The Capistrano Insider

How San Diego Handled a Home Bible Study Issue: They Talked it Out

The issue of Chuck and Stephanie Fromm getting cited for having a home Bible study isn't new, of course.

And while city officials are quick to say "we don't prohibit home Bible studies," they don't add that "we just require permits." Or even worse, "We're not sure when something is a regular meeting and would require a permit...."

The city's code is vague, saying only "religious, fraternal and non-profit" uses require a permit. It doesn't even say "regular uses" or "frequent uses."

And this bit about more than 50 people constitutes a "public gathering place" is a bit of a red herring -- the Fromms were cited under the above code, nothing about "public gathering places." And again, even if it was 10 people, the code seems to say they need a permit. Probably. Maybe. Most likely.

Oh, and this covers the association club house, too. So if you're having your HOA meetings in your HOA clubhouse, I suspect that's a violation.

So the city couches it as a land-use issue -- parking, etc. Maybe is that, but doesn't that just open the door to all sorts of things? It's a public street, so why would the city get involved if cars are parked legally on a public street for two hours on Sunday?

There's laws against blocking driveways and littering, so if THAT's the problem, why not ticket the offenders?

There's no noise coming from the Fromm home, so that's not the issue. But if it was, there's ordinances for that, too.

But this is the sort of dispute that happens everywhere. I found an example on Snopes (of all places) that seemed particluarly on point (for all you lawyers out there.)

From www.snopes.com:

In 2009, a couple (a pastor) in Bonita, San Diego County were cited for holding regular Bible studies in their home. They were told to apply for a permit. When a lawsuit was threatened and folks complained, the county backed off and said they were talking with the couple to find a resolution, and meanwhile the Bible studies continued.

This, from Sign On San Diego, could have been written here, today -- just change the name to Fromm:

Chandra Wallar, the county's general manager of land use and environment, said the county has re-examined the situation and decided that the Joneses don't need a permit after all.

Religious assembly, under the county land-use code, is defined as “religious services involving public assembly such as customarily occurs in synagogues, temples, and churches.”

Wallar said that definition, which doesn't spell out specific thresholds on when a religious gathering becomes a religious assembly, probably needs to be clarified and that more training may be warranted for code enforcement officers.

She said the county was not targeting the Joneses because they were exercising their religion, but rather it was trying to address parking and traffic issues.

“We've advised the pastor he has the authority to continue to hold his meetings just as he's held them,” Wallar said. “My hope is we will be able to resolve the traffic concerns.”

Wallar said the person who filed the complaint alleged that Bible study was drawing 30 to 40 cars.

 

Capistrano's Cool Librarian Reviews Camino Real Playhouse Feature

Greetings Intellectuals of mostly Orange County whose email addresses you’ve shared with me, 

I’d planned to send this out Saturday afternoon, after having spent the whole day hanging out at the Park as part of San Juan’s 50th celebration. Well, after seven hours of assisting little kids with making thumb print bookmarks, selling some used books, plugging library programs, and just happy that it didn't rain, the mail didn't get sent Saturday. 

So here it is Monday afternoon and I’m back at the library ready to share the latest production of the Camino Real Playhouse, "See How They Run.” http://www.caminorealplayhouse.org/see-how-they-run.php 

The play is an English farce, hence my clever Subject line in the email. Now I didn’t realize that there is a definite recipe for a farce which I’d like to share as stated in Wikipedia. Now I don’t usually like to use that particular website as my main source for reference work but it’s as good as any so here it is. Farce - a comedy which aims to entertain the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant, and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal humor of varying degrees of sophistication, which may include sexual innuendo and word play and a fast-paced plot whose speed usually increases, culminating in an ending which often involves an elaborate chase scene. It is also characterized by physical humor, the use of deliberate absurdity or nonsense and broadly stylized performances. 

