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L O C A L N E W S Y O U C A N U S EJune 20-26, 2014

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 25

www.danapointtimes.com

Dana Hills Students Become Teachers for a Day PAGE 10

After a day exploring Carlsbad’s Legoland, the Beckler family of Dana Point, pictured (L to R) Greg, Raelyn and Rebecca, return to fi nd Raelyn’s room made into a fantasyland straight out of dreams by the nonprofi t Special Spaces. Photo: Andrea Papagianis

Boater’s Harbor Revival Appeal

Denied by Council EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

South County Catches World

Cup Fever SPORTS/PAGE 12

Council Reallocates Monies, Funds $7.7 Million

to Del Prado Revamp EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 5

Dreams Become Reality

Volunteers transform young leukemia survivor’s room into fantasy world

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTINGEYE ON DP

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times June 20-26, 2014 Page 3

Boater’s Harbor Plan Appeal Denied by Council THE LATEST: Orange County’s long discussed project to renovate the Dana Point Harbor’s commercial core moved closer to breaking ground Tuesday night as the City Council unanimously denied an appeal from recreational boaters of the Planning Commission’s development permit approval.

The estimated $140 million project will demolish of 13 commercial structures and construct seven new, adding 30,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and office space. Plans also include a 35,000-square-foot waterfront park and a two-level parking structure with 545 spaces.

Planning Commissioners approved the project May 12 in a 4-to-1 vote. An appeal from Bruce Heyman, president of Boaters 4 Dana Point Harbor, quickly followed.

Tuesday’s meeting at the Dana Point Community Center was packed with speakers on both sides of the issue. Those favoring the project, including Harbor business owners, said the project had been vetted over the last 17 years and concessions had been made.

For others, mainly local boaters, con-cerns remained regarding parking and dry-boat storage facilities that will be im-pacted during construction. Additionally, many raised concerns with the proposed $30 million boat storage facility and asked for a full-disclosure of finances to ensure

boaters don’t pay a disproportionate share of the project’s costs.

WHAT’S NEXT: Since the Harbor lies on the coast, is owned by the county and falls within city limits, it is subject to oversight from the California Coastal Commission, Orange County and the city of Dana Point.

Tuesday, council members told those in opposition their concerns would be better addressed by the Coastal Commission. It is something Heyman, and others, hoped to avoid due to lengthy delays. An appeal to the Coastal Commission has to be made within 10 days.—Andrea Papagianis

Capo Unified Chrome-book Pilot a SuccessTHE LATEST: Thousands of Capistrano Unified School District students may soon get the opportunity to have additional as-sistance in classrooms.

Following a successful Chromebook pilot program in several district schools, including Concordia and Vista del Mar elementary schools, CUSD trustees voted unanimously June 11 to seek bids to potentially purchase up to 5,000 additional devices for the upcoming school year.

Susan Holliday, the district’s director of technology and information services, said the program, which provided Chrome-books, a personal computer running a Google operating system, received favor-able reviews from teachers and students.

Nearly 1,000 students and 28 teach-ers participated in the program, which stretched between six schools and started in February 2014. The concept behind the program was to evaluate different technology and resources that could help students and teachers adjust to the state’s common core standards.

Teachers involved said they were able to be more creative in their lesson plan-ning, Holliday told trustees.

They also reported that the technology allowed students to work collaboratively.

WHAT’S NEXT: Holliday said there was a need for more technology in schools but that the district was unable to supply all students with Chromebooks.

While the district could provide some, Holliday suggested that individual school foundations also be encouraged to raise funds for the purchase of the laptops in each school classroom.—Jim Shilander

Split Council Funds Lantern District RevampTHE LATEST: A budget update report for 2014-2015 before the five-member City Council Tuesday night included adjust-ments to the city’s two-year operating budget but not a commitment to fund the second phase of the Town Center/Lantern District improvement project many had hoped for.

After hearing concerns from residents and business owners that funding for streetscape improvements along Del Prado Avenue wouldn’t come, the council voted 3-2 to reallocate monies from vari-ous reserves to fund the estimated $7.7 million project.

Councilmen Bill Brough, Carlos Olvera and Steven Weinberg opted to transfer $1.475 million for the state budget impacts reserve, $2.5 million from the capital proj-ects sinking fund reserve and the $3.725 million needed to round out the $7.7 mil-lion from the undesignated fund balance.

Mayor Lisa Bartlett and Councilman Scott Schoeffel dissented. Both raised con-cerns about the depletion of city reserves.

WHAT’S NEXT: The council approved sending the project to bid. According to staff, bids will be structured with line items the council can look at more closely.

Last May, the council approved spend-ing $9.2 million to add bus pullouts, replace sidewalks, add medians and return two-directional traffic to Pacific Coast Highway. Construction began in September.

With the vote Tuesday, the project’s second phase, considered the heart of the Lantern District, will be funded. The project will create a pedestrian-friendly environment down Del Prado.—AP

Local Arrested for Federal Drug TraffickingTHE LATEST: Federal authorities arrested two Orange County men Friday, June 13 on accusations they were part of a wide-spread, international scheme to smuggle, manufacture and distribute millions of dollars of synthetic drugs that produce ef-fects similar to marijuana and Ecstasy.

Kyle Kledzik, 26, of Dana Point, and Sean Libbert, 38, of Newport Coast, are among six people charged in the case. The four others are Chinese nationals, three of whom remain at large. Authorities believe they acted as chemical suppliers.

Kledzik and Libbert are charged with selling $12 million worth of synthetic drugs and chemicals used to create them through various internet websites to other distributors and individual users. Pros-ecutors allege Libbert ran the operation and employed Kledzik to handle package pickups and chemical shipments.

Authorities have labeled Libbert’s op-eration one of the nation’s largest import-ers and shippers of synthetic narcotics, such as “spice” and “bath salts.”

Spice—also known as K2, black mamba, fake weed and genie among others—is synthetic marijuana. Bath salts are synthetic stimulants that are usually ingested by snorting, producing effects like amphetamines, cocaine, Khat, LSD and MDMA, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

WHAT’S NEXT: The arrests stem from a near three-year investigation.

“These substances may have benign names like ‘spice’ and ‘bath salts,’ but they’ve been linked to serious health com-plications and even death,” said special agent Claude Arnold with ICE.

Arnold warned others involved in illicit drug trades that while this was the first prosecution of its kind locally, it would not be the last.—AP

Surf Museum Could Move to Outlet LocaleTHE LATEST: The Outlets at San Clemente Plaza developer has offered a rental rate of 25 cents on the dollar to the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in order to move its museum to the outlet mall when it opens in the fall of 2015.

Currently, SHACC is located at the Ran-cho San Clemente Business Park.

The developer hoped to provide a muse-um location closer to the water where the organization could have an event space, Jancee Aellig, future general manager of the outlet mall told the San Clemente City Council on Tuesday evening.

