TEA PARTY ACTIVISTS SCHEDULE ‘FREEDOM OF SPEECH’ PICNIC
A city ban on newspaper racks at San Juan Capistrano City Hall and the Community Center has prompted a coalition of conservative and Tea Party activists to organize a picnic Saturday in honor of freedom of speech.
Villa Park Councilwoman Deborah Pauly will host the event, scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. at Cook Park at La Novia Avenue and Calle Arroyo. Fox News commentator Gina Loudon will be the keynote speaker.
John Oetken, a local leader of the Oathkeepers, also is scheduled to speak, along with comedian and author Evan Sayet, Orange County political blogger Walter Myers III, Rage Against the Media founder Karen Siegemund and Buena Park insurance broker and former congressional candidate John Webb.
An Orange County Superior Court judge ordered the newspaper Community Common Sense to be allowed back at City Hall and the Community Center as city staff drafts a new policy to regulate news racks on city property. A lawsuit filed by Common Sense representatives is ongoing.
CITY TO HOST SECOND WATER FORUM
The city of San Juan Capistrano on Feb. 11 will present a second forum aimed at informing residents about the city’s groundwater recovery plant and local water issues.
The event will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 25925 Camino del Avion.
City Hall officials paid Irvine marketing company Cornerstone Communications $11,500 to organize the first forum Dec. 11. No company is assisting with Tuesday’s forum.
On Feb. 27, Raftelis Financial Consultants will present a preliminary water-rate model to the City Council and Utilities Commission for review. The final model is to be approved in March.
NEW MEMBER SOUGHT FOR UTILITIES COMMISSION
City officials are looking for someone to join the San Juan Capistrano Utilities Commission, replacing Dan Merkle, who recently moved out of town.
The commissioner will serve through March 31, 2015.
The five-member commission meets monthly to review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding water and sewer issues, including rate studies and services.
Members must list conflicts of interests in a statement to the Fair Political Practices Commission upon appointment, annually and upon leaving office.
Applications will be accepted through Feb. 14 at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto. To get a form, visit City Hall or www.sanjuancapistrano.org.
For more information, call the City Clerk’s Office at 949-493-1171.
BRIDGE WORK TO CAUSE I-5 CLOSURES FOR THREE WEEKENDS
I-5 lanes will be closed at Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano for three consecutive weekends beginning Feb. 21 as crews remove temporary support structures under the south half of the bridge.
Lanes will close at 11 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22 until 6 a.m. the next day, then again Feb. 28 and March 1 and March 7-8.
The northbound and southbound lanes will not close at the same time.
The closures will occur amid construction that has congested Ortega and its freeway ramps. The situation was exacerbated when the California Department of Transportation reduced the southbound off-ramp to one lane last month. Officials said the exit would be one lane for the duration of the $86 million project to build a new freeway interchange at Ortega, but they recently added a lane after hearing complaints of long waits.
“We want to accommodate the motoring public as much as we can,” said Dave Richardson, a Caltrans spokesman.
TWO SWALLOWS FESTIVAL EVENTS COMING UP
The first two major events of San Juan Capistrano’s annual Fiesta de las Golondrinas, or Swallows Festival, are coming this month.
Local restaurants and caterers will come together from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 20 at El Adobe de Capistrano for Taste of San Juan.
Admission is $20 and includes samples from all participants, including Slater’s 50/50, Sundried Tomato Cafe, The Vintage Steak House, Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill, San Juan Hills Golf Club, Donna B’s Bakery, Cedar Creek Inn, Thai Juan On, El Adobe, Ruby’s Diner and Marie Callender’s.
El Adobe, at 31891 Camino Capistrano, will be selling alcohol at happy-hour prices, and guests can vote for their favorites for best main course, original dish, appetizer and dessert.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association, which organizes the festival, culminating with the Swallows Day Parade on March 22.
Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce, 31421 La Matanza St., or at the event. For more information, call 949-493-1976 or visit www.swallowsparade.org.
The Kids Pet Parade, also part of the Swallows Festival, is set for 1 p.m. Feb. 23 at Zoomars Petting Zoo, 31791 Los Rios St. Participants are asked to gather at noon.
Children all of ages can enter. Contests include best household pet, best small barnyard or farm animal, best team costume (owner and pet), best exotic pet and best bird.
A special judge’s choice prize winner will be invited to participate in the Swallows Day Parade.
All pets must be leashed, haltered or caged, and an adult must accompany children, according to a news release.