L O C A L N E W S Y O U C A N U S EN OV E M B E R 8 -1 4 , 2 0 1 3

VOLUME 6, ISSUE 45

www.danapointtimes.com

City Explores Sale of Capo Beach Park-land to Local Charity

EYE ON DP/PAGE 6

Fire crews work to extinguish a Capistrano Beach house fi re Tuesday on Vista Del Mar, caused by an explosion. Authorities allege a 31-year-old man used the garage where the blast occurred as a THC extraction lab. Photo by Brian Park

VOTE FOR THE “BEST OF DANA POINT” AT WWW.DANAPOINTTIMES.COM

Veteran Sacrifi ce, Service Honored by Dolphins Football

DP LIVING/PAGE 16

E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 5

Up in FlamesCapo Beach blast added to growing drug lab incidents

in Orange County

Girls Volleyball Sweeps Away Tritons

for League Title SPORTS/PAGE 18

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

1LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTINGEYE ON DP

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times November 8–14, 2013 Page 3

DPDana Point

THE LATEST: The Dana Point City Council approved a contract extension Tuesday with the Irvine-based firm preparing an environmental impact report for the pro-posed 258-room Doheny Hotel.

A preliminary EIR became available for public review in September, but with public comments and feedback from city staff, the Planning Commission and City Council still ahead, the contract with the environmental consultant UltraSystems was extended. This is the second contract extension.

The firm was contracted in January 2011 to examine impacts of the proposed two- to five-story hotel on 1.5-acres at the corner of Dana Point Harbor Drive and Pacific Coast Highway, a staff report said. Project applicant, Michael Draz, of the Beverly Hills Hospitality Group, pays for the EIR.

Preliminary findings along with public comments and responses from city staff will be presented to the Planning Commis-sion on Monday, November 18.

No vote will be taken on the project at this meeting. A public hearing will follow on December 9. Planning Commission meetings are held at City Hall Council Chambers, 33282 Golden Lantern, begin-ning at 6 p.m.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Doheny Hotel pro-posal will be the topic of the Dana Point Civic Association Coffee Chat on Friday, November 15. The developer’s communi-cations consultant will present the plans.

The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. at Coffee Importers in the OC Dana Point Harbor, located at 34531 Golden Lantern.

FIND OUT MORE: Read about the proposal at www.danapointtimes.com.—Andrea Papagianis

THE LATEST: The state of California released a water action plan last week with the goal of bringing all of the state’s agen-cies under a single plan.

John Laird, secretary for the Califor-nia Natural Resources Agency, said the program’s goal was not “to reinvent the wheel” but instead, under the threat of climate change and continued population growth, to bring all the state’s agencies under one goal together to tackle issues as a unified body.

“We are coordinating what’s in place in one location with clear goals as targets for the different agencies,” Laird said. “We have to focus on the whole picture.”

WHAT’S NEXT: While the document has few specific action points, it encourages local efforts to expand recycled water proj-ects and emphasizes collaborative work to solve immediate local water concerns.

The plan also calls for streamlining the approval process for water sustainability projects like the Doheny Ocean Desalina-tion Project.

FIND OUT MORE: To read about efforts to make south Orange County water indepen-dent, visit www.danapointtimes.com and search “dependency.”— Jim Shilander

… the Doheny Hotel? … State Water Plans?1 2

THE LATEST: A herd of Asian elephant statues will soon depart Dana Point for for-eign and domestic soils, as the Elephant Parade’s first American exhibit comes to a close.

The open-air exhibition benefitting The Asian Elephant Foundation has called Dana Point’s streets, parks, docks and hotels home since August. The foundation traces its roots to an elephant hospital in Thailand, where founder Marc Spitz met an injured elephant, named Mosha. The young elephant lost a portion of her leg after stepping on a landmine and needed surgery and a prosthetic to survive.

Spitz formed the foundation and through its marquee fundraising event highlights the endangered Asian elephant’s plight through artwork and advocacy. Elephant Parade exhibits and auctions have raised more than $6 million to date.

WHAT’S NEXT: The 38 colorful elephant statues will be gathered at Lantern Bay Park, 25111 Park Lantern, from Saturday, November 9 through November 16, for a final community farewell.

On Friday, November 15, the city is hosting a candlelight tribute at 5 p.m. The following day many artists and environ-mental conservationists will be onsite giv-ing talks and leading activities throughout the day.

FIND OUT MORE: Read more about the herd at www.danapointtimes.com.—AP

THE LATEST: As promised, city staff is submitting monthly status update reports on the Town Center project which aims to reshape Dana Point’s downtown atmo-sphere.

The city is on schedule to break ground on its first phase of improvements to Pacific Coast Highway by February 2014, accord-ing to a report received by the City Council

THE LATEST: Southern California Edison released documents this week indicating the manufacturer of steam generators at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station was unable to create a satisfactory plan for repairing equipment after abnor-mal wear was detected.

Edison said Mitsubishi Heavy Indus-tries failed to provide any specific plan on what could be done to repair worn tubes in its two nuclear reactors, units 2 and 3. Tubes in the latter ruptured in January 2012 ultimately leading to the plant’s shut down.

… Elephant Parade?

… Town Center?

... SONGS Negotiations?

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3

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CITY AND BUSINESS CALENDAR

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Farmers Market 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Admission is free, for this market at La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza St. For more information, call 949.573.5033 or visit www.danapoint.org.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11

VETERANS DAY—City Offices Closed

Veterans Day Commemoration 10 a.m. The Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 and Ladies Auxiliary host a Veterans Day com-

memoration at the Veterans Memorial at Strand Vista Park, located on Selva Road at Pacific Coast Highway.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

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

Preschool and Toddler Storytimes10:15 a.m., 11 a.m. Dana Point chil-dren’s librarian Ericka Reeb hosts two

story hours each Tuesday for pre-schoolers and toddlers. Find out more by calling the library at 949.496.5517.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 AND 15

Quarterly Siren Testing Each of the city’s sirens will be activated for a few seconds. This quarterly test is completed in each city on a different day, so this short test may be heard in one location for several days. Remember, this is only a test. For more information, visit www.danapoint.org/siren or call 949.248.3579.

WHAT’S NEXT: The two companies have entered into a contractually mandated ar-bitration to settle a dispute over the plant’s operational costs since the shutdown, and costs related to the steam generators.

FIND OUT MORE: To view the documents, visit www.songscommunity.com. —JS

Tuesday. The South Coast Water District’s replacement of sewer and storm drains is nearing completion. Uupgrades to aging waterlines will follow. Once completed, the city will begin street-level upgrades.

Construction bids were collected for the first portion of the $19 million project to make PCH and Del Prado Avenue two-way roads. The project will add medians, create bus pullouts and change the area’s landscaping to match that of PCH between Blue Lantern and Niguel Road.

In May, the City Council set aside $9.2 million to fund PCH construction, but funding for work along Del Prado has not been identified. City staff holds that devel-opers may help foot the bill.

WHAT’S NEXT: Construction bids could be presented to the City Council at its next meeting on Tuesday, November 19, a city staff report said. City Manager Doug Chotkevys said the city is looking to the water district’s efforts to keep the public informed throughout the process.

FIND OUT MORE: To track the water district’s PCH construction progress, go to www.scwd.org.—AP

EYE ON DP

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times November 8–14, 2013 Page 5

n explosion tore through a Cap-istrano Beach residence Tuesday afternoon where a 31-year-old man

was allegedly extracting hash oil, sending debris into the air and people rushing to the street as the home became engulfed in flames, authorities said.

As the smoke settled an hour later fire and sheriff’s officials began piecing together the incident’s cause. The event is clouded, like the plume of black smoke that billowed from the single-family home, but authorities now believe the residence was home to a drug lab, and the blast, the result of an experiment in THC extraction gone bad.

Speculation swirled Tuesday after a loud boom shook residents and shattered windows on the quiet Capo Beach street of Vista Del Mar that was soon overrun by Orange County Fire Authority and sher-iff’s deputies. As night rolled in, authori-ties affirmed some suspicions.