Aellig said other cities were courting the museum and outlet developer Steve Craig was committed to keeping it in San Clemente. In 2009, a series of community forums brought Dana Point residents out in support and opposition of the Surf-ing Heritage Foundation’s bid to build a 33,000-square-foot museum in Sea Terrace Park. The project didn’t move forward.

WHAT’S NEXT: Barry Haun, the museum’s curator, said they would have to review the proposal before making a decision. – JS

What’s Up With...Five things Dana Point should know this week

DPDana Point

Recreational boaters appealed the Dana Point Planning Commission’s decision granting the county permission to demolish 13 buildings at the Dana Point Harbor and rebuild seven structures, a park and two-level parking structure. The City Council heard arguments Tuesday but ultimately upheld the revitalization plans in a unani-mous vote. Rendering courtesy of Orange County

EYE ON DP

SATURDAY, JUNE 21

Whale Walk and Talk9 a.m.–11 a.m. Learn about different ma-rine mammals, their migration patterns and ways to spot them on this 1.5-mile walk through the Dana Point Headlands conservation area. Walk is free from the Nature Interpretive Center, 34558 Scenic Drive. RSVP to 949.248.3527 or wqintern@danapoint.org.

Farmers Market9 a.m.–1 p.m. Seasonal produce, flowers and much more are on the ticket at this weekly market at La Plaza Park. Visit www.danapoint.org or call 949.248.3500 to find out about becoming a vendor.

MONDAY, JUNE 23

Planning Commission Meeting6 p.m. The city’s appointed five-member body meets to discuss local develop-ment and more. Meetings are held at City Hall 33282 Golden Lantern. Go to www.danapoint.org to view the agenda.

TUESDAY, JUNE 24

Dana Harbor Toastmasters7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Practice becoming a more confident communicator at the Dana Point Library, 33481 Niguel Road. For more infomation email 1707@toastmastersclubs.org or contact Ray at 949.496.2275.

THURSDAY, JUNE 26

Dana Point Coastmasters7 a.m. Fine tune your public speaking skills each Thursday at the OC Sailing & Events Center, 34451 Ensenada Place. Visit www.coastmasters.org to find out more about Coastmasters.

CommunityMeetings

SPONSORED BY Dana Point Police Serviceswww.HideitLockitOrLoseit.com

DP 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, June 16

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Street of the Violet Lantern, 34000 Block (2:16 a.m.) An apparently drunken man, with tat-toos and wearing black clothing, was outside the caller’s home saying, “I want to buy you. I want to fight you.” The caller’s boyfriend opened the door and the man entered. He had to be pushed back outside.

Sunday, June 15

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Pacific Coast Highway/Selva Road (10:44 p.m.) Authorities were alerted to an unknown subject standing on the balcony of a residence holding a flashlight and a bag. Officials performed a patrol check and saw nothing suspicious.

KEEP THE PEACE Cortes Drive, 24300 Block (6:46 p.m.) The caller’s neighbor began yelling out his window after her grand-son’s ball went over the fence. The infor-mant felt threatened by the neighbor who yelled he was going to come over and steal the chicken being barbecued.

Saturday, June 14

DISTURBANCE Pacific Coast Highway, 34100 Block (12:04 a.m.) A man was sleeping outside Circle K between the ice and water machines. He refused to leave.

Friday, June 13

WELFARE CHECK Street of the Golden Lantern/Dana Point Harbor Drive (8:29 p.m.) A caller reported seeing a group of juveniles jumping from the Dana Point pedestrian bridge.

RECKLESS DRIVING Philemon Drive/Johna-thon Circle (8:02 p.m.) The driver of a silver truck with an extended cab took a corner too fast and screeched the tires. The caller reported being told by Lt. Russ Chilton, chief of Dana Point Police Ser-vices, to call about “shenanigans.”

GENERAL BROADCAST Crown Valley Park-way/Pacific Coast Highway (7:07 p.m.) Officials searched for a two-door, silver Honda Civic after a receiving word that passengers were throwing fireworks at pedestrians.

DRUNK DRIVING Calle Carmelita, 34400 Block (3:14 p.m.) An apparently drunken driver left a neighbor’s home in a white Volkswagen Jetta. The driver stumbled and fell prior to getting into the vehicle and almost hit the caller while driving off. He was last seen heading toward Palisades Elementary School.

Wednesday, June 11

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCE Azores Road, 32300 Block (2:42 a.m.) An irate caller claimed his 52-year-old brother was pouring powder into his home. It was the fourth such call authorities had received in two days.

Tuesday, June 10

SUSPICIOUS PERSON Niguel Road, 33800 Block (7:50 p.m.) A 40-year-old man, wear-ing a grey sweatshirt, was lying under-neath desks at the Dana Point Library and was using a screwdriver to tamper with computers.

RECKLESS DRIVING Pacific Coast Highway/Street of the Golden Lantern (5:47 p.m.) The driver of a blue Ford Explorer cut off the caller and made a rude hand gesture. The caller believed the other driver was drunk.

COMPILED BY STEVE SOHANAKI

News Next DoorWHAT’S GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORING TOWNS

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO The San Juan Capistrano City Council is

set to give final consideration for a proposal to build a 136-room hotel and 33 town-homes in the heart of downtown.

In May, the Planning Commission voted 3-2 to recommend approval of Urban Village’s San Juan Hotel & Villas project, which also in-cludes 2,700 square feet of commercial space on 3.17 acres, located at Camino Capistrano. Plans also include extending Forster Street all the way through to Del Obispo Street.

Last month, Urban Village Principal Josh-ua Host announced that he had received a commitment from Hilton Worldwide to operate a full-service, four star hotel and that he had signed a contract with a Hilton-recommended developer. Host noted that the townhomes would be branded as “Hilton luxury villas.”

While the council will consider the same project as the commission, Urban Village Principal Joshua Host said more parking has been added to assuage concerns.

SAN CLEMENTEBicyclists will soon be legally allowed to

ride the Mariposa Boardwalk on the San Clemente Beach Trail, following a 3-1 San Clemente City Council vote Thursday, June 5 and a change in CalTrans rules.

The state changed its rules regarding the height of railings allowable near train crossings, reducing its allowable height to 48 inches from 52, said Tom Bonigut, the city’s assistant city engineer. This means the boardwalk is considered safe for bicycles.

The boardwalk and bridge actually was designed to be ridden by bicyclists, but state rules forced the city to require bicyclists to walk the bridge.

The council asked the city’s Marine Safety staff, which provides enforcement of beach trail regulations to let them now if there were problems on the trail as a result of the decision. If there are, council members said they would be willing to revisit the vote.

The new ordinance must still receive a second vote by the council at a later date.

Dana Point Times June 20-26, 2014 Page 5

EYE ON DP

www.danapointtimes.com

Volunteers transform young leukemia survivor’s room into fantasy world

aelyn Beckler stretches out on a snow-white shag rug. Arms spread wide, the vibrant 5-year-old moves

her limbs in synchronization. “It’s snow,” she proclaims. “I’m making an angel!”

