, according to OCSD officers. The owner was not home at the time, but he was contacted through a motion-activated Canary surveillance system connected to his phone.

A video of the incident was captured and released to OCSD.

The suspect was described as a man, 6 feet tall, wearing a dark-colored hat backward, a dark-colored jacked over a gray sweatshirt, jeans and colored Vans sneakers with white sidewalls.

Items that were missing from the incident include a watch and surveil-lance equipment.

At 3:40 p.m. that day, the suspect was seen by patrol deputies in the area of


O

A video of this suspect was captured during a burglary on Tuesday, March 1. Photo: Courtesy of Orange County Sheriff’s Department

Suspect Captured on Video Camera in Home Burglary

Florencia in San Clemente. The deputies issued a search for him but were unable to locate him.

During the incident, people posted videos on social media of an OCSD heli-copter searching the area, alerting residents of the incident by way of loudspeaker.

Anyone with additional infor-mation about the incident is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at

714.647.7000 or 949.425.1800. Anony-mous tips can be submitted to OC Crime Stoppers at 855.847.6227. SC

terparts, which will pay dividends on our upcoming deployment. The battalion also planned and executed its fourth battalion fi eld exercise in Camp Pendleton, during which time critical training was conducted with civilian role players on urban and stability operations.

Concurrently, 2/4 sent more than 50 Marines and Sailors to specialty courses at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California, such as Winter Mountain Leaders Course and Mountain Communications Course. These Marines and Sailors will enable the battalion to operate at a much higher level of profi ciency during our upcoming month-long battalion exercise in Bridge-port.

Upon returning from the fi eld, the bat-talion immediately turned to maintaining our weapons and gear and planning for our exercise in Bridgeport. This exercise

arines, Sailors, families and friends:

During the past month, we have promoted 29 Marines to the rank of Lance Corporal, nine to Corporal, three (meritoriously) to Sergeant and one to Captain.

In the past month, the battalion has continued to execute training with the Expeditionary Operations Training Group (EOTG) here at Camp Pendleton as well as with the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacifi c (EWTGPAC) in Coronado, California. This training is paramount in preparing our battalion to operate across all domains—air, land and sea—and included everything from nauti-cal navigation to fast roping out of helicop-ters. Additionally, battalion staff members participated in training aboard the USS Makin Island. This training facilitated greater cooperation with our Navy coun-

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTSSOAPBOXSC

San Clemente

San Clemente Times March 10-16, 2016 Page 12 www.sanclementetimes.com

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San Clemente Times, Vol. 11, Issue 10. The SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano tDispatch (www.thecapistranodis-patch.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 2016. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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Picket Fence Media Group Senior Editor,City Editor, DP Times> Andrea Swayne

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To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at [email protected]. San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers. Please limit your letters to 350 words.

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

Dozen Marines Promoted in Past Month

M

GUEST OPINION: 2/4 Corner by Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Brian Greene, USMC

presents a unique training opportunity for 2/4 in that the battalion will be facing a thinking enemy (a company of US Army Rangers) in an austere, mountainous, snow-covered environment. This training will signifi cantly challenge the battalion across all warfi ghting functions, but we will return to Camp Pendleton a better infantry unit.

Thank you for your continued sup-port for your Marines and Sailors. If you would like to see pictures of our train-ing or updates on our battalion, please “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/2dBattalion4thMarines.

Semper Fidelis.

Letters tothe Editor‘SKELETON’ CREW IS NOT WHAT EMERGENCY ROOMS NEED

SUE SELKIRK, San Clemente

Kudos to Ray Chaplain for represent-ing a knowledgeable perspective on the Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in San Clemente issue. I’m sure many of the citizens who opposed the conversion to a modern ambulatory care center have little to no medical background and succumbed to the fear and hysteria of not having an emergency room in San Clemente. As Ray brilliantly pointed out, emergency responders have been bypassing the San Clemente ER for years as it lacks neces-sary advanced services. I work as a labor and delivery registered nurse at Saddle-back Memorial in Laguna Hills and have been an RN for 20 years. I am the mother of two young boys and have made my share of ER visits. I live in close proximity to the San Clemente hospital, and as an employee my family and I benefi t from a 50-percent discount on all ER visits. That said, I have always opted to bypass that hospital and forego the fi nancial savings due to my lack of confi dence in a skeleton crew.

Saddleback Memorial was graciously ready to offer our town a state-of-the-art facility with a variety of services we would have tremendously benefi tted from, a

that you will have a VRBO operator as a neighbor on your right and a sober living operator on your left. I realize that Mr. Bieber’s greed to make money is more important than maintaining the integrity of our neighborhoods, our community and beach culture, but we must stop him and his profi teering cohorts from allowing this to happen. San Clemente was doing just fi ne before Bieber migrated here years ago, and we do not need to be lectured by someone forcing his non-beach/inland val-ues down our throat. I suggest Mr. Bieber take his VRBO business to Las Vegas. We are tired of being invaded by sober living homes, the homeless and the VRBO operators. We have a nice community with high property values and high standards. If we allow Jim Bieber to have his way, his wallet will gain and San Clemente will lose. We need to put this on the ballot in November and ban VRBO like Manhattan Beach did last year. We are tired of being invaded by sober living homes, the home-less and the VRBO operators.

facility that would have appealed to quality caregivers as opposed to repelling them. I was saddened to receive the offi cial news that Saddleback will close on May 31. I’ve been a resident of San Clemente for almost 40 years, and my love for our town runs deep. At the age of 14, I worked at the hospital as a candy striper alongside my grandma who volunteered there. It’s too bad the naysayers opted for some shifty rezoning, because now we are left with nothing. Way to go, City Council!

DISTRICTING, NO VRBO REGULATION WILL HARM SAN CLEMENTE

ANTHONY LAFRANO, San Clemente

Jim Bieber’s attempt to re-district San Clemente is another example of a greedy VRBO owner trying to change the beach culture and charm of San Clemente. Mr. Bieber is upset that City Council will not yield to the demands of his Vacation Rent-als By Owner business. Mr. Bieber tried to bully Councilman Chris Hamm publically (a true San Clemente native and champion of beach culture) for not ceding to his VRBO vision. Bieber wants zero restric-tions on VRBO. It is obvious that Mr. Bieber is trying to turn San Clemente into a political pretzel to serve his own selfi sh needs. He claims that redistricting is good for our residents and that more residents will have access to our elected offi cials. What he is really trying to do is install his own candidate(s) to benefi t himself.

