Max Berg Park Playground

YOUR NEWS
Message from the City Manager
Ringing in the 2015 Holiday Season
T
he holiday season brings us many opportunities for celebrating and giving. Right here in our
Spanish Village by the Sea, we have the perfect combination of both with our City staff, nonprofits, volunteers and compassionate citizenry who put others first to coordinate in activities that
help ensure a memorable holiday for everyone—especially those in need. Though this is by no
means a comprehensive list, it serves as a good start.
FAMILY ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES THANKSGIVING DINNER
Locally, you can make a difference by participating in the Family Assistance Ministries Thanksgiving Dinner and Adopt-A-Family program.
This event is being held on Wednesday, November 25th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the San Clemente Community Center located at 100
N. Calle Seville. For Thanksgiving, you can supply a turkey and all the fixings. For Christmas, you can provide gifts for the children of a
local family. Every donation – even small ones – make a big impact, so whatever you can do to make the holidays a little brighter for
those in need, truly makes a difference. For more information, email info@family-assistance.org or call (949) 492-8477.
SANTA’S VILLAGE BY THE SEA
On Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the San Clemente Community Center at 100 N. Calle Seville, the City of San
Clemente and the Casa Romantica Cultural Center & Gardens brings you a full day of activities, treats, and music. The day begins at
the San Clemente Community Center with games, cookie decorating, face painting and a tree lighting ceremony at 5:15 p.m. The fun
continues at the Casa Romantica for cookies, hot chocolate, and more holiday cheer. For more information, contact the Recreation
Division at (949) 361-8264.
ADOPT-A-MARINE HOLIDAY DINNER
A very special event for active-duty Camp Pendleton military personnel is the Seventh Annual Adopt-A-Marine holiday dinner and
comedy show by the Funniest Housewives of Orange County. This will be held on Sunday, December 13th and is hosted by the San
Clemente Watershed Task Force. This event will be held at the Holiday Inn Express in San Clemente, and along with entertainment
and dinner, every Marine will receive a ticket for a prize drawing during the dinner. A $25 donation provides a Marine with dinner,
beverages, dessert and a drawing ticket, plus the comedy show. Please send your donations to the San Clemente Watershed Task
Force at 555 N. El Camino Real A425, San Clemente 92672 with checks payable to SC Watershed Task Force. Donations must be
received by Dec 10th. If you wish to donate a prize, email info@SCwatersheds.com or call Nanci Mavar at (949) 500-0494.
From our City family to yours, we wish you all the best. Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
James Makshanoff
City Manager
citymanager@san-clemente.org
ou n d t he w
"...we pass on a legacy of laughter to another community."
s
ar
or l
kid
gets new life in Ecuador
d
Max Berg Park Playground
In 2013 the City of San Clemente removed old playground
equipment from Max Berg Park as a safety precaution due to the
equipment being severely deteriorated from rust. The equipment
was donated to Kids Around the World to be refurbished by local
volunteers and shipped to Ecuador and installed for use by children
there.
It took more than a year for Kids Around the World to raise the
money for the shipment. Kids Around the World is a non-profit,
faith-based organization that is dedicated to helping children and
families who have been affected by war, poverty, illness and natural
disasters. Since 1994, Kids Around the World has built more than
375 playgrounds in 56 countries worldwide.
The Kids Around the World volunteers transport refurbished
playground equipment, just like that which the City donated, to build
playgrounds where kids need them most, and witnessing firsthand
the power of play and the impact it can have on the life of a single
child, and an entire community.
Chris Marshall serves as Regional Vice President for Kids
Around the World. He shared some pictures of the City’s refurbished
playground equipment being enjoyed by the children in Equador.
About the experience, Mr. Marshall said, “There’s a sense of legacy
when you build parks – you are creating a community. To put the
City’s old equipment in a landfill would have silenced the laughter,
so we pass on a legacy of laughter to another community.”
For more information, visit kidsaroundtheworld.com or
contact Chris at chrism@kidsaroundtheworld.com.
2
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE │ (949) 429-8797 or (949) 361-8264
WINTER 2015/16
DISTRACTED
DRIVING
News Briefs
It's always the season to adopt a new
family friend!
is Dangerous Driving!
Don’t be distracted while driving. Did you know
Visit the local San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter distracted driving claims the lives of nearly 5,000
and adopt a furry family member today. Explore more people each year? This represents 16% of all fatal
crashes annually. Each year, more than 80% of drivdetails about the shelter on page 33.
ers in the annual AAA Foundation Traffic Safety CulPictured here is Emma with her new family, the Berry
ture Index cite distraction as a serious problem and a
family.
behavior that makes them feel less safe on the road.
