November 22, 2013

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

VOLUME 6, ISSUE 47

Dolphin Report: Cross Country Teams

Advance to CIF Finals SPORTS/PAGE 16

One year after surviving a heart attack during Dana Point’s Turkey Trot, Steve VandenBerg (left) is preparing to run the race he credits with saving his life. Fellow racer and physician, Mike Farrell, was one of the fi rst responders on scene to perform life-saving measures. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

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

Anti-Nuke Activists Find Federal Waste

Plans Lacking EYE ON DP/PAGE 3

E Y E O N D P/ PAG E 4

Strength in Numbers

Survivor credits response, energy of fellow Turkey Trot runners with saving his life

Special Insert: Dana Point Turkey Trot Event Guide

CENTER PULLOUT

One year after surviving a heart attack during Dana Point’s Turkey Trot, Steve VandenBerg (left) is preparing to run the race he credits with saving his life.

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

1LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTINGEYE ON DP

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times November 22–28, 2013 Page 3

DPDana Point

THE LATEST: Residents had their chance to air parking concerns this week as the Dana Point Planning Commission welcomed the city’s downtown parking consultant for a study session.

The city contracted San Francisco-based Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates in October to assist in the development of a parking plan for Town Center, encompass-ing Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado Avenue, and neighborhoods within a five-minute walk, throughout the city’s core.

Planning consultant Patrick Seigman said the advisers’ primary goal is protect-ing the integrity of Dana Point’s neighbor-hoods, while managing business parking, presenting greener solutions and ensuring coastal access. Residents in both the lan-tern district and bluffside neighborhoods of downtown expressed concerns about neighborhood parking, due to business spillover.

A 2008 parking study found that parking in Town Center topped out at 56 percent occupancy during peak hours. With the exception of parking at La Plaza Park, parking on public streets and private lots was sporadic where shortages and sur-pluses varied by street. Seigman said even though the study is nearly six years old, the area’s limited development keeps the findings accurate.

WHAT’S NEXT: City leaders could hear parking plans early next year. The city’s $35,000 contract with Nelson/Nygaard runs through April 2014, but could be extended. Before adoption by the city, parking plans will first need California Coastal Commission approval.

FIND OUT MORE: Go to www.danapoint-times.com and search “parking” to read more.—Andrea Papagianis

THE LATEST: Anti-nuclear activists at-tacked a new proposal for on-site storage rules for nuclear waste Monday at a Nu-clear Regulatory Commission meeting in Carlsbad. The agency provided findings of a court-mandated review of nuclear waste confidence rules to about 100 attendees.

Included in the NRC’s review is research into whether on-site storage facilities at nuclear power plants, including the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, have the ability to safely house nuclear waste.

The report looked at short-term storage options, of 60 years beyond the licensed life of a nuclear reactor. It also addressed long-term storage, of an additional 100 years, as well as housing waste at shut-tered plants permanently.

The indefinite storage consideration comes in light of the federal government not having a central repository for such waste. According to the report, in all three scenarios, continued storage of nuclear waste is expected to have “small” impacts on areas surrounding the nuclear sites.

WHAT’S NEXT: Anti-nuclear activists said rather than a generic approach, regulators need to consider site-specific plans, citing concerns at San Onofre, like earthquakes and tsunamis.

The public can still weigh in on the discussion. Comments can be submitted online through December 20, at www.regulations.gov using docket number NRC–2012–0246.

FIND OUT MORE: Visit us online to read the full story.—Jim Shilander

… Downtown Parking? … SONGS Waste?1 2

THE LATEST: A car chase that began in Dana Point ended with the apparent suicide of a woman just south of San Cle-mente Wednesday afternoon, an Orange County Sheriff’s Department official said.

Authorities received a call at approxi-mately 12:30 p.m. Wednesday from a man who indicated a close female friend or relative was despondent and he feared she might harm herself. Deputies soon located the woman at Doheny State Beach, said OCSD spokesman Lt. Jeff Hallock.

“When she saw the deputies she started her car,” Hallock said.

The woman led deputies on a chase south on Interstate 5 into unincorporated San Diego County. There, her vehicle went off the side of the road. When deputies ar-rived, she was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Hallock said.

WHAT’S NEXT: The investigation is be-ing handled by the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

FIND OUT MORE: Track breaking news by following us on Twitter @danapoint-times.—JSTHE LATEST: The South Coast Water

THE LATEST: Concerns about density, traffic, height, deliveries and parking were highlighted Monday as the Planning Commission heard a 258-room, two- to five-story hotel proposal for the southwest corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Dana Point Harbor Drive.

“While I am pro-development of the empty, and/or blighted, lots in Dana Point, I am concerned about the scale of this project as currently proposed,” said Kirsten Reynolds, a local resident who worked on the design team for the St. Regis Monarch Beach.

Seven speakers following would echo Reynolds’s concerns about the project’s scope. Some feared a city granted height variance, to build above the current 35-foot limit, would set a precedent throughout

… Fatal 1-5 Car Chase?

… the Water District?

… the Doheny Hotel?

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CITY AND BUSINESS CALENDAR

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25

Pajama Story Time 7 p.m. Members of the whole family are invited to the Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Road, for bedtime stories. Don’t forget to wear pajamas as the Sunshine Read-ers send attendees off to dreamland.

Call the library for more information, 949.496.5517 or visit www.ocpl.org/libloc/dana.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28

Thanksgiving Day City Hall offices are closed throughout the weekend, and will reopen Monday, December 2.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30

‘Thanks to the Ocean’ Beach Cleanup9 a.m.–noon. The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association hosts its final Adopt-a-Beach cleanup of the year,

giving thanks to the ocean, enjoyed by visitors all year long. Volunteers should meet at Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, at the lifeguard headquarters, near the mouth of the San Juan Creek prior to 9 a.m. For information about the DSBIA nature programs and beach cleanups, visit www.dohenystatebeach.org for updates throughout the year.