“Evidence located at the scene, includ-ing marijuana and butane, indicates that the garage where the explosion and fire occurred was being utilized as a THC extraction lab,” Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Lt. Jeff Hallock wrote in a statement.

Hash oil, also known as honey oil, shat-ter, wax, dabs and earwax, is made by ex-tracting THC—or tetrahydrocannabinol—the chief intoxicant found in marijuana,

Up in Flames

By Andrea PapagianisDana Point Times

Capo Beach blast added to growing drug lab incidents in county

from the finely ground stems and leaves of marijuana plants, in a process involving the flammable butane gas in liquid form. The extracted product can then be boiled in a water bath to evaporate the butane, leaving behind a highly concentrated dose of THC.

Butane hash oil, a sticky liquid rang-ing from amber to dark brown in color, averages about 15 percent THC, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administra-tion. A drop or two can be as potent as a marijuana cigarette, or joint.

While hash oil is not new on the drug scene, county law enforcement officials have seen a rise in the number of inci-dents involving extraction lab explosions over the past year, said Kent McBride, an investigator with the OCSD Hazardous Devices Section.

In the last 12 months the section, also

A

known as the county’s “Bomb Squad,” has responded to 14 cases similar to the one in Capo Beach, McBride said. He was quick to note those were only the events his department has responded to, and more could be unreported.

The Hazardous Devices Section responds to blasts countywide when requested by other agencies. Its investiga-tors sweep sites for any explosive hazards and attempt to identify the explosion’s point of origin. The section responded Tuesday after authorities discovered butane and marijuana at the scene, Hal-lock said.

Explosion Rocks CommunityA single, large blast rattled Capistrano

Beach around noon. Within 30 seconds of the booming

sound, black smoke and flames towered above the home, near the corner of Vista del Mar and Calle del Sol, and people nearby rushed into the home and neigh-boring properties yelling for occupants to get out.

“We felt an explosion that shook the whole house underneath us,” said Eddie Edwards, who lives nearby on Camino Capistrano. “Immediately, we saw black smoke, ran down the alley, kicked the gate in and ran in to make sure nobody was in the house next to it.”

The Orange County Fire Author-ity received multiple calls about a large explosion on the 26000 block of Vista del Mar, according to OCFA spokesman Steve Concialdi. Approximately 60 firefighters responded to the two-alarm blaze, he said.

Ash from the explosion filled the air as Orange County Sheriff’s deputies, OCFA crews and investigators arrived on scene. Dozens of neighbors and pass-ersby congregated at street corners and began directing traffic to allow authorities unblocked access.

The garage door had been blown off and was in the alley across from the prop-erty, Concialdi said. Fire officials deemed flames “knocked down” by 12:54 p.m., but white smoke continued to rise from the burnt structure for a time thereafter. Entering the garage, authorities discov-ered propane and butane bottles and a deceased dog among the charred remains.

Next door neighbor Ashley Link was in-side her two-story duplex when she heard the explosion.

“We just got a dishwasher delivered. We were unpacking it … and all of a sudden we heard a big explosion,” Link said. “All of our windows broke from the explosion, our bedroom door popped open. We look over and our next door neighbor’s garage had just exploded.”

Small, continuous popping noises were heard coming from the residence as the fire blazed, and windows of area busi-nesses and residences shattered from the blast.

“It was really scary,” Link said. “I liter-ally thought my house was going to fall down on me.”

Link, who lives in the duplex with her grandmother, mother and fiancé, said everyone in her residence got out without issue. She said a family, including three or four children, lives in the home. The chil-dren were at school at the time, she said.

One man was in the home at the time of the explosion, Hallock said. The 31-year-old suspect, who has yet to be named, was severely burned. He was treated at the scene and transported to the burn unit at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. Hal-lock said the man was in serious condition.

Another neighbor Marquis Collins, who lives on Vista del Mar, said he was making lunch when he heard an explosion that sounded “like a bomb.”

“The blast blew the screens off our windows,” he said.

“We ran over to see if anyone needed help and saw one of the men who lives there walking out of the house, his clothes were on fire and he was bleeding,” Collins said. “We tried talking to him, to ask if anyone else was in the house. He was incoherent. He couldn’t answer.”

The cause of the fire is still under inves-tigation. Charges relating to the incident have not been filed. The suspect remained in the hospital Wednesday, Hallock said.

Stick with www.danapointtimes.com and www.twitter.com/danapointtimes for updates. DP

Yellow tape surrounds the site of a home in Capo Beach, where a 31-year-old man was allegedly ex-tracting THC from marijuana. A sheriff’s investiga-tion is ongoing. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials believe the garage where a Capo Beach explosion occurred was being used as a THC extraction lab. One man, the suspect in the blast, was injured. Photo courtesy of OSCD

About 60 firefighters from Orange County Fire Authority stations across south county were dispatched to a house fire in Capistrano Beach Tuesday. Photo by Andrea Swayne

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

DP Sheriff’s Blotter

Tuesday, November 5

DISTURBANCEStreet of the Golden Lantern/Pacific Coast Highway (9:38 a.m.) A caller said a woman caused a major disturbance inside a store, which included screaming and cussing at customers. The woman was described as being in her 30s, with blonde hair. She was wearing a gray halter top, jeans and slip-pers and was carrying a brown bag.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCEPacific Coast Highway/Del Obispo Street (7:47 a.m.) The caller said a man, who was trying to get on a bus, appeared to be strapping something onto his feet. The caller thought it was an explosive device and claimed the man wanted to blow the bus up. The man was described as approximately 60-years-old, wearing a brown shirt and khaki shorts and carry-ing a blue duffle bag.

The caller hung up and could not be contacted. The Orange County Transit Authority contacted the bus driver and advised him to not to pick any riders up. Police used a K-9 unit to search the area and located the man in question, who consented to a search. No explosives were found. Authorities were unable to locate anyone matching the description of the informant.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCEVia Monarca, 0 Block (12:56 a.m.) A woman was walking around ringing door-bells, asking for “Mormon services” and talking to herself. She was also trying door handles on vehicles. The woman was described as being in her late 60s, standing less than 5 feet tall with a me-dium build and gray hair. Another caller, who had their doorbell rung, described the woman as “wicked looking.”

SPONSORED BY Dana Point Police Serviceswww.HideitLockitOrLoseit.com

EYE ON DP

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times November 8-14, 2013 Page 6

last attempt to save a vacant Cap-istrano Beach lot may have been in vain.

Two days before the Dana Point City Council was set to hear purchase offers for 3.24-acres once slated for park use, half a dozen Capo Beach residents canvassed. They knocked door-to-door throughout the coastal Palisades, collecting 200 signa-tures, for their save the park campaign.

Tuesday night, 49-year resident of Capistrano Beach, Donna Dyke stepped up to the lectern. In her hand she held the signed petition. Before the council she pleaded for the five-member body to reconsider selling the last bit of open Capo Beach land for development.

It was the second time members of the community have asked this of the council since wheels were set in motion to sell the four parcels of vacant land.

While the land has been empty since 1998, when two houses on the properties were demolished, Capistrano Beach resi-dents have used the land as a city park, unofficially, for years. But following a 3-2 vote Tuesday, with councilmen Carlos Ol-vera and Bill Brough dissenting, residents may never get their public park.

The council voted unanimously at its September meeting to move forward with the sale of land, located at 26351 and 26315 Via Canon, which was acquired by the city in 1993 after its merger with the Capo Bay Parks and Recreation District.

At the meeting, Dyke and others said they didn’t receive enough notice that the land could be sold. But that night and Tuesday, city staff emphasized that proper routes of notifications were taken, includ-ing the public hearing two months prior.

The city says, now is the time to sell. Ac-cording to a staff report, with the housing market in recovery, “it is a strategic time to dispose of the property.” The report goes on to say that the property has been an expense to the city over the years, as “it has become a place for transients, tres-passers and others to congregate.”

Longtime resident Richard Gardner took issue with the report’s use of “oth-ers.” As he stood before the council, he told them to look around at the “others” in the room and in Capistrano Beach that have used the land as a park and want to see it developed as such.