An hour earlier, Raelyn was surrounded by guests. Now, she is alone in her space, exploring each nook and cranny, examin-ing every colorful toy, story-filled book, sparkling dress and family picture, feeling the materials and soaking in the new fea-tures of the bedroom created just for her.

There’s been a lot of change in her young life—one filled with experiences well-beyond her five years.

Raelyn was just 2 when she was diag-nosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rapid-progressing cancer that attacks the body’s blood and bone marrow—the flex-ible tissue inside bones where red blood cells are produced. Raelyn’s parents took her to the doctor with a 104-degree fever that wouldn’t break. When medications didn’t combat what doctors believed to be a cold, and the young girl became lethar-gic, she went back. Several tests and office visits later, she was diagnosed.

It was February 2012. For just over two years, the young girl,

nicknamed “Warrior Princess” by her father, battled the disease.

Her parents Greg and Rebecca Beckler by her side, Raelyn underwent monthly chemotherapy treatments at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, took daily doses of oral chemotherapy drugs, ste-roids and numerous other medications to fight off infections and mask side-effects of the treatment. With high dosages of steroids running through her small body, Raelyn’s match with cancer took a hit when she suffered from bad reactions and developed a rare condition referred to as steroid psychosis.

The Becklers only saw the daughter they knew pre-diagnosis a few days out of the month. But through the spinal taps, chemo treatments, blood transfusions, bone marrow biopsies, x-rays and doctor’s visits, Raelyn showed her resilience and her parent’s maintained hope.

In April, her fight came to a triumphant end when Raelyn completed her last round of chemotherapy treatments.

The warrior princess prevailed.

Dreams Really Do Come TrueOn Saturday, June 7, volunteers franti-

cally rushed throughout the Becklers two-bedroom Dana Point condo, acrylic jewels and rhinestones were scattered about.

The family had been sent on an adven-ture, to a world built from a master’s imagi-nation out of small, colorful plastic pieces. They headed out to explore Legoland for the day, with the promise of a big surprise waiting upon their return.

RBY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS, DANA POINT TIMES

... And She Lived Happily Ever After

San Clemente-based interior designer Paula Oblen, the visionary behind the concept who brought Raelyn’s dream to life, perfectly aligned jewels along a freshly installed chair rail. Local construction con-tractor Jed Stamen pieced together new white furniture. The mother and daughter team of Shana and Denise Sutherland touched up bubblegum pink paint and delicately arranged dresses from Disney’s favorite princesses, while Denise’s sister Stacy Swaringer bejeweled little treasures.

They moved quickly throughout the day. But as seen in cable television shows highlighting home refurbishments and makeovers, things fell together in the mo-ments before the Becklers arrived.

Pink walls donned decorated crowns, shelves were lined with Raelyn’s favorite trinkets, dresses, shoes and boas filled her new treasure chest and the princess para-dise she envisioned became a reality.

It had taken since September to come to fruition, but the timing was finally right.

A Perfect Fusion of ForcesDenise Sutherland, a near 40-year

resident of Capistrano Beach, found what she was looking for while watching “Secret Millionaire” on ABC.

It was spring 2011 and a Knoxville, Tennessee nonprofit called Special Spaces received a generous surprise. Founded in 2004 by Jennifer Swain, the all-volunteer organization helps create unique rooms, ones providing comfort and support, for children with life-threatening illnesses.

In this episode, it was Swain not the child that was handed the ultimate shock. A volunteer, later revealed to be millionaire entrepreneur Dani Johnson, donated some $50,000 to the non-profiteer and the family whose 5-year-old daughter was undergoing leukemia treatments.

Sutherland was hooked. She contacted the organization, and

with the backing of her family, founded the Orange County chapter and embarked on the first local room revamping. Three years and eight room designs later, this grassroots, community-based organization is giving young children, forced to grow too up fast, a space they can call their own.

Greg Beckler called in September. His family’s story resonated with Sutherland.

“I understand these children,” Suther-land said. “I understand these families and how difficult it is knowing your child has this time bomb in them and you never know when they are going to the hospital.”

It’s the reason She brought Special Spaces to Orange County.

Her brother, Marty Gentle, was 14 when he got sick. They didn’t know it at the time, but there is a genetic problem in the family

with hypercoagulable states, creating a high risk for blood clot development. Sutherland’s father and brother were both diagnosed with the condition. They died at 44 and 34, respectively.

“I honor his memory, because when he was sick … it was a time when pre-exist-ing conditions weren’t covered. He was always financially devastated and people who didn’t know him stepped up,” Suther-land said. “When I saw Special Spaces, I knew this is what I was supposed to do.”

The timing of Beckler’s call was off. Each year, from October to April,

Sutherland takes a break and organizes finances, prepares tax forms and holds fundraisers.

The family had just missed the mark. But Sutherland promised, Raelyn’s room would come. The Becklers didn’t hold their breath and avoided telling Raelyn about the project, just in case it never did.

In March, forces came together and the reality of Raelyn’s special space started to form. Sutherland attended a meeting of the San Clemente Junior Women’s Club where local philanthropic organizations were awarded donations. Special Spaces was among recipients. After giving a presentation on upcoming tasks, includ-ing Raelyn’s room, Sutherland said she needed a designer for the project.

As fate would have it, Paula Oblen was there. It was her second meeting as a member. She signed on.

Oblen and Sutherland met the family and the young lady with a zest for life and vivacious imagination. They ran through a slew of questions. Pink: Raelyn’s favorite color. Frozen: Raelyn’s favorite movie.

Her Room, Her SpaceAs the Becklers arrived home, dozens

of volunteers cheered. Around the corner, a special surprise awaited. Shock spread across Raelyn’s face as Frozen’s Queen Elsa placed a crown upon her head. Her dropped jaw turned to a smile and the pair headed inside.

With Elsa in tow, Raelyn entered her room, her jaw dropping once again. She jetted throughout the small space, exam-ined the changes and even tested out the buoyancy of her new bed.

And when the crowd had left and Elsa returned to Arendelle, she lied down, spread her wings and made her angel.

A little more than a week later, Dad, Greg, reports Raelyn is sleeping in her own room for the first time since her diagnosis—one she’s kept in the same order Oblen, Sutherland and the other volunteers left it. She’s also wearing a new title, that of big sister, to a baby brother, who was welcomed into the world early Wednesday morning.

