january 7, 2016

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 EJanuary 7–13, 2016

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 1

www.sanclementetimes.comMayor Bob Baker was appointed by the San Clemente City Council in December. Baker also served as the mayor in 2013. Photo: Eric Heinz

EYE ON SC/PAGE 4

Short-Term Rental Moratorium May

Not be Valid EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

Wrestling Duo Excels for SCHS

Triton Team SPORTS/PAGE 28

Nationally Known Underwear Business

Began in San Clemente SC LIVING/PAGE 26

2016: On the Horizon

Looking ahead at things to come in the new year

Inside: South County Real Estate Guide SPECIAL SECTION

Inside: South County Real Estate Guide SPECIAL SECTION

SHOP & DINE LOCAL To advertise your business or service on this page, contact Susie Lantz at 949.388.7700, ext 111 or [email protected].

Shop& Dine LocalS A N C L E M E N T E

Have a story idea or topic you would like to read about?

• • •Send your suggestions to

[email protected].

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTINGEYE ON SC

www.sanclementetimes.comSan Clemente Times January 7–13, 2016

SCSan Clemente

Council’s Moratorium on Short-Term Rentals Invalid THE LATEST: At the Jan. 5 City Council meeting, the temporary moratorium on short-term rentals was voted 3-2, but it was not announced whether the morato-rium had been approved. On Wednesday morning, Mayor Bob Baker emailed the San Clemente Times and said the mora-torium needed a four-fifths majority vote. City staff was still working on the issue as of Wednesday morning. Unlike other ordi-nances, emergency interim moratoriums need that majority in order to comply with state and local law.

During the meeting, as many as 40 people voiced their opinion during the public forum. Most of the issues brought forth addressed the same or similar issues as have been discussed: noise complaints, foul language from short-term renters, drug use, drinking, excessive partying and the like.

Those who opposed the ordinance defended their position, saying they have been in compliance with the city’s codes, paying their transient occupancy tax and not facilitating odious guests.

Councilmembers said they recognized the issues on both sides but acknowl-edged that no one said there was a perfect system in place.

Some unusual data was brought forth during the meeting. A chart showing the number of complaints in the last year from short-term rentals was compiled by the city’s Finance Department, not Code Com-pliance, which is usually the department that oversees the issues. Complaints from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department also had not been compiled. In order to find out who is violating the city’s current codes, the city would have to match the complaints OCSD responds to with the addresses that have filed for a short-term rental permit.

Many people who spoke during the public forum also mentioned a lot of the short-term rentals have been popping up in southwest San Clemente. Homeowners associations in the areas have restrictions against short-term rentals but because the city gave them the permit, homeown-ers conducted business as such. City staff members said they would look into facilitating a process that prevents this in the future.

WHAT’S NEXT: The moratorium would have lasted 45 days from the day of its adoption. Depending on what happens next, the city may or may not revisit the moratorium, city officials said. —Eric Heinz

More Rain Expected for San ClementeTHE LATEST: As of Wednesday, Jan. 6, flash flood warnings were in effect until 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, but according to NASA, the effects of El Niño weather pat-terns are not showing signs of letting up anytime soon. Long-term forecasts predict more rain in the following week.

WHAT’S NEXT: More information and up-to-date forecasts can be found at www.forecast.weather.gov by searching for the San Clemente area. —EH

City Aims to Protect or Alter Bus Routes THE LATEST: A recent proposal by Orange County Transportation Authority would cut bus routes 191 and 193 out of San Clemente.

Councilwoman Lori Donchak said although there is a need for the routes, the current rider numbers are not enough for OCTA to continue some of them. How-ever, Donchak also said some of the stops are near San Clemente High School and other important locations.

People who spoke during the public forum of the issue said they have family members with disabilities who utilize the routes and it gives them independence.

WHAT’S NEXT: Councilors said if the routes have to be scrapped, perhaps they could alter the routes to incentivize a larg-er number of people to ride. The city will send the letter to OCTA to persuade them to work with the city. Another option could be to couple the routes with independent transportation providers.—EH

Medical Marijuana Ban Stamped by Council THE LATEST: Although City Council members said they would have liked more time to examine the issues regarding medical marijuana regulation within its boundaries, the deadline to enact local en-forcement had passed. The council voted unanimously to ban commercial outlets, testing facilities and delivery services of medical marijuana.

WHAT’S NEXT: During the public forum, some people said the March 1 deadline, put forth by state legislation, could be

amended, but until that happens the city would have to comply with the outstand-ing legislation.—EH

OCASA Appeals to OCDE, Announces Open Enrollment DatesTHE LATEST: After failing to receive a majority approval in December from the Capistrano Unified School District, the Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts charter school has submitted its petition for approval to the Orange County Department of Education in an ef-fort to open its doors this fall in the south Orange County area.

On Dec. 9, the CUSD Board of Trust-ees voted 3-3-1 to effectively deny a peti-tion to establish OCASA within the school district. CUSD staff’s recommendation to the board was to reject the petition due to issues including an “unsound educational program” and legal concerns.

The three trustees who voted against denying the petition noted at the Dec. 9 meeting that OCASA had the option to send its petition to the county and said the county would likely approve the petition, which would eliminate any oversight the district would have had in the process. While OCASA’s petition men-tions interest in a San Clemente or San Juan Capistrano school site, representa-tives have repeatedly said the charter is

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

A truck splashes through a puddle on Tuesday, Jan. 5, at the intersection of Camino Capistrano and Avenida Vaquero after a deluge of rain brought on by weather most likely a result of El Niño. Photo: Eric Heinz

not looking to displace one of the district’s current schools.

According to an email from OCASA representatives, the OCDE Board ac-cepted the charter’s “appeals package” on Dec. 16. OCASA will make a presentation to the board on Jan. 13, and the board is expected to vote on the charter’s appeal on Feb. 11.

WHAT’S NEXT: In the meantime, OCASA has announced the beginning of the school’s open enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year. Enrollment began Jan. 6 and ends Feb. 28. Interested parents need to attend an information meeting before ap-plying for enrollment.

Meetings are set to take place on Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. at Mathnasium in San Clemente, located at 1001 Avenida Pico; on Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Keller Williams Realty in Mis-sion Viejo, located at 27101 Puerta Real, Suite 150; and on Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. at Capo Beach Church, located at 25975 Domingo Avenue in Capistrano Beach. More dates will be announced in February.

For more information about the charter school, visit www.ocasacharter.org.—Allison Jarrell

EYE ON SC

Mayor discusses some of the future issues, proj-ects of San ClementeBY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Looking Ahead to 2016

I n the coming days, weeks and months, San Clemente will have a number of issues to tackle and expects to see

some projects come to fruition. Long-awaited infrastructure and amenities of the city will finally be completed, and the changing policies City Council is currently undertaking could shape the future of San Clemente.

Mayor Bob Baker spoke with the SanClemente Times on Monday to examine what the city can expect to see in 2016.

San Clemente Hospital Residents won’t have to look too far

ahead for the latest development of Saddleback Memorial hospital in San Clemente. The two bills to allow for a freestanding emergency room under an accredited health care provider will be heard Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 12 and 13, by state Senate and Assembly committees.

Last legislative session, the bills failed to make it to the floor of either the Senate or the Assembly.

“The best we can hope for is that Saddleback Memorial will put some money into upgrading our hospital and our emergency room,” Baker said. “They

constantly get good scores when anyone goes to rate them.”