If Mr. Bieber’s plan is successful, we will have VRBO operators in Talega, The Reserve, Forester Highlands and in all of our neighborhoods. It is quite possible

SOAPBOX

U

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday,

Mar. 11 at 8 a.m. at Café CalypsoHerman Sillas, local author and San Clemente Times guest columnist, will be this week’s guest. Beachside Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome. .S. political parties go back as far

as President George Washington. He was a Federalist Party member

and advocated a strong central govern-ment. The Democratic Republican Party preferred strong local state government.

In 1800, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr (both Republicans) tied for presi-dent. Under the 12th Amendment to the Constitution, the House of Representa-tives would decide who would be Presi-dent. Alexander Hamilton, founder of the Federalist Party, convinced his colleagues to elect Jefferson. Later, Burr ran for Governor of New York in 1804. Hamilton again thwarted Burr’s efforts. Burr chal-lenged Hamilton to a duel and killed him.

Losers have changed since then, but political parties remain. Persons of similar opinions unite to advocate the election of their party’s platform and candidates. The role of parties has been to raise money. Jess

Unruh, a former California Democrat leader said, “Money is the mother’s milk of poli-tics.” Attorney Gene Wyman, a former fun-draiser, told me there were three sources of political money. The first is “friendship” money. Candidates’ friends give money and ask nothing in return. The second source is “cause” money. These funds are given seek-ing commitments from the candidate for the donor’s causes. The third source of funds is “safe” money. The donor doesn’t care who wins and may give to both sides. Only

access to the office-holder is sought. Political parties have funneled these mon-ies.

The Republican Party has not occupied the White House for the last eight years, but now con-trols both the Senate and Congress. Yet the federal budget continues to grow as lobbyists protect their

clients’ interests. Republican rank-and-file are frustrated. They voted in Republicans and nothing changed. Politicians lie and do nothing while they continue to receive “cause” and “safe” money. Jess Unruh didn’t believe legislators were obligated to those who give them money. He told leg-islators, “If you can’t eat their food, drink their booze…, take their money and then vote against them, you got no business up here.” Disappointed rank-and-file Republi-

cans viewed voting a waste of time. There is no specific pathway to the

presidency. We have elected all kinds of men to the office. When Donald Trump, a TV celebrity and multi-billionaire business-man, announced his candidacy months ago, most folks thought it was a joke. He sought no money and bragged he would pay his own way. He promised to build a wall between Mexico and the United States and would make Mexico pay for it. He pledged to pick up and return 11 mil-lion undocumented Mexican immigrants living in the United States to Mexico, implying that these folks had taken jobs away from citizens. He promised to “make America great again.” His words brought new life to folks who felt like failures. They now had someone to blame for their plight. Trump was also against lobbyists, politicians and incompetent bureaucrats. Crowds cheered.

Traditionalist Republicans panicked. Was Trump to be the party’s candidate? If so, he cut a new pathway to be the party’s nominee. He exposed the flaw in our sys-tem. He has followers that have not given him a dime and allegedly won’t be asked to do so in the future. A political party serves no purpose if a candidate uses his own money. Trump has introduced a fourth type of political money: his own. Why would he do that? What role is the party to play? Is the new route Trump used limited to multi-billionaires? Of what value then

are Super PACs who are ready to pour in their “cause” and “safe” money? Are these donors relevant any longer?

Jess Unruh was right. “Money is the milk of politics.” The question becomes: does it matter whose milk you use? You better believe it does. That’s the view from the pier.

Herman Sillas is a local attorney and fishes at the San Clemente Pier most Saturday mornings. He is also the author of the award-winning book, “View From The Pier—Stories from San Clemente.” He may be reached at [email protected]. SC

THE VIEW FROM THE PIERBy Herman Sillas

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC 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 SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at [email protected].

GUEST OPINION: View From the Pier by Herman Sillas

Candidate UnchainedWealth frees Trump from internal censure

Page 14 www.sanclementetimes.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 12: 58TH ANNUAL SWALLOWS DAY PARADE & MERCADO STREET FAIRE9 a.m.–5 p.m. The Fiesta Association’s 58th Swallows Day Parade begins at 11 a.m., with the Mercado Street Faire running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown San Juan Capist-rano. The parade is one of the largest non-motorized parades in the nation and marks the end of the Fiesta de las Golondrinas season, which celebrates the return of the swallows to Mission San Juan Capistrano. For more information, call 949.493.1976 or visit www.swallowsparade.com.

Thursday | 10COMMUNITY OUTREACH ALLIANCE: FREE HULA HOOPING5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. Hula hoop and jam for free. A way to exercise and have fun. Talega Life Church, 1050 Calle Negocio, 949.388.0114 ext. 205, www.communityout-reachalliance.com.

‘THE PASKOWITZ FAMILY, A SURFING LEGACY’Through April 23. “The Paskowitz Family, A Surfing Legacy.” SHACC has put together this exhibit with help from the Paskowitz children, including a collection of surfboards, photographs and treasured memorabilia. 110 Calle Iglesia, San Clemente, 949.388.0313, www.surfingheritage.org.

Friday | 11HOOS’GOW DAY9 a.m.–4 p.m. Hoos’Gow Day is an annual tradition that brings a taste of the Wild West back to downtown San Juan Capist-rano. The “sheriff” and the “deputies” of the Fiesta Association are dressed in their traditional black and white Western garb while they roam the town in search of city slickers. If you’re not wearing Western clothing, the deputies just might “arrest” you and throw you in the Hoos’Gow, leaving you no choice but to make “bail” by purchasing a Fiesta Association souvenir. Downtown San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1976, www.swallowsparade.com.

FROG JUMPING CONTEST3 p.m.–4 p.m. The Fiesta Association’s third annual frog jumping contest will include music and prizes at the Mission Grill. 31721 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1976, www.swallowsparade.com.

SAN CLEMENTE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS LACROSSE TEAM ANNUAL FUNDRAISER5 p.m. Casino Night & Poker Tournament will include professionally run blackjack and craps tables. The poker tournament buy-in is $100 or $50 for the casino only. Prizes will be given to the poker winners, and there will be raffle drawings, a silent auction and cash bar. Tickets are avail-able online. Talega Golf Club, 990 Avenida Talega, San Clemente, 949.439.5874, www.sctritonslax.com.

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

games and more. Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern. For more information, including parking, shuttle and a full events listing, visit www.festivalofwhales.com.

BUNCH OF GUYS7 p.m.–10:30 p.m. Live music at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.361.2855, www.ivalees.com.

Sunday | 13ORANGE COUNTY WINE CRUISE5:30 p.m–7 p.m. Climb onboard a Dana Wharf luxury catamaran for this 90-min-ute wine cruise around the Dana Point Harbor. Tickets are $49. Every Friday and Sunday. See more events online. Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 888.224.0603, www.danawharf.com.