Voila! That is exactly what I had the pleasure of seeing last Thursday night at the Camino Real Theater, after Italian happy hour at the Regency Theater, the finest movie theater in town. There are only nine performers and I was familiar with five of them, who I’ve seen appear in various other productions over the past 12 months. This play is English so most of the cast have lovely English accents and ½ of the cast end up dressed in the same Vicar outfit. You see it all takes place in the Vicarage where Vicar Lionel Toop lives with his former American Actress wife Penelope. Other characters include the mettlesome town busybody Miss Skillon, the young cockney maid Ida, the Bishop/Uncle, the intruder, a visiting Vicar, and local Sergeant. As both the title states, and the farce meaning describes, you, the audience really see them run throughout the 2 acts. In one door out the other, out the window in the window, some in various states of undress or sleeping attire. I will say that Vicar Toop, who I had already been a fan of after seeing him as a Pirate Captain and also El Capitan, is quite the patriot as seen by his Union Jack drawers. And what a completely different character Darrel Hill as Clive, Penelope’s former/acting friend/now Corp. from his great performance as Mickey Gorski last December in “Greetings,” who I know will be nominated for a “CaminOvation Award” this summer. 

“See How they Run” runs the next two weekends, ending with a matinee performance on Easter Sunday. I’ve included the theater’s website at the beginning of this email so you can click on it and see the exact dates, times, and ticket information for when you might be able to make that trek just a stone’s throw out the back door of Swallow’s Inn. Speaking of that lovely establishment, I always enjoy Tom Scott’s welcome where he reminds the audience to turn off the cell phones, covers the safety issues by reminding people that the entrance they came in is also the emergency exits should they need to make a fast exit. And if such an emergency arises, everyone knows to meet up at Swallow’s. The library is just down the street but our proximity to the Basilica makes it our emergency meeting spot. Guess the particular emergency one would be experiencing would deem whether you needed a stiff drink or the closest confessional. 

 And while I’ve got your attention, I’d like to plug a wonderful program the Friends of the library are sponsoring Sat. April 16 from 10 – 12 noon in La Sala Auditorium. It’s a “Morning of Storytelling” with Storytellers Cynthia Callard and Victoria Burnett, who are guaranteed to entertain all ages with their communication skills that mesmerized generations before radio and TV came along. It’s all free and part of the year long celebration commemorating the 50th Anniversary of San Juan Capistrano as a city. 

Well, thanks for reading if you got this far. I want to give a shout out to Jonathan & Steve for the wounds they received in helping me break down my booth Saturday and getting all the stuff back in my car. I owe you both and you know how I’ll probably repay you next time you’re at a program of mine. And if you go to the play and some of you better, mention my name. It won’t get you a better seat but it will let Tom & Beverly know that I’m earning my seat. 

Ciao & Cheerio!

Teri Garza, Librarian/Theater Critic/Park Partier

 

CARE Foundation Raffle Supports All CUSD Schools

Less than a month remains to purchase a ticket for the chance to win a brand new Toyota Prius donated by Capistrano Toyota during the 7th Annual “Keys to the Future” event sponsored by the CARE Foundation.

 The keys to the Prius will be awarded at a special event on Tuesday, March 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Capistrano Toyota, at 33395 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. The evening will also feature an exclusive “Taste of Capistrano,” starring menu items from Brio and Sundried Tomato Café.

Tickets are $50 each or three for $125. Participants may also designate $15 from each ticket purchased to their favorite Capistrano Unified School District school, program, or group. Tickets will be on sale until the evening of March 29th and may be purchased at www.care-4education.org

Here's the Weekend SJC Library Lineup ...

From the Coolest Librarian, Teri Garza:

San Juan Library First Friday Film March 4, "The Town" 2010 directed and starring Ben Affleck  rated R, La Sala Auditorium, $2 donation at the door.  Bank robbers in Boston.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0840361/ 

I am still feeling the afterglow of a great Oscar night hosted by my Hollywood Producers Robert Kline & Stephanie Heredia.  We had a full house of real movie lovers who got the inside track on all the nominees who lived our their dreams 2 nights later at the KodakTheater.  I also think it was quite predictable, at least the major categories. 

