August 14-20, 2009 - As the "Voices of Monarch Beach"

SOAPBOXVIEWS, 2OPINIONS AND INSIGHTSDPDana PointHOW TO REACH USPUBLISHERNorb Garrett, 949.388.7700, x101ngarrett@danapointtimes.comEDITORSTORIES, NEWS, CALENDAR, ETC.Nathan Wright, 949.388.7700, x109nwright@danapointtimes.comADVERTISINGPRINT AND ONLINELauralyn Loynes, 949.388.7700, x102lloynes@danapointtimes.comDISTRIBUTIONRACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONSAndrea Swayne, 949.388.7700, x113aswayne@danapointtimes.comBILLINGAlyssa Garrett, 949.388.7700, x100agarrett@danapointtimes.comDana Point Times, Vol. 2, Issue 33. 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 reproducedwithout written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicitedmanuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.PICKET FENCE MEDIAGROUP PUBLISHER> Norb GarrettEDITORIALSenior Editor, Editor,The Capistrano Dispatch> Jonathan VolzkeCity Editor, DP Times> Nathan WrightART/DESIGNSenior Designer> Jasmine SmithGraphic Designer> Heidi Mefferd34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 www.danapointtimes.comADVERTISING/MULTI-MEDIA MARKETING> Michele Reddick(Group Sales Director/San Clemente)> Sergio Sanchez(San Juan Capistrano)> Lauralyn Loynes(Dana Point)> Angela Edwards(Locals Only Directory)OPERATIONSFinance Director> Mike ReedBilling/Collections Manager> Alyssa GarrettDistribution Manager> Andrea SwayneCONTRIBUTORSTawnee PrazakINTERNSJack Baker, Chris Bashaw,Jaqueline DeMarco,Rachel Hatch, Brittni Moten,Angela Smith, Katherine SweetSPECIAL THANKSRobert Miller, George Mackin,Rebecca NordquistGUEST OPINION: By Beverli JinnTrouble! Lots of Trouble!The cistern’s empty on a Saturday nightBeverli JinnAletter from South Coast WaterDistrict doesn’t usually make myday. First of all, I have trouble withthe jargon. How much water is an acrefoot, anyway? Gravity lines, lift stations,force mains: I don’t really want to knowthat the same people who supply me withclean water are the ones in charge of thedistrict’s sewer lines.Still, I gave serious thought to the information in thebrochure sent to “property owners and bill payers” in May.What the heck! When I turn the handle in my shower, I expectclean water to spray out of there for as long as it takesme to soap down and rinse off and maybe even shampoo myhair. When there are dirty dishes in the sink, I need lots ofwater to wash them. When my bluegrass lawn needs irrigating. . . when the water level in the condo swimming poolgets low...when I find the phrase “Wash Me!” finger-etchedon the rear window of my car . . .And I read the letter dated July 15, the one explaining thata Water Supply Alert has been declared. That’s the one thatreally got me thinking. Residents and businesses are askedto reduce their water use by 15 percent. Specific landscapeirrigation days and hours are outlined. Permanent WaterConservation Requirements are reviewed. “Turn off irrigationsystems when it rains,” we’re reminded.What the letter does not talk about, however, isLetters to the EditorDEL REY NEEDS SOME WORKAUBREY BEAUCHAMP, Capistrano BeachOne of the oldest buildings in Dana Point is the CapistranoBeach Care Center, formerly known as BeverlyManor on Del Rey which exits on Camino Capistrano. TheCare Center serves as a long-term care hospital as well asa rehab center for those needing physical therapy. Overthe years I have been both a patient and a visitor to thishospital.When a friend, after a fall, was a patient there recently,I was dismayed—again—at the road condition of this littlestreet. Del Rey is small, almost like an alley, with a guttertype dent in the middle and several speed bumps. Noneof that is hazardous. What is hazardous however, are themany large potholes that are scattered throughout this welltravelled street.Two days after a hip replacement I was taken to thishospital by ambulance. The ride was smooth until we cameto Del Rey when I cringed as the ambulance driver (unsuccessfully)attempted to dodge some of those giant potholes.Del Rey is used 24/7 by ambulances, staff, visitors andPage 10 • Dana Point Times • August 14–20, 2009enforcement. Who’s going to know if I use my shower asa meditation space, getting in touch with the universe assteamy water splatters against my back? Who’s going to knowif I use my dishwasher when it’s only half full? Who’s going todo anything about it if the lawn sprinklers overshoot the grassin the parkway and send a river of pollution into the stormdrains? Who?Will it be up to my neighbors to turn