And her favorite thing is still: “The cozy rug,” Raelyn says, “It feels like snow.” DP

Pictured (L to R) volunteer designers Paul Kearns, Paula Oblen and Jed Stamen take a moment to goof off during the chaos of installment day, as they transform 5-year-old Raelyn Beckler’s bedroom into a princess’ paradise. Photo: Shana Sutherland

Five-year-old Raelyn Beckler battled acute lym-phoblastic leukemia for 2.5 years. In April, Raelyn completed treatments. To give the young girly girl a fresh start, volunteers fashioned a bedroom straight from her dreams, complete with pink walls and princess dresses. Photo: Andrea Papagianis

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTSSOAPBOX

Dana Point Times June 20-26, 2014 Page 6 www.danapointtimes.com

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SPECIAL THANKSRobert Miller, Jonathan Volzke

CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco, Kevin Dahlgren, Amanda Huff-man, Catherine Manso, Madison May, Sean Robb, Jenna Ross, Dana Schnell, Steve Sohanaki, Tim Trent

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Dana Point Times, Vol. 7, Issue 25. 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.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 2014. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

DPDana Point

Letters to the Editor

just up coast from Taco Surf and there is parking off PCH and behind the building.

Come, bring your donations and shop for your favorite books. We look forward to seeing you at our new, temporary digs.

REAL INTERSTATE 5 TRAFFIC CRUSH IS STILL TO COMEJIM COSHLAND, San Clemente

You ain’t seen nothing yet. The Avenida La Pata extension to

Ortega Highway is scheduled for comple-tion within the next two years.

At that time, look for the next Inter-state 5 closure north of Avenida Pico to bring gridlock along Pico, as thousands of cars and trucks seek a way around the blockage. There will be solid full lanes of vehicles from I-5 to Avenida La Pata and continuing north on La Pata.

Not only may closures cause this but the frequent and heavy I-5 traffi c over-loads on Sundays heading north may also result in Pico and La Pata being unbear-able.

As usual, the morons who forced the “no-access” around San Clemente to the I-5 south of town will not step up and take the blame. They may be little affected anyway, since so many of them are out-of-towners.

San Clemente residents have been taking it on the chin for so many years in

PARK WOULD PROVIDE A SAFE PLACE FOR KIDS TO SKATENATHAN CAPLINGER, Dana Point

Dana Point needs a skatepark because kids don’t have anywhere to skate. But when they do skate, they ruin the con-crete. We also need one because we need a safe place to skate away from cars.

It will keep kids out of trouble too. This is why we need a skate park in Dana Point.

TAVERN OWNERS DONATE SPACE FOR LIBRARY BOOKSTORECUBBY RAYFIELD, Dana Point

I want the community to know that it is thanks to the generosity of Joe and Vicki Scala, owners of the restaurant Tavern on the Coast, located at 34212 Pacifi c Coast Highway, that the Dana Point Library bookstore has a home for the time the library will be closed while its skylights are replaced.

The bookstore will operate out of a building at 34189 Pacifi c Coast Highway for the months of July and August. We are

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

PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide vari-ety of opinions from our community, the DP Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not refl ect 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

WAVELENGTHS By Jim Kempton

GUEST OPINION: Wavelengths by Jim Kempton

That Was EasyIs “simple” sometimes simply the best?

n 1969 following a devastating love affair with his best friend George Harrison’s wife, rock guitar hero Eric

Clapton walked into a sound studio with a group of exceptional musical mates and recorded “Layla,” considered by many to be the fi nest rock opus of that decade. Named after a 13th century Persian princess whose refusal to marry her se-cret lover drove him to madness, Clapton chose the story to evoke his own. Fueled by heartbreak, pouring his grief into every note, Clapton and his band Derek and the Dominos fashioned an entire album of tor-rentially aching love songs that became a lasting testament to unrequited passion.

Attending a small college in San Diego, I served on the Associated Student Body staff the same year Clapton toured for the Layla album.

As student government offi cers, we were entrusted with choosing the musical events, allowing us to select who would

play at our small auditori-um. With popular graffi ti of the time proclaiming “Clapton is god,” Derek and the Domino’s was our unquestionable fi rst pick.

As with many of the bar-setting shows the Dominos put on that year,

Clapton turned his back on the audience when he played his scorching guitar solos.

As a student body offi cer, one of the tasks that fell to me was introducing Clap-ton to the lone music critic who had come for an interview. To be one of the few non-band members allowed back stage during the event was a more than worthwhile compensation.

After the show, having made the intro-duction, I hung backstage hoping to listen in, unnoticed. What would the man whose lightning-fast solos had earned him the moniker “Slowhand” have to say?

Midway through his short interview, the critic (pompous as he was prejudiced) lobbed a disdainful query to Clapton about turning his back on the audience during the solos.

“I don’t understand what the fuss is about,” the critic challenged Clapton. “I watched you from the back here and those runs on your guitar are just not that hard

I

to play. In fact they are quite simple. Why do you feel you have to hide them when almost anybody could play them?”

There was a momentary pause as Clap-ton leaned forward toward his dismissive critic. Every unseen ear in the backstage was straining to hear the reply.

Clapton’s soft voice articulated every word of the two-sentence maxim: “They’re not that hard to play,” he responded. “They’re just really hard to think up.”

It was, as I look back on it now, a defi n-ing epiphany.

Like Vermeer’s magnifi cent painting technique, Newton’s straight-forward description of gravity, Michael Jordan’s gravity-defying leaps or Hemingway’s spare prose, Clapton’s assembled notes were deceptively simple. But, they were also astonishing in their effortless beauty.

Sometimes I realized then, simple is simply the best.

Jim Kempton is a music lover who believes Eric Clapton and Duane Allman’s double lead on “Why Does Love Have to Be So Sad” (from the Layla album) is arguably the fastest, most dramatic and heartbreak-ing work in the rock music canon. DP

CORRECTIONS: A reporter’s mistake in last week’s story, “Caring for Her Sister’s Memory,” contained an error in which a scholarship the Courtney family has maintained in memory of daughter and sister Kim Courtney was improperly named. Additionally, the story titled, “Lantern District Budget Up for Council Debate,” confused agenda items and listed an incorrect project estimate. The revitalization/infrastructure project along Del Prado Avenue is expected to cost $7.7 mil-lion, and while the council ultimately decided to fund the project’s second phase, the city’s budget adjustments for fi scal year’s 2014-2015 did not in-clude monies for the Lantern District. The Dana Point Times regrets the errors.

so many areas and local projects that this ultimate kick in the rear may wake us up. Or maybe not.

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNERGETTING OUT

Friday | 20GEORGE FRYER & THE CATCH6 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Taste blends from the West Coast’s smallest, finest wineries accompanied by vibrant small plates and live music. Wine tastings run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Friday. DaVine Food & Wine, 34673 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.493.4044, www.davine-wine.com.

CASH’D OUT8 p.m. Johnny Cash tribute band performs at the Coach House. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets $15. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. Call 949.496.8930. www.thecoachhouse.com.

MOVIE IN THE PARK: MONSTERS UNI-VERSITY 8 p.m.–10 p.m. Follow everyone’s favorite monsters, Mike and Sully, as the overcome differences to become the best of friends. Popcorn is free. Refreshments available for purchase. Lantern Bay Park, 25111 Park Lantern Road, Dana Point 949.248.3530, www.danapoint.org.