Monday | 14GARY AND MARY WEST WELLNESS FITNESS GYM 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. All members are given an equipment orientation and are supervised. Restricted to people 50 and older. Monday through Friday. Dorothy Viser Senior Center, 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, 949.498.3322, www.san-clemente.org.

COMPILED BY STAFF

BALLROOM BASH: ST. PATRICK’S DAY 7:30 p.m. For $10 per person, people can learn a couple of Foxtrot steps, enjoy some refreshments and dance while wearing green. Community Presbyterian Church, 32202 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.498.0233, www.ballroombash.com.

CABRILLO PLAYHOUSE: ‘THE LION IN WINTER’8 p.m. It’s the story of the Plantagenet family as they fight over both a kingdom as well as King Henry’s paramour during the Christmas of 1183. The show opened on Broadway 50 years ago and was a flop. But today, director Michael Lopez said, “You will see why this show lives on and why it is a favorite of theatergoers world-wide.” Tickets are $25 and can be pur-chased online or by calling the playhouse. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

Saturday | 12DANA POINT FESTIVAL OF WHALES10 a.m. The 45th annual Festival of Whales continues March 12 and 13 at the Dana Point Harbor, featuring education and entertainment celebrating the an-nual migration of California gray whales. Events include whale watching, art show and sale, Diamond Dig, live music, edu-cational lectures and activities, vendors,

At the Movies: Where’s the Fun in ‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’?

I

Photo: Allison Jarrell

Photo: Paramount Pictures

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

EDITOR’S PICK

t’s ironic that two completely different comedies released last weekend, Paramount’s Whiskey

Tango Foxtrot and Disney’s Zootopia, both had themes of social commentary. Using anamorphic characters as meta-phors, it’s not a surprise the latter is an instant hit with audiences and critics. But Foxtrot is a completely different R-rated racial satire based on real events of reporter Kim Barker (or Baker in the movie) and not doing nearly as well.

From 2003 to 2006, Baker (Tina Fey) goes from office news scripter to international correspondent in Afghani-stan to cover the military’s involvement on the Middle East battlefield. Leav-ing behind her boyfriend, Chris (Josh Charles), and life as she knows it, Kim is in for a big surprise with the huge differences between Afghanistan and New York she will have to experience for the next three years.

WTF is directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, of Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011), and even Fey’s old mentor Lorne Michaels is a producer on WTF. Yet there is almost nothing legitimately funny to be found in the film. WTF tries to show Kim as endearingly out of her league by being ignorant about every-thing from Afghani culture to U.S. mili-tary, but instead comes off as insuffer-able. The cherry on top is Christopher Abbott and Alfred Molina, two white actors, whose portrayal of the main Afghan characters is cringe-worthily distracting. WTF was never going to be a masterpiece or classic, but when a kids’ movie with furry animals has better execution at a racially conscious plot, there’s a problem. SC

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNERGETTING OUTSC

San Clemente

San Clemente Times March 10-16, 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY, MARCH 18: OPEN MIC NIGHT AT ZEBRA HOUSE COFFEE 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. These nights give local musicians a chance to get in front of a crowd and showcase their talents. Zebra House Coffee, 1001 S. El Camino Real, 949.218.6976, www.zebrahousecoffee.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 18: SPRINGTIME EGGSTRAVAGANZA PRESENTED BY SAN CLEMENTE PLAYSCHOOL10 a.m.–Noon. Start your spring season off with a day of spring activities. Children will make spring crafts, color eggs, go on a special egg hunt, meet the Easter Bunny and more. Preregistration is strongly encouraged due to limited space. Open to children 3 to 5 years old. Parents are welcome but not required. Registration fee is $15 per child. Tierra Grande Park, 399 Camino Tierra Grande, San Clemente, 949.361.8264, www.san-clemente.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19: IRISH CLOVER FESTIVAL 10 a.m. Family-style festival featuring an Irish costume contest, entertainment, food, games and shopping. An event for all ages. The Irish Costume Contest is free to enter and there will be prizes for winners. Ticket are $10 for adults and include one Irish banger and a drink. Children 13 and younger and seniors 60 and older get in free. Tickets are available online. Old Town Square San Clemente, 111 Avenida Palizada, 949.422.7782, www.incredeli-cious.com/clover-festival.

San Clemente Times March 10-16, 2016 Page 15

GETTING OUT

Tuesday | 15OPEN MIC NIGHT6 p.m.–10 p.m. Singer/songwriters per-form at The Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument and your voice; The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.464.5700, www.thepoin-trestaurantandbar.com.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUB3:30 p.m.–4:30 pm. Every Tuesday. After School Club is for children ages 5 and older. A variety of activities will be pro-vided. San Clemente Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3493, www.ocpl.org/libloc/sc/calendar.

Wednesday | 16JOY OF LIVING BIBLE STUDY9:15 a.m.–11 a.m. Women of all ages are invited to this interdenominational group that meets Wednesdays through June 1. A start-up fee of $30 is requested. Free childcare is provided. The study includes worship, discussion groups and inspira-tional talks. Talega Life Church, 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, 949.493.1980.

OPEN ARTIST STUDIO10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. An open classroom for artists of all media at San Clemente Art Supply. The event is free for ages 16 and older. 1531 N. El Camino Real, San Clem-ente, 949.369.6603, www.scartsupply.com.

FREE COMEDY AT MOLLY BLOOM’S IRISH BAR & RESTAURANT 9:30 p.m. Every Wednesday, free comedy at Molly Bloom’s. 2391 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.218.0120, www.mol-lybloomspub.com.

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

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 12: COMMUNITY BEACH CLEAN-UP WITH SUBURBAN LANDSCAPE 9 a.m. A day to help clean up San Clemente beaches. For more information, contact Suburban Landscape Maintenance and ask for Jason Gregory Cox. San Clemente Pier, 949.544.9376, www.scchamber.com.

Photo: Courtesy

EDITOR’S PICK


Saddleback Church Celebrates 10 Years in San Clemente

Social Conscience

Church will host month of festivities for decade in the Spanish Village by the Sea

Elks Lodge officials say membership increased by dozens

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITYSC LIVINGSC

San Clemente

Members of the Elks Lodge (L to R): chapter president-elect Wally Emory, Jeff Ragland and Brett Lawrence pose in front of photos of past chapter presidents March 3 at the San Clemente Elks Lodge, 1505 N. El Camino Real. Photo: Eric Heinz

rom starting a church that met inside San Clemente High School seven years ago to moving into a

permanent facility, Saddleback Church’s local branch turns 10 years old this month.