Holiday Closures for City Offices
Just what is distracted driving? Distracted driving
City offices will be closed December 24, 2015 - January 1, 2016 and will reopen is any activity that could divert a person's attention
away from the primary task of driving. All distractions
on Monday, January 4, 2015.
endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety.
Police and fire services will continue their regular schedules uninterrupted.
Chances are we’ve all engaged in one or more of
•Non-emergency calls: (949) 770-6011
these activities while driving. The Centers for Disease
•Emergency calls: 9-1-1.
Control and Prevention describes three main types of
If assistance is needed during the closure, call the City’s 24/7 answering service: distractions while driving. Visual distractions cause
•Utilities (Water/Sewer): (949) 366-1553
you to take your eyes off the road, manual distrac•Maintenance (Streets/Signals/Street Lights) and Beaches & Parks
tions cause you to take your hands off the wheel and
(parks/trees/ trails): (949) 361-8317
cognitive distractions, such as listening to a talk radio show, cause you to take your mind off what you
Estrella Shopping Center Facelift Underway
are doing. Driving is a great privilege, but with that
The Estrella Shopping Center (former K-Mart/Big Lots Center) in San Clem- privilege also comes responsibility.
ente is getting a facelift. The City has issued building permits for all portions of The next time you get into your car, think of driving
the redevelopment and the contractors are working quickly, having also started a car as complex task that requires your complete
work on the freestanding pad buildings.
attention. All it takes is a glance away for more than
The primary tenants for the development have been announced: Sprouts, a couple of seconds and the consequences can be
Sports Authority, Stein Mart, Ulta, and TJ Maxx. The property owner of the pad serious. The best way to end distracted driving is to
buildings is working to put a coffee shop (Starbucks or similar entity) in the pad educate all Americans about the danger it poses. So,
building where Guicho’s North is located.
the City seeks to do its share to educate our comBoth Guicho’s and Los Golondrina’s will remain within the center after the re- munity of the dangers. For example, in late August,
model having signed lease extensions.
San Clemente Police Services Sergeant Sgt. Douglas
The architecture of the center will be significantly changed from a 1970 K. Ellithorpe provided a detailed presentation on dis“brutalist” architecture to a Spanish design with various towers and accent fea- tracted driving to the City Council at their televised
tures that will enhance our community’s northern gateway from the I-5 freeway. council meeting. And, Mayor Pro Tempore Bob Baker
If you have additional questions regarding the development, contact City hosted a City “Around Town” videotaped program on
Project Planner Sean Nicholas at Nicholas@san-clemente.org.
distracted driving and the serious and often deadly
consequences. You can view this on the City website
at www.san-clemente.org, the City Facebook page or
the local government access channel (Cox channel
30 or 854).
By improving our understanding of how mental
and physical distractions impair drivers and by educating the public about avoiding distractions, we can
eliminate these preventable deaths.
Avoid these distraction downfalls!
Using cell phone ● Reading (including maps)
Using a navigation system ● Texting
Talking to passengers ● Watching videos
Adjusting a radio, CD, or MP3 ● Grooming
Eating & drinking
Website: www.san-clemente.org │ CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
3
YOUR NEWS
TREES ARE IMPORTANT TO A COMMUNITY'S WELL BEING:
SAN CLEMENTE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT GROWTH,
EVEN DURING HISTORIC DROUGHT
"In San
Clemente,
we have
planted
almost 90%
more (trees)
than we
remove."
Trees have tremendous value to our community.
Far more than the aesthetic or shade value trees
provide, they contribute to our environment by
providing oxygen, improving air quality, preserving
soil and supporting wildlife. According to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, “One acre of forest
absorbs 6 tons of carbon-dioxide and puts out 4 tons
of oxygen. This is enough to meet the needs of 18
people”.
The City has a tree planting schedule that is
managed by contractor Rod’s Tree Service, who also
maintains the trees throughout San Clemente. Trees
are removed for a cornucopia of reasons, mostly
because they are dead, declining or hazardous. In
San Clemente, we have planted almost 90% more
than we remove. Since June 20, 2015, we have
planted 66 new trees throughout San Clemente.
Listed below are the various trees that were
planted by the City’s contractor, Rod’s Tree Service,
over the past few months in local parks.