Four development proposals were laid on the council’s table Tuesday.

But absent three housing development

A Park it May Never BeCity to vet charity as potential buyer, developer of Capo Beach parkland

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The city will enter negotiations with a Capistrano Beach nonprofit to purchase 3.24-acres of vacant land in the Palisades. The property, located at 26351 and 26315 Via Canon, can be seen in this aerial view. It includes the open space between the neighborhood and the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Interstate 5. Google Earth image

plans and a local charity’s offer, was the city of Dana Point, as noted by Council-man Olvera. During a heated discussion of the offers, Olvera asked city staff to com-pile its own report to develop the land.

City Manager Doug Chotkevys said the land was vetted more than a decade ago for park use, but costs associated with grading and making the park accessible proved to be too high. The staff report listed no hard figures, only referred to the needed work as having “significant potential costs.”

The four offers ranged in size and scope of development. The highest bid, from the Newport Beach-based Integral Commu-nities, offered $5 million for the land to build 42 housing units, as allowed by the property’s current zoning code.

Councilman Brough expressed interest in the offer, saying that if the city was in the mind set to sell something, it should “get the most money … for the taxpayers of Dana Point.”

In the end, the council voted to move forward on negotiations with a cash offer, of $3.75 million, from the Capistrano Beach nonprofit, Lighthouse Charitable Foundation, which currently owns homes on two adjacent lots. Members of the audience grumbled at the vote, as the topic of the homes’ usage as temporary housing for those in need stirred debate that night.

The foundation’s director Craig Stirling was on hand at the meeting and told those gathered that his organization’s intent was to protect the property. Stirling expressed interest in cleaning up the property and adding a community prayer garden and orchards, where residents can continue to visit the land. He said every day, over the past four years, he has watched children and adults use the land as a park, and wanted to keep it as such.

In his offer, Stirling asks the city to execute a deed restriction, permanently

By Andrea PapagianisDana Point Times

restricting the number of units that could be developed on the land to just six. Cur-rently, Stirling has no plans to build on the property, but said in the future, homes for women and the elderly, as well as a chapel, could be considered.

Mayor Steven Weinberg and council members Lisa Bartlett and Scott Schoeffel voted for the Lighthouse proposal. Schoef-fel repeatedly expressed delight at the limited risk involved with the offer.

Chotkevys said if the offer goes through, the $3.75 million will be placed in the general fund, funds Gardner believed should go to purchase other parkland in Capo Beach.

City staff said it has currently filled its park-acreage quota, of 5 acres per 1,000 residents, as set forth in California law, and other land in Capistrano Beach could be converted—land Capo resident Gard-ner says remains to be discovered. DP

EYE ON DP

NEWS BITESP R O P S , R E C O G N I T I O N S A N D M O R S E L S O F I N F O

Compiled by Andrea Papagianis

Poppy Sales to Benefit Veterans

The Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 will carry on a longtime organi-zational tradition this weekend to support state and federal veteran’s rehabilitation services and programs.

From Friday, November 8 through Monday, November 11, the local VFW will distribute the “Buddy Poppy” at locations around Dana Point and Laguna Niguel.

The VFW held its first poppy distribu-tion just before Memorial Day in 1922. Soon thereafter, the poppy was adopted as the national organization’s official memorial flower. Today, the tradition continues. Each “Buddy Poppy” is handmade by disabled and needy veterans in VA hospitals, and dona-tions collected go back the support their recovery and veteran’s services offered in the local community.

Volunteers will be at Ralphs (32555 Golden Lantern, Dana Point); Trader Joe’s (32351 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel) and Albertson’s (30241 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel) from morning to night this weekend, handing out “Buddy Poppies” and accepting donations.

Find out more about the local VFW by visiting, www.vfwpost9934.org.

Save Our Students Club Presi-dent Honored by Harkey

but the kids love following her lead. She does what she says, and leads with integrity and character … accepting all people with-out prejudice or judgment.”

More than 80 students participated in the Save Our Students Dana Point club, or S.O.S. DP, last year. Through community volunteering and hosting beach bonfires, the organization reaches out and provides students with pressure free options for fun, Darnold said.

Over the course of Bustos’s time in the club, she has coordinated student volunteer efforts at the city’s summer events, the Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle and cleanups at area beaches, helping the club’s 89 members reach a total of 1,355 volunteer hours over the last nine months.

On Tuesday, in front of her peers, Dar-nold and the club’s faculty adviser Todd Rusinkovich, also the Dolphins varsity football coach, presented the junior with a certificate of recognition from the California State Assembly, signed by Harkey.

“Eneida has been instrumental in the amazing growth in membership and com-munity service provided over the last year with our club,” Darnold said.

Flu Vaccines Hit South OC Clin-ics, Pharmacies

The flu vaccine, in both the shot and nasal spray form, is now available from health care providers, clinics and pharmacies through-out Orange County.

Many community sites across the county will offer free flu vaccine this fall, and the Orange County Health Care Agency will provide influenza vaccinations for children over 6 months of age and adults, who do not have a medical provider or health care coverage, free of charge.

Providers near Dana Point include: CVS Pharmacy (32575 Golden Lantern and 32900 Pacific Coast Highway); Rite Aid (24829 Del Prado Avenue); Sav-On Phar-macy (33601 Del Obispo Street) and Costco Pharmacy (33961 Doheny Park Road). Visit www.flushot.healthmap.org for more loca-tions.

On Tuesday, November 12, county work-ers will be providing free flu shots to eligible recipients at the Dana Point Community Center, located at 34052 Del Obispo Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information call 714.972.3747 or long onto, www.ochealth-info.com.

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times November 8-14, 2013 Page 8

NOW OPEN

u Rita’s Italian Ice, 24845 Del Prado Av-enue, 949.443.2423, www.ritasdanapoint.com

Nearly 15 years after being introduced to Rita’s Italian Ice, Ladera Ranch resident Reginald, or Reggie, Scales and wife Cherese are bringing the Pennsylvania-based, frozen dessert shop to Southern California. Last week Scales opened his second location in Orange County at Dana Point’s Lantern Bay Plaza with plans to expand the brand by 40 storefronts throughout the region over the next six years.

The doors at Rita’s opened last week, and new patrons were offered a free taste of the flavored, frozen concoctions. Guests can keep it simple with a traditional flavor, unadorned with fixings or try it Scales’s favorite way, topped with frozen custard.

Reggie Scales, a Maryland native, had his first Rita’s treat more than a decade ago, and it quickly became a Scales family staple. He moved to Southern California in 2004 and was amazed the brand hadn’t branched to the West Coast. Now, Scales and his wife are growing their Rita’s portfolio with shops in Mission Viejo and a second in Dana Point.

Business Beat BY ANDREA PAPGIANIS

News and updates on Dana Point’s business community

Local leaders and members of the busi-ness community turned out Wednesday, October 30 to welcome the Scales family, and Rita’s, to town. The Dana Point Cham-ber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and guests were treated to frozen treats. Scales presented Kajsa James, moth-er of the late Maddie James, with a donation for the 5-year-old’s namesake foundation.

NEW LOCATION & ANNIVERSARY

u Lantern Bay Carpets and Drapes, 24662 Del Prado Avenue, 949.240.1545, www.lanternbaycarpets.com

Gene DeCollibus has made his living decking out local residences with flooring and custom window coverings for nearly 30 years. In 1984, DeCollibus opened the doors of Lantern Bay Carpets and Drapes at the north end of Dana Point’s downtown cor-ridor, keeping him close to what mattered most, his family and his community.

DeCollibus moved to Dana Point in the early-80s, and with four children at home, wanted to work nearby. The venture has proved a good one as he celebrates three-decades in business with many custom-ers seeing him through the journey. Now, DeCollibus has embarked on a new passage with a larger storefront and showroom in the heart of Town Center.

“My company motto has always been, ‘where quality and service come first,’” DeCollibus said, “and my customers make it a pleasure to do business here. I owe them tremendous thanks for the success of the store.”