Campus Pastor Phil Shinners has been leading the congregation for about two years.

“About 10 years ago, our senior pas-tor Rick Warren and our elders started thinking maybe having a mega-campus to reach the whole county isn’t going to work,” Shinners said. “They started thinking about making little local church-es that were all Saddleback Church. We say: ‘One church, many locations.’”

Shinners said achieving 10 years is a true milestone because they weren’t sure if it would catch on in the begin-ning; he said it’s always hard to tell if a congregation will grow.

F

WBY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES He said the way the church teaches is “down-to-earth” and practical.

“I think part of what it means to be human is to wrestle with those questions; what are we doing here? What are we supposed to do with our lives and is there more to all these things that we can see and touch,” Shinners said. “I think our church really helps people to wrestle with those questions about what difference we can make. That’s one place the church shines, where we can ask good questions. It’s not just about saying here’s all the answers—I think good questions are bet-ter than easy answers.”

Worship sermons are given by Shinners but they make time to discuss the teach-ings afterward.

“I think the things we’re known for are Pastor Rick’s teachings, they’re really unique,” Shinners said. People tend to leave our services pretty uplifted and encouraged.”

hat started as something of a social gathering turned into a successful recruitment tactic

for the San Clemente Elks Lodge, Chapter No. 2068.

In the past three months, the Elks Lodge members said they have had 90 new members—most between the ages of 35 and 45.

Members Jeff Ragland and Brett Law-rence as well as chapter president-elect Wally Emory, whose term begins in April, said the Elks lodges have been declining in membership nationally, but the district officials are using the San Clemente story to work with membership coordinators to grow the chapters with younger members.

The members who spoke to San Clem-ente Times said their children go to school together, and as Emory spoke to them about the Elks Lodge they became more and more interested. Other existing mem-bers were using the same techniques to get more people to join in their neighborhoods.

“About a year ago, Wally invited myself

Sermons always center on the teachings of the Bible and Jesus, but they also aim to give people things they can use to improve in their life.

Student ministries and working with families are also major components of the church. The student ministries offer more of a way for youth to get together.

Shinners said the origins of the church’s denomination are from Southern Baptist but mostly its nondenominational.

“It’s not like traditional church; it’s something we want people to look forward

to and make it a positive experience,” he said.

During worship sessions, Shinners said most of the teaching relates to broad, applicable issues people deal with on a day-to-day basis.

“One week, we may talk about money because that’s something that if you don’t have control over then it takes over your life,” he said. “We think God may care about that so we’ll talk about money one day or how to build a strong marriage or parenting.”

The San Clemente campus started at San Clemente High School and met on Sundays. After seven years, the branch was able to move into its current location in Talega, 1311 Calle Batido. San Clemente’s church is the second-oldest branch of Saddleback. The main campus of Saddleback Church, located in Lake Forest, recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. SC

10-Year Celebrations

Worship takes place starting at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sundays. The church will host food, fun and games for families, music and more as well as building a work of art, after each

March worship to celebrate their 10 years. On March 27, they will host an Easter celebration.

and another gentleman to come down and check it out. We did and we absolutely loved it,” Ragland said. “Wally’s class (of new members) had the biggest ever with 19. And we wanted to bring more than Wally’s group of guys.”

As the three men live in the same part of San Clemente, they began to draw more members from their area. They said as long as they were going out for fun, they might as well make it a network to give back to the community.

“We all had such a good time. We came with one person, and then that person

came with another and so forth,” Law-rence said. “It pretty quickly swelled to 69 people.”

Emory said 69 have been initiated in the last three months, but 25 more people are on a waiting list for the next initiation. The club is inclusive to men and women.

When they’re at the club, Ragland said, “Every dollar we would have spent somewhere else goes to the Elks, which is a nonprofit organization, and that money goes to scholarships and all kinds of other programs. We only keep enough money to keep the place open.”

Some of the charitable work the Elks put together are local scholarships for high school students through an essay contest as well as donating to emergency medical and firefighting funds. An annual $10,000 grant is given from the Elks to Family Assistance Ministries in monthly installments as well as funding for the Gang Reduction Interception Program at Las Palmas Elementary. They also host an Adopt the Marines dinner during the holi-days for Camp Pendleton Marines, which hosts about 150 marines, Emory said.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, or Elks for short, is a national orga-nization with chapters located throughout the United States.

The San Clemente chapter was founded in 1958. Members can visit other chapters by displaying their membership card.

Although they have full-time jobs and families to look after, Lawrence said if enough members join then the responsi-bilities are spread out.

“I think even a relatively minimal participation level has a high impact,” Lawrence said. “Even when we come two or three months a night, all the dollars go to the various different nonprofit lodge initiatives.”

In order to join the Elks Lodge, a person must be invited by a current member and vouched for by two others. Then an initia-tion process can begin. The minimum age is 21, and members must be U.S. citizens.

For more information, visit www.elks.org and visit the San Clemente Elks Lodge #2068 on Facebook. SC


“ Betsy is like therapy for me. She just takes a lot of the pain away; I don’t think about it with her. And I think I’ve been therapy for her. We just love her.”

—Sarah Dougan

www.sanclementetimes.com


Dog with terminal illness comforts San Clementean who saved her

Sally Silva, chairwoman of the Pet Project Foundation. Photo: Eric Heinz

Betsy, a dog with a terminal illness, barks for a treat at her owner Sarah Dougan’s home on Monday, March 7. Photo: Eric Heinz

Sarah Dougan holds Betsy, a small rat terrier with a terminal condition, on March 7 at her home in San Clemente. Dougan adopted and re-adopted from the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. Photo: Eric Heinz

SC LIVING

nable to work due to a disability, Sarah Dougan adopted a small rat terrier dog that warmed her heart.

Unfortunately, the dog is also afflicted with a terminal illness.

Betsy, the adopted terrier, doesn’t have health problems that are immediately apparent. At first impression, she can be seen running in circles, barking and showing affection to her owner, Dougan. But a report from her veterinarian, Dr. John Agostini of San Clemente Veterinary Hospital, describes a dark diagnosis.

“I adopted Betsy on July 2, a month af-ter my (other) dog passed away,” Dougan said. “I picked her up at the shelter and had filled out the adoption papers. Her medical report said everything was ‘nor-mal.’ I brought her home and we bonded right away. After I brought her home, we had a real bad heat wave, and she started getting sick.”

After a while, Betsy’s symptoms wors-ened. It appeared that the heat may not have been a contributing factor to her illness.