Farmers Market 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Season-al produce is on the ticket at the week-ly outdoor market, located at 34111 La Plaza Street. Call 949.573.5033 to find out about renting a booth.

town and create a “tunnel-like view” enter-ing Dana Point. Others expressed doubt in the developer’s ability to finance the project, provide parking for employees and mitigate traffic congestion.

WHAT’S NEXT: City staff will work to an-swer commissioner and resident questions before the proposal’s public hearing on Monday, December 9. Planning commis-sioners could determine the hotel’s fate at that time.

FIND OUT MORE: Read more at www.danapointtimes.com by searching “Doheny Hotel.”—AP

District has hired a new general man-ager, closing out a nationwide search that reopened in September after a mutual agreement ended contract talks with the district’s interim leader.

Andrew Brunhart, a retired U.S. Navy captain, comes to the district from the U.S. Department of Treasury, where he worked with the Bureau of Engraving and Print-ing. Brunhart has 30 years of experience managing and operating public utilities and infrastructure as a civil engineer corps officer. He also served as general manager of a sanitation district in Maryland.

“I am certain Andy has the leadership skills to see us through the challenging times that face the water industry, particu-larly in Southern California,” said Wayne Rayfield, SCWD board president.

WHAT’S NEXT: Burnhart is slated to start his new position Monday, December 2.

FIND OUT MORE: Follow us on Twitter @danapointtimes for more news.—AP

EYE ON DP

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times November 22–28, 2013 Page 4

Strength in Numbers

By Andrea PapagianisDana Point Times

Heart attack survivor credits response, energy of fellow Turkey Trot run-ners with saving his life

ast Thanksgiving eve, Steve Van-denBerg did what he and his family traditionally do, they carb-load at

night in preparation for the next day’s Dana Point Turkey Trot.

Nothing was out of the ordinary. The VandenBerg family stood at the event’s starting line as one, and embarked on the same 10K run they’ve participated in the last six, or more, years. VandenBerg and daughter Kylie were out in front, with sons David, John and wife Brenda rounding out their team. Kylie took the early lead, pacing her father by a few hundred yards. The father-daughter duo high-fived as Ky-lie rounded Island Drive for the finish line.

When VandenBerg approached the same turn on his last leg of the run he collapsed.

Within moments fellow racers began life-saving measures to resuscitate the 49-year-old VandenBerg.

“When I look back at it, it’s like I got up really early Thursday morning for a jog and then took a three day nap,” Vanden-Berg said. “The next thing I remember is waking up after midnight Saturday, look-ing up and wondering where I was. It felt like I was living in a recurring dream.”

The longtime San Juan Capistrano resident said he felt fine that morning, and didn’t experience any different stresses on his body than what he would feel during a regular workout. But that morning, Van-denBerg, the Pacific regional manager of Kraft Foods Group, suffered a heart attack.

Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says more than 700,000 Americans suffer a heart attack every year, with nearly 600,000 people dy-ing from heart disease, accounting for one in four deaths in the nation. Heart disease refers to many heart conditions, but the most prevalent is known as coronary heart (or artery) disease, where plaque builds up in arteries supplying blood to the heart.

Attacks occur when an artery transport-ing oxygenated blood to an area of the heart is blocked, and could lead to cardiac arrest. An estimated 360,000 out-of-hos-pital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year, principally involving middle-aged men. Those hit by an arrest, which can stop the heart from beating without warning, only have a 9.5-percent

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survival rate, according to the American Heart Association.

Patients, like VandenBerg, can survive if given cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately, keeping oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs, and have their hearts returned to a normal rhythm with a jolt from a defibrillator.

“If this had happened anywhere else, I don’t think I would be here today,” VandenBerg said. “Having people who knew what they were doing, and getting compressions going instantaneously, kept me alive.”

While VandenBerg’s race-day heart at-tack was the first severe medical emer-gency in the Turkey Trot’s three-decade history, race organiz-ers aren’t taking any chances.

The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce has added medical per-sonnel throughout the course, equipped with and trained on using an automated external defibrillator, said Vickie McMurchie, senior operations manager of the chamber. AEDs are portable devices that use electric therapy to stop an irregular heartbeat, allowing the heart to restore an operational rhythm.

The added support will be set up on both the land and island sides of the Har-bor to better assist racers, she said.

“Our number one concern is the safety of our runners,” McMurchie said.

By the time Mike Farrell, a physician at College Medical Center in Long Beach and a south Orange County native, came up on VandenBerg, racers had already begun working on him. Farrell jumped in performing CPR before on-site medical crews arrived.

VandenBerg had no pulse, but had a faint rhythm, Farrell said. With two shocks from an AED delivered by golf cart, VandenBerg’s heart returned to a normal beat. He had a strong pulse when the ambulance arrived, Farrell said. VandenBerg was transported to Mission Hospital where he awoke three days later, in a state of confusion.

“‘Steve you are in the hospital, you had a heart attack during the Turkey Trot on Thursday,” he recalled his wife saying. “For me it was a long nap, but my family experienced all the emotions.”

VanderBerg’s family, absent his daugh-ter who was ahead in the run, came upon him as racers worked to keep him alive.

On Thanksgiving Day, VandenBerg received two stents in his heart, unblocking one artery, his right coronary, which was 95 percent blocked. Days later he would receive a third, as doctor’s discovered a 75-percent blockage in his left de-scending artery, known as the “widow-maker.”

“When you share a story like this, people always ask, ‘Did you see the bright light?’”

VandenBerg said. “If I did, I don’t remem-ber it. I always tell people to live every day, because you just never know. I’ve lived a full life already. It is all just bonus time now.”

After two months of soreness from cracked ribs and surgeries, and nearly one year of building up strength and returning to his normal workouts, VandenBerg is set to tackle the Turkey Trot 10K once again. With his family by his side—and a pace-maker and defibrillator implanted in his chest—VandenBerg will take to the course Thanksgiving morning amongst more

than 12,000 racers in the 36th annual run. VandenBerg said he hopes to meet and thank all who helped him last year.