The family-owned and operated Lantern Bay Carpets and Drapes not only has more space, but is also in a more pedestrian-friendly location, he said. His business has now come full-circle, as longtime customers have referred their grown children to the design, sales and service company, special-izing in flooring and window coverings.

Missy Garner of Mission Viejo shows off a Rita’s Italian Ice favorite treat, a flavored ice topped with frozen custard. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

Gene DeCollibus, owner of Lantern Bay Carpets and Drapes, nears his 30 year anniversary on the Dana Point business scene. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

Eneida Bustos, a junior at Dana Hills and president of the school’s Save Or Students Club, was honored by Assemblywoman Diane Harkey for her com-munity service and leadership. Pictured (L to R) Todd Rusinkovich, Eneida Bustos and Mike Darnold. Courtesy photo

The way Mike Darnold, the interven-tion specialist at Dana Hills High School, describes Eneida Bustos it is no wonder the young woman and president of the school’s S.O.S. Club was recognized by Assembly-woman Diane Harkey for her community service and efforts to protect local beaches.

“Eneida is the epitome of a leader,” Darnold said. “She is surprisingly shy, very humble and has learned how to delegate,

Have something interesting for the

community? Tell us about awards,

events, happenings, accomplishments

and more. Forward a picture along, too!

We’ll put your submissions into

“News Bites.” Send your information to

editorial@danapointtimes.com.

EYE ON DP

www.danapointtimes.comPage 9

or the first time in the 65-year his-tory of the California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, a

harbor director has garnered a three-peat of its statewide award, Harbor Master of the Year.

This week OC Dana Point Harbor Direc-tor Brad Gross scored a hat trick. The Orange County-native joined the Dana Point Harbor Department in 2007 after a stint in northern California overseeing a $40 million revitalization project reaped his first two awards.

Now, six years into the job in Dana Point, Gross has again been recognized by his peers. We caught up with Gross, fresh off his win, to get his thoughts on the award, his achievements and of course, the $140 million Harbor Revitalization Project.

DANA POINT TIMES: How does it feel to be the organization’s first three-peat awardee?

BRAD GROSS: Being a third time award-ee is quite significant, in that the award is voted on by my peers. Our industry is very unique and full of nuances not readily noticed by the harbor communities we serve. Most all current harbor directors, harbor masters, not only have their opera-tions to run, but many find themselves with large revitalization projects due to the age of our facilities. When you compound revitalization tasks with daily routines, our jobs get quite complicated. Receiving rec-ognition for the work is quite rewarding.

DPT: Besides earning the title, what accomplishments are you most proud of during your time as Harbor Director?

BG: The work we’ve accomplished in collaborating with the stakeholders of the revitalization project that enables us to accomplish the tasks necessary to move the project forward. It is not just related to revitalization, but also some key water quality improvement, boater and stand-

4 Questions with Three-time Harbor Master of the Year Brad Gross

F

Brad Gross, director of the OC Dana Point Harbor. Photo by Andrea Swayne

up paddler safety programs have been implemented based on the community’s support and innovative thinking all around the Harbor.

DPT: What are you most looking forward to about the Harbor’s future?

BG: I look forward to the completion of the Harbor revitalization project, bringing to life so many enhancements, both opera-tionally and environmentally, and ensuring the public’s continued use and enjoyment of this diverse regional recreational facility for many years to come.

DPT: What is the most unusual thing that has happened since you’ve been Har-bor Director?

BG: Well in all my years in the maritime industry, I have experienced an occasional tsunami warning, but never two in two years. If you recall we had a warning in 2010 and another where we actually felt the effects of the tsunami flow in the Harbor in March of 2011. I am happy to report that our tsunami response plan worked well and we were able to learn a few things and improve our responses. It was an interesting experience, but not one I wish to repeat anytime soon. DP

— Dana Point Times

The political gauntlet was thrown down Tuesday night, and with it went whatever civil-ity was left on the San Juan Capistrano City Council as a trio of council members voted to begin an investigation into the conduct of two of their own. The city will now look to hire an independent investigator, likely a retired judge for a contract worth up to $25,000, to look into Councilman Larry Kramer’s allegations of legal and ethical violations by councilmen Roy Byrnes and Derek Reeve. Kramer was supported by Mayor John Taylor and Councilman Sam Allevato. Discussions on the dais were confrontational and peppered by boos and applause from a standing-room-only audience. Kramer, Allevato and Taylor were unmoved by Byrnes’ and Reeve’s attempts to sway them. A defiant Reeve said any investigation would also reveal wrongdoings by other council members. —Brian Park

San Juan Capistrano City Council Approves Investigation into Itself

NEWS NEXT DOOR

major alternative route to I-5 that is accept-able.

NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUTH FACILITIES A CITY PRIORITY

TERRY GOLLER, Dana Point

Many in our Dana Point community have been concerned about a lack of facilities for our youth. Years ago, the city procured the joint use fi elds at Dana Hills High School with the school district. We have a small fi eld adjoining the Dana Point Community Center, but facilities for the older youth are lacking.

We do appreciate the youth activi-ties that are sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department but Dana Point is the only city that does not have a perma-nent youth recreation facility. A sugges-tion would be for this paper to send out a questionnaire asking for community input as to what type would best suit our city. This would be a simple way to fi nd out the desires of the people without costly consultants.

We have a large parcel of land in the Costco area that is owned by the South Coast Water District that would be an ideal location for a youth project. This would re-fl ect well for our heritage in lieu of a boat and vehicle storage designation. What better time would be than the present to coincide with the Town Center project?

DON’T CARE ATTITUDE EXEMPLIFIED DURING INCONVENIENT TIMES

TROY SELLS, San Clemente

I was unfortunately caught up in the horrible traffi c accident traffi c on Inter-state 5 near Camino de Estrella, heading south around 2 p.m. on October 24. I had taken Coast Highway down from Newport Beach due to the traffi c reports about the SIG alert. Later, I made the mistake of trying to get back on the freeway at Dana Point on-ramp to the I-5 south.

It was frustrating for everyone, but got

Dana Point Times November 8-14, 2013 Page 10 www.danapointtimes.com

San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTSSOAPBOX

DPDana Point

Dana Point Times, Vol. 6, Issue 45. The DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

EDITORIAL

Group Senior Editor> Andrea Swayne

City Editor, DP Times> Andrea Papagianis

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City Editor, SC Times> Jim Shilander

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch> Brian Park

ART/DESIGN

Senior Designer> Jasmine Smith

ADVERTISING/MULTI-MEDIA MARKETING

Associate Publisher> Lauralyn Loynes

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

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OPERATIONS

Finance Director> Mike Reed

Business Operations Manager> Alyssa Garrett

Accounting ManagerDistribution Manager> Tricia Zines

SPECIAL THANKSRobert Miller

CONTRIBUTORSMegan Bianco, Victor Carno, Tawnee Prazak, Dana Schnell, Tim Trent

EDITORSTORIES, NEWS, CALENDAR, ETC.

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Letters to the EditorI-5 SHUTDOWN: WHERE ARE THE TOLL ROAD OPPONENTS NOW?

PENNY MAYNARD, Dana Point

When Interstate 5 was closed Thursday, October 24 as a result of a serious ac-cident, and traffi c was disrupted from San Clemente/Dana Point to the El Toro Road for more than four hours, where were the voices for alternative solutions to traffi c management from organizations whose voices have been the loudest against the 241 toll road completion?

Everyone has the right to be against something, but to not offer an alternative solution does not solve an existing prob-lem and doesn’t seem responsible to me.

As long as we continue to have traffi c on Interstate 5 in this area, and as long as the Rancho Mission Viejo development (14,000 new homes, 5 million square feet of new commercial development) remains on track, traffi c on I-5 will continue to increase. As long as the Orange County economy and population continue to grow, we need a solution to situations like this.

Since there is no major alternative route to I-5 in the area, incidents like what hap-pened October 24 will continue to occur, disrupt our lives and impact our safety.

Even the NBC Los Angeles reporter Vikki Vargas, sent to cover this accident, said the disruption was because “there is no alternate route” in case of emergency. This was echoed by another individual who was at the scene.