“I took her over to Dr. Agostini and he did some tests on her and came to the conclusion that she had some kind of liver disease,” Dougan said. “I ended up having to take her back to the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter.”

The medical bills for Betsy began to pile up.

“I didn’t have $2,000 to pay for treat-ment and medicine—I had just spent a couple thousand dollars on her and my other dog—so I ended up having to take her back to the shelter and leave her there. And I was crying; it was awful.”

Betsy was taken to Agostini’s office where more tests were conducted to determine what kind of medication she would need. He kept her there for nearly three months, Dougan said.

Woman’s Best Friend

U

The results were not good. “She has multiple liver shunts and she

can’t have surgery,” Dougan said. “She wouldn’t make it through the surgery.”

Dougan wrote a letter to the Pet Project Foundation describing her circumstance.

In her letter, Dougan said she would take care of Betsy for the rest of her life, but she needed to know how much medi-cation and treatments would cost.

Dougan was allowed to bring the dog back home with her in early February.

Currently, Dougan is not working and is on disability. She said Betsy helped her get through some tough times.

“Betsy is like therapy for me,” Dougan said. “She just takes a lot of the pain away; I don’t think about it with her. And I think I’ve been therapy for her. We (Dougan and her roommate) just love her.

“When I first adopted her, I told her this was going to be her home,” Dougan added. “She gave me just so much happi-ness and joy.”

Sally Silva, the chairperson of the Pet Project Foundation board of directors, said the foundation was able to fund a significant portion of the medical bills to continue Betsy’s treatments as well as with contributions from Agostini.

The foundation’s A Rescue Mission pro-gram transfers dogs from shelters where they may not have much time before the dog is euthanized. Betsy was saved from one such shelter.

“If any dog or cat is in need, they contact us and we do it on a case-by-case basis,” Silva said. “If you have a sick dog or cat, we can try to help you.”

The foundation works with veterinarians throughout San Clemente and Dana Point.

Betsy requires fairly constant attention. Her stomach is bloated and she has hernias throughout the midsection of her body.

“Betsy is drinking a lot of fluids, and I have to watch her,” Dougan said. “I give her special medicine twice a day, which is no biggie. She’s also eating food especially made for the liver to make sure nothing gets any worse. It’s the water retention she’s dealing with now. I think Dr. Agos-tini might put her on another medication. Taking care of her, it doesn’t even really feel like work to me. She does really well. She loves to walk, do tricks. She acts a lot like a normal dog in a lot of ways.”

Dougan said the veterinarians at SC Vet were very “compassionate” and assisted Betsy in her worst conditions.

Although Dougan went back for Betsy,

she said affording the medical bills with-out the help of the Pet Project Foundation would not be possible. She said people should have their dogs examined before adopting them, if not for the emotional attachments.

“When adopting a dog, you should get a blood test right away because that way you can tell if the dog has something and you don’t get attached to it,” Dougan said. “If I adopt another dog after Betsy, the first thing I’m going to do is get it a blood test.”

For more information about Pet Project Foundation, visit www.petprojectfounda-tion.org. SC


SC LIVING

Single Mom Wants to Meet New FriendsI

have often emphasized to elderly sin-gles the importance of getting involved in activities and making new friends.

This week, a woman named Lynda emailed asking for advice on how to do that.

Lynda said: “I was a single mom for 17 years and was very involved in my children’s lives and their activities. I have had the same type of work for 32 years and have moved a lot due to a military way of life. When I was in my 20s and 30s, making friends happened without even thinking about it.

“Now, in my mid-50s, making friends seems to be tougher than I imagined. I have friends at work, but most of them are married and have their own lives outside of work.

“Since I am approaching retirement, I’m trying to figure out what I can do to make friends and get involved in my community. I love animals and have two dogs of my own. I hope to someday find someone I can ex-perience life, with although I am very con-tent being on my own with my dogs. I have thought about volunteering with Meals on Wheels and/or helping out with dog-rescue places. Any input would be appreciated.”

Tom’s answer: Making new friends now is wise. By doing so, you will already have friends when you retire.

Yes, making friends is more difficult compared to when we were younger. Hav-ing women friends is as important, if not more important, than having men friends. By pursuing activities you enjoy, making new friends will easily follow. You already seem to know what you want to do.

You love animals and have two dogs. You have thought about volunteering at an animal shelter. Go for it; you are a natural. Two months ago, I rescued a dog and got to know the volunteers at the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. You would im-mediately make friends at an animal shelter.

Next, you mentioned volunteering for Meals on Wheels. That’s a great cause. I suggest you start doing that once or

twice a week.It is important to try new things. After

my life partner Greta retired, she became involved in tai chi, yoga and water aerobics classes. Through exercise, she has made many wonderful new friends.

If you need more ideas, check out www.meetup.com, a free website that lists all kinds of clubs and activities across the Unit-ed States that you can join. Pick a couple of activities that interest you and try them.

You also mentioned that you would like to meet a man with whom to experience life, but are also content just spending time with your dogs. I think you can do both. Make time without the dogs to let a man into your life. Yes, you treasure your dogs, but don’t be so obsessed with them that you shut

out potential mates.You have many positives in your life.

You have worked in the same field for 32 years and not many people can say that. This shows stability, dedication and loyalty—all great traits. In addition, you were a single mom for 17 years and that required a huge commitment.

Pursue making new friends before retire-ment with the same energy you put forth into working and raising your children. You will accomplish your goal quickly.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dat-ing. His latest book can be found online at www.smashwords.com/books/view/574810. See his website at www.findingloveafter60.com (Yes, after 60, time rolls on). To com-ment: [email protected]. SC

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

SudokuLast week’s solution:

BY MYLES MELLOR

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

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 SCTimes 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 SCTimes or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at [email protected]

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

It Takes a ‘Village’Local group looks to help, connect elderly citizens in San Clemente

The members of San Clemente Vil-lage, a nonprofit organization that looks to create a network of elderly

citizens in town, will host an orientation for their group.

From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on March 22 at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente Village directors will explain the benefits of net-working among senior citizens.

The group will also host the South Bay Village executive director and founder Ghislaine Davis to explain the organiza-tion’s functions.

Since last year the organization has been garnering support from all over town and presented their group to City Council.

Kathy Carchidi, chairwoman of the San Clemente Village board of directors, is a care manager who works with older adults. Since 2015 when she attended an informational meeting she said she wanted to get involved in the Villages movement.

“This network isn’t just about support; it’s about connecting and engaging people in our community,” Carchidi said. “The Village is about social engagement be-cause it doesn’t matter how old you are…everybody wants that connection.”

The minimum recommended age to join in the network is 55 years old but people can volunteer.