Saturday | 21CLASSY TREASURES SALE7 a.m. The Sand Dollar Guild of Dana Point is hosting an upscale garage sale to raise money for the Ocean Institute’s edu-cational programming. Dana Point Com-munity House, 24642 San Juan Ave., Dana Point. For more info, call 949.294.8193.

TRAIL CLEARING AND WEEDING8 a.m.–10 a.m. Spend some time in the great outdoors and help other volunteers clear the trails at The Reserve/Richard & Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy. Drinks and snacks provided. Free. To RSVP or for directions, call 949.489.9778 or visit www.rmvreserve.org.

FOOD, WINE AND MUSIC FESTIVALNoon–7 p.m. Spend the day sampling re-gional food and wine. Free shuttle service available from Dana Hills High School. Sea Terrace Community Park, Pacific Coast Highway and Niguel Road, Dana Point, www.foodwineandmusicfestival.com.

SOUTH COAST SINGERS7 p.m. The group of more than 50 talented singers from across Orange County perform jazz, rock, Broadway and more. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for stu-dents and seniors. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Circle St., Aliso Viejo, www.southcoastsingers.org.

Sunday | 22NATURE HIKE8 a.m.–9 a.m. An easy 1-mile hike at Caspers Wilderness Park. Wear comfort-able clothing and hiking shoes. Sun-screen, water and insect repellant recom-mended. Free. Parking $5. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. For more info, call 949.923.2210 or visit www.ocparks.com/caspers.

MIKE HAMILTONNoon–4 p.m. Enjoy live music at Mission Grill each Sunday with multi-instrumental-ist Mike Hamilton. 31721 Camino Capist-rano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.240.8055, www.mikehamiltonmusic.com.

PYRATE ADVENTURE SAIL4:30 p.m. Learn the truth about “pyrates” aboard the Ocean Institute’s schooner t on this adventure at sea. Cost is $40 for adults and $23 for children. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

Monday | 23INTRODUCTION TO SOLDERING10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ExplorOcean invites you to create your own electronic device during an hour-long course to soldering. $15. 600 E. Bay Ave., Newport Beach. To reserve a spot or for more info, visit www.explorocean.org.

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

Tuesday | 24HOUSE OF DESIGN TOUR10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tour a home in the Dana Point Headlands with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. Tickets $40. Free parking at Strand Vista Park. Shuttle runs every 10 minutes. Selva Road at Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 714.840.7542, www.philharmonicsociety.org.

KNITLIT BOOK CLUB6 p.m.–7 p.m. Bring your knitting project and join in on a lively discussion of the lat-est book, which will be available after the meeting. KnitLit meets the last Tuesday of each month. San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, 949.493.1752, www.ocpl.org.

Wednesday | 25DOWNTOWN FARMER’S MARKET3 p.m.–7 p.m. Fresh flowers, produce and specialty foods from around 40 vendors in downtown San Juan Capistrano, on the corner of Camino Capistrano and Yorba Street. www.farmersmarketsjc.com.

COMPILED BY STAFF

DPDana Point

Southern California surf culture will be on display at Doheny State Beach during this two-day festival benefiting outreach and educational programs at the state park. Courtesy photo

doheny surf festiVal • June 28 and 299 a.m.–8 p.m. Bring the whole family for this annual event celebrating Southern Califor-nia surf culture. There will be tandem and nose-ride surfing demonstrations, live music, meet and greets with surfing’s local legends, environmental exhibits, woodies on display, a beer garden, outdoor adventure vendors and more. Free. Parking is $15. Event raises funds for the local state park. Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Harbor Drive, Dana Point, www.dohenysurffest.com.

Thursday | 26PLAY ON 8 p.m. A comedic take on a theatre group desperately trying to put on a play hits the stage. Tickets $20, $15 for students. Cabrillo Playhouse, 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, www.cabrilloplayhouse.org.

OPEN MIC AND COMEDY8 p.m., Local comedians bring their fun-niest jokes. Knuckleheads, 1717 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949.492.2410, www.knuckleheadsmusic.com.

UPCOMING EVENT animated animals • June 2710 a.m.–11:30 a.m. OC Parks, the OC Zoo and the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity invite kids to draw animals under the guidance of instructors and meet live animals. Admission $10, $2 for parents. Orange County Zoo, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange. To register, call 714.973.6846.

Jesse Eisenberg as Josh in Night Moves. Photo: Tipping Point Productions. Courtesy of Cinedigm

IAt the Movies: A Different Kind of ‘Night Moves’

n the middle of summer blockbuster season with films like Godzilla, X-Men and Maleficent topping the box office,

independent filmmaker Kelly Reichardt’s latest drama, Night Moves, brings a very dark and chilling environment to the movie screen. After spending her last two films aiding Michelle Williams’ tour-de-force performances in Wendy & Lucy (2008) and Meek’s Cutoff (2012), Reichardt now follows Jesse Eisenberg and Dakota Fanning through one of the best indie thrillers of the year

thus far.In this Oregon-based film, a trio of young,

radical and well meaning environmental-ists aim to make a difference for the planet. Emotionally numb Josh (Eisenberg) and determined optimist Dena (Fanning) drive across state to meet up with Josh’s grungy friend Harmon (Peter Sarsgaard) to plan a secret bombing of a hydroelectric dam, a decision with consequences and more dangers than they could predict.

Alia Shawkat and James Le Gros co-star.

Eisenberg follows The Double with a different kind of art-house feature, in one of the creepiest and subtle deliveries of his career. Fanning modestly continues to leave behind her childhood stardom for grown-up characters. Reichardt sets an eerie and unnerving tone throughout the movie that keeps audience eyes anxiously fixated on the screen. She also success-fully centers Night Moves around a political topic and avoids coming across as preachy or biased. — Megan Bianco

EDITOR’S PICK

READINGWITH WRIGHTBy Chris Wright

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times June 20-26, 2014 Page 10

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITYDP LIVINGDP

Dana Point

he Capistrano Unified School Dis-trict has teamed up with a local envi-ronmental organization to promote

sustainability education among area youth. Sixty Advanced Placement environmen-

tal science students from Dana Hills High School mentored 100 Palisades Elemen-tary School students on conservation-related methods at The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano on Tuesday, June 10.

The three-hour event, called Ecology Backyard Skills Mentor Day, consisted of four hands-on workshops in which the Dana Hills students taught ecological skills to the fourth-graders from Palisades. The workshops included composting and

Students Become TeachersDana Hills students teach Palisades fourth-graders backyard skills

TBY STEVE SOHANAKI, DANA POINT TIMES

making hand-dipped beeswax candles, recycled newspaper pots and seed balls. Students were also served freshly- har-vested salads from the center’s gardens.

“Making beeswax candles is a fun hands-on activity for the kids, and the high school students give a presentation showing the importance of bees in agricul-ture,” said Meg Hiesinger, head of school programs at The Ecology Center.