We desperately need a major alternative route to I-5 in southern Orange County.

I am an environmentalist and have been all my life, but we shouldn’t have to live with situations like these. It’s unaccept-able. Many will say the answer is mass transit but don’t identify routes, funding or subsidized sources. Mass transit would also take decades to build. Let’s also re-member that hybrid and electric vehicles require roads. Transportation planners, elected offi cials and environmental groups all need to work together now to fi nd a

much worse quickly when people tried to cut in line at the entrance to the 5. This was simply maddening to watch. It just seemed to get worse as the day went on. People seemed to take on the attitude, “Don’t care about you, I’m more impor-tant.” I spoke to a few close friends later in the day that mentioned the same issues.

My thought that I cannot get away from, is how quickly people lost their minds in frustration after just a few hours of incon-venience. How are they going to act when a real emergency happens? Makes one think about how you will have to protect what is yours pretty quickly I fear.

TOLL ROAD ARTICLE MISSED THE MARK

DUFF WILMOTH, San Juan Capistrano

Reading the “End of the (Toll) Road” article (Dana Point Times, October 17, www.danapointtimes.com), I came away less than enlightened due to a void of trenchant and pragmatic observations from the informed authorities who were interviewed. Truth be told, it was an epic miss and I’m feeling a bit under served.

I failed to grasp Mayor Baker’s immate-rial sound bite on the “art of the deal”—contractual machinations—nor Council-man Allevato’s banal allusion to enhancing local circulation. Nor was Todd Spitzer’s insider name dropping of the governor and state secretary of transportation help-ful or pertinent. All three elected offi cials conveyed tedious information bordering on surrendering their fi duciary duty to their constituent’s welfare. Such is the puffery and civic balm required to mollify the masses regarding diffi cult issues.

The crux is grappling with a well-executed emergency management plan focused on regional evacuation, impacting 500,000 locals, from north Orange County to north San Diego County. There was a complete absence of input from local state Senate and Assembly offi ces, as well as the municipal emergency operations

coordinators and the local transportation committee offi cials who are the front line, vested stakeholders insuring for all citizens welfare and safety during major disaster. The completed 241 Route, as envisioned, was selected by a collabora-tive study group that included the Federal Highway Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Wildlife Service, the Army Corps of Engineers and Caltrans.

Alas, only the California Coastal Com-mission and Department of Commerce will adjudicate our future here and all else’s conjecture. As precedent, I would point to the effectively managed and very environmentally mitigated SR 73. I recall the vivid clamor that such a road would destroy the beloved San Joaquin Hills wilderness sanctuary. These freeway systems are built by the best transporta-tion engineers in the world and monitored by the most tenacious green groups in America.

Eighty years to build a road is hardly progress. The road is needed if for no other reason than collective safety. Not sure whether the opponents and critics are doomsday preppers or merely getting their meaculpa’s ready post incident that we should have, when we could have adopted an applicable strategic view on this project on behalf of our fellow citizens’ welfare. None will be in offi ce come 2041.

Until then, let’s hold our breath.

To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@danapointtimes.com or send it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capist-rano Beach, CA 92624. Dana Point Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the informa-tion written by the writers.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Dana Point Times November 8–14, 2013 Page 12 www.danapointtimes.com

3YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

GETTING OUT

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

RAISING GLOBAL IQ - PARENT PRESENTATION9 a.m.-10 a.m. Best-selling au-thor Carl Hobert joins the PTF Parent Up Series, engaging in a discussion about improving our

children’s GIQ or Global Intelligence Quotient. Held in St. Margaret’s Episcopal School. 31641 La Novia Ave., San Juan Capistrano, 949.661.0108, www.smes.org.

AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL GRAVES 4 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Renowned Architect Michael Graves returns to San Juan Capistrano to commemorate the library’s 30th birthday. Free. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capist-rano, 949.218.4512, www.ocpl.org.

ROB STALEY BAND 8:30 p.m. Live music at The Swal-lows Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.3188, www.swallowsinn.com.

ASHUN 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Live flamenco guitar at DaVine Food & Wine along with wine tasting that starts at 4 p.m. Tasting fee $15 for five wines. 34673 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.493.4044, www.davine-wine.com.

THREE MUSTACHES 9 p.m. Live cover band play at Brio Tuscany Grille. 24050 Camino del Avion, Suite B, Dana Point, 949.443.1476, www.briorestaurant.com.

friday08

Dana Point

DPDana Point

VETERANS DAY CER-EMONY Noon. San Clemente’s event to honor veterans at Park Semper Fi’s Marine Monument in the SC Pier Bowl with music, guest speakers and more. More

info: 949.498.4958, www.marinemonument.com.

TRAIL CLEARING AND WEEDING 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Spend time in the outdoors and volunteer to clear/main-tain trails at The Reserve/Richard and Donna O’Neill Con-servancy. Free. 949.923.2210, www.theconservancy.org.

C-MONEY AND THE PLAYERS INC. 9 p.m. Live reg-gae music at StillWater. Cover $10. 24701 Del Prado Ave., Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater.com.

A TRIBUTE TO OUR VET-ERANS 2 p.m. Honor our na-tion’s heroes at this ceremony hosted by VFW Serra Post 3801 at Veterans Park (31872 Camino Capistrano). Following

will be a barbecue and live entertainment at Historic Town Center Park (31806 El Camino Real). Donation $5. More info: 949.248.9468, www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

SMOKEY KARAOKE 8 p.m. Get on stage at BeachFire, every Monday. 204 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.366.3232, www.beachfire.com.

GOOD NEIGHBORS CLUB OF CAPISTRANO VALLEY11 a.m. The ladies group meets at Wedgewood at the San Cle-mente Golf Course for lunch, discussion, and an entertaining

program featuring “An Afternoon with Mrs. Roosevelt.” 150 Avenida Magdalena, San Clemente, 949.492.0621.

MEET THE AUTHOR 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Meet Sharon Ed-wards the author of “Pioneer Boulevard,” with 10 stories set in the Indian community of Los Angeles. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.496.5517, www.ocpl.org.

tuesday 12

SOCSA FALL PLAY: A DOLL’S HOUSE 7 p.m. The South County School of the Arts performs their fall play, a dramatic examination of the roles in 19th century marriag-

es, in Porthole Theater. $15. 33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.240.1994, www.socsarts.org.

CASA CLASSIC: TRIO CELESTE 7 p.m. Special concert at Casa Romantica with the music of Dvorak, Beethoven and Piazzolla. $15-$25. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, www.casaromantica.org.

GARDEN ANGELS 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Volunteers can meet every Thursday at Los Rios Park to help maintain the garden and more. Bring Gloves, wear close-toed shoes. 949.606.6386, www.goinnative.net.

thursday14

Have an event?Send your listing to events@danapointtimes.com

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

monday11

SIP AND SHUCK OYSTER-FEST 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Champagne and oysters with live music and more to benefit the Surfrider Foundation at The Deck in La-guna Beach. General admission

$25, includes champagne glass. 627 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach, 949.494.6700, www.deckonlaguna.com.

MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Ocean Institute offers free admission to visitors with a military ID and their families. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

FAMILY FUN COMEDY AND MAGIC SHOW 1 p.m. Family-friendly comedy and magic show at the Irvine Improv. Tickets $10. 71 Fortune Drive, Suite 841, Irvine, 949.854.5455, www.improv.com.

MACY GRAY 7 p.m. Legendary female artist at The Coach House. $32.50. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930, www.thecoachhouse.com.

FREE FISHING FOR KIDS Noon. A free lesson at Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

sunday 10 HOLIDAY BUBBLES

AND BITES 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Wine pairing with Iron Horse Vineyards at San Clemente Wine Com-pany. 212 Avenida Del Mar,

San Clemente, 949.429.7067, www.scwinecompany.com.