“I know that the positive energy of the thousands of people that ran by me and all of the prayers from them, no matter who they were praying to, definitely had an effect on my recovery,” VandenBerg said. DP

Runners begin the 10K race at last year’s Dana Point Turkey Trot. Photo by Andrea Swayne

After surviving a heart attack during last year’s Turkey Trot, Steve VandenBerg (left) will run the race he credits with saving his life. Fellow racer and physician, Mike Farrell, was one of the first responders on scene to perform life-saving measures. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

Limited Road Access on Thanksgiving Day

Dana Point Police Services will imple-ment the following road closures around Dana Point Harbor on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28 for the 36th an-nual Turkey Trot.

Noon to midnight—Dana Point Harbor Drive from Golden Lantern to Casitas Place

5 a.m. to noon—Southbound Golden Lantern from Lantern Bay Drive to Dana Point Harbor Drive (This closure will not impact access to the Harbor, with limited access to vendors.)

6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.—Dana Point Harbor Drive from Golden Lantern to eastbound Pacific Coast Highway (This closure will impact access to Puerto Place, Embarcadero Marina and launch ramp, Mariner’s Village and Dana Wharf parking lots and Doheny State Beach.)

6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.—Dana Point Harbor Drive from Island Way to the Ocean Institute (This closure will impact access to the Marina Inn, Dana Point Harbor OC Sailing & Events Center, Ocean Institute and businesses, yacht clubs and parking lots on the Harbor island.)

Authorities recommend that Harbor visitors on Thanksgiving Day between 6:30 a.m. and noon plan their trip ac-cordingly and allow extra time. Ques-tions about these road closures can be directed to Deputy Kami Horvath at 949.248.3517 or [email protected].

COMPILED BY QUINN CONWAY

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

DP Sheriff’s Blotter

SPONSORED BY Dana Point Police Serviceswww.HideitLockitOrLoseit.com

EYE ON DP

Four Marines Killed at Camp Pendleton were Explosives ExpertsU.S. Marines killed last week were members of elite explosives team, with combat experience

The four U.S. Marines killed Wednes-day, November 13 while clearing unexploded arms from a training

area on Camp Pendleton were experts on an explosive ordnance disposal team, all with combat experience, military officials said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the Marines we lost,” said Brigadier General John W. Bullard, com-manding general of the base in a state-ment. “Explosive Ordnance Disposal is a small and tight-knit community, not just in the Marine Corps, but in the entire U.S. military.”

Officials waited to name the Marines killed until next of kin were notified. The Marines were identified Thursday evening. Two of the Marines were from Southern California.

Those killed were identified as, Staff Sgt. Matthew R. Marsh, 28, of Long Beach; Sgt. Miguel Ortiz, 27, of Vista; Gunnery Sgt. Gregory J. Mullins, 31, of

Bayou L’Ourse, La. and Staff Sgt. Eric W. Summers, 32, of Poplar Bluffs, Mo. All four deployed to Afghanistan last year and were recipients of the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and NATO-Medal ISAF Afghanistan.

The Marines were clearing the Zulu training artillery range of obstructions, in the northern interior of the base, when the incident occurred, officials said. Cause of the accident is under investigation. Of-ficials said the clearing of ordnance from ranges is considered routine maintenance.

The Zulu impact area is used for firing explosive munitions such as grenades, mortars, artillery and rockets, officials confirmed. Munitions may also be dropped from aircraft into the area. Of-ficials said no live-fire training was being conducted in the Zulu area that day.

Three other service members were injured in the accident, including a Navy corpsman and two Marines. All were treated and released after receiving medi-cal treatment at the scene. DP

By Andrea Papagianis and Jim ShilanderDana Point Times

SUNDAY, November 17

DISTURBANCEDana Point Harbor Drive, 24900 Block (7:32 p.m.) The manager of Mahé restau-rant called to report five people fighting outside his restaurant at the corner of Ca-sitas Place and Dana Point Harbor Drive.

CITIZEN ASSISTDoheny Park Road, 34000 Block (6:24 p.m.) A group of men were yelling crude comments at a woman while she

walked past a donut shop. The men were outside the Beachwood Apartments.

PATROL CHECKDoheny Place/Camino Capistrano (12:03 a.m.) A dog was barking inces-santly. The dog’s owner was out of town and it had treed a family of raccoons. The barking “will be going on until they get home,” the caller said.

SATURDAY, November 16

DISTURBANCECamino Capistrano/Calle Loma (10:35 a.m.) A man was harassing attend-ees of an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in the park. When asked to leave, the sub-ject refused. He was described as being in his 70s and having long white hair.

FRIDAY, November 15

DISTURBANCEStreet of the Amber Lantern, 33900 Block (5:59 p.m.) Neighbors allegedly placed dog feces on the caller’s front porch.

VANDALISM IN PROGRESSDel Prado Ave., 24500 Block (1:39 p.m.) Two males were seen knocking over elephant statues near the intersection of Del Prado and Street of the Violet Lantern.

To read more Orange County Sheriff’s blot-ter entries, visit www.danapointtimes.com.

www.danapointtimes.comPage 5

including “America’s Most Wanted” and other national shows. People across America were baffl ed by the family’s disappearance.

Almost every day since, I kept hoping that I would hear positive news or Joey would call me saying that he and his fam-ily were safe.

On Thursday night, November 14, I received a phone call from Mikey. I could tell by the sound of his voice that the news wasn’t good. He said, “They’re all gone.” I couldn’t process his words. I kept asking, “Are you sure?”

Earlier in the week, an off-road mo-torcyclist noticed human bones in the San Bernardino desert near Victorville. He notifi ed authorities, who found the remains of four people in two shallow graves. Dental records confi rmed that two of the bodies were Joey and Summer. The other two bodies had not been positively identifi ed at the time, but were presumed to be those of the two boys.