For trees located in the street medians that are
surrounded by grass, the City has found a way to
ensure many of the 20-plus year old trees get water
since the City turned the water off on the medians to
try to conserve water. The City purchased thick green
bags that are filled with 20 gallons of recycled water
(pictured below) and placed them around the trunks
of trees along street medians to help conserve water,
meet the State conservation rules that prohibit using
potable water on the street medians and keep the
trees alive. The bags, which cost $25 each, are
reusable need to be refilled every two weeks.
SAN CLEMENTE'S
NEWEST TREE ADDITIONS
Gator bags,
installed on trees
throughout the
City, save water
costs and labor
costs compared to
conventional water
methods.
TALEGA PARK
Located at 179 Corte Cristianitos
Planted on June 30, 2015
(18) Tristania (Tristania conferta) 24” box.
MIRA COSTA PARK
Located at 34001 Camino Mira Costa, July 1, 2015
Planted on July 1, 2015
(3) Tristania (Tristania conferta) 24” box
(5) Cork Oak (Quercus suber) 24” box
VISTA HERMOSA SPORTS PARK
Located at 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa
Planted on July 1, 2015
(1) Costal Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) 36” box.
SAN CLEMENTE LIBRARY
Located at 242 Avenida Del Mar
Planted on July 16, 2015
(7) Western Rebud (Cercis occidentalis) 24” box Multi-stem
(4) California Pepper (Schinus molle) 24” box Multi-stem
(4) California Pepper (Schinus molle) 24” box Standard
(2) Strawberry Tree (Arbutus marina) 24” box Standard
(1) Strawberry Tree (Arbutus marina) 24” box Multi-stem
(1) Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) 24” box Multi-stem
VISTA HERMOSA SPORTS PARK
Located at 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa (behind baseball fields)
Planted on August 31, 2015
(10) Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) 24” box.
MIRA COSTA PARK
4
Located at 34001 Camino Mira Costa
Planted on September 1, 2015
(10) Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) 24” box
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE │ (949) 429-8797 or (949) 361-8264
WINTER 2015/16
SAVING SAN CLEMENTE HOSPITAL E.R.
City officials & local assembly members
head to Sacramento
Mayor Chris Hamm and Mayor pro Tempore
Bob Baker, along with Assembly Member Bill
Brough (R-Dana Point) and Senator Patricia
Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) briefed a legislative
delegation from Sacramento on Monday on the
need for legislation to save San Clemente Hospital’s Emergency Room.
The tour and briefing was designed to show
the delegation the importance of preserving
emergency care services in South Orange
County and in San Clemente in particular.
Earlier this year Assembly Member Brough authored Assembly Bill 911 and Senator Bates
authored Senate Bill 787 to allow for a satellite
emergency room. The Assembly and Senate
Health Committees heard both bills in April but
postponed action for further study.
The San Clemente Hospital has served
South Orange County for more than 40 years
and is the only emergency care facility in San
Clemente and neighboring communities. At
the briefing, Mayor Hamm said, “Without an
Emergency Room, patients will not get the necessary medical care needed; this will change
medical outcomes for the worse.”
The San Clemente ER sees 15,000 patients annually and it is the only ER between
Oceanside and Mission Viejo. Without and
Emergency Room in San Clemente there will
be a 40 mile stretch without an Emergency
Room. Travel times from south San Clemente
to Mission Hospital can exceed 30 plus minutes.
Mayor Pro Tempore Baker added, “Without
legislative relief, the residents and visitors to
San Clemente will not have timely access to
emergency medical care. We urge the Legislature and the Governor to enact this legislation
next year.”
The San Clemente City Council has registered its two main concerns with the State Legislature on the potential loss of the emergency
room: a) financial impact; and, b) health impact. Specifically, the council noted that fiscally, the City's public safety costs would increase,
thus costing the taxpayers more as local paramedics would have to deploy out of town onto
the already congested I-5 freeway on all 911
calls, making ambulances and their firefighter operators less available in town. The City
Council continues, as for the health impacts,
these would be critical to those in need should
the ED close as it currently treats 15,000 ED
patients per year and admits over 4,000 patients per year.
Also in support is the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) which noted they have reviewed
call data for the two emergency transport units
in San Clemente. They state in 2014 there
were 1,701 total transports of which 1,217
(72%) were transported to SMMC. OCFA contends that without an emergency room at this
facility the OCFA would be required to transport
patients to hospitals further away and possibly
delaying treatment.
Save Saddleback San Clemente Hospital
is coalition of concerned citizens' in San Clemente supporting legislation. They note they are
effectively a peninsula, with Camp Pendleton
to the south, protected forest to the east, the
ocean to the west, and only one road north,
1-5, with which to access emergency services.