“I love working with older adults and

I love to be able to advocate and support people,” Carchidi said.

The nonprofit organization has estab-lished its bylaws and has done survey mapping in the past few months.

“We’ve having our big event (March 22) with Beth Sandem, who is a super woman,” Carchidi “She is a great example of not slowing down. I’d like to say that we’re all getting older, but it’s how we age that matter.”

The Village to Village Network is the national umbrella of the organization. It is an all-volunteer-run organization.

“There’s a lot of people out there who want to be active and engage, but maybe they can’t drive and need someone to help,” Carchidi said. “That’s what a village is for.”

Some of the benefits of San Clemente Village include educational opportuni-ties, access to services, volunteer help and more, according to the organization’s website.

Carchidi said San Clemente Village won’t officially launch until later this year when volunteers are vetted and back-ground checks can be completed. People can join as either an active member or a social member.

For more information on San Clemente Village, upcoming events and membership fees visit www.scvillage.org and www.vt-vnetwork.org for the national umbrella. SC


Hail collected in the front yard of Tara Fairburn Westersten’s home on Monday

in Forster Ranch, as storms blew through the area. Photo: Courtesy of Tara Fairburn Westersten

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STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORESPORTS & OUTDOORSSC

San Clemente


BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Triton ReportReport

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

Meisinger Takes Fourth at State Wrestling Meet

San Clemente senior wrestler Tyler Meisinger capped off his season with a fourth-place fi nish in the 152-pound division at the CIF State Championship tournament on March 4.

Meisinger won six matches in the 152-pound bracket and eventually lost to Luke Troy of Martin Luther King High School in the bracket’s consolation cham-pionship match.

Girls Lacrosse Set for Showdown With Dolphins

A solid defensive effort powered the San Clemente girls lacrosse team to a 12-5 vic-tory over Temecula Valley on March 5.

Tritons (2-1) goalie Veronica Petrikas made 11 saves off 16 shots on goal to lead the defense. Senior Tori LeCause and sophomore Kiley Buckley each notched three goals and three assists in the win.

San Clemente will host rival Dana Hills on March 10 in a nonleague contest.

Boys Lacrosse Topples Newport Harbor in Top-10 Matchup

The San Clemente boys lacrosse team started off its daunting nonleague schedule with a 6-5 victory over Newport Harbor on March 1.

The Tritons, the No. 5-ranked team in the Max Lax OC rankings, jumped out to a three-goal lead just before halftime and held on for the win over the seventh-ranked Sailors.

In the fourth quarter, the Tritons defense stood tall playing with a man down due to a penalty. The Tritons played with a man down for two of the fi nal three minutes of the game. San Clemente senior goalie Austin Boyer made four saves in the fourth quarter to help keep the Sailors at bay.

Branden Wilson, Omeed Farhadi, Sander Lush, Kieran Regan, Austin Nix and Liam Nelson all scored for the Tritons in the win. Farhadi led the team with fi ve

and fi eld teams will play host to programs from both the South Coast, Sea View and Trinity Leagues at the South County Clas-sic on March 11. Thalassa Stadium will serve as the venue. The meet is set to start at 4 p.m.

Diablos Softball Defeats Tritons

The undefeated Mission Viejo softball team defeated San Clemente 9-1 on March 8, breaking what was a two-game unbeaten streak for the Tritons (3-2-1).

After dropping its fi rst game of the season against Capistrano Valley on March 1, San Clemente rattled off a 4-0 win over Woodbridge and a 3-3 tie with Saint Joseph on March 5.

San Clemente will travel to play rival Dana Hills in a nonleague game on March 10 before opening Sea View League play against San Juan Hills on March 11.

Boys Tennis Off to Hot Start

The San Clemente boys tennis team appears to have picked up where it left off last season. The Tritons, who reached the CIF-SS Division 1 fi nals in 2015, have won three out of four matches to start the year.

San Clemente dropped its fi rst match of the season against Corona del Mar on Feb. 23 but bounced back with three consecu-tive wins over Tesoro, Irvine and Crean Lutheran, respectively.

San Clemente will travel to play Hun-tington Beach on March 10 before opening South Coast League play against Aliso Niguel on March 14. The Tritons are the defending league champions.

Triton Football Players Com-pete at The Opening Regional

Seven San Clemente High School foot-ball players competed at the prestigious Nike Football The Opening rating day in Los Angeles on Feb. 28.

Quarterback Jack Sears, running back Brandon Reaves, wide outs Keith Jones and Chase Beman, defensive back Matt Waskowski, linebacker Ryan Russell and tight end Cesar Alvarez took part in the regional event and were rated based on their skills shown throughout the day.

Sears made a splash at the event, post-ing a rating that ranked in the 99th percen-tile for quarterbacks at the event. Accord-ing to head coach Jaime Ortiz, Sears’ score of 116.70 was the seventh-best score for quarterbacks at the event in Los Angeles. The 6-foot-3-inch soon-to-be senior has picked up several collegiate offers this off-season, a list that includes Arizona State, Utah and Boston College, and will compete in The Opening’s Oakland regional event on May 22, according to Ortiz.

San Clemente goalie Austin Boyer made four of his game-high seven saves in the fourth quarter of the Tritons 6-5 victory over Newport Harbor on March 1. Photo: Steve Breazeale

ground balls and Boyer made seven saves. “(That was) stressful,” San Clemente

head coach Brad Reppert said. “Newport is a great team and well coached, but it was a good win for us. It wasn’t pretty, but we grinded it out and found a way to win.”

The Tritons were scheduled to host Rancho Bernardo in a nonleague match on March 9. Results were not available at press time.

The Tritons will host No. 3 Corona del Mar in a nonleague match on March 15.

Boys Volleyball Rolls Into Best of the West

The San Clemente boys volleyball team will carry some momentum into its fi rst major tournament of the season this week. The Tritons (2-1) will enter the Best of the West tournament in Poway on Feb. 11 having won two matches over Edison and Laguna Beach to start their season.

The Tritons began the season as the No. 8-ranked team in Division 1 and have faced three top opponents so far. San Clemente opened the year with a fi ve-set win over Edison on March 1. The Tritons hosted Newport Harbor, the No. 6-ranked squad in Division 1, on March 3 and lost in four sets. San Clemente bounced back with a four-set victory on the road against Laguna Beach on March 8. The Breakers are the second-ranked team in Division 2.

In the match against Laguna Beach, San Clemente was led by Kian Feiner, who recorded 43 assists. Jess Hunt tallied 16 kills and Bryce Curtis had 13.