A press conference about the case was held Friday morning, November 15, at the San Bernardino sheriff’s offi ce. The

tremendous thanks.For those who came out for Pinto 8 Fall

Ball, we saw a lot of fi rsts for our boys. They learned to pitch and to hit from kid pitchers. They learned the value of prac-tice, of listening, of making mistakes and trying again. For a few, this was their fi rst season. For many, the second or third. The leaves changed color, the night prac-tices were dark. Grandparents brought blankets to stay warm in the stands. By the end, you could swear you were watch-

Dana Point Times November 22–28, 2013 Page 6 www.danapointtimes.com

San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTSSOAPBOX

DPDana Point

Dana Point Times, Vol. 6, Issue 47. The DP Times (www.danapointtimes.com) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the SC Times (www.sanclementetimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (www.thecapistranodispatch.com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

EDITORIAL

Group Senior Editor> Andrea Swayne

City Editor, DP Times> Andrea Papagianis

Sports Editor> Steve Breazeale

City Editor, SC Times> Jim Shilander

City Editor, The Capistrano Dispatch> Brian Park

ART/DESIGN

Senior Designer> Jasmine Smith

ADVERTISING/MULTI-MEDIA MARKETING

Associate Publisher> Lauralyn Loynes

> Michele Reddick (San Clemente)

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Sales Associate> Angela Edwards

OPERATIONS

Finance Director> Mike Reed

Business Operations Manager> Alyssa Garrett

Accounting ManagerDistribution Manager> Tricia Zines

SPECIAL THANKSRobert Miller

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

EDITORSTORIES, NEWS, CALENDAR, ETC.

Andrea Papagianis, 949.388.7700, x112 [email protected]

ADVERTISINGPRINT AND ONLINE

Lauralyn Loynes, 949.388.7700, x102 [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

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BILLINGAlyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100 [email protected]

HOW TO REACH US

PICKET FENCE MEDIA

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

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 [email protected].

GUEST OPINION: By Tom Blake

F

Heartbreaking News Hits Home

Letters to the Editor

or me, Friday, November 15, 2013, was one of the most diffi cult days of my life. The reason why is very

personal and hard to write about. But, if writing about it helps brings attention to a homicide, I feel I must speak up.

In the late 1980s, and early 1990s, I helped raise two stepsons—Joseph “Joey” and Michael “Mikey” McStay. Their mother Susan and I were married for six years. We lived in Dana Point.

On February 4, 2010, Joey, his wife Summer and their two young children, ages 4 and 3, disappeared from their north San Diego County home. They left food on the table, their beloved dogs behind and $80,000 in the bank. So it didn’t appear they left voluntarily.

However, four days later, their car was found parked in a shopping center near the Mexican border. People speculated they had left on their own. After almost three years of investigating the case, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department decided that’s what had happened, and dropped the investigation.

National media featured the case,

THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED IN FALL BALLTY AND ROBIN TORRES, Dana Point

“Mama, will Mr. Burrus call my name this year?”

Dana Point baseball families get this question from our children a lot. We are blessed with a celebrity announcer and an amazing baseball program. We have great fi elds, groundskeepers, umps, teams, team moms, team dads, assistant coaches, head coaches, managers … to all we owe

conference was broadcast across the na-tion. To see my former wife, Susan, and her son, Mikey, in such a state of grief tore my heart apart.

I muddled through the rest of the day, unable to process the news, unable to comprehend such a terrible act. It seemed every time I turned on the radio, the television or the Internet, the news regard-ing the discovery of the McStay family remains was featured.

Reality struck at about 3:30 p.m. for me. I was pulling into the shopping center near Del Avion and Golden Lantern streets in Dana Point to have my cell phone in-spected at the AT&T store. On KNX radio, Scott Pelly of the CBS-TV national evening news was doing a promo for his show that night. The entire two minutes was devoted to the McStay family. I thought to myself, “Oh my God, I was in this very shopping center at least 25 times with Joey when we lived together.” It just seemed so surreal.

Yes, I have spoken to Susan. She said, “I am numb. I never imagined this outcome. I never gave up hope. Now, there’s a new focus on the case.”

ing a few future pros.“Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True.

And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona.” —George F. Will

Today was our last game and I am deeply moved to say thanks. Thank you to Dana Point and Dana Point Youth Baseball for making this experience possible. Thank you to all the families for the joy of watching and cheering by your side. We still have another year before Mr. Burrus announces for our sons. When he does,

She’s a brave woman.The case is now being investigated as a

homicide by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI. Let’s hope whoever murdered this family is brought to justice.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Tom Blake is the owner of Tutor and Spunky’s Deli in Dana Point and the regular contributor of the bi-month-ly column in the San Clemente Times, “On Life and Love After 50.” In the late 1980s, Tom was married to Susan McStay, mother of Joseph McStay, whose remains along with his wife, Summer, and two young boys, Gianni and Joseph Jr., were found in San Bernardino County on Monday, November 11. The family lived in San Clemente where Joseph owned a business. The McStay’s moved to San Diego County shortly before their disappearance in February 2010.. DP

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

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Former relative refl ects on the positive Identifi cation of the missing McStay family

it will be such a deep honor to hear that golden voice call out their names.

Until then, hope to see you in the spring. Play ball!

3YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

GETTING OUT

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

POUL PEDERSEN 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Live music at DaVine Food & Wine along with wine tasting that starts at 4 p.m. Tasting fee $15 for five wines. 34673 Golden Lantern, Dana Point,

949.493.4044, www.davine-wine.com.

FRED’S ACOUSTIC LIVE 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Live music at Fred’s Mexican Cafe every Friday and Saturday. 32431 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel, 949.218.8508, www.fredsmexicancafe.com.

NATE HANCOCK 8 p.m. Live music and dinner at Wind & Sea Restaurant. 34699 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.6500, www.windandsearestaurants.com.

friday22

Dana Point

DPDana Point

SURFING SANTA COMPE-TITION 7:30 The fourth annual surf competition at Salt Creek Beach where you can dress up like Santa Claus and raise money for Surfers Healing and

children with autism. Multiple divisions for kids to adults. Entry $60. 33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point, www.surfingsantacontest.org.