MISS REPRESENTATION 3 p.m. Movie screening of the award winning documentary geared toward women in the workforce at the Norman P. Murray Center hosted by The American Association of University Women. Free. 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, www.AAUW.org.

wednesday13

saturday09

SECOND SATURDAY ART FAIR 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Arts and crafts by regional artists, also featuring music, busi-ness and restaurant specials and more in downtown San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.4700, www.sjcartfair.org.

MARIACHIS AT THE MISSION 10 a.m.-11:15 a.m. The second Saturday of the month, enjoy live mariachi music at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Free with admission $5-$9. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com.

Arguably the most sought after filmmaker in current English cinema is Steve McQueen (not to be confused with the Hollywood actor). Despite only three films under his belt, he has made a major impact. His first two films, Hunger (2008) and Shame (2011), were frank and stark in content and theme. His 12 Years a Slave is in the same vein and bound to mark him in film lore for a long while. In pre-Civil War America, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a free black man with a job and family in New York. While on a business trip with two white men, Solomon is abducted and forced into slavery along with a group of other free black citizens. The story follows his journey, and struggle to hold on to his dignity, through three different households over more than a decade of imprisonment. Michael Fassbender and Benedict Cumberbatch play two of

Solomon’s masters. Lupita Nyong’o presents a remarkable debut as his fellow slave; and Alfre Woodard, Paul Giamatti and Brad Pitt make small appearances. 12 Years a Slave is based on the memoirs by the same name of Solomon Northup, and Ejiofor leads a brutal feature that shows the importance of freedom and respect. We’ve seen slave-themed films before, but not one from an angle like McQueen’s. While Django Unchained made audiences cheer and roar for the protagonist to suc-ceed, 12 Years has viewers sit back and observe the horror portrayed on screen. —Megan Bianco

AT THE MOVIES: ‘12 YEARS A SLAVE’

© Fox Searchlight

4PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

DP LIVING

DPDana Point

By Andrea PapagianisDana Point Times

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times November 8-14, 2013 Page 15

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

ON LIFE AND LOVE AFTER 50

By Tom Blake

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

Exploring Options after the Death of a Spouse

majority of widows and widowers loved being mar-ried. Many want to recapture a similar happiness and security by remarrying, but by doing so some

risk losing a deceased spouse’s pension and health insur-ance. I suggest they not remarry if it means losing those benefits.

Carolyn, a widow of three years, understands the impor-tance of protecting her deceased husband’s pension, and she plans to marry. She’s just got to be a bit patient.

Carolyn said, “I was widowed in March 2010. Although we loved each other very much, our marriage wasn’t as good as it could have been. After he died, I spent the first year adjusting and not seeking any new relationship.

“The death was quite a relief since the final struggle had been so enormous. I grieved like an hour glass, with a little bit of sand going through the neck of the bottle each day. When it was over, I was able to move on. Most of my crying was done beforehand.”

Carolyn continued, “After the first year, I started think-ing about a new relationship. My husband was supportive of me seeking a new relationship and told our boys, ‘Your Mother will someday be with someone else. I want her to find a new man. Please be supportive of her when she finds someone.’”

Carolyn is turning 55 in a few days. In 2011, she tried

A

C

Advice for widows: Don’t give up the pension to remarryInternet dating, but it wasn’t her cup of tea. She just didn’t meet the right man for her. She said, “After feeling discour-aged about the online prospects, I looked around. There was a man at my church that I had been aware of for some time. He and I started attending a weekly church meal event. After six months, we started dating.

“I am in love with him,” Carolyn said. “We have been dating for a year and a

half. We have been on an international trip together, as well as two domestic trips. He was dumped twice by previ-ous gals for completely odd reasons.

“There were some aspects to my marriage that were very challenging and difficult. My new friend and I both have had difficult relationships that allow us to connect in a way that is healthy for us both. We allow each other to bring up past difficulties with no judgment or comparison to our new relationship.”

Carolyn added, “I receive a government pension that does not allow me to remarry before age 57. I only have two more years to go. We are maintaining separate house-holds, I still have one child at home and he has a brother living with him. We have determined that we will either

SUDOKUby Myles Mellor

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

Last week’s solution:

SOLUTIONSOLUTIONSOLUTIONSOLUTION

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

sell my house or rent it out in a couple of years. We will move into his house (he has the better home).”

“I am delighted to have found my match,” Carolyn said. “I would advise people to try the different avenues available for dating, but look around you to see who may be in your immediate path. Waiting has allowed us to take our time with family getting used to the idea. We plan to marry in December 2015. The brother knows he will be moving out by then.”

Carolyn has a good plan: Wait to marry and keep the pension.

To comment, email Tom at tompblake@gmail.com. The next singles age 50+ Meet and Greet is Wednes-

day, November 20, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Tutor and Spunky’s Deli, located at 34085 E Pacific Coast High-way, Suite 116 in Dana Point. For more information call 949.248.9008 or visit www.tutorandspunkys.com.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point business owner and San Clemente resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at www.findingloveafter50.com. DP

hildren of the “Fighting Fifth” Marines were out in full Halloween force Wednesday, October 30, as the 5th Marine Regiment hosted a trick-or-treating holi-

day alternative for Camp Pendleton-stationed families. Decked out in costumes of their favorite characters, like

minions from Despicable Me (one and two), Disney prin-cesses from Belle to Cinderella and comic book heroes like Batman and The Hulk, more than 350 kids practiced the Halloween tradition with their Marine Corps family, before hitting their community’s streets the following night.

About 350 costumed children of the Camp Pendleton-based 5th Marines trick-or-treat October 30 at a safe Halloween event hosted by the regiment. Courtesy photo

The event was the brainchild of new Fifth commander Col. Jason Bohm as a way to bring the regiment’s five units together. Each unit’s Family Readiness Officer, who act as liaisons between the units and family members, put

their collective efforts together to put on the event. “Adults and kids love Halloween, making this was one

of the most feel good events we have sponsored,” said Kim Merkel, family readiness officer for regiment head-quarters.

With the help of the regiment’s adoptive cities and support groups, like San Clemente and the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, 40 trunks and truck beds were transformed for the night’s tricks and treats.

A crowd favorite that night was a spooky, miniature golf course hosted by members of the 5th Marine family, Jim and Carla Hogan, whose son, Lance Cpl. Donald J. Hogan, was killed in August 2009 in the Helmand Province in Afghanistan. Since Donald’s death, the Hogan family has continued to support the 5th Marines by reaching out to families and deployed Marines, Merkel said.

Merkel said, with the success of the regiment-wide event, the readiness officers hope to keep bringing the entire 5th Marine Regiment family together. DP

A Halloween HavenCostumed kids trunk-or-treat with 5th Marine family

DP LIVING

Valor, Sacrifice HonoredDana Hills football recognizes local veterans

John “Bogie” Boegeman wasn’t much older than the young man honor-ing him Friday night when he first

drenched his combat boots in motor oil, protecting his feet from minus 65 degree temperatures.

Boegeman served in the Korean War for the U.S. Air Force. One day a medi-cal transport landed and Bogie rushed to the side of a young soldier who had lost extremities in a blast. The young man looked at him and said, “Hi Lucky,” Boege-man recalled. It is a moment he will never forget.

Similar stories of sacrifice and survival filled the Dana Hills High School football field last week, as Staff Sgt. Boegeman and 70 other veterans were honored at the Honor the Valor football game. The an-nual benefit game got its start last year with the backing of the program’s booster and varsity coach Todd Rusinkovich, to pay respects and support lo-cal veterans associations.

Veterans gathered at the field Friday as the sun settled over Dana Point. Greeted by players bearing their names on blue, camouflage jerseys, they shared their combat tales.

Tyler Dickenson wore his own surname Friday night, paying tribute to his great-grandfather William, who served in the Air Force during World War II. William “Bud” Dickenson passed away this fall shortly after celebrating his 70th wedding anniversary with wife Donna. Surrounded by her grandchildren, Donna was pre-sented with Tyler’s game jersey.

“It was a huge honor,” Tyler said. “I am so proud that I was able to play for him.”

Dana Hills principal Jason Allemann

called the event a “reciprocal learning experience” for players, veterans and the community.