They also point out that an I-5 widening project
has just started closing shoulders and ramps
intermittently and that this project will last
three years, potentially increasing transport
times.
Saddleback Memorial Care is in support of
the proposed legislation because they desire
to continue to serve the community's EMS
needs, including continuing to receive paramedic traffic and seeing all emergent patients
without regard for their ability to pay.
In addition to the above supporters, the
Dana Point City Council and several individuals
are also supporters. The Legislature is now in
recess and reconvenes in January 2016.
T
SAN CLEMENTE'S
C OASTA L C LE A N UP DAY
WAS A HUGE SUCCESS
hank you to all the volunteers who helped clean San Clemente’s
beaches on Coastal Cleanup Day! On September 19th over 300 volunteers combed the sand for trash and recyclables. Over 4 miles of coastline
was cleaned from Trestles beach to Poche beach. In total 485 pounds of
debris was collected. Some of the debris was left by beachgoers and some
was a result of recent storms flushing trash from local neighborhoods to
the beach via the storm drain system.
With heavy storms anticipated this winter season, clean properties and
curbs mean less trash washing onto our beaches. Residents can do their
part by keeping outside trash lids closed when not in use and keeping cans
on the sidewalk and not in the curb on collection days when it’s raining.
Please remember our homes are only a short distance to our local beaches.
Volunteers of local beach cleanups have been challenged to pick up
trash while minimizing their use of single use disposable plastic. The solution has been empty sand bag cases. A few years ago the San Clemente
Watershed Task Force and Adopt-a-Beach program decided to try using
reusable empty sand bags loaned by the City instead of disposable trash
bags. This has been a huge success. After the sand bag cases are used for
the beach cleanups they are emptied and filled with sand. The City of San
Clemente offers 25 free sandbags per year to residents to use to protect
property during rain events. For more information visit san-clemente.org.
Website: www.san-clemente.org │ CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
5
YOUR NEWS
Celebrates Two Years of Trail Hikers & Adventure Seekers
Since its establishment on December 3, 2013, the San Clemente
Summit has been explored and enjoyed by residents and visitors from
coast to coast, and around the world. At the summit is a sitting bench
and a mailbox with a journal inside for visitors to share their Summit
experience.
Below is a small sample of comments left by hikers who have
conquered San Clemente’s highest point.
•“We made it to the top and the Alex & Chiara adventure continues….”
•“Saw my first roadrunner!” – Mike, San Clemente
•“Beautiful hike, lovely way to spend time with family” – Diana,
Washington
•“You can see everything from here. This is cool, Love Josie (I’m 9
years)” - Josie, San Clemente
•“Gorgeous, visiting San Clemente from Blackpool, England with 6
months of rain” – Johnpaul, England
•“62nd birthday – spectacular views, rattlers and all – Be Amazed” Ken, San Clemente
•“Awesome place, drove 3,000+ miles cross country from Maryland
and made San Clemente my first stop before continuing my journey
North” – Joe, Maryland
Haven’t experienced the Summit yet? Make it a goal to reach San
Clemente’s Highest Point at 1,008 elevation this winter season.
The Summit is located on the northern portion of the Cristianitos
Trail up from the trail access point at Avenida Talega. To reach the
Summit:
•Park at the terminus of Avenida Talega.
•Walk inland, to where the pavement stops.
•Follow summit signs to the left.
All hikers should take note of the following important details before
venturing out on the summit hike:
•The trail is nearly 3-miles, round trip and steep in places.
•Wear a hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and bring water.
A new journal has been left for more commentary, please share your
personal experience with the San Clemente community. Happy Trails!
Did you know San Clemente offers 7
beautiful trails - that's over 25 miles,
featuring scenic views and peaceful
surroundings.
Explore all the trail options by turning to page
36 of this magazine.
You can also visit the city's website for
photos, trail maps, and trail updates.
6
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE │ (949) 429-8797 or (949) 361-8264
Triton
Corner
Connecting City News to Triton News!