Good ratings or not, the hospital of-ficials have said for more than a year they cannot keep the hospital functioning at its current capacity as there are not enough inpatient customers as there once were.

“The city can only encourage them to be our healthcare provider and to be a good nonprofit to serve the citizens of not just San Clemente but also Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano,” Baker said. “There’s a study that says when a hospital closes, the region has between a 5 and 15 percent increase in mortality rates because of the impacts on the hospitals that are now impacted.”

I-5, Avenida La Pata Between Interstate 5 and Avenida La

Pata, residents in San Clemente and those who pass through are eyeing the comple-tion of some of the city’s most significant roadways. Avenida La Pata will connect San Clemente to San Juan Capistrano, opening up a new arterial passage not just for travelers but for business and emer-gency transportation.

Baker said the La Pata project has been discussed for at least 25 years.

“Some things we’re going to see are hopefully the traffic situation on the freeway will finish up,” Baker said. “I think finishing La Pata is going to be one of the great things for our city—it’s going to take a lot of pressure off that freeway where we need some pressure taken off. I can’t wait.”

During the next few months, the La Pata Gap Connector phase will progress as crews continue work on drainage improve-ments, utility relocations, paving, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, bridge construction and landfill improvements,” according to the latest OCTA La Pata update, which


was published in November.“I can’t wait to cut that ribbon,” Baker

said. The La Pata extension is expected to

finish in the fall. The Pico extension, a 5.7-mile $275

million project that will expand the I-5 between Avenida Pico in San Clemente and San Juan Creek Road in San Juan Capistrano, has had intermittent closures to I-5 on- and off-ramps and will continue through 2018. The project will add a car-pool lane in both directions on I-5 between Avenida Pico and San Juan Creek Road, improve the sight distance on the south-bound horizontal curve north of PCH, re-construct the interchange at Avenida Pico to widen the northbound Avenida Pico on-ramp to three lanes, and provide dual left-turn lanes to both northbound and southbound Avenida Pico on-ramps. It will also add sound walls. More information and updates can be found at www.octa.net under I-5 South County Improvements.

Ole Hanson Beach Club ReopeningA historic landmark in San Clemente,

the Ole Hanson Beach Club is nearing the completion of its renovations. After the city found major issues with the structure, it was determined the club would have to be closed for a period of time.

Although the Ole Hanson Beach Club renovation was expected to cost about $1.2 million, the city kept finding more problems, such as materials that weren’t water-resistant or dilapidated and needed to be replaced. The total cost of the project is now expected to be close to $5 million, with an optimistic opening in May.

City officials said there are already waiting lists for swimming lessons and res-ervations for the club for when it opens.

The club has been closed since 2012. “We’re doing this right,” Baker said.

“The public is eagerly awaiting the reopen-ing, and I am too. The positives are that it’s going to be a first-class building.”

The club is expected to be open year-round.

Water Rates and Drought The water use reduction mandates set

by Gov. Jerry Brown last year have had cities and water districts all over California scrambling to find ways to reduce their use. San Clemente residents have cut their use per the state’s 24 percent mandate, down to 31 percent at one point, but in November and December, the reductions may not have been enough.

At the Jan. 5, City Council meeting, the city voted to reduce the penalties on people who overuse their water in certain tiers. For higher tiers, the penalties are now $4 per unit over instead of $10, and $2 instead of $4 for lower tiers. City staff members said the near $1 million col-lected in penalties thus far will be put to water conservation efforts, but they were initially collected to pay for any fines the city may have incurred from the state. So far, only four municipalities have received fines by the state for “gross negligence,” staff members said.

“I was surprised by the amount of fines, and we thought it was going to have more of an effect on people who are not reduc-ing their water use,” Baker said. “It’s just a fraction of these people who are being penalized. The positive part of it is the citizens of San Clemente have stepped up and done something about it.”

Baker said the city has been work-ing diligently to use as much recycled water as possible. Whether the governor extends the water reduction mandates remains to be seen. SC

Notable Items to Expect in 2016

Completion of the PCH bikeway

City Council election in November

End of the sober-living facility, home establishment moratorium

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station deconstruction continues

Hospital bills AB 911 and SB 787 will be heard by legislative health committees on Jan. 12 and 13. The city has examined alternatives to providing a healthcare facility in San Clemente should the bills to allow for freestanding emergency rooms not pass. Photo: File

A bicyclist pedals next to the edge of the Pacific Coast Highway. The PCH bikeway is expected to be completed in the fall. Photo: File

EYE ON SC

Rick Delanty’s painting “Hana Coast” is an example of the coastal plein-air art he creates. Photo: Courtesy of Rick Delanty

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].

Community MeetingsSUNDAY, JANUARY 10

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12

Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting6 p.m. The San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission con-ducts its regularly scheduled meeting at 100 Avenida Presidio, 949.361.8230, www.san-clemente.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.

San Clemente Toastmasters 7 p.m. The club meets with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. for networking time. San Clemente Baha’i Center, 3316 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente, 805.794.0653, www.sanclement-etoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13

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

San Clemente Kiwanis Noon. The San Clemente Kiwanis meet most Wednesdays for lunch at Tommy’s Restaurant. 1409 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.5423,www.sanclementekiwanis.com.

San Clemente Artist Selected to National Painting CompetitionSan Clemente-based landscape painter

Rick J. Delanty has recently been selected to participate in the Maui Plein Air Paint-ing Invitational, hosted by The Village Galleries in Lahaina on the island of Maui. This year, 26 painters will be participat-ing—17 from Maui and nine from the mainland. Other nationally recognized California artists participating in the 2016 event include Jacobus Baas, Debra Huse, Greg LaRock, Jim McVicker, Clark Mitch-ell, Mian Situ and Jim Wodark. The artists will be painting at different locations across the island from Feb. 13 to 21.

The selection committee has orches-trated several events during the week to connect the community with the working artists. Jean Stern, executive director of the Irvine Museum, will lecture on plein-air painting and will also be the awards judge for the event. There will be “quick-draws” (timed painting events of two to three hours) during which spectators can watch the artists at work.

Delanty has participated in several plein-air invitationals across the western United States, including eight selections for the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational, three in Sedona, Borrego Springs and San Luis Obispo. His most recent invitation is to the 30-artist “In-spired by Sorolla” exhibition at the Forest & Ocean Gallery to be shown this month in Laguna Beach. More information about the Hawaiian invitational may be found at www.mauipleinair.org. Delanty’s work may be viewed at www.delantyfineart.com.

Human Trafficking Awareness Starts Jan. 11At 11 a.m. on Jan 11, people are asked

to wear blue (the international color for human trafficking awareness) and meet at Cafe Calypso, 110 Avenida Del Mar, for

NEWS BITESCOMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ

HT Awareness Day for coffee and conver-sation. There is no program or speaker, just the chance start the conversation and spread the word about the issue. Any HT fighter or group can come and bring their materials to share and to educate our community.

At 6 p.m. on Jan. 28, the San Clemente Interfaith Coalition quarterly meeting will be at Our Lady of Fatima, 105 N. La Esperanza. Speakers include Linh Tran of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, a survivor of HT, and Kenny Torres, the faith-based coordinator for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Orange County, who will discuss how the mentor-ship of youth builds their self-esteem and is a preventative against exploitation and trafficking risk.