HALF-PRICED WHALE WATCHING Noon & 2 p.m. Two-hour whale watching adventures are half-price year-round at Dana Wharf Sportfish-ing & Whale Watching. Cost

$22.50. Times may vary. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.496.5794, www.danawharf.com.

tuesday 26

DANA POINT TURKEY TROT 7 a.m. ‘Run the race be-fore you stuff your face’ along with more than 12,000 partici-pants in a 5K, 10K, Kids’ Gobble Wobble and more. Event starts

at Golden Lantern and Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.1555, www.turkeytrot.com.

THANKSGIVING CHAMPAGNE BUFFET 2 p.m.-6 p.m. The Vue Restaurant in Laguna Cliffs presents a gourmet Thanksgiving meal with live entertainment and more. Adults $95, kids $40. 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, 949.661.5000, www.lagunacliffs.com.

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

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

ANNUAL HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING 4 p.m. Holiday mu-sic, and appearance from Santa, a toy drive and more topped off with the tree-lighting at the Ritz-Carlton. 1 Ritz-Carlton Dr.,

Dana Point, 949.240.2000, www.ritzcarlton.com.

sunday 24

FRED’S OPEN MIC NIGHT 8:30 p.m.-close. Open mic night with Gary Wright every Wednesday at Fred’s Mexican Cafe. 32431 Golden Lantern,

Laguna Niguel, 949.218.8508, www.fredsmexicancafe.com.

LIVE OAK REVIEW 9 p.m. Indie rock at StillWater. 24701 Del Prado Avenure, Dana Point, 949.661.6003, www.danapointstillwater.com.

wednesday27

saturday23

LUXURY DOLPHIN & WHALE WATCHING Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari presents whale watching on a new luxury catamaran. Call for departure times; trip is 2.5 hrs. $65. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828,www.dolphinsafari.com

CRAFT FAIR AND FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fresh produce, crafted goods, flowers and much more at La Plaza Park in Dana Point every Saturday. 949.248.3500, www.danapoint.org.

CAPO BAY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MEETING 10:30 a.m.-Noon. Meeting open to the public at the Dana Point Library on the topic of money in politics. 33841 Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.492.7675.

Mark Chesnutt is set to take the stage at The Coach House, Friday, November 22, as part of a five-show tour through California. Chesnutt hit the country scene in the early 1990s with his debut album Too Cold at Home and has since released a staggering 15 full-length albums. Chesnutt’s musical resume includes 14 No. 1 hits, 23 top ten singles, four platinum albums and five gold records—not to men-tion a substantial amount of radio play on traditional and satellite radio.What’s next for this 30-year veteran of the music industry? Chesnutt said he loves releasing singles, his main focus of late, but he also has a new CD in the works. He also expressed excitement about the California leg of his tour. “I love playing in California, the people in California always stood by me,” Chestnutt said. “I have a strong core audience (here) and I’ll do what it takes to keep my fans happy.” Skyline Drive will open for Chesnutt. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased, along with dinner reservations, online at www.thecoachhouse.com or by calling 949.496.8930. The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano. —Victor CarnoMark Chesnutt. Courtesy photo

ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE: MARK CHESNUTT

4PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

DP LIVING

DPDana Point

AP science students ex-pand endangered Pacific pocket mouse habitat

By Andrea PapagianisDana Point Times

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times November 22–28, 2013 Page 15

L

L

iving in solitary and being active only during nighttime hours makes the thumb-sized Pacific pocket mouse

hard to track. But researchers in three Southern California locations are working to learn more about the mysterious spe-cies, through preservation, breeding and habitat expansion projects.

The Pacific pocket mouse once inhabit-ed coastal areas from Los Angeles County to Mexico, but populations went years without observation in the 1990s, accord-ing to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The small creatures were believed extinct until 1993, when they were found in the Dana Point headlands. The species was listed as endangered by the federal gov-ernment in 1994.

Populations have since been discovered on three sites within the boundaries of Camp Pendleton.

Now, biologists at the San Diego Zoo are breeding 22 pocket mice captured at Dana Point and Camp Pendleton, with hopes of releasing 50 into the wild each year. In an October update on the proj-ect, Amaranta Kozuch, a senior research technician at the zoo’s Institute for Con-servation Research, said the season’s last pregnant female pocket mouse gave birth to five healthy pups.

Here in Dana Point, researchers moni-tor the mice yearly by tracking their move-ments. Currently, pocket mice are known to inhabit about 50 percent of the 29.4-acre

Dana Point Preserve. Every three to five years the species is live trapped, studied and counted.

There are about 100 pocket mice in the Headlands, but their elusive nature makes them hard to quantify, said LeeAnn Carranza regional preserve manager for the Center of Natural Land Management, which owns the local preserve.

On Saturday, dozens of Advanced Place-ment science students from Dana Hills, San Juan Hills and San Clemente high schools took part in a habitat expand-ing exercise at the Dana Point Preserve. Working in teams the students methodi-cally removed dead shrubs, mimicking the effects of a fire’s clearing power.

“We should have a fire clearing the land every 30 years,” Carranza said. “We have about 126, 24-meter cells in the preserve, meaning it’ll take us about 30 years to get back to where we started,” mirroring the timeline of a major fire.

Students worked in four grids of 24 square meters, clearing dense vegetation near areas the pocket mice are known to live. Researchers will now track the short and long-term effects of the land clearing, with high hopes of seeing new pocket mouse activity in the cleared lands next season.

The partnership was the first of its kind. But with the success of this year, and students showing their physical strength and stewardship toward the environment, the partnered work is something Carranza hopes to continue annually.

Learn more about the Pacific pocket mouse habitat by visiting the Nature In-terpretive Center, 34558 Scenic Drive. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, but is closed Mondays. DP

Protecting the Pint-sized

Pacific pocket mouse. Photo courtesy of the Center for Natural Land Management

SUDOKUby Myles Mellor

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

Last week’s solution:

SOLUTIONSOLUTIONSOLUTIONSOLUTION

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

eading up to the herd’s departure, El-ephant Parade co-founder Mike Spits called “Jack” one of the “most exqui-

site” pieces ever created for the open-air exhibit, which has taken Asian Elephant statues to the streets of Singapore, Milan and Amsterdam, to name a few.