“For our kids, this is one of the best ways they learn,” Allemann said. “This generation of students is one of the last that will be able to hear directly from a surviving WWII veteran and share in their experience.”

The night’s teachings go far beyond the football field.

In a pre-game ceremony, Col. Jason Bohm, commanding officer of the 5th Ma-rine Regiment, set a tone for the tribute game, calling on players, and the commu-nity, to take another moment to honor the sacrifice servicemen and women continue

to make. “Since this war that

we are in began in 2001, our nation has sustained approximately 30,000 casualties,” Bohm said. “To put that into perspective for you, according to the 2012 census the total popula-tion of Dana Point is just over 34,000.

“So, if you can imagine nearly every single citizen of this community becoming a casualty,” Bohm paused, “that is the cost of going

to war. That is the cost that your veterans are paying.

For Boegeman and the other veterans honored, the night was an affirmation of their service.

Boosters and players fundraised all season long toward a $50,000 goal. Clay Wilemon, president of program’s booster 12th Man Club, said the organization is on track to surpass last year’s $30,000 mark. Proceeds from the game will be donated to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934 and the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group.

To see more photos of the benefit game, visit www.danapointtimes.com. DP

Text and photos by Andrea PapagianisDana Point Times

Don Geisen, a 2012 Honor the Valor honoree, joins fellow Vietnam veteran Doc Allison at the game.

Rick Karoly, a U.S. Marine Corps captain and Vietnam War veteran, is thanked by a Laguna Hills player.

Members of the Dickenson family join Donna Dickenson and great-grandson, Tyler, in honoring their patriarch, William, a World War II veteran who died earlier this fall.

Thomas Spry, a veteran of three wars, shares combat stories with senior Andrew Dunn.

Band members from Marco Forster Middle School stand at attention as the colors are presented.

Dana Point City Councilman Carlos Olvera, a retired Navy commander who served in Vietnam, is honored by Dana Hills junior Pierce Costello.

“For our kids, this is one

of the best ways they

learn. This generation

of students is one of

the last that will be able

to hear directly from

a surviving WWII

veteran and share in

their experience.”

—Jason Allemann

5STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

SPORTS& OUTDOORS

DPDana Point

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times November 8–14, 2013 Page 18

Dolphin Report

By Steve Breazeale

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

A fi rst round score of 63 (-9) helped propel Jason Gore to a fi rst-place fi nish at the 2013 Oakley Southern California Open at Monarch Beach Golf Links on November 6.

Gore, a native of Valencia, Calif. was able to hold off the talented profes-sional and amateur fi eld assembled by carding rounds of 63, 72 (+2) and 68 (-2) for a winning total of 203 (-9). The tournament was held at nearby Arroyo Trabuco Golf Course and shifted to Monarch Beach Golf Links for the fi nal two rounds.

Gore is a current member of the Web.com Tour, a feeder circuit for the

JASON GORE WINS SO CAL OPEN AT MONARCH BEACH

DOLPHINS, STALLIONS BOTH LOOKING TO MAKE HISTORY

Last season the Dana Hills football team found itself in a position similar to the one they’re in now. Only this year, there are less contenders vying for the big prize.

Dana Hills (5-4, 3-0 league) has a chance to capture the Sea View League title on Friday, when they travel to play against San Juan Hills (8-1, 3-0). If the Dolphins succeed, it will be the school’s fi rst outright football league title in its 40-year history.

The fact they had to share the Sea View League title with Laguna Hills and Capistrano Valley last year has been a chip on the shoulder of the Dolphins all season. It’s a motivator that has carried them through a tough preseason, and a current four-game win streak. All year the Dol-phins players have discussed how much it would mean to claim the title outright.

Needless to say, Friday will be the big-gest, most signifi cant game the Dolphins have played in several years.

The same could be said for the Stallions, who are having a season of fi rsts. This is the fi rst year San Juan Hills will fi nish league play with an above .500 record. It’s the fi rst time they beat Laguna Hills, the perennial winner of the Sea View League, and it’s the fi rst time they’ve even come close to sniffi ng a league title.

The Dolphins will rely on their experi-ence in must-win games and the level of competition they played to in the pre-season when they take the fi eld Friday.

Dana Hills took their lumps in a must-win game last year against Laguna Hills, when the Hawks rallied in the fourth quarter for the win, ensuring a fi rst-place tie. Even though they lost, the Dolphins gained valuable experience, like knowing how important it is to close out games.

Jason Gore shot a three-round total of 203 (-9) to win the Oakley Southern California Open on November 6. Courtesy photo

“The players, especially the senior class, have a huge chip on their shoulders. They want to be the fi rst outright league champs,” Dolphins head coach Todd Rusinkovich said.

Trabuco Hills, Villa Park and JSerra are just a few of the schools the Dolphins played in the preseason. There was not a soft game on the schedule. The Dolphins were in the mix in just about every one of them, priming the team for league play.

Once they hit league play, the Dol-phins took off running. In three Sea View League games the Dolphins have out-scored their opponents 143-49.

“We’re really battle tested. No one else has played the high-level Pac-5 football that we played (in preseason). That’s the mentality; it’s where we think we belong,” Dolphins senior quarterback Mac Vail said.

Both the Stallions and the Dolphins have been preparing for a physical football game in practice this week. Stallions head coach Aaron Flowers says the game will come down to who wins the battle at the line of scrimmage. It’s no secret the Dol-

phins like to run the ball with a talented back like Brian Scott in the backfi eld. The Dolphins also have a big and talented offensive line.

The Stallions have a quarterback in Jacob Gibson, who is making very few mistakes (23 touchdowns, two intercep-tions) and the running tandem of Brad Kremer and Mike Miscione that will keep the Dolphins defense honest. The Stal-lions defense has been as effective, if not more, than the Dolphins in league play, allowing only 25 combined points to be scored against them.

One team will enter the game with more experience, a battle tested bunch looking to one-up a championship effort from last year. The other comes in as the upstart, breakout team trying to establish a foothold. Come Friday, one team will cap off a historic, championship season.

“You wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s time to get after it and fi nd out who is the champ, and who’s not,” Rusinkovich said.

For live, in-game updates from Friday’s game follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.

DOLPHINS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS AWAY TRITONS FOR LEAGUE TITLE

In a season fi lled with changes, win-ning became a constant for the Dana Hills girls volleyball team throughout their 2013 South Coast League run. On November 4 the Dolphins repeated as league champions and ensured an unde-feated league season by defeating visiting San Clemente in three sets, 25-17, 25-22, 25-16.

The Dolphins (22-6, 8-0 league) had to deal with an ever shifting lineup and a coaching change midway through the season. Several players would fl oat in and out of the Dolphins rotation on a nightly basis, due to commitments to club and national teams. When former head coach Bryce Baum departed, assistant Tim Layton stepped in and attempted to mesh together whatever pieces he had. The result was a winning effort.

The Dolphins lineup against the Tri-tons (12-12, 6-2) on Monday exemplifi ed the mix and match style. The Dolphins relied on several players to get past San Clemente, who could have won a share of the league title with a win.

San Clemente jumped out to a 12-9 lead in the fi rst set but an 8-2 run by the Dolphins put the home team out in front. Junior middle blocker Kendall Smith led a Dolphins defensive effort during the run, providing key blocks.

Smith would fi nish the night with four blocks, tallying two in the second set, which Dana Hills won, 25-22. Smith is an opposite by trade but has fi lled in at middle blocker in recent weeks due to injuries.

“We had such holes in the middle that she learned how to play middle and started scoring,” Layton said. “Tonight she was a really nice spark. She blocked some balls and had a lot of passion.”

While the Tritons were in the mix throughout the fi rst two sets, the third set was all Dana Hills. Scambray record-ed six of her game-high 19 kills as the Dolphins coasted to a 25-16 set win and the league championship. DP

PGA Tour. Gore has one PGA Tour win (the 2005 84 Lumber Classic) and played collegiate golf at Pepper-

dine University. Gore took home the $12,000 fi rst-place purse.