Shane Young, a senior from Dana Hills and a student mentor, said the beeswax lesson was his favorite workshop.

“Making candles from beeswax is a more natural process that’s better for the environment as opposed to artificially making candles,” Young said.

In another workshop, students gave instructions on how to make seed balls.

“The seed balls are made of clay and seeds. Putting the seeds in clay balls preserves them and prevents birds from taking them,” Hiesinger said.

Seed balls are used to help propagate plants in areas that are difficult for them to grow in, Hiesinger said. The clay acts as a natural protector for the seeds by pre-venting them from drying out in the sun, getting eaten by animals or being blown away by the wind.

The collaborative program is in its third year and has involved a number of

Pictured (L to R) Ella Lohrbach, Taylor Benavides, Elizabeth Durst and Natalie Wesenka, all seniors at Dana Hills High School, give a presentation to fourth-graders from Palisades Elementary School ex-plaining the role bees play in the ecosystem. Photo: Steve Sohanaki

schools, including Kinoshita, San Juan and Canyon Vista elementary schools, and since its inception, Ecology Backyard Skills Mentor Day has hosted hundreds of students from across Capistrano Unified.

Hiesinger, along with Dana Hills science teacher Dolores Dang-Wright and Capist-rano Unified Science Coordinator Elisa Slee, started the program.

“We came up with the idea … to have the high school students teach younger kids about the environment while doing something hands-on,” Dang-Wright said. “It connects the students with the com-munity and they learn more outside the classroom.”

Dana Hills High School Principal Jason Allemann attended the event for the first time.

“We as educators should look for more opportunities where students can do things like this,” Allemann said. “Envi-ronmental studies are becoming popular for students. They enjoy learning about how to keep a sustainable environment, clean water and the things we all take for granted.”

Dana Hills junior Elizabeth Durst, one of the students instructing the beeswax candle lessons, said that although she won’t be in an environmental studies class next year, she would still like to volunteer at The Ecol-

ogy Center for community service.“I like it because it’s good to give back

to the kids,” Durst said. “I wasn’t inter-ested in environmental science before, but now I’m leaning towards studying something that has to do with science and the environment in college.” DP

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

GUEST OPINION: Reading with Wright by Chris Wright

Hitting the Open Road Summer travel tales by plane, train, automobile and Airstream trailer

ummer is upon us, and as June progresses, many local schools are closing down for the remainder of

the season. That means it’s time for a vaca-tion and perhaps a road trip.

Books are a great way to prepare for a travel experience. There are the detailed guide books full of pictures and facts and then there are books about travel period—the whole experience of being in the now and on the go. However, books can only go so far. Sometimes, you have to get up and go do it. But when time and money limit our ability to travel there’s always the written word to fall back on.

Here are some classics and authors that will motivate readers to keep traveling down the road and prompt them to not look back.

Tim Cahill lives in Montana and is an emeritus editor of Outside magazine. His travel writing will leave you in pain from laughing. Road Fever is about the mother of all road trips: from the tip of South America to the Arctic Ocean—in just

over three weeks. Other titles like Jaguars Ripped My Flesh, Pecked to Death by Ducks and A Wolverine is Eating My Leg cry out to be read and chuckled at.

Paul Theroux must have written about traveling across every continent by train but he also writes fiction. Here are some of the train travel books: Riding the Iron Rooster, The Old Patagonian Express: By Train Through the Americas, The Great Railway Bazaar. His most recent book is perhaps his best. It’s about traveling in Africa by bus and car from Capetown, South Africa north as far as Angola. He’s no longer a young man, but he has a great combination of experience and enthusi-asm and he’s a master of judgment when it comes to departing from the itinerary and going with the flow.

This book, The Last Train to Zona Verde: My Ultimate African Safari was not the book he intended to write. He’s been there, done that, but still has the passion

S

for the next town and the desire to ex-plore. He’s frank and candid as well as dis-paraging of himself. However, real world events forced him to focus on personal safety and halted the journey, as three people he meets and befriends are killed during the course of writing the book.

John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley is an absolute must for traveling across the United States. Complement it with William Least Heat Moon’s Blue Highways and you’ve read about America the way it was meant to be. You will never want to take an interstate again.

A modern version of Steinbeck’s jour-ney is Philip Caputo’s The Longest Road:

Overland in Search of America, from Key West to the Arctic Ocean. Caputo, alarmed by all the negativity in the media, embarks on a journey across the country to see if the fabric of America is unraveling. He takes his wife (the third), two bird dogs and an Airstream trailer along. Driving a trailer is stressful enough. His friends joked that the trip would be the end of the marriage. Read it and find out what hap-pened. DP

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

Sudoku

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

Last week’s solution:

BY MYLES MELLOR

Submit your classifi ed ad online at www.danapointtimes.com

CLASSIFIEDS

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE!

E-mail your garage sale to classifi eds@danapointtimes.com

DEADLINE 5PM MONDAY. No phone calls please.

GARAGE SALES

HELP WANTED

SERVICES

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BUSINESS DIRECTORYSan Clemente

DPDana Point

Do you want to reach 10,000+ people in the Dana Point area every week?

Then you need to be in the Dana Point Times. Call us today!

949.388.7700 ext. 102

MENS WETSUIT Quiksilver full suit, barely used. Size medium $75. Call or text 949.533.9761.

GARAGE SALE - 7AM TO 1PM. Saturday ONLY June 21st. No early birds. Furniture, clothing, toys, and tools. Quality items. 313 W. Paseo de Cristobal.

HELP WANTED60 year old San Clemente appliances & electronics Co. hiring delivery and installa-tion personnel. Clean driving record required. Good pay and benefi ts: Call Alex at 949-289-5794 or email at sales@shopdeweys.com

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

PLACE YOUR BUSINESS CARD

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or email lloynes@danapointtimes.com

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times June 20-26, 2014 Page 11

SAN JUAN HILLS WEST COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Sat 6-23 8am-2pm follow signs on San Juan Creek Rd. to Calle Caballero Block 3.

BED FRAMEMetal bed frame. Adjustable for all sizes. $35/obo. New condition. 949.533.9761

HARLEY HANDLE BARSChrome, 8-inch, T Bars (drag specialties). Slight curve back. $70. Can send pictures. Text or call 949-633-3860 for more info.

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORESPORTS & OUTDOORS

Dana Point Times June 16-20, 2014 Page 12 www.danapointtimes.com

DPDana Point

WE WANT TO RUN YOUR SCORES, RESULTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS IN “SCOREBOARD.”E-mail sports@danapointtimes.com or drop off the information to us at 34932 Calle del Sol, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 by each Monday at 5 p.m.

ScoreboardYouth Baseball

The Blue Crew Baseball Camp is set to take place from Monday, June 30 to Friday, July 18 at the Dana Point Pony Field, 34052 Del Obispo St.

The camp, which is run by Dana Hills High School head baseball coach Tom Faris, will run in three sections: June 30 to July 4, July 7-11 and July 14-18.