City Asks Residents to Write to Legislators About Hospital Bills The City Council of San Clemente pub-

lished a press release asking residents to write letters to their legislators in support of Senate Bill 787 (Bates) and Assembly Bill 911 (Brough), which would authorize a satellite emergency department at the current location of the Saddleback Memo-rial Hospital San Clemente Campus. AB 911 is set to be heard in the State Capitol before the Assembly Health Committee on

Tuesday, Jan. 12. SB 787 is expected to be heard before the Senate Health Commit-tee on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Members of the City Council will appear before these policy committees to testify in support of these bills.

“When the City of San Clemente became aware of the potential closure of the Saddleback Memorial Hospital San Clemente Campus in late 2014, the City took immediate steps to understand the impacts, seek community input, involve stakeholders and seek plans to mitigate this potential impact to the city,” the release stated. “Approval of these bills will help ensure south Orange County resi-dents are able to retain access to quality healthcare and not be forced to travel 15 miles north on the I-5 Freeway to access the nearest Emergency Department—a road in which the access and travel time is uncertain due to traffic congestions and road construction.”

Letters can be sent to State Sen. Patricia Bates and Assemblyman Bill Brough’s re-spective staff at [email protected] and Jeff Montejano at: [email protected].

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 dispatcher. The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affili-ation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD website.

Monday, January 4

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES OlaVista, 2000 Block (12:47 p.m.) A caller said three men were moving items out of a residence and it “didn’t look right.” The caller did not know who lives at the residence.

WELFARE CHECK Via Cascadita, 2700 Block (10:59 a.m.) Police were called regarding a man who was out of his wheelchair and sitting on the ground in a parking spot. The caller was concerned the man might get hit.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Via Arboleda, 2700 Block (4:59 a.m.) A man, described to be in his 30s and 5 feet 9

COMPILED BY STAFF

inches tall, was at the back door of a loca-tion mumbling numbers and names.

Sunday, January 3

TRAFFIC HAZARD Calle Vallarta, 700 Block (8:01 p.m.) A man and a woman were seen putting unknown items in the street for cars to hit.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Via Suerte, 800 Block (5:26 p.m.) Police were called to deal with a “dangerous beehive.”

WELFARE CHECK Vista Encanta, 0 Block (4:08 p.m.) A caller from Illinois said their daughter had called and was screaming into the phone until the line was discon-nected.

DISTURBANCE Camino De Los Mares, 600 Block (3:10 p.m.) A woman in the emergency room called about a man who was believed to be on meth and he said he had questions, but it was unknown what kind of questions. She said the man was being confrontational and made suicidal statements.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCESCamino La Pedriza/Corte Cristianitos (2:28 p.m.) A man asked a woman to use her phone to call a rehabilitation facility. The woman said the rehab facility called her back and told her the man was “crazy”

and to call the sheriff’s department.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Avenida Princesa/Ola Vista (1:33 p.m.) A man was seen taking pictures of garages and walking slowly down the street.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Mari-posa, 200 Block (1:08 p.m.) A man ap-proached another man’s door and told him he was trying to get into the residence and threatened him. The man inside said he did not know the other man.

DISTURBANCE El Portal, 100 Block (12:48 p.m.) A caller said a man near a white Chevy pickup truck with surfboards on top threw water balloons at their vehicle and then followed the caller home.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 1200 Block (5:07 a.m.) A man dragged another man out of a car, hit him and then ran away.

Saturday, January 2

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Fe-lipe, 1300 Block (5:29 p.m.) A caller said an unknown man, described to be in his 30s and 5 feet 10 inches tall, was wander-ing around the neighborhood the last two days, smoking and sitting in the bushes.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCESCamino De Los Mares, 600 Block (5:05 p.m.)

A woman said a man was screaming he was going to “come after” her. The man was described as possibly having mental issues.

ILLEGAL PEDDLING Avenida San Juan, 300 Block (2:36 p.m.) A caller said two teenag-ers were selling gift cards for San Clem-ente High School, but the caller said the two did not know the mascot of the school.

Friday, January 1

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCESAvenida Pico, 900 Block (9:10 p.m.) A woman was heard screaming she was go-ing to “kill someone.”

DISTURBANCE Avenida Del Mar, 200 Block (12:01 a.m.) A woman said a man was hit on the head with a bottle and was bleed-ing. A 26-year-old woman who works as a receptionist was arrested in the incident and has since been released.

Thursday, December 31

CITIZEN ASSIST El Camino Real, 3700 Block (6:22 p.m.) A man in the front lobby was apparently lost and unable to give an ad-dress as to where he needed to be.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES Ave-nida Lobeiro, 200 Block (5:30 p.m.) A man was yelling obscenities and making sexual gestures.

been steadfast in doing everything I can to preserve access for our residents, and those in our neighboring cities of Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano, who have come to depend on this emergency room for more than 40 years.

Your City Council continues to support the proposed legislation, and representa-tives plan on attending and submitting

testimony at the legisla-tive hearings. We remain dedicated to continuing our efforts to ensure the needs of our community are not compromised. However, because we cannot predict the outcome, it is imperative that we consider possible alternatives should the legislation not pass. The

City has discussed the potential rezoning of the current location and directed City staff at its Nov. 3 City Council meeting to prepare a rezone and General Plan amend-ment to ensure that the current hospital property is zoned only for the essential hospital purpose it was designated for when purchased by Saddleback Memorial Care in 2007. Other options include the consideration of other prospective hospital suitors to provide hospital and emergency department services.

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTSSOAPBOXSC

San Clemente

San Clemente Times January 7–13, 2016 www.sanclementetimes.com

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624

phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.sanclementetimes.com

CITY EDITOREric Heinz, 949.388.7700, x109 [email protected]

ADVERTISINGPRINT AND ONLINE

Susie Lantz, 949.388.7700, x111 [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tricia Zines, 949.388.7700, [email protected]

BUSINESS MANAGERAlyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 [email protected]

San Clemente Times, Vol. 11, Issue 1. The SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (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.

PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

EDITORIAL

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

City Editor, SC Times> Eric Heinz

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch> Allison Jarrell

Sports Editor> Steve Breazeale

Special Projects Editor> Andrea Papagianis

ART/DESIGN

Art Director> Jasmine Smith

ADVERTISING/MULTI-MEDIA MARKETING

Associate Publisher> Lauralyn Loynes

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Real Estate Sales Manager> Michele Reddick

OPERATIONS

Finance Director> Mike Reed

Business Operations Manager> Alyssa Garrett

Accounting & Distribution Manager> Tricia Zines

SPECIAL THANKSRobert Miller Jonathan Volzke

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Melissa CalvanoDebra HolmTim Trent

PICKET FENCE MEDIA

HOW TO REACH US

FOLLOW THE SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

CITY COUNCIL CORNER

By Chris Hamm

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 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].

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday,

Jan. 8 at 8 a.m. at Café CalypsoBeachside 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.

Letters tothe EditorNEW WATER RATE PENALTIES ARE ILLEGAL

BRAD MALAMUD, San Clemente

These penalties, regardless of the amount, are illegal. All collected penalties should immediately be refunded to avoid expensive and unnecessary litigation. The recent Court of Appeal decision states that penalties cannot act as rate substitutes. The city has not, as yet, been penalized.

Mr. Rendina’s Agenda Report states that the penalties are being held in reserve “to pay fi nes if assessed and to compel additional conservation efforts.”

1. To date, there have been no state penalties. Thus, even if at a later date the city is fi ned, those who have already paid the penalties are not the responsible party and using their penalties to pay the future

Support Keeping San Clemente Emergency Room

Since Saddleback Memorial Care fi rst announced in 2014 its plans to close San Clemente Hospital and turn it

into an urgent care, my fellow council-members and I have remained committed to fi nding a way to maintain an emergency room in San Clemente.