The Tritons have been playing without standout senior opposite Paul Castellana, who is sidelined with an injury according to head coach Ken Goldstone.

The Tritons will host Capistrano Valley on March 10 before opening the Best of the West Tournament with a match against Thousand Oaks on March 11.

El Toro Sinks Tritons Baseball in Loara Tournament

Back-to-back wins over Marina and El Dorado on March 4 and March 5, respec-tively, pushed the San Clemente baseball team into the quarterfi nals of the Loara Tournament. The Tritons faced off against El Toro in the quarterfi nals on March 8 and the Chargers emerged with a 6-1 victory.

San Clemente will continue tournament play with a game against Woodbridge on March 10 before traveling to play Pacifi ca on March 16.

San Clemente to Host South County Classic Track Meet

The San Clemente boys and girls track


SPORTS & OUTDOORS

San Clemente Tritons Rugby Club varsity and junior varsity programs went a combined 11-1-1 in their inaugural seasons. Photo: Courtesy

Hailey Langland finished eighth in the women’s slopestyle event at the Burton US Open of Snowboarding Championships in Vail, Colorado on March 4. Photo: Ron Hiner Photography

SNOWBOARDINGSan Clemente native Hailey Langland

continued her successful run through the 2015-2016 professional snowboarding season with an eighth-place finish in the women’s slopestyle event at the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships in Vail, Colo. on March 4.

Langland, a 15-year-old who won a bronze medal in slopestyle at the X Games in Aspen in January, posted a score of 56.05 going up against the world’s top snowboarders.

Langland was named this year’s Transworld Snowboarding Riders’ Poll 17 Women’s Rookie of the Year.

RUGBYThe San Clemente Triton Rugby Club is

gaining momentum following its first full season of competition. The club, which was founded by several San Clemente High School student-athletes this year, had more than 40 players suit up in 2015 and reached another important landmark this offseason.

Senior rugby player Hayden Malone was offered a scholarship to play rugby for Grand Canyon University. Malone is the club’s first-ever player to be offered a

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Scoreboard

WE WANT TO RUN YOUR SCORES, RESULTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS IN

“SCOREBOARD.”

E-mail [email protected], fax 949.388.9977, mail or drop off the

information to us at 34932 Calle del Sol, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 by each

Monday at 5 p.m.

collegiate scholarship.The San Clemente Triton Rugby Club

had a successful first season. The varsity team compiled a 3-1-1 overall record in its inaugural year and the junior varsity team went a perfect 8-0 on the season.

FOOTBALLThe San Clemente High School football

program is hosting its Friday Night Lights skills camp on campus on March 25. The camp, which will be led by the Tritons varsity coaching staff, is open to all players grades 4-8. The camp is designed to teach attendees key training drills and tech-niques for all positions. The camp will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Interested players are asked to bring football cleats or tennis shoes. Cost to attend is $10 and attendees will receive a free shirt. For more information or to register, visit www.tritonfootball.com. SC

SC

San Clemente Times March 10-16, 2016 www.sanclementetimes.com

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITYSC SURF

San Clemente

Tanner Gudauskas discusses surfboards with a Jamaican grom. Gudauskas and his brothers Dane and Patrick, through their Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation are collecting used boards in support of the up-and-coming young surfers of Jamaica. Photo: Grant Ellis

SURF FORECAST

Water Temperature: 59-61 degrees F

Water Visibility and Conditions: 4-8’ Poor-Fair

Thursday: Modest NW swell and some building SW swell has most breaks go waist-chest high for the better exposures of the county, with shoulder-head high sets at combo standouts. Favorable conditions with light/variable offshore winds in the morning, trending to a light onshore flow through the middle part of the day and into the afternoon. Sunny skies.

Outlook: Mid period W swell builds in on Friday, as fun size SW swell pulse continues. Surf in the waist - head high zone with bigger sets at winter standouts. Conditions look dicey with light onshore flow in the morning, and quickly picking up to moderate levels for the afternoon. Chance of scattered showers. Check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

RESULTSNSSA Interscholastic State Championship, March 4-6, San Onofre State Park, Church Beach COLLEGE TEAM: 1. Point Loma-A, 141; 2. UCSB-A, 135; 3. Cal Poly SLO-A, 107; 4. Saddleback, 92; 5. Mira Costa-Red, 85; 6. UCSD-A, 72; 7. SDSU-Black, 62; 8. CSUCI, 57; 9. USC, 51; 10. UC Santa Cruz, 46; 11. CSUSM-A, 43; 12. Mira Costa-White, 36; 13. UCLA, 32; 14. USD, 31; 15. Santa Barbara City College, 28; 16. Cal Poly SLO-B, 27; 17. Point Loma-B, 24; 18. CSUSM-B, 21; =19. SDSU-Red, 10; =19. UCSD-B, 10. COLLEGE MEN: 1. Austin Finley, CSUCI; 2. Jack Boyes, PLNU; 3. Jeremy Carter, PLNU; 4. Cody Sherman, SDSU; 5. Michael Ciaramella, UCSD; 6. Kirk Weissinger, PLNU. COLLEGE WOMEN: 1. Rachel Tomi-naga, UCSB; 2. Frankie Seeley, UCSD; 3. Avalon Johnson, Cal Poly SLO; 4. Allie Frost, USD; 5. Lulu Erkeneff, UCSB; 6. Sara Locke, PLNU. COLLEGE LONGBOARD: 1. Mason Klink, Saddleback; 2. Austin Sonnier, UCSB; 3. Sean Harrison, Mira Costa; 4. Chase Stavron, CSUCI; 5. Casey Powell, USC; 6. Nico Espinosa, SDSU. HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY TEAM: 1. Carlsbad, 95; 2. Dana Hills, 91; 3. San Clemente, 86; 4. Huntington Beach, 78; 5. San Dieguito,

or surfers across the globe, the love for the sport not only crosses geographical borders but cultural

boundaries as well. This “universal stoke” is something San Clemente-based pro surf-ers, the Gudauskas brothers have aimed to share with the next generation of surfers worldwide. Their latest venture has their efforts focused on helping the groms of Jamaica grow as athletes in the sport.

Dane, Patrick and Tanner Gudauskas set out nearly five years ago to share the stoke of surfing, ocean awareness, water safety, the joy the ocean has brought to their lives as surfers and a passion for protecting the environment. They launched their annual Stoke-o-Rama surf event, a free, locals-only event for kids and a fundraiser for the city’s Junior Lifeguards program and have so far raised nearly $40,000 through the events. Soon their mission would expand to include groms all over the world. To support this larger effort, the brothers created the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation in 2015. Since then, they have sponsored a surf team from Norway for the 2015 International Surfing Association World Championship, expanding the Stoke-o-Rama to Hawaii.