me in? Must familymembers or friends blow the whistle? Will city MoistureMaids patrol the streets, writing up citations to offenders?How are they even going to know? After all, what goes on inmy dishwasher is strictly between me and my conscience.At the same time, while South Coast Water District cannotknow how I use water, they always know how much water Iuse. With the stroke of a key or two on their computer, theycan measure almost to the microdrop when I’ve used 15percent less. And that’s all they need! It will be as easy as pieto shut off my water for the remainder of the billing period.When I subsequently turn the control handle on the showerand realize that there will be no water gushing forth, I’ll knowthey mean business. I’ll be on that telephone faster thanyou can say “Colorado River”. I’ll apologize! I’ll whimper! I’llpromise anything!Most important, when they reopen that valve, I’ll be realserious about conservation. Real serious!That’s a lot of ocean out there! None of it belongs to us.All of it belongs to us. Beverli Jinn’s plan is to serve as alocal residents. In fact, I believe it’s one of the busiest shortstreets in Dana Point.I’m not sure who or where to address this matter tobut perhaps, if enough people agree that Del Rey urgentlyneeds an overhaul and street resurfacing, this matter canbe brought to the City fathers and put on the top of theirpriority list.LOCAL PRAISE FOR SENATOR BOXERPAUL CARLTON, San ClementeWith the historic passage of the American Clean Energyand Security Act (ACES) in the House of Representatives,America has taken its first step toward unleashing a trueclean energy revolution. Following President Obama’slead, Congress finally answered the call of a diverse coalitionof Americans to get America running on clean energy.While not perfect, ACES puts forth a set of goalsAmerica must achieve and exceed However, opponents ofclean energy are working to provide dirty industries withhundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer funded bailoutmoney while denying the creation of thousands of cleanONLINE READER POLLAre you attending any of the city’s weeklysummertime events?All of them!21%I love the Friday movies!0%The Sunday concert series has been great.47%None. I have other things to do.32%Next week: Do you think the city should make restrictionson Pit Bulls in Dana Point?Make sure to sound off each week on the “DP Times Poll of the Week” atwww.danapointtimes.com. Then go to our community Message Board andshare your opinions. www.danapointtimes.com. Bookmark it today!The DP Times Online Reader Polls are not scientific and do not reflect the opinion of the DP Times.regular reminder to South Coast residents that, one plasticbag, one empty water container at a time, we can keep ourfragile friend healthy.PLEASE NOTE: The opinions offered here are solely those of the guestcolumnist and may or may not be shared by the Dana Point Times staff. Weappreciate, however, their willingness to share their views, and we inviteresponses to be sent to letters@danapointtimes.com.CORRECTIONS: DP Times columnist Barbara Merriman sent wordof two mistakes in last week’s column (the editor’s fault, not hers).First, the folks at the yacht club set up at 8 a.m., not 8 p.m. Thesecond is the photo is actually of Staff Commodore Tom Adamsonwith Janet Russell throwing, not Andy Fuller. On a side note, shewanted to give special credit to the band Day Trippin’, who performedat the event.energy jobs that Americans desperately need.Senator Barbara Boxer (D) has been leading the chargein the senate and deserves the praise and admiration of thenation. She has demonstrated leadership and fortitude whilestanding up to the lies being spouted about the bill. As thisbill moves through Congress, I know that Senator Boxer willcontinue her courageous work. I hope that other senatorscan follow her leadership and strengthen the bill to containmethods for cleaning up the oldest and dirtiest coal plants,ramping up investments in energy efficiency, and hasteningour transition toward clean energy sources like wind andsolar. This will ensure that the bill benefits the public—notpolluters, and leads towards an economically prosperous andsecure future.To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion inthe paper, e-mail us at letters@danapointtimes.com orsend it to 34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach,CA 92624. Dana Point Times reserves the right to editreader-submitted letters for length.www.danapointtimes.com