Joining us in our pursuit is Senator Pat Bates and Assemblyman Bill Brough, who introduced near-identical legislation in their respective governing bodies to facilitate a dialogue with their colleagues on this important issue. Senator Bates authored Senate Bill 787, and Assembly-man Brough sponsored Assembly Bill 911. Both bills are scheduled for hearings on Jan. 12 and 13 and are intended to autho-rize Saddleback Memorial to operate a stand-alone emergency room at its current location.

Saddleback Memorial’s plans for an urgent care facility are pending while these bills are being heard. It is important to note only a licensed acute care hospital can operate an emergency room under Califor-nia law. Under the current law, Saddleback Memorial cannot delicense the acute care hospital in order to transform the campus while still keeping the emergency room open. I know the importance of having an emergency room in San Clemente, and I have seen fi rsthand the difference it makes between life and death. This is why I have

GUEST OPINION: City Council Corner by Councilman Chris Hamm

My grandfather was born in San Cle-mente Hospital in 1930, our community recognized the need for advanced medical care then and we still continue to see the need today. When I ran for City Council four years ago I stressed the importance of public safety for our community, and today I will do whatever it takes to ensure our citizens get the best medical services possible.

I cannot stress enough the importance of this community issue for our overall safety and wellbeing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this is the most impor-tant issue facing our community. Please join me and countless other South County residents by supporting the SOS group Save our Hospital. They are dedicated to protecting emergency care access for all.

I always enjoy hearing from you, so please email me your thoughts or con-cerns at [email protected] or call me at 949.361.8322. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2016!

Chris Hamm is a City Councilman for San Clemente. He was elected to Council in 2012 and served as the mayor in 2015. SC

fi nes has no fi scal connection.2. If somebody was assessed at pen-

alty, then they were not “compelled” to conserve. Again the penalty was wrongly assessed.

Mr. Rendina states the penalties will not be used for operating expenses. That takes us right back to the case law. Thus, the penalties cannot be justifi ed.

This shows how absurd these penalties are. First, how can the city create over $1 million in programs to “assist these customers?”

Second, there is no evidence that those who are penalized have not already con-served more than the 24 percent required. In fact, the penalties are not related in any way to conservation. The penalties apply regardless of former water use.

Again, the newly revised, and lowered, penalty rates are still illegal, as were the previous higher rates. First, no such penalty is assessed against commercial water users, regardless of the amount of water used. For this reason alone,

the penalties are not properly assessed against everyone, as required. Second, the penalties cannot be assessed because the city is reaching its conservation goals and is not penalized. Third, the law does not allow penalty funds once collected to be then used for some as yet unknown expense. Fourth, the penalties apply even if, for example, the user actually reduced his/ her use by even 50 percent. Thus, the penalties are not related in any way to

(Cont. on page 12)

SOAPBOX

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.

(Cont. from page 10)“conservation.” Fifth, penalties are based in part on an illegal allocation so that four users living on the same street would have from $0 to a very expensive penalty even though they are using the exact same amount of water. This is illegal.

FAMILY COMES TO OFFER TASTIER LUNCHES FOR CHILDREN

FREDA D’SOUZA, San Clemente

My three children—twin boys Sean and Trevor and their younger sister, Marissa Counceller—were in the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area, growing up in San Clemente from 1996 until 2004.

As a single mom with multinational public relations clients requiring numerous prod-uct launches and tradeshows, my children traveled the world with me until they were 6 years old and were enrolled in school in San Clemente. When they were “grounded” dur-ing the elementary school years and unable to travel, they were angry and combative. The Boys & Girls Club staff and interaction with other children helped them cope with the only reality I could provide.

Today all three of my children are grate-ful for the experience of being “forced” to participate in the Boys & Girls Club. Sharing, caring, listening, acknowledging, being grateful, participating in sports, fun, games, arts and crafts—these are the things my children remember. I treasure the first watercolor painting my daughter

did for me at the B&GC in 2007. I asked about their meals at the club

back in the day just to find out what they were served and they unanimously said, “Yuck.”

“Mom, it’s worse than box food,” my son Trevor said.

I asked, “What’s box food?” “It’s stuff that you take from the freezer

and put in the microwave to eat as an easy meal,” his twin brother Sean chimed in.

So, I’ve come full circle. We’ve been able to provide tastier lunches for the children. Ole Hanson would be smiling, my children are smiling, B&GC kids run after me in the grocery store like I’m some rock star for making them lunches they love, and our new group and sponsors made it all work this 2015 holiday season.

Best wishes for a wonderful safe, healthy and happy Christmas. May 2016 bring you and your family everything that means the most to you.

LET’S MAKE 2016 THE YEAR TO STOP RECKLESS NUCLEAR POLICY

GARY HEADRICK, San Clemente

This issue will be better understood once you’ve had a chance to watch what may be regarded as one of the most sig-nificant movies of 2015, The Big Short. The film explains just how the housing crash of 2008 came about, leaving the masses hold-ing the bag while those responsible ran off with our homes and hard-earned savings,

never to be held accountable.Basically, Wall Street bankers gambled

with our livelihoods while regulators looked the other way, denying any pos-sibility of a “bubble.” They knew all along that eventually the government (you and me) would have to bail them out once the truth was no longer avoidable. The same kind of scenario is unfolding in the nuclear industry today, specifically at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

Our “bubble” consists of tons of radioac-tive materials being stored in containers that are known to be susceptible to crack-ing, possibly within just a few short years from now. Hard evidence of dirty little secrets and unscrupulous activities have been uncovered by those who are really paying attention, while countless innocent and unwary people stand in harm’s way.

Like Wall Street, Edison and its cronies seem anxious to stick us with the risk while they reap the profits. They intend to bury 89 times more radiation than was re-leased in the Chernobyl accident, and will do so in sandstone bluffs 100 feet from the Pacific Ocean and only inches above the water table, using inferior stainless steel tanks only a half-inch thick, surrounded by concrete. Apparently, the industry’s objective is to meet the minimum stan-dards (already lowered by its captured regulators) and get all the waste into dry cask storage before any radiation begins to escape these cheaper, thin canisters. (Other countries use containers 10 to

20 inches thick.) At that point, the waste becomes the taxpayer’s problem. Should there be a leak, it would be too late to move the highly radioactive waste, and 8.5 million people living within 50 miles could be left stranded and exposed.

Those who saw the inevitable defaults coming in 2008 invested wisely by betting against the banks, but we can’t afford to win a bet resulting in all of us becoming irradiated. Instead, we need to invest in the best storage system possible with many layers of redundant safety features, adequate emergency handling capabilities and a realistic plan to relocate this menac-ing waste ASAP. The appalling truth is that these already-approved plans have been made by people who are either currently under investigation or should be (see www.sanonofresafety.org).

Let’s make 2016 the year we stop a plan that would shift liability from a reckless nuclear power industry to the public, leav-ing us with the consequences. We must stand together and call for responsible steps to be taken to protect ourselves and our precious planet. We can’t let the insidi-ous desires of selfish and unrepentant fools, like those who propped up the lies of Wall Street, pop this bubble. It’s not just financial; it’s radioactive!