Stephen Gangluff of Carlsbad fi nished runner-up with a total of 204 (-8), just one stroke behind Gore. Gangluff barely missed an eagle putt on the fi nal hole of competition, which would have forced a playoff.

After several years of lying dor-mant, the Southern California Open was resurrected by Monarch Beach Golf Links general manager Eric Lohman this year. The Southern Cali-fornia Open is the third oldest golf championship in the United States.

—Steve Breazeale

Dana Hills receiver Drew Falk (19) and the Dolphins will play San Juan Hills for the Sea View League title on Friday. Photo by Tony Tribolet/www.xpsphoto.com

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PSYCHIATRYDr. Robert Dobrin, M.D. 949-707-4757Child/Adolescent/Adult Psychiatry/Behavioral Pediatrics 33971 Selva Rd. Ste, 125

QUEEN PILLOW TOP MATTRESS AND BOX SPRING. Brand New. Never Used. Still in Manufacturers sealed plastic with warranty. $195 Call 949-436-6850

EVERYTHING BUT THE GARAGE SALECapistrano Beach on Saturday, November 16Time: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: 26326 Via California, in Capistrano Beach. Items: Sports equipment, men’s and women’s clothing, tools, kitchenware, electronics and much more.

MENS SMALL WETSUIT Mens Rip Curl Wetsuit, short-arm, full suit. New condition. Size small $85. Call or text 949.533.9761.

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITYDP SURF

6

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times November 8-14, 2013 Page 22

DPDana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

Age: 12, Shorecliffs Middle SchoolRiley Shiroke started surfing at the age of 6 when he was handed down his brother’s outgrown short-board. Riley’s dad provided the coaching and the surf stoke has been running through this talented seventh-grader’s veins ever since. A member of the surf club at Shorecliffs Middle School, where he is a dedicated ‘A’ and ‘B’ student, Riley has made wave riding the second of his two favorite sports. An accomplished golfer since the age of 2, he has earned a number of top three finishes in both Southern California Junior Golf and San Diego Junior Golf association tournaments. He has not yet ventured into the surf competition arena but has not ruled it out as a future possibility. “Right now I’m more into golf. Surfing is my second sport,” Riley said. “I want to become a professional golfer and keep surfing as just recreational. I have the best time surfing when there are a lot of my friends out in the water with good attitudes and great waves.” His favorite maneuver,

he said, is a toss-up between getting barreled and making a big snap off the top. He also believes surfing makes him a bet-ter golfer and vice versa. “Paddling out to the lineup makes me stronger and it makes my golf swing stronger. Walking the course helps with overall conditioning. Waiting for a good wave in the lineup helps my concentration and patience on the golf course too,” Riley said. “I love both because after studying I can do both pretty much every day.”—Andrea Swayne

GROM OF THE WEEK RILEY SHIROKE

By Andrea SwayneDana Point Times

SURF FORECASTWater Temperature: 61-64 degrees FWater Visibility and Conditions:San Clemente: 8-10’ Poor+FairCatalina: 15-20’ FairOutlook: Modest blend of northwest, west-northwest and small southwest swell on Friday and Saturday. Expect mainly knee-waist high waves (2-3’) for better breaks then, along with generally favorable conditions. Check out Surfline.com for all the details!

SC Sons ‘Under Desert Sun’

F or San Clemente’s Dane Gudauskas, professional surf competition and travel is more than just a career,

it’s his passion. So when acquaintance Kepa Acero, from the Basque Country in northern Spain, proposed the idea of making an adventure surf film in the southern African country of Angola, Gu-dauskas couldn’t resist. And neither could Kevin Voegtlin, the San Clemente surfer, professional photographer and first-time filmmaker, chosen to capture all the action on the two-week journey.

Acero has made a name for himself as an adventurist at the forefront of surfing exploration. From Alaska’s outer reefs to Patagonia and Antarctica, he has tackled some of the most remote breaks on the planet.

The trio’s new film, Under Desert Sun, debuted in Spain earlier this week and is set to premier locally this Saturday, November 9 at Molly Bloom’s Irish Bar and Restaurant, 2391 S. El Camino Real in San Clemente. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and a photo exhibition from the trip will be on display. The movie starts at 9:30 p.m. followed by a live musical performance by Dustin Franks and the Traders. The band will perform music written and recorded

Pro surfer Dane Gudauskas and filmmaker Kevin Voegtlin to premier surf adventure film

Riley Shiroke. Courtesy photo

for the film. Admission is free.“I was attracted to the idea of exploring

a part of the world off the map to most surfers, as well as most people in general. It seemed like a great adventure to me,” Voegtlin said of his directorial debut. “I have been a fan of Kepa’s work for some time and Dane’s a good friend so it

sounded like a fun project to be a part of. It turned out to be an amazing experience and we are very proud of the result and excited to share the movie with everyone.”

The movie will be featured in an upcom-ing issue of Surfer Magazine and will be made available as a free download at www.surfermag.com on November 20.

San Clemente pro surfer Dane Gudauskas (left) and Basque Country-based surf adventurer Kepa Acero will debut their new film ‘Under Desert Sun’ Saturday at Molly Bloom’s. The movie was produced, directed and shot by San Clemente professional photographer Kevin Voegtlin. Photo by Kevin Voegtlin

Taj Lindblad, San Clemente. WOMEN: 4. Samantha Sibley, San Clemente. GIRLS: 3. Samantha Sibley, San Clemente. DUKE: 2. Peter Townend, San Clemente. LONG-BOARD: 3. Jaric Fink, San Clemente.

NSSA Southwest College Team, Event No. 1, October 26-27, San Diego, Blacks BeachTEAM: 1. SDSU Black-136; 2. Saddle-back-127; 3. Mira Costa Red-114; 4. UCSD A-110; 5. UCSB A-88; 6. Point Loma A-78; 7. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo A-77; =8. UCSD B-65; =8. USD-65; =8. CSU San Marcos

A-65; 11. CSU Long Beach B-62; 12. CSU Channel Islands-56; 13. USC-53; 14. UCLA-46; 15. Mira Costa White-42; 16. SDSU Red-32; 17. UCSC-25; 18. UCSB B-23; 19. Point Loma B-22; =20. Point Loma B-27; =20. CSUSM B-27; =20. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo-27; =20. UCSB C-27. MEN: 1. Shaw Kobayashi-Saddleback. LONGBOARD: 1. Casey Powell-USC; 3. Dennis White-Saddleback. WOMEN: 2. Danielle Wyman-Saddleback; 3. Marissa Shaw-SDSU Black; 4. Erika Cook-CSULB B.For full results, log on to www.danapointtimes.com.

RESULTS

Local finishers only.NSSA Explorer, Event No. 6, October 26, San Diego, Mission Beach, San Fernando CourtMEN: 1. Dylan Sonderegger, San Clemente. JUNIORS: 4. Cole Houshmand, San Clem-ente. BOYS: 2. Cole Houshmand, San Clem-ente; 6. Jaric Fink, San Clemente. MENEHU-NE: 1. Kade Matson, San Clemente; 2. Ryan Martin, San Clemente. SUPER GROMS: 2.

The movie documents the trio’s journey, from a death-defying, 14-hour ride aboard a janky, overcrowded bus and surviving on nothing but rice and mussels harvested from shoreline rocks, to meeting interesting people and, of course, surfing some truly epic waves.

“We were openly embraced by the people, but having recently emerged from nearly 30 years of civil war, walking down the street you’re liable to see ran-dom guys with AK-47 assault rifles just hanging out,” Gudauskas said. “Whether traveling to the other side of the world or just taking a quick road trip down the coast, we want to inspire people to live with open minds, embrace adventure and enjoy the process of the journey. It takes you places you never expected to go, but will thoroughly enjoy once you’re there.” DP

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 2-3: NSSA Open, Event No. 4, Newport Beach, 54th StreetNovember 9-10: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 4, San Diego, Mission Beach, San Fernando PlaceNovember 16: SSS, Orange County Middle School and High School, Event No. 2, Oceanside Harbor, South JettyNovember 16-17: NSSA Open, Event No. 5, San Onofre State Park, Church Beach