Sunday, the elephant transformed into a World War II era American-bomber, designed by Southern California’s own Dustin Otterbach of recycled materials, pulled in $100,000 for The Asian Elephant Foundation’s conservation efforts.

Otterbach’s creation would carry the foundation’s prime fundraiser to a $223,500 total in its American debut. Funds raised go to aid the endangered Asian elephant population.

Of the more than 30 elephants up for auction Sunday at Laguna Cliffs Marriott, 20 received no bids. Other than “Jack” those that were successfully auctioned sold for $10,000 or less. Those collecting no bid will continue on, journeying to the next Elephant Parade locale.

A herd of elephants just hit Cardiff, United Kingdom and organizers have hopes to introduce other American cities to the parade. DP — Andrea Papagianis

Traveling for the holidays can be dif-ficult, especially for military members.

To combat travel woes, the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group has partnered with two local eateries to ensure locally stationed U.S. Marines, Sailors, their families, resident veterans and

Dustin Otterbach’s creation “Jack.” Photo by Andrea Swayne

Elephant Parade’s ‘Jack’ Collects $100,000Local herd garners more than $200,000 for Asian Elephants

wounded warriors break bread with their adopted family, right here in Dana Point.

On Thanksgiving Day, StillWater Spirits and Sounds will host an estimated 300 former and current members of the armed forces, along with their families, for a tradi-tional feast. With the help of Mahe Restau-

rant, service members will be treated to an open bar, desserts, raffle prizes and live entertainment.

Donations are now being accepted to help fund the meal, and sponsor a service-man’s dinner for $35, at www.danapoint-5thmarines.com. DP —Andrea Papagianis

LOCAL EATERIES, SUPPORT GROUP PARTNER FOR MARINE HOLIDAY MEAL

The critically endangered Pacific pocket mouse lives in three known locations in Southern California, including the Dana Point Headlands. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

5STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES & MORE

SPORTS& OUTDOORS

DPDana Point

www.danapointtimes.comDana Point Times November 22–28, 2013 Page 16

Dolphin Report

By Steve Breazeale

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

For many of the Dana Hills fall sports teams, the year has come to an end. Through the use of stats and numbers, we break down the top performances of the Dana Hills fall sports season.

19 Total touchdowns thrown by Dolphins senior quarterback Mac Vail. He had two games this season, both in league play, where he threw for four touchdowns.

155 Total tackles recorded by junior middle linebacker Brett Bill, a stat which led the team. His most productive performance of the year came in a 19-tackle effort against Capistrano Valley, which included three

DOLPHIN REPORT BY THE NUMBERS

A

Senior quarterback Mac Vail threw 19 touchdowns in 2013. Photo by Tony Tribolet/www.xpsphoto.com

held a 13-7 lead. Dana Hills strung togeth-er a seven-plus minute drive, highlighted by a fourth and short conversion by fullback Andrew Dunn that kept scoring hopes alive, and found themselves at the Sailors two-yard line. Dolphins quarter-back Mac Vail tried to drive the ball in the end zone two plays later but fumbled at the goal line, halting any momentum Dana Hills could have carried into halftime.

The Sailors scored three minutes into the third quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Trevor Shaw that made it 20-7. The score was set up by a 47-yard pass play from junior quarterback Cole Norris to Cory Stowell. The Sailors rushing attack was powerful but Norris was locked in as well, especially in the fi rst half. He com-pleted 13 of 16 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown on the night.

Dana Hills forced their fi rst three-and-out on defense late in the third quarter and looked to benefi t from good fi eld posi-tion when the Sailors punted out of their own territory, but a fumble on the return attempt and a Newport Harbor recovery again proved disastrous. The Sailors only needed four plays after the fumble to score again to make it 26-13.

A massive, 19-play Newport Harbor scoring drive that ate up 9:30 off the clock in the fourth quarter sealed the win for the visitors. The Sailors ran the ball 16 times on the drive, controlling time of posses-sion and denying the Dolphins a chance at a comeback.

“It’s a tough way to go out. We were really peaking in league and the last two games, we just did not fi nd a way to get it done,” Dana Hills head coach Todd Rusinkovich said. “But it was great being in the playoffs for the fi rst time since 2009. I can’t say enough about these kids … We’re a relevant team in Orange County again, which is nice. It’s just one of those things where we have to improve.”

DOLPHINS WATER POLO FALLS IN CIF-SS QUATERFINALS

After toppling one of the hottest teams entering the CIF-SS Division 1 Water Polo Championships in the fi rst round, Dana Hills was defeated by Newport Harbor in the quarterfi nals 14-9 on November 16.

The Dolphins were able to keep things close through three quarters, but were held scoreless in the fourth while the Sailors scored three goals.

tackles for a loss.

11.21 Save average of boys water polo senior goalie Brody Zachary this year. Zachary was the backbone of the Dolphins defense, and they relied on him more than once during their run to the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfi nals.

12 Number of match medals won by freshman golfer Joan Soewondo, a mark that was third-best in the county.

2 Number of consecutive South Coast League titles won by the girls volleyball team, which repeated as champions this season. — Steve Breazeale

Don Glasgow poses with children from the town of El Niño during a trip last year. Courtesy photo

SAILORS RUN THEIR WAY TO WIN OVER DOLPHINS

Even with starting running back Chance Siemonsma sidelined for his team’s CIF-SS Southwest Division fi rst round game, Newport Harbor was able to put on a power rushing display that led them to a 32-13 win over Dana Hills on November 15.

The visiting Sailors (6-5, 3-2 Sunset League) rushed for 174 yards and four touchdowns on the night, getting a huge boost from back up running back Gar-rett Hall, who ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Dana Hills (5-6, 3-1 Sea View League) did not help their own cause against the Sailors, losing three fumbles that proved costly.