U.S. Men’s National Team supporters arrived at the OC Tavern early on Monday to watch America play Ghana in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Photo: Steve Breazeale

f you are anything like me, you woke up Monday morning with soccer on the mind. Monday, June 16, was the

day the U.S. Men’s National Team stepped into the sweltering heat of Natal, Brazil and the crushing pressure of a FIFA World Cup soccer match.

The 2014 tournament is in its infant stages, but the past week has been filled with memorable moments, priming us for the national team’s run through the group stage.

Defending champion Spain was thumped by the Netherlands 5-1 on June 13 in a rematch of the 2010 final. Lionel Messi answered the bell and scored in Argentina’s 2-1 opening round win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 15, solidi-fying his star power on the world stage.

All of this excitement has been draw-ing San Clemente soccer fans out of their homes and into their favorite bars and res-taurants to catch the drama. And if you’re truly like me, you’ve been scouring the town, looking for the best places to watch all of the action.

When the United States squared off against Ghana on Monday, the OC Tavern in San Clemente was filled with roughly 150 red, white and blue-clad supporters.

South County Catches World Cup FeverIBY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES Businessmen in suits, college students

draped in the American flag and youth soccer teams all sat, anxiously waiting to see if the U.S. could defeat the Black Stars, who had eliminated the U.S. from the previous two World Cup tournaments.

It didn’t take long for the place to erupt in a frenzy, as U.S. captain Clint Dempsey scored the quickest World Cup goal in the country’s history, just 30 seconds into the match. Suddenly, every person in the room was among friends, as high fives and smiles were exchanged while the goal played over and over again on instant replay.

Those inside the OC Tavern weren’t the only ones glued to the television screen. The U.S. game against Ghana drew 11,093,000 viewers, making it the most-viewed men’s soccer game in ESPN broadcast history, according to Forbes.

“That was the busiest day of the World Cup for us. The U.S.A. team is what filled it up pretty good. The games bring in big business,” OC Tavern manager John Salvadori said.

Salvadori says the American team is what draws the biggest crowds, but there has also been strong support for the Mexican and Brazilian teams throughout the World Cup. The two teams played to a

Key Games to Watch This Weekend

Friday, June 20: Switzerland v. France, 12 p.m.

Saturday, June 21: Germany v. Ghana, 12 p.m.

Sunday, June 22: United States v. Portugal, 3 p.m.

Monday, June 23: Netherlands v. Chile, 9 a.m.

*All games will be broadcasted on ESPN

The camp is open to players age 7-14. Cost for one, five-day long section is $200. Camp will include drills, challenges and baseball etiquette while players hone their fundamentals. Campers are asked to bring baseball gear and clothes.

For more information, email coachfaris15@yahoo.com.

0-0 draw on June 17. Businesses, like the OC Tavern, have

been using social media to notify the pub-lic that they are open early for the games, some start as early as 9 a.m., and adver-tise special offerings. Restaurants like Stillwater Spirits & Sounds in Dana Point have been active on Facebook pushing the marquee matchups of the day. OC Tavern has also been utilizing Instagram to get the word out.

In San Juan Capistrano, Ricardo’s Place and San Juan Hills Golf Club both offer plenty of big screens to watch the games. Note to the seasoned veterans: Try to catch a game at Ricardo’s Place on a Taco Tuesday.

The U.S. eventually pulled off a thrilling victory over Ghana in the final minutes of play, securing three points and keeping their hopes of advancing to the knockout round alive. Now they must hope for a draw or win against Portugal and reigning Ballon d’Or recipient Cristiano Ronaldo on June 22. Their final game in pool play will be against Germany, one of the tourna-ment favorites, on June 26.

It may not look good for the United States, given the two tough matches left on their schedule, but if you are anything like me, you’ll be out amongst the other American soccer faithful, rooting on the team and having a good time at one of the many local soccer hot spots. DP

t’s that time of year when high school football teams begin to take shape and test their skills against regional oppo-

nents in passing league tournaments. The Dana Hills High School football

team has had a positive start to their passing league season, finishing with a 4-1 record at the San Diego State University Passing Tournament on June 14.

The Dolphins cruised to an undefeated record in pool play on the first day of competition, winning four consecutive games. Dana Hills defeated Scripps Ranch, 16-13; La Quinta, 29-14; Madison, 21-20; and Crawford, 31-14, before losing to eventual tournament champion Hamilton of Arizona, 27-6, in the knockout section of play. Hamilton was a 2013 Arizona Division 1 State finalist.

The tournament run in San Diego came on the heels of a semifinal effort in the Dolphins’ own Airstrike Tournament on May 31. The Airstrike Tournament featured several top Southern California teams, including Santa Margarita, Servite and Edison. The Dolphins went 1-2 in pool play, knocking off Trabuco Hills, and won

Passing League Season Underway for Dolphins Football

IBY STEVE BREAZEALE, DANA POINT TIMES

two games in the championship bracket. Dana Hills defeated Narbonne and Valen-cia before falling to JSerra Catholic 26-13 in the semifinals.

Soon to be senior quarterback Cole Wilber competed for the Dolphins at the San Diego tournament, and was recently offered by Northern Arizona University, according to head coach Todd Rusinkovich. DP

Dana Hills quarterback Cole Wilber was offered by Northern Arizona University. Courtesy photo

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AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating31648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, 949.420.1321, www.oasisair.com

ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING

Nona Associates-Raymond J. Nona A.I.A26901 Camino de Estrella, 949.496.2275, www.raynona.com

AUTO REPAIR

Dana Point Auto34342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, 949.496.1086

CAFE - DELI

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

COFFEE SHOP

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

DANCE/FITNESS

Club Salsa Dance Studio34202 Camino CapistranoCapistrano Beach, 949.230.0543, www.clubsalsadance.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

IMAGES/Creative Solutions117 Del Gado Road, 949.366.2488, www.imgs.com

ICE CREAM

Coffee Importers Scoop Deck34531 Golden Lantern, 949.493.7773, www.coffeeimporters.com

INSURANCE SERVICES

Patricia Powers24551 Del Prado, Ste. 364, 949.496.1900, pat.powers@cox.net

State Farm/Ted Bowersox34085 Pacifi c Coast Hwy., Ste. 204, 949.661.3200, www.tedbowersox.com

Statefarm/Elaine LaVine34080 Golden Lantern, 949.240.8944, www.elainelavine.net

LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back449 Avenida Crespi, 949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

LOCKSMITH

Dana Point Lock & Security949.496.6916, www.danapointlock.com

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

Danman’s Music School24699 Del Prado, 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

Kenny’s Music & Guitars24731 La Plaza, 949.661.3984, www.kennysmusicstore.com

PET GROOMING

Dawgy Style34085 Pacifi c Coast Hwy, Unit 112, 949.496.3315, www.alphadoggroomshop.com