Along the way they discovered an emerging surf community in Jamaica, full of stoked groms with plenty of potential but lacking in the quality equipment necessary

to reach their surfing goals. And Positive Vibe Warriors Jamaica Surfboard Drive was born.

“The cost for resources, foam and resin, is really high and there aren’t many shapers there, so we decided on helping to get boards to match the kids’ enthusiasm and ability,” Dane Gudauskas said. “We hope it encourages them to reach their potential. They have such a strong love for it and we want to give them the opportunity to succeed.”

There are some great people there already doing great things and helping to feed that enthusiasm, Gudauskas added, mentioning Billy “Mystic” Wilmott as an example. But with only a relative few ride-able boards, often with multiple repairs and missing fins, the kids don’t have the equipment they need to take their skill to the next level.

The PVW Jamaica Surfboard Drive will collect used surfboards of all shapes and sizes, as long as they are water tight, at Jack’s Surfboards shops through March 31. The nearest donation site is in Dana Point at 34320 Pacific Coast Highway.

FBY ANDREA SWAYNE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Sharing the Stoke One Stick at a TimeGudauskas brothers collect used surfboards for Jamaican groms

Page 26

GROM OF THE WEEK RACHAEL TILLY

ith less than a month left of official “gromhood,” Rachael Tilly, 17, of Capistrano Beach was

presented with her 2015 World Surf League Women’s World Longboard Championship trophy at the annual WSL Awards, March 7, on the Gold Coast of Australia.

Tilly was honored along with last season’s other WSL professional surfing champions: Men’s World Longboard Tour champion Piccolo Clemente (Peru), shortboard World Championship Tour winners Adriano de Souza (Brazil) and Carissa Moore, and WSL Big Wave World Tour champion Greg Long of San Clemente.

Tilly’s title made her the youngest WSL world champion ever.—Andrea Swayne

WRachael Tilly. Photo: WSL/Kirstin

In April, the Gudauskas brothers will fly the boards to Jamaica all Jamaican groms and kids interested in learning to surf will be invited for a “day of stoke.”

In addition to surfboard donations, the brothers have created a special line of ac-cessories, “Positive Vibrations,” for sale on their website and are also accepting mon-etary contributions to the cause. Donations are tax deductible and proceeds will benefit the Jamaican Surfing Association, to help with infrastructure and ISA goals.

“One day we hope to see the talented Jamaican groms on a world stage, but more than that, we enjoy connecting youth with the ocean in a positive way,” Gudauskas said, adding that the surf community has been responding generously since the drive started at the beginning of the month.

“It’s exciting to see people react to the drive in such a positive way,” Gudauskas said. “To see people rallying as a surfing community around a cause to help others is inspiring. It’s really to cool to see that com-munity spirit still exists.”

For more about the program, see www.positivevibewarriors.com. SC

SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

62; 6. Edison, 61; 7. Newport Harbor, 42; 8. Point Loma, 33; 9. Mira Costa, 28; 10. Marina, 19. HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY MEN: 1. Griffin Foy, Huntington Beach; 2. Lucas Taub, Dana Hills; 3. Curran Dand, San Clemente; 4. Ethan Grant, Carlsbad; 5. Ryan Salazar, Huntington Beach; 6. Connor Dawson, Edison. HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY WOMEN: 1. Bethany Zelasko, Dana Hills; 2. Sidney Tisdel, Carlsbad; 3. Malia Faramarzi, San Dieguito; 4. Peyton Slater, Carlsbad; 5. Juli Hernandez, Edison; 6. Kyra Williams, Mira Costa. HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY LONGBOARD: 1. Trevor Anderberg, San Dieguito; 2. Nick Melanson, San Clemente; 3. Ben Goldstein, Carlsbad; 4. Jeremy Guilmette, Huntington Beach; 5. Ian Gottron, Dana Hills; 6. Brendan Snow, Edison. HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR VARSITY TEAM: 1. San Clemente, 109; 2. Huntington Beach, 81; 3. San Dieguito, 70; 4. Mira Costa, 51; 5. Newport Harbor, 33; 6. Marina, 19. HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR VARSITY MEN: 1. David Economos, San Cle-mente; 2. Jaren Harrell, San Clemente; 3. Chad Clifton, San Clemente; 4. Sage Guinaldo, Huntington Beach; 5. Niko Traubman, San Dieguito; 6. Luke Young, Huntington Beach. HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR VARSITY WOMEN: 1. Lauren Friedrich, Mira Costa; 2. Chloe Griffin, San Di-eguito; 3. Amelie Vergnolie, Mira Costa; 4. Olivia Bloom, Huntington Beach; 5. Kristina Hehl, Huntington Beach; 6.

Shannon Wylot, San Dieguito. HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR VARSITY LONGBOARD: 1. Peter Neal, Mira Costa; 2. Ethan Mudge, San Clemente; 3. Max Seiresen, Hunting-ton Beach; 4. Chase Adelsohn, Newport Harbor; 5. Brett Costantino, Marina. MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM: 1. Shore-cliffs-A, 146; 2. Thurston, 78; 3. Shorecliffs White, 56; 4. Shorecliffs Blue, 51; 5. Manhattan Beach, 49; 6. Sowers, 44; 7. Bernice Ayer, 31; 8. Marco Forster, 29; 9. Dwyer, 26. MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS: 1. Hagan Johnson, Shorecliffs; 2. Kai McPhillips, Shorecliffs; 3. Myles Biggs, Shorecliffs; 4. Nico Coli, Shorecliffs; 5. Sebastian Mendes, Shorecliffs; 6. Max Beach, Shorecliffs. MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS: 1. Megan Seth, Manhattan Beach; 2. Ryann Daly, Marco Forster; 3. Makayla Moss, Shorecliffs; 4. Ashley Weaver, Manhattan Beach; 5. Summer Balentine, Sowers; 6. Reese Hartnett, Shorecliffs. MIDDLE SCHOOL LONGBOARD: 1. Kai McPhillips, Shorecliffs; 2. Sam Nelson, Thurston; 3. Cole Thompson, Bernice Ayer; 4. Sophia Cendro, Dwyer; 5. Jack Keefe, Shorecliffs; 6. Rycker Grindstaff, Sowers. PERFORMERS OF THE EVENT: Shorecliffs Middle School claimed their 11th consecutive state title. The San Clem-ente High School Junior Varsity team claimed its second consecutive state title. Carlsbad High School took its first state title since 2000. Point Loma Nazarene University earned its second consecutive state title.

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March 10, 2016