The fi rst major mistake came just before halftime, when Newport Harbor

fter just three weeks of collection efforts, San Clemente resident Don Glasgow’s house is already

surrounded by bicycles. The 76-year-old has made a name for himself as the man around town with a cause and this time, for the remainder of the calendar year, his cause is collecting new or gently used bikes to donate to the needy.

Glasgow is attempting to collect 100 bicycles, refurbish and fi x them as best as he can, and donate them to the people of El Niño, Mexico. Glasgow operates

Spencer Likins led the Dolphins with three goals. Marko Asix and Bailey Har-ris each had two. Senior goalie Brody Zachary had 10 saves.

BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS COUN-TRY ADVANCE TO CIF-SS FINALS

Both the boys and girls Dana Hills cross country teams will extend their season into the CIF-SS Finals on Saturday in Walnut, following solid performances at the CIF-SS Prelims on November 16.

The boys squad won their prelim heat, despite arguably their most consistent runner placing 25th overall. Instead of sophomore Jake Ogden placing in the top-10, it was three of his teammates who accomplished the task. Senior Gavin Diem placed second (15:17), Alex Smith fi nished eighth (15:3) and Timo-thy Wilson came in 10th (15:36).

The Dolphins girls team fi nished third overall in their heat. They were led by Christina Wright’s 10th-place fi nish (18:15). Sienna Serrao (18:40), Camille Fodor (18:5), Emma Kao (18:51) and Lyndsey Cullen (18:54) fi nished inside the top-25.

through churches and has been active in El Niño for fi ve years.

This is not Glasgow’s fi rst region-wide call for donations. In 2012, Glasgow collected over 30,000 golf balls and 400 complete sets of golf clubs to donate to the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group for their Combat Golf Tournament. The year before that, Glasgow collected over 9,000 pairs of shoes, which he sorted, washed and delivered to the needy in Mexico.

Bicycles are a different idea altogether, but Glasgow believes they will serve a practical purpose.

“My goal with these bikes is to hand

them off to families with kids who can’t afford a bike. I want the adult bikes to go to a family who needs a means of trans-portation to fi nd a job,” Glasgow said. “I love devoting my time in retirement to anything that has the chance of making another life better by utilizing resources of others, like these bikes.”

Glasgow has only been at it for three weeks and has already collected more than 40 bicycles. He says the space around his house is getting crowded but, the way Glasgow looks at it, the more the merrier.

To learn more about Glasgow’s cause email him at [email protected]. DP

A Call for BikesDon Glasgow begins another charity collection drive, which may be his most ambitious yet

By Steve BreazealeDana Point Times

Submit your classified ad online at www.danapointtimes.com

CLASSIFIEDS

BUSINESS DIRECTORYSan Clemente

DPDana Point

LOCALS ONLY BUSINESS LISTINGS

Nona Associates-Raymond J. Nona A.I.A 949.496.227526901 Camino de Estrella, www.raynona.com

ARCHITECTURE - PLANNING

Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating 949.420.132131648 Rancho Viejo Rd. Ste. A, www.oasisair.com

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Dream Team Properties 949.481.1788Mike Rosenberg, BrokerCapistrano Beach, www.FindMyOCHome.com

REAL ESTATE - RESIDENTIAL

UPHOLSTERYJeddy’s Yacht & Home Interiors 949.240.956934118 Pacific Coast Hwy, www.jeddys.com

Bayside Window Cleaning, Inc. 949.215.2323www.baysidewindowcleaning.com

Offshore Construction 949.444.6323www.offshoreconstruction.org

WINDOW TINTING

WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLATION

This go-to reference tool keeps your business in front of potential customers 24/7.

GET YOUR BUSINESS LISTED TODAY.Call Angela Edwards at 949.682.1667 or e-mail

[email protected].

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar 949.493.777334531 Golden Lantern, www.coffeeimporters.com

COFFEE SHOP

Coffee Importers Espresso Bar 949.493.777334531 Golden Lantern, www.coffeeimporters.com

CAFE - DELI

MUSIC INSTRUCTIONCorinne Rupert PhD, PsyD, MFT 949.488.264833971 Selva Rd. Ste. 125, www.danapointpsychotherapy.com

PSYCHOTHERAPY

A to Z Leak Detection 949.499.4464www.atozleakdetection.comChick’s Plumbing 949.496.9731 www.chicks-plumbing.com

Dawgy Style 949.496.331534085 Pacific Coast Hwy, Unit 112, www.alphadoggroomshop.com

PLUMBING

PET GROOMING

San Clemente Preschool 949.498.1025163 Avenida Victoria, www.sanclementepreschool.com

Palisades Pool Service & Repair 949.542.7232Capistrano Beach, [email protected]

PRESCHOOLS

POOL SERVICE & REPAIR

Kenny’s Music & Guitars 949.661.398424731 La Plaza, www.kennysmusicstore.com Danman’s Music School 949.496.655624699 Del Prado, www.danmans.com

Dana Point Lock & Security 949.496.6916www.danapointlock.com

LOCKSMITH

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

INSURANCE SERVICES

Coffee Importers Scoop Deck 949.493.777334531 Golden Lantern, www.coffeeimporters.com

ICE CREAM

delta G electrical 949.360.9282CA #657214, www.deltagelectrical.com

Vorteil Dermatology and 949.276.2600Aesthetic Science 33971 Selva Road, Ste. 200, www.vorteildermatology.com

ELECTRICAL

DERMATOLOGY

Mills Construction 949.212.7699Dana Point, www.millsbuilds.com: CA # 973483

CONSTRUCTION/REMODELING

AUTO REPAIRDana Point Auto 949.496.108634342 Coast Hwy., Unit B, Dana Point, Ca 92629

LIST YOUR BUSINESSIN “LOCALS ONLY”