SURF, SEA AND SAND are abundant in this Captivating Ocean View Home within Steps of the Shore. An Enchanting Entrance through Security Gates Lead to the Grand Foyer which Showcases the Versatility and Creative Design of Multiple Living areas and Private Family Retreat Space, including a Detached Guest Casita. Design of Multiple Living areas and Private Family Retreat Space, including a Detached Guest Casita.

• Newly Constructed in 2010, Showcasing Profession and Local Architect and Builders.• Main House Living Features Ocean View Living & Dining, Entertaining, and Master Bedroom with

Romantic Fireplace of Imported Italian Stone.• Master Bath encased in Italian Marble with Spa Tub and Oversized Shower• Sliding Glass Doors Open to the Panoramic Viewing Decks, Extending the Indoor/Outdoor Living area.• Designer touches include Venetian Plaster Finished Walls, High Beam Vaulted Ceilings, Hardwood Floors

throughout.• Gourmet Kitchen with Granite Counter tops, Stainless

Steel Viking Appliances and Separate Laundry Room.• Complete separate living area include 3 Large

Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths, Kitchen and Laundry Area, Family Room, with Sliding Glass Doors

• 1 Bedroom Casita Perched over the 3 Car Garage adds further Guest Options to the Family Home Enjoyment.

• Separate Heating and Air Conditioning Systems Service all Individual Living Space

• Water Fountains, Pool and Professional Landscaping Compliment the Yard and Gardens.

5 bedrooms • 4.5 bathrooms • Offered at $4,290,000Please contact Dave Barlet or Marcie George for your Private Showing

MLS# OC1525264

Marcie George, REALTOR®

[email protected](949) 690-5410 CA BRE# 1466163

Dave Barlet, REALTOR®

[email protected](949) 701-2151

CA BRE#00601499

2401 Plaza a la Playa, San Clemente

www.sanclementetimes.com

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNERGETTING OUTSC

San Clemente

Photo: Courtesy of Alison Richards

PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS CASTING CALLFRIDAY, JAN. 8 THROUGH SUNDAY, JAN. 10If you can stand still for 90 seconds, you could experience what it’s like to be a living piece of art and volunteer for the renowned Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. In preparation of the 2016 show, the Pageant is looking for men, women and children to volunteer. People of all sizes and ages are needed to be cast members in the world’s most famous presentation of tableaux vivants. Casting call will be held at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, on Friday, Jan. 8, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Satur-day, Jan. 9, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 10, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3663, www.foapom.com/pageant-of-the-masters.

Thursday | 07 TERRY VALLES & FRIENDS7 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.

Friday | 08 WINTER BALLROOM BASH— NEW LOCATION7:30 p.m. Admission $10 per person. Singles and couples 18 and over. Enclosed patio with plenty of tables and chairs with brief East Coast Swing dance lessons shortly after 7:30 p.m. followed by open dancing until 10:30 p.m. Soft drinks and refreshments included. Community Pres-byterian Church, 32202 Del Obispo, San Juan Capistrano, www.ballroombash.com

THE ARTS PROJECT OC: AUDITIONS FOR ‘BIG!’ THE MUSICAL4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8 or 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9. Ages 10-18. Callbacks will be from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The Arts

The ListWhat’s going on in and around town this weekCOMPILED BY STAFF

Project of Orange County, 1317 Calle Avanzado, San Clemente, 949.276.2787,www.theartsprojectoc.com.

FRIDAY NIGHT JAM7:30 p.m. Open mic night for anyone who wants to join. People can play in a band or come to listen. Musicians are asked to send an email to [email protected] before-hand as space is limited. Community Outreach Alliance, 1050 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, 949.388.0114 ext. 205,www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

LOUIE ANDERSON8 p.m. Louie Anderson performs live comedy at The Coach House with Cindy Burns. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.496.8930,www.thecoachhouse.com.

Saturday | 09 NEW YEAR, NEW YOU: THE BEAUTY WITHIN8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mindful Her, a San Clem-ente-based company that aims to inspire and empower women to take their mindful and healthy living experiences to the next level, is encouraging women to take a more mindful approach to setting New Year’s resolutions in 2016. Seven Degrees, 891 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, 310.498.7585, www.mindfulher.com.

(Cont. on page 23)

EDITOR’S PICK

San Clemente Times January 7-13, 2016

GETTING OUT

Tuesday | 12 OPEN MIC NIGHT6 p.m.-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters per-form at The Point Restaurant open mic ev-ery Tuesday. Bring your instrument and your voice; The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

WINTER AFTER-SCHOOL CLUB3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Winter After-School Club series runs on Tues-days from Jan. 5 through Feb. 23. The After-School Club is for children ages 5 and older, with stories and crafts. San Clemente Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar, 949.492.3493, www.ocpl.org/libloc/sc

Wednesday | 13LECTURE: FUN WITH FUNGI 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Join The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo and explore the fascinating world of wild mushrooms with amateur mycologist Joanne Schwartz. Learn how to find and identify fungi in Southern California and beyond. Free. Ages 8 and up. RMV Presentation Center, call for directions, 949.489.9778, www.rmvreserve.org.

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

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

At the Movies: ‘The Big Short’ Long on Stock Market Literacy

L

Photo: Paramount Pictures

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

ately there has been a growing trend of biopics centered on white, middle-age, scumbag business-

men making shady business decisions to benefit themselves. 2013 gave us the suc-cessful satires American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street, and the most recent, following similar tone and theme, is Adam McKay’s The Big Short.

From 2005 to 2008, eccentric neurologist-turned-hedge fund CEO with mild Asperger’s syndrome Michael Burry (Christian Bale) bets against undervalued stocks and subprime mortgages believ-ing the housing market will eventually fall. This inspires Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling) to create the collateralized debt obligation, or CDO, market by matching buyers and sellers. Vennett then recruits tempestuous fund manager Mark Baum (Steve Carell) to his side.

Brad Pitt and Marisa Tomei co-star. McKay’s use of archive footage and pop culture references from last-decade characters and amusing celebrity cameos, break the fourth wall and make his lesson

plan on the workings of the stock market and economy humorous and easy to follow.

Bale has been receiving the most awards-season hype of the cast and not surprisingly, as his mannerisms and interaction on screen are just as awkward as they should be. Carell, whose dramatic efforts over the last few years have been hit or miss, is perfect here as the hot-headed banker who actually means well. The Big Short is as educational as it is entertaining and one of the best movies to end the year with—or start the new year off right. SC

(Cont. from page 20)UNCORK! YOUR INNER ARTIST WITH LEE WANDERER7 p.m.-10 p.m. Paint “A Better World” by Peter Max with music, wine and instruc-tion. Bring friends and wine, and the stu-dio has everything else. $45 per person. San Clemente Art Supply and Framing, 1531 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.369.6603, www.scartsupply.com.

DJ AND DANCING9:30 p.m. Dance the night away as the DJ spins the tunes every Saturday night. The Point Restaurant, 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 949.464.5700, www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

Sunday | 10 CAPT. DAVE’S WHALE WATCHINGTimes vary. Get up close to marine life aboard a Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari trip. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828, www.dolphinsafari.com.

Monday | 11 PJ STORYTIME6:30 p.m-7:30 p.m. An energetic reading event hosted by the National Charity League Sunshine Readers for children of all ages at the San Juan Capistrano Library. Pajamas are welcome but not required. 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

BUSINESS DIRECTORYLocals Only

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT

YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business

Spotlight for only $100!

Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online.

Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or email

[email protected]

Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

CLASSIFIEDS

William (Bill) C Walter, born May 13,1935 in Buffalo, NY to Mildred and William Walter, Sr., died peacefully in hospice surrounded by family and friends on Dec 2, 2015.

Bill’s passion was cycling. At age 16, won Elgin to Chicago 50-mile Road Clas-sic; at 55 won 1990 US National Cham-pion in the Men 55-59 Sprint; in lifetime achieved over 300 medals/trophies.

Bill studied engineering at Purdue and U of Buffalo. His engineering career included rockets, geodesic domes, bulk storage tanks with Fluor and Jacobs, post-earthquake inspections, and two patents.

Bill arrived in CA in 1987, in 1996 married Judy Jones and moved to San Clemente, becoming much loved

OBITUARY

APPLIANCES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

APPLIANCE SERVICES & REPAIRS

ASAP Appliance Service3200 Legendario, 949.361.7713, www.asapapplianceservice.com

ART GALLERIES

San Clemente Art Association100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.7175, www.scartgallery.com

CHIROPRACTIC

Thompson Chiropractic629 Camino De Los Mares, Suite 104,949.240.1334, www.thompson-chiro.com

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com

CONCRETE

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

DENTISTS

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

Shoreline Dental StudioKristen Ritzau, DDS122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.245.6046, www.shorelinedentalstudio.com

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

ELECTRICAL

Arcadia Electric949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589,www.southcoastfurniture.com

HARP LESSONS & RENTALS

Wendy-Harpist949.482.9025, www.orangecountyharpist.com

HAULING

Cheapest HaulingCall Robert 949.973.6288

HOME DÉCOR


HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT

Capistrano Valley RainguttersScott Williams, 949.542.7750

Hoover Construction949.292.6778

LANDSCAPING

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

MATTRESSES


MORTGAGES

Brian Wiechman, Equity Coast Mortgage A division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage

949.533.9209, www.equitycoastmortgage.com

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

SC Rider Supply520 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0521, www.scridersupply.com

MUSIC LESSONS

Danman’s Music School949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

OFFICE FURNITURE


PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com

PLUMBING

Bill Metzger Plumbing929 Calle Negocio Suite D, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzgerplumbing.com

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

SC Pool & Spa Works1311 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.7665, www.scpoolworks.com

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

REAL ESTATE

Marcie George - Star Real Estate South County949.690.5410, [email protected]

“Sandy & Rich” - ReMax949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS

Salon Bamboo150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, 949.361.3348, www.salonbamboo.com

Salon Bleu207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com

Syrens Hair Parlor217 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. E, 949.361.9006, www.syrens.com

SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Cap-istrano, 949.493.5683, www.cvcs.org

SECONDHAND/CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

South Coast Furniture & Mattress109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

SWIMMING SCHOOL

Waterbabies Swim School142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512,www.waterbabiesswimschool.com

TERMITES

Colony Termite Control1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

LISTLOCALS ONLY

In print and online 52 weeks a year. View online at www.sanclementetimes.com. Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email [email protected]

USELOCALS ONLY

SERVICES

FOR SALE

AUTOS FOR SALE

LOCAL HOUSEKEEPER OR OFFICE CLEANING Reliable, affordable, meticulous. Excellent references. 949-573-8733

CUSTOM AREA RUGSYou pick style, color and size. Typically made in 2 weeks. Stainmaster nylon, wool, poly-ester or designer carpet. Carpet showroom in Lantern District of Dana Point. Carpet and floor-ing remnants also available - all shapes, sizes and kinds of flooring. We sell tile too! Mike 949-240-1545.

NISSAN PATHFINDER 4X42009 Silver with black interior. Bluetooth CD player with lan hookup. New Bilstein shocks. K&N air filter. In great shape. $14,800 949-633-3860

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

Email your listing to [email protected]. Deadline 5pm Monday. No phone calls.

Uncle Bill to 3 sons of Judy’s sister. He was a partner, friend, supporter of Judy’s career and activism.

Preceded in death: first wife Paula and son Richard. Surviving family: daughters Kathleen (Alexander) Gilchrist & Mary (Deno) Sfikas, and wife Judith Jones.

Bill worked hard, a strong cycling competitor, enjoyed comradery after racing, quick to raise a toast saying, “I love life!”¬

More on Bill’s life and contributing in lieu of flowers at O’Connor Mortuary website http://www.oconnormortu-

ary.com/obituaries/William-Walter-2/). Memorial Celebration will be 11am Sat Jan 23, 2015; email [email protected] for location and directions.

William C Walter

BUSINESS DIRECTORYSCSan Clemente


PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD

HERECall 949.388.7700, ext. 111

or email [email protected]

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD

HERECall 949.388.7700, ext. 111

or email [email protected]

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITYSC LIVINGSC

San Clemente


New Ventures

ETHIKA405 Calle Amancer, Suite 306 888.502.5310www.ethika.com

Underwear has always been the staple of Ethika, a business born and raised in San Clemente. The company began as a men’s underwear company and launched a women’s line in October 2015. The brand started with a few solid colors of men’s long-cut underwear, but now has multiple products featuring prints with various de-signs and emblazoned with photographs.

No matter the design, all Ethika underwear is available in one elastic fit that molds to the individual’s body. The company started in 2002 out of the garage of founder Malcolm McCassy, moving to the business district on the east side of I-5 in 2012. To date, Ethika has grown to own its own fully functional office with staff members.

“(McCassy) had this vision of having a new product of underwear,” Danny Evans, Ethika’s marketing director, said. “We knew this style was going to change the game, and the women’s stuff we had and sold online, but it was never a focus. To-ward the end of 2014, we were seeing the want and demand on social media from

News from San Clemente’s business communityCOMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ

Business BeatManagement professionals for Ethika: (L to R) creative director Mitchell Bailey, graphic designer Toni Panici, CEO Matt Shook and marketing director Danny Evans show off Ethika underwear. Photo: Eric Heinz

WELLNESS AND PREVENTION

By Susan Parmelee

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 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: Wellness and Prevention by Susan Parmelee

A New Year’s Resolution to be More PresentI

often field questions from parents about “screen addiction” and how to get their kids off their cellphones,

video games and computers. Fifteen years ago, as a parent of grade-school children, the battle seemed a little easier as it was limited to the TV and the Gameboy. My kids’ first phones flipped open and could not even text. Now the current “smart” technology is here, causing even more conflict and stress within families, and it is a challenge to figure out how to welcome this technology into our lives. It seems like cellphone etiquette is in a constant flux, and our kids’ need positive role

modeling and clear rules to use technology safely and healthfully.

Most importantly, experts recommend that cellphones and other data-enabled devices not be kept in bedrooms. Sleep is very important for both adults and youth, and the interference of email, texts and social media in the

bedroom is not conducive to a good night’s sleep. Studies also illustrate that unplug-ging from tech for an hour before bedtime also helps the brain to start the process of slowing down and to start the process of consolidating the day’s learning.

Social media sites require members to be 13 years of age or older. Develop-mentally, 13 year olds are better able to understand the implications of posting information. By following this guideline, parents can send a message about the importance of following rules and acting with integrity. Additionally, as a family, it’s important to set some guidelines for posting information, such as, “If you would not want your grandmother to read it, do

not post it.” Let your child know they must have permission before they post a photo of someone else.