PLUMBING

Chick’s Plumbing949.496.9731, www.chicks-plumbing.com

POOL SERVICE & REPAIR

Palisades Pool Service & Repair949.542.7232, allenesommo@cox.net

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Corinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT33971 Selva Rd. Ste. 125, 949.488.2648,www.danapointpsychotherapy.com

REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL

Dream Team Properties, Mike Rosenberg, Broker949.481.1788, www.FindMyOCHome.com

UPHOLSTERY

Jeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors34118 Pacifi c Coast Hwy, 949.240.9569 www.jeddys.com

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times June 20-26, 2014 Page 13

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGSSan Clemente

DPDana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITYDP SURF

Dana Point Times June 20-26, 2014 Page 14

DPDana Point

RESULTSNSSA National Interscholastic College, June 14-16, High School and Middle School Championships, Dana Point, Salt Creek

Local finishers only. COLLEGE TEAM: 1. Saddleback. COLLEGE MEN: 1. Shaw Kobayashi-Saddleback; 4. Jeremy Carter-Saddleback. COLLEGE WOMEN: 3. Marissa Shaw-SDSU; 4. Danielle Wyman-Saddleback. COLLEGE LONGBOARD: 3. Chase Stavron-CSUCI; 4. Dennis White-Saddleback. HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: 2. San Clemente; 6. Dana Hills. HS VARSITY MEN: 2. Kei Kobayashi-SCHS. HS VARSITY LONGBOARD: 1. Andy Nieblas- SCHS; 4. Kyle Perez-DHHS. MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM: 1. Shorecliffs A; 2. Shorecliffs B; 3. Bernice Ayer; 7. Marco Forster. MS BOYS: 1. Nathan Carraba-Shorecliffs; 2. Gunner Day-Shorecliffs; 3. Kade Matson-Shorecliffs; 5. Crosby Colapinto-Bernice Ayer; 6. Jaric Fink-Bernice Ayer. MS GIRLS: 1. Alexxa Elseewi-Bernice Ayer; 2. Bethany Zalesko-Shorecliffs; 5. Samantha Sibley-Shore-cliffs. MS LONGBOARD: 1. Gus Day-Shorecliffs; 2. Noah Atwood-Shorecliffs; 4. Ricky Fodor-Marco Forster.

UPCOMING EVENTSJune 17-21: Surfing America USA Championships, San Onofre State Park, Lower Trestles (Continuing event that began June 13-15 at Church Beach)

June 26-July 3: NSSA National Open, Explorer and Airshow Championships, Huntington Beach, Pier

July 12: WSA Menehune Surf Fest, Huntington Beach, Goldenwest Street

July 20: California State Games, Camp Pendleton, Del Mar Jetty

SURF FORECASTWater Temperature: 65-68 degrees F

Water Visibility and Conditions:San Clemente: 8-12’+ fair-Catalina: 20-25’ fair-good

Immediate: A blend of small, easing south/southeast swell and northwest windswell prevails. Most spots through Orange County will be in the knee- thigh- waist - high zone then (2-3’), while standout spots produce occasional better sets. Some new south/south-west swell joins in, with a few more sets to waist+ (3’+) for standouts. Morning winds are light/variable to light southerly for most areas, before light+ becoming moderate westerly flow gradually rises up through the mid to late morning into each afternoon. A marine layer persists along the coast in the early mornings, before skies clear to mostly sunny into each afternoon.

Longer Range Outlook: Slightly better south/southwest groundswell holds for the weekend, with NW windswell up slightly. More 2-3’+ occ. 4’ waves prevail then at good breaks. Size bumps up a notch further early next week as a new south swell moves in. Typical spring eddy conditions persist. Check out Surfline for more details!

ive San Clemente-based surfers emerged as national champions at the National Scholastic Surfing As-

sociation Interscholastic Championship at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point, held June 14 through 16.

Shaw Kobayashi earned a national champion title in the college men’s short-board division, leading his Saddleback College team to victory over second place San Diego State University.

Although San Clemente High School was unseated from their four-year run as national high school champions by Hawaii’s Kamehameha High School and claimed the runner-up spot, SCHS’ Andy Nieblas became the national high school longboard champ. Dana Hills High School came in sixth in team competition.

Shorecliffs Middle School success-fully defended their title with their A and B teams earning first and second place finishes, respectively. Shorecliffs’ Nathan Carraba became the middle school boys shortboard champion and Gus Day the middle school longboard champion. Ber-nice Ayer Middle School’s Alexxa Elseewi took the title in girls shortboard. In team competition, Bernice Ayer landed in third

Schooling the CompetitionLocal surfers dominate at NSSA National Interscholastic Championships in Dana Point

FBY ANDREA SWAYNE, DANA POINT TIMES place and Marco Forster Middle School in

seventh.Local middle schools turned in the most

successful performances of the event with five of six boys shortboard podium spots being claimed by San Clemente students as well as three of six spots in both the longboard and girls shortboard divisions.

For full results, visit www.danapointtimescom. DP

Lexi Alston, 12, has only been stand-up paddling competi-tively since February 1 but is already making waves in the fast-growing sport. After trying it out on a trip to Boston late last year, she asked for a board for Christmas and then took to it like a fish to water.

She now trains with the Paddle Academy in Dana Point, is a junior team rider for Rivera Paddlesurf and has made many

successful forays into distance racing. In March, Lexi took first in the 18-mile California Coastal Relay, from Newport Beach the Dana Point Harbor, with relay partner Erika Benitez. In April, Lexi traveled to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina for the Carolina Cup where she earned a second-place finish. In May, she came in first in the women’s division 5-mile race at the Hobie Hennessey Waterman’s Challenge and third for her age group in SUP Surf and the technical course. The Santa Monica Paddleboard Race on June 7 saw her win the 2-mile race and take second in the 5.5-mile, both in the open women’s division. Lexi’s first SUP surf event came last weekend at the Surfing America USA Championships at Church Beach where she finished equal fifth in Girls U18.

“I am going to learn from the pro women in the area like Candice Appleby and try to improve my SUP surfing to that level,” Lexi said. “By next year I want to win the USA Championships.” She is currently training for the Race the Lake of the Sky contest in Lake Tahoe later this month.

In school Lexi is and ‘A’ and ‘B’ sixth-grade student at Bernice Ayer Middle School. Looking forward to a future of higher education, she has her heart set on staying in California for college.

Although not sure about the course she’ll take toward a career, she is certain that SUP and SUP surf will be a part of her life for as long as she’s able.

“The thing about stand-up paddling is that you can do it until you’re really old,” she said. —Andrea Swayne

Lexi Alston. Photo: Jack McDaniel

GROM OF THE WEEK

Lexi Alston

Shaw Kobayashi is chaired up the beach after becom-ing the 2014 NSSA college men’s shortboard champion and leading his Saddleback College surf team to victory at the NSSA National Interscholastic Championships, June 14-16 at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point. Photo: Courtesy NSSA