Winter brings league champion, Men's Basketball back to
the court and a Sadie Hawkins dance to the dance floor
Daniel Klevit | Senior, Class of 2016
As the winter season falls upon the Tritons, Men's Basketball will soon take
over the campus after last year's league
championship winning team. Favored
to win league again this year, the team
proved highly successful over their summer tournaments in San Diego. Both
Wrestling and Women’s Soccer will be
fighting for league championships as well. Wintertime on
campus is also a vital month for the arts. The top mixed choir,
Madrigals, travels to various events and performs nearly every
day for local business singing Christmas music. To end the semester the choral program combines with band and orchestra
for one large concert called the Winter Extravaganza, where
the two programs showcase their skills together. Near the end
of January, the traditional dance, called Winter Formal, takes
place. Students from each grade go through a nomination
and voting process in hopes of becoming their grades King or
Queen. In a Sadie Hawkins format, students have the tradition
of girls asking boys to this dance.
Have you Heard?
You can capture rain and use it later
on your landscape. Get a rebate to
purchase rain barrels.
What are you doing to save water?
Follow the OC’s spokesgnome on
his adventure to help keep water in
the yard, not on the sidewalk.
To find out more visit:
OverwateringIsOut.org
WINTER 2015/16
STAY CONNECTED
WITH YOUR CITY
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter
The City of San Clemente posts information
through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
about special activities and events, upcoming
programs, city services, and city issues and
news can all be found on City of San Clemente
social media.
AlertOC
Emergency Notification System called AlertOC
allows you to receive direct timely notifications
in case of an emergency. Sign-up at www.sanclemente.org and select the AlertOC icon on
the home page.
San Clemente YouTube
The City of San Clemente has a YouTube channel where you can view city videos, including
City Council and Planning Commission meetings, the City’s “Around Town” series featuring
topics of community interest, public service
announcements, and more.
City of San Clemente Website
Many services offered by the City of San Clemente can be found online. On the City of San
Clemente website, you can register for a recreation program, pay a bill, report graffiti or a
code complaint, watch City Council meetings
live, receive information about permits and
business licenses, download meeting agendas and minutes, and so much more!
Beach Camera, Surf & Weather Mobile App
A convenient way to check live surf and weather information as well as the beach camera
from your mobile device is available on the
Beach Camera, Surf & Weather Mobile App.
To access any of these features, visit www.
san-clemente.org and click on the icons located on the homepage.
Facebook/
CityofSanClementeGovernment
Instagram/
@CityofSanClemente
Twitter/
@CityofSanClemente
AlertOC/
cityofsanclemente.bbcportal.com
YouTube/
CityofSanClemente
Website/
san-clemente.org
415 AVENIDA GRANADA / (949) 498-2139
HOURS: Tuesday-Thursday, 11:00am-4:00pm / Friday-Sunday, 10:00am-2:00pm
CASA WELLNESS WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 18, 7:00 PM
Holiday Succulent Wreath Making
Hands-on wreath making with Casa Garden Director, Lisa Chmura.
FEE: $35 (includes all materials)
CASA UP CLOSE
NOVEMBER 19
Douglas & Mark Kirkland, Photographer & Filmmaker
Father and son creative duo will be at Casa Romantica to
present on their work in photography and film.
ADMISSION: $12
CHRISTMAS AT THE CASA
DECEMBER 5, 2015, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Annual Holiday Open House featuring a festive decorations, live music, choral groups,
Santa, a talking tree, kids crafts, and refreshments. In partnership with the City of San
Clemente, Santa’s Village by the Sea. FREE to the public.
MEMBER NIGHTS AT THE CASA
JANUARY 15, 2016, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
This special evening provides Casa members exclusive access to the Casa on select evenings throughout the year to enjoy music, current gallery exhibitions and stunning sunsets
over the Pacific. Free for Casa Romantica Members.
CASA CLASSIC
JANUARY 28, 2016, 7:00 PM
Ramon Negron Baroque String Quartet
Ramón, a musician since age 9, is currently an adjunct faculty member of viola and chamber music at the University of San Diego, and conductor of the newly formed Kensington
Baroque Orchestra. ADMISSION: $25
CASA COMEDY
JANUARY 22, 2016, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Upright Citizen's Brigade
Enjoy this renowned improvisation and sketch comedy group. Notable alumni include Amy
Poehler (co-founder), Ed Helms, Aziz Ansari and Bobby Moynihan.
ADMISSION: $25
OPEN CASA
GALLERY OPENING FEBRUARY 2, 2016, 6:00 PM
EXHIBITION FEBRUARY 2 - APRIL 17, 2016
E. Gene Crain California Watercolor Collection
Mr. Crain has amassed a collection of remarkable quality and focus,
centering on watercolors of the Southern California landscape.
DAILY GENERAL ADMISSION: $5 or Free with Annual Membership
For tickets or information, please visit www.casaromantica.org.
Website: www.san-clemente.org │ CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
7