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

Harriet Elisabeth Arvan McCusker

OBITUARY

Harriet Elisabeth Arvan McCusker died peacefully in her sleep November 12th at her home of 49 years in Capistrano Beach. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Knearl McCusker,

beloved daughter, Suzanne McCusker-Brunet, and sister, Eleanor Heim. Beloved mother of Michael McCusker, (Diana), Janine McCusker, Marianne McCusker-Stellar, Dianne McCusker-Leauber, and Donn McCusker, (Summer Lixia). Loving grand-mother to Amy Rabine, (Jeremy), Sterling Breck-enridge, (Tiffany), Diana Weeks (Christopher), Scott Brunet, Richard Brewer, Tiffany Phipps, Brian Brunet, (Leah), Paloma Moen, Matthew Moen, Chanel Moen, Kelly Brunet and Ella McCusker. Cherished great-grandmother to Jaxon Brecken-ridge, Madeline Breckenridge, Christian Phipps, Isabella Phipps, and Emma Rabine. She is survived by her brother, Pastor William Arvan, (Patricia) and many nieces and nephews.

Harriet was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she taught herself to ice skate, and after graduation at age 17, joined an ice skating review, where she met her husband, Knearl. They soon joined the Ice Follies and married in 1943. Family and friends will remember her as a person of “Service to Others”.

Private Family Burial on Friday, November 22nd. Family and Friends are invited to Memo-rial at Capo Beach Church, 25975 Domingo Ave. Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 Saturday, November 23rd, at 11am.

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITYDP SURF

6DPDana Point

DP SURF IS PRESENTED BY:

Age: 14, San Clemente High SchoolJake Shiroke is a self-taught shortboarder who said learning to surf was just a natural part of growing up in San Clemente. Always eager to try something new, he decided to take up the sport after watching the surfers and deciding that it looked like a lot of fun. Jake was a member of the Shorecliffs Middle School surf team for two years. He now surfs every day, usually at T Street or Lowers. Jake has entered a few local surf contests here and there but is planning on making his competition series debut in the Western Surfing Association Championship Tour next season. This San Clemente High School freshman will also try out for the school surf team as either a sophomore or junior. Jake’s other favorite activity is soccer, a sport he has been playing for six years. His San Clemente United club team—for which he plays in the forward position—was a top five finisher in the Coastal Soccer League this year.

Jake will be trying out for the SCHS soccer team this year as well. In school, he is a college-bound, straight-‘A’ student who hopes to attend UCLA after graduation. He also intends to make travel a part of his future and dreams of surfing all over the world, Indonesia being at the top of his list. “Having fun in the water and being with my friends is the best thing about surf-ing,” Jake said. “I also like the challenge. Every time I paddle out I try to improve each maneuver I do.” –Andrea Swayne

GROM OF THE WEEK JAKE SHIROKE

Jake Shiroke. Courtesy photo

By Andrea PapagianisDana Point Times

SURF FORECASTWater Temperature: 61-64 degrees FWater Visibility and Conditions:San Clemente: 8-12’ Poor-FairImmediate: Northwest windswell is up slightly on Thursday, as minor Southern Hemi swell blends in. Most breaks offer continued ankle-knee-thigh high (1-2’+) waves, while standout spots pull in plus sets to waist high (3’) at times. Light+ onshore winds in the morning pick up out of the west to northwest through the afternoon.Long Range Outlook: Small Southern Hemi energy continues through the weekend along with small northwest swell. Expect mainly ankle-knee-thigh high waves (1-2’+) for better breaks then, with potential larger sets for combo magnets. Favorable conditions may return Friday, then continue through the weekend. Check out Surfline.com for all the details!

Ensuring Natural History, Surf Culture Live On

Long-time surfers dedicated to educa-tional efforts at Doheny State Beach welcomed a $10,000 check Monday

from organizers of the second annual Doheny Surf Festival.

“This contribution will go a long way toward supporting our ongoing education and interpretive programs,” said Ed Neely, board member with the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association.

DSBIA is a nonprofit that coordinates with California State Parks to conserve the beaches, facilities, and natural refuge of the park, as well as the historical, cultural and social stories of Doheny. This year’s Doheny Surf Festival helped the associa-tion do just that, as it highlighted all things surf and directly benefitted the state beach and DSBIA.

“DSBIA, in conjunction with Utopia Entertainment, hit one out of the ball-park … by getting back to the basics and restoring the good aloha vibes,” said State Park Superintendent III Richard Haydon, who oversees operations at Doheny, San Clemente and San Onofre state beaches.

On Monday morning, members of the

Doheny Surf Fest organizers donate $10,000 to preservation efforts at Doheny State Beach

Steve Stirrett (right), of the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association, accepts a $10,000 check from Norman Kahn, CEO of Utopia Entertainment, the Doheny Surf Festival organizer. Photo by Andrea Papagianis

RESULTSLocal finishers only. SC=San Clemente.

NSSA Southwest Conference Explorer, Event No. 7, November 16, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Seaside Reef

MEN: 2. Dylan Sonderegger, SC; 4. Dawson Tarnowski, SC. BOYS: 1. Cole Houshmand, SC. MENEHUNE: 1. Kade Matson, SC; 5. Ryan Martin, SC. SUPER GROMS: 2. Taj Lindblad, SC. WOMEN: 5. Samantha Sibley, SC. GIRLS: 2. Kirra Pinkerton, SC; 6. Samantha Sibley, SC. LONG-BOARD: 3. Jaric Fink, SC.

For full results, log on to www.danapointtimes.com.

DSBIA board gathered at the Doheny Visi-tor’s Center, which has been undergoing renovations for nearly six years, to accept the donation. While the center is inching toward completion, park officials are tight-lipped on when the doors will open to visitors.

“This check, along with donations from other area organizations, have helped get the center this far, and will continue to sup-

port outreach and educational efforts for years to come,” Neely said.

Organizers are getting a jump start on planning next year’s surf festival, which will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29 at Doheny State Beach. To find out more about the DSBIA and Doheny Surf Festival, visit www.dohenystatebeach.org and www.dohenysurffest.com. DP