Another suggestion is to commit to “family digital detox” times. Certain set-tings, such as sitting down to dinner, out at restaurants and family celebrations, are good cellphone-free times. Encourage your child to discuss current events, life goals and highlights of their day. Model your own ability to ignore texts, tweets and sport score updates for special events. Monitor your child’s devices—insist on privacy settings and know what apps they are downloading. Discuss who he can friend or share with. Explain what a digital footprint is—colleges, potential jobs and future social acquaintances will use the Internet to inspect your child, and it can have an impact on his or her future. Most importantly, put “in-person” time ahead of tech time. When you greet your child in the school pick-up line, make sure your phone is put away.

Should you want to learn more cyber safety and how you can protect and moni-tor your child, one of Orange County’s leading experts, Clay Cranston, will be speaking at Shorecliffs Middle School, free of charge, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25. This event is for par-ents only. I have seen Mr. Cranston speak and I value his knowledge. You can also visit his website www.cybersafetycop.com for more excellent information.

Susan Parmelee is a mental health social worker and one of the founders of the Well-ness & Prevention Center, San Clemente. She can be reached at [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.

women, and so many of our clients had as big a female audience (as male).”

At the time, McCassy was working to promote his product through up-and-com-ing skateboarders and extreme athletes with worldwide recognition. Many of the current employees are from San Clem-ente, including Ryan Sheckler, who is also a partner in the business, Evans said.

“Malcolm really saw the potential of making it cool and a product that was bet-ter than anything,” Evans said. “I grew up buying packs of (underwear) for $15, and the quality wasn’t the same.”

The company launched a website in 2009 and has continued to expand. Today, Ethika has multiple partnerships with more professional athletes who wear the sport line and has expanded to the music industry as well. Justin Bieber, before his Calvin Klein contract, was seen sporting the local undergarments. The company also provided pairs to the San Clemente High School football team.

“Around 2012, we saw there were a lot of eyeballs on the music industry, and that became a big part of our marketing,” Evans said.

Ethika is approaching its fourth anni-versary as an established business in San Clemente and has no plans to expand its product line, instead focusing on corner-ing the underwear market.

“It’s an incredibly brand-loyal product,” Evans said. “This is more of a lifestyle piece. It’s something you can put on when you’re just watching TV or if you’re play-ing basketball.”

Currently, the underwear can be found in Zumi’s and Tilly’s retail stores and has grown to national distribution. SC

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

SPORTS & OUTDOORSSCSan Clemente


SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

ScoreboardRUGBY

The San Clemente Triton Rugby Club is off to an unbeaten start to its inaugu-ral season. The program’s varsity and junior varsity teams, which are primarily made up of San Clemente High School students, opened their seasons with vic-tories over Servite in Week 1. The junior varisty squad then defeated Dana Hills 26-12 in Week 2. The teams traveled to play San Marcos High School on Jan. 2. The junior varsity team emerged with a 51-22 victory and the varsity squad

Triton ReportReport

San Clemente’s Tyler Meisinger won fi ve tournament weight division championships in December. Photo: Courtesy

The San Clemente Triton Rugby Club teams are off to an unbeaten start. Photo: Courtesy

tied with San Marco 14-14. The Triton Rugby Club will host Mission Vista at the Vista Hermosa Sports Park on Jan. 8 at 7:15 p.m.

FOOTBALLThe San Clemente High School foot-

ball program will hold its Friday Night Lights skills camp for children grades 4-8 at Thalassa Stadium on Jan. 15. The camp is designed to teach attendees key training drills and techniques for all posi-tions. The Friday Night Lights camp will take place from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. and will be run by the Tritons varsity coaching staff. For more information or to regis-ter, visit www.tritonfootball.com.

COMPILED BY STEVE BREAZEALE

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

Meisinger, Marshall Dominant on the Mats for Triton Wrestling Team

San Clemente wrestlers Tyler Meis-inger and Kyle Marshall had a December to remember and one, according to head coach Mark Calentino, which will stand out in the school record books.

Meisinger won fi ve tournament cham-pionships in one calendar month and was named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler in three of them.

Meisinger’s dominant stretch began at the San Clemente 8-Way Tournament on Dec. 1. Three days later, at the El Dorado Invitational, Meisinger won four matches en route to the 152-pound title. Meisinger continued his winning ways at the La Costa Canyon Invitational, Brea Olinda In-vitational and, most recently, at the Central Coast Classic on Dec. 29.

“We’ve had some great wrestlers in the program over the years, but have never had a kid with a run like that in the month of December,” Calentino said in an email.

San Clemente junior Kyle Marshall won his weight division title at the El Dorado Invitational, La Costa Canyon Invitational, Brea Olinda Invitational and Central Coast Classic, respectively. Marshall is currently undefeated this season.

Both Marshall and Meisinger are ranked in the top-10 in the state in their respective weight classes, according to Calentino.

Both wrestlers will make the trip to Fresno on Jan. 8 for the Doc Buchanan Invitational, an invite-only tournament that features some of the top wrestling talent on the West Coast.

The Triton wrestling team will continue league play on Jan. 12 with a road match against Laguna Hills.

Boys Soccer Set for Match With Cougars

The San Clemente boys soccer team will open South Coast League play on the road against Capistrano Valley on Jan. 8. The Tritons (5-7-4) recently competed in the SoCal High School Classic Tourna-ment, where the team went 1-2-1. San Clemente opened its tournament bid with a 3-0 win over South East and drew to a 0-0 tie with Santa Margarita on Dec. 28. San Clemente closed out the tournament with back-to-back losses to Santa Margarita and Huntington Beach on Dec. 29.

Boys Hoops Loses Late in Tustin Classic Championship Game, Readies for Title Defense

In the championship game of the Tustin Classic, the San Clemente boys basketball team lost to Clovis West on a layup with just over two seconds left on the clock that sealed a 51-50 victory for the Golden Eagles.

Cole Fotheringham led San Clemente with 11 points, Dillon Waikle poured in 10 while Blake Birmingham and Jake Cam-eron each added eight.

Birmingham and Fotheringham were each named to the all-tournament team.

San Clemente (11-5) suffered a 66-63 overtime loss to Troy on Jan. 5 to close out its nonleague schedule. Senior guard Gage Shelmidine led San Clemente with 15 points but fouled out in the overtime period with just under three minutes to go. Waikle scored 12 points and Foth-eringham scored 11. Fotheringham

also secured 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.

The Tritons will open their run through South Coast League play on the road against Dana Hills (7-9) on Jan. 8. San Cle-mente is the defending league champion. The Dolphins will enter the game riding a two-game win streak.

Girls Basketball Team Picks Up Back-to-Back Wins

For the fi rst time since early December, the San Clemente girls basketball team won consecutive games while competing in the OC Tournament of Champions.

The Tritons (5-10) defeated Rivera of Los Angeles 80-23 on Dec. 29 and outlasted Woodrow Wilson in a 53-40 victory on Dec. 30. San Clemente led Woodrow Wilson 33-29 after three quarters and outscored them 20-11 in the fi nal quarter to seal the win.

Triton Girls Soccer Falls to Ti-tans in Excalibur Tournament

After an opening round loss to Tem-ecula Valley in the Excalibur Tournament on Dec. 28, the San Clemente girls soccer team rattled off consecutive wins to reach the fi nals of the tournament’s consolation bracket, where they lost to Tesoro 3-0.

Tesoro’s Ally Cook scored all three goals for the Titans. San Clemente goalkeeper Lauren Brzykcy made 12 saves.

San Clemente (6-3-4) was set to open South Coast League play against Aliso Ni-guel on Jan. 7. Results were not available at press time. The Wolverines are the No. 2 team in the CIF-SS Division 1 rankings and the Tritons are ranked eighth. The Tritons will continue league play on Jan. 12 with a match against Capistrano Valley.

Big Win Propels Girls Water Polo Team into League Play

The San Clemente girls water polo team, the second-ranked squad in the CIF-SS Division 2 rankings, picked up a big nonleague win over Los Alamitos on Dec. 30. The Tritons jumped out to an early lead against the Griffi ns, the No. 10 team in Di-vision 1, and did not let up in an 8-6 victory.

San Clemente outscored Los Alamitos 4-1 in the fi rst quarter and the Griffi ns could not catch up. San Clemente’s Amber McCutcheon scored fi ve goals and Ma-rissa Echelberger scored twice.

The Tritons (7-3) were scheduled to open South Coast League play against El Toro on Jan. 7. Results were not available at press time. The Chargers are the No. 1 team in the CIF-SS Division 2 rankings.


SC SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITYSC SURFSC

San Clemente

SURF FORECAST

Timmy Patterson has moved T. Patterson Surfboards to 210 Calle de Los Molinos, Ste. B. Photo: Andrea Swayne

Water Temperature: 57-60 degrees F

Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 4-8’ Poor-Fair. Catalina: 8-14’ Poor-Fair

THURSDAY: Primary WNW-NW swell mix builds as southerly windswell joins in, for jumbled surf throughout the day. Better breaks through the region are in the head high to overhead range, with con-sistently overhead waves at standout winter spots during favorable tides. As another storm front moves in, southerly winds will rise and veer more SW-WSW by the afternoon, making conditions mostly poor.

OUTLOOK: Stronger WNW-NW swell mix peaks on Thursday with overhead to double overhead zone surf for better breaks. Poor conditions continue as another storm sweeps in. Dropping waves with improving weather due on Friday and going into the weekend. Check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.

Patterson Surfboards owner Timmy Patterson wants to start the new year in an old direction,

concentrating only on the art of building great surfboards.

The surf shop, previously on El Camino Real in the North Beach area of San Clemente, was closed just before Christ-mas when the company moved to its new, smaller retail location at 210 Calle de Los Molinos, Ste. B, a move Patterson said has reignited his love for his craft.

“It’s a big change,” Patterson said. “There’s really one main reason people go to the Surf Ghetto or Shapers’ Alley or whatever you want to call it, and that’s to shop for surfboards. It’s a real community here with guys like Cole, Matt Biolos, Dewey Weber, Hamish Graham, Terry Senate, Ghetto House Glassing and Used-Surf. Boards are shaped and glassed right here and go out to surfers, including many pros, all over the world. And I’m right across the street from Brad Basham’s. Back in the day he was one of the keys to my success. Still is. He pushed me and allowed me to make it all happen.”

Since the move, Patterson said the foot traffic has really picked up, largely due to the location and the return to his

T.BY ANDREA SWAYNE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

core business.“Name any team rider in the world and

they’ve been to this little spot in San Cle-mente,” he said. “It’s such a well-known and concentrated area, and we see the best guys from all over the world coming to this little part of California. It says a lot about what we are all doing here.”

Patterson said he is enjoying having greater interaction with his customers—from top pro riders to beginners—and that, along with the close presence of so many other shapers, creates a community of innovators that has put the Los Molinos surf district on the world map.

“It’s really cool to get instant input from everyone,” he said. “That’s one of the coolest things about our business: input from locals and customers and the ability to make boards, start-to-finish, right here. We all get the advantage of making a board and trying it out the next day.”

Back to the Core

GROM OF THE WEEK SEAN DOUGHERTY

ean Dougherty, 13, of Laguna Niguel has been surfing since the age of 7 and intends to continue to make the

sport he loves a permanent part of his life.Sean got his start under the tutelage of

his dad, along with a summer session at Co-la’s Surf Camp in San Clemente. In the past year he has been coached by Dana Point surfer Lucas Taub and has begun climbing the ranks in Western Surfing Association and Scholastic Surf Series events.

In SSS Orange County Middle School Boys Shortboard Division 1, Sean is the No. 7 ranked surfer in a field of 74. In WSA Boys U14 Shortboard, he is ranked No. 11 in a field of 80.

With dreams of becoming a professional surfer, Sean practices nearly every day, making a point to surf even when conditions are not the best, and will soon be starting fitness training at Dean Sports

S

T. Patterson returns company priority to building great surfboards

UPCOMING EVENTSJanuary 9-10: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 4, Santa Cruz, Steamer LaneJanuary 16-17: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 6, Oceanside Harbor, South JettyJanuary 23: Scholastic Surf Series, OC Middle School, Event No. 3, Huntington Beach, PierJanuary 24: Scholastic Surf Series, OC High School, Event No. 3, Huntington Beach, PierJanuary 30: Soul Surf Series, Event No. 4, San Onofre State Park, Church Beach February 6-7: Surfing America Prime, Event No. 5, loca-tion TBDFebruary 6-7: NSSA Open, Event No. 8, Dana Point, Salt Creek BeachFebruary 13-14: WSA Championship Tour, Event No. 7, Huntington Beach, PierFebruary 20: Scholastic Surf Series, OC Middle School, Event No. 4, Oceanside, Pier

Consulting (DSC).Sean’s goals include finishing this season

in the Top 10 in both WSA and SSS, qualify-ing for the Surfing America Prime Series, earning a spot on the USA Surf Team and then moving on to World Surf League Junior Prime events, Qualifying Series events and then the World Tour.

As a member of the Niguel Hills Middle

School surf team, his goals also include working hard for the remainder of the year in preparation for trying out for the Dana Hills High School team next year.

“I want to be able to land every turn I do and be more consistent in finishing my maneuvers,” Sean said.

Surfing is not the only focus for this de-termined eighth-grader. Sean is also a bright

Sean Dougherty Photo: WSA/Jack McDaniel

The success of T. Patterson team rider, Brazilian pro and 2015 Rookie of the Year, Italo Ferreira, also provided Patterson with confirmation that taking his company back to the basics was a move in the right direction.

“Italo’s an amazing surfer, one of the best standouts last year riding T. Patter-son boards, so that’s been really positive for us,” Patterson said. “It was just time to downsize, cut overhead and return to concentrating on surfboards and stocking more of what surfers want. The stand-up paddling thing had really run its course for us and was kind of confusing to some. We don’t sell clothing or artwork anymore either. We’re getting back to the basics of how I started—making great surfboards and doing what I love. It’s refreshing to see so many new customers and old customers stopping by. It’s made it all fun again.” SC

student with a 3.90 GPA and the desire and dedication to work toward straight-A report cards.

“I work hard in school because I want to go to college, probably in Santa Barbara or San Diego, and compete on an NSSA col-lege team,” Sean said. “I also want to be an architect after my surfing career.”

Sean developed an interest in building and architecture as a small child and a “Lego maniac.”

“My mom works at LEGOLAND, so I have enjoyed building stuff with Legos since I was a little kid,” he said. “Basically I love build-ing stuff, finding my own way to put stuff together. I built by own surf rack and skate rack. I really like that kind of stuff.”

Sean is grateful for his family, sponsors and coach for helping him chase his dreams.

“I want to thank my sponsors, WAXTRAX and Rumaner Surfboards,” Sean said. “I also want to thank Lucas for being a great coach and getting me ready for contests, and my parents for being really supportive.” —Andrea Swayne

january 7, 2016

Documents