I've just finished calculating the ballots by the Friday night crowd and I'm afraid I've got a tie on my hands.  So I'll be heading back down to Sarducci's to visit Tom and see if he can help me out so I'm not having to draw between the 2 winners.  They haven't heard who they are yet but they both had 10 out of 11 correct, and each missed a different category.  The Best Foreign Film seemed to be the one that was least predictable.  It was the best Open Snack Bar this town had ever seen since the Regency's grand opening last May, with cookies, fresh popcorn & full size candy bars! 

   Sure wish I could have just left the room set up for this coming Friday night but the Pilates class on Tues. & Thurs. might have had a problem with that.  So, I'll be back lugging out the chairs, speakers, projector, tables, etc again this Friday so I'm hoping there's a good number of you, who like myself, didn't see "The Town." 

If they'd have nominated 11 Best Pictures, it would have probably been in there.  Mr. Kline said that the academy is still carrying a grudge with Ben Affleck for his J Lo film Gigli.  His wife Stephanie, mentioned it, along with the comedy Morning Glory as her 2 favorite films from 2010.  Those reasons, plus the fact that the entire month of March in San Juan is all about "the town" and "the birds."    

The Swallow's come back, starting March 19, St. Joseph's Day, when the religious ones soar in and then the pagan ones wait till parade day Sat. March 26 when things are a bit more wild with 100's of horses parading through town.  That type of transporatation or just your own 2 feet, is the only way you'll be able to get around town.  In fact, the library even closes because you can't get near it after 8 am.  And back by popular demand, the SJC Library precision Book Cart Drill Team is returning.  For the past 2 years, we've wheeled our little book carts right through the center of town cross weaving, circling, both clockwise & counterclockwise, yet we are still trophy challenged.  I'm hoping the 3rd time is the charm because with the various cutbacks to our book budget this past year, the drill team participants has also been reduced from 10 to 6.  We're hoping that our precision will be more precise with fewer of us to mess up and we'll break away from the Susan Lucci curse.  I know my parade days are numbered so I'd really like to add a parade trophy to my Shoe Shrine.  It's probably the only day of the year you'll see me in flat shoes. 

    Speaking of shoes, which I frequently do, I'd like to give a shout out to the Sear's associate who "gifted" me with an extra 30% pass a few weeks ago.  I'm can't remember if I regaled already that particular shopping expedition that had me leaving the store with 13 boxes of footwear.  Suffice to say, I did end up returning at least 3 pairs once the euphoria had worn off.  But even my own mother, when I shared my "booty" where I paid $7  & $10 for footwear which retailed for up to $89 had to admit they "were keepers".  So perhaps this Friday night, I'll be rocking in a pair of my new boots or I might even wear my newly earned "Golden Oscar" shoes that Stephanie Heredia presented to me last Friday night.  I guarantee you will not find any other librarian with a jazzier collection of shoes.  I know I'd for sure win just for quantity!  Well, that's this week's reminder.  I've got a busy social calendar that I've got  to get started planning the appropriate wardrobe beyond Friday night's movie. 

New melodrama to review at the Playhouse, Mayor's State of the City dinner, Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday,  El Presidente Ball, Parade Day, & next Multicultural Concert March 26 (another double header) with Gerry O'Bierne & Rosie Shipley.  And before I forget a quick shout out to my favorite service club in the whole wide world, the Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano!   They graciously have chosen to continue their sponsorship of our monthly film program.  I'm sure glad they did because we just printed up a new supply of popcorn bags with their logo.  Thanks again Rotarians! You are the best! 

As usual, I've rambled on way too much and didn't event mention the Sat. film which is "Megaminds" for the kids and any brave adults who don't mind a room full of noisy kids.   It starts promptly at 11 am and is free.  That's all from me.  I now need to go and make my font a little bigger which makes it easier on the eye, yet takes up more space.  Oh well, Steve really appreciates it. 

For more information call 949-248-5132 & leave me a message.

Ciao

Teri Garza, Librarian/Gal About Town (San Juan Capistrano)

CARE Says String of Lawsuits Over

This from Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort's PR person -- the same used by the city:

San Juan Capistrano animal rescue group victorious in string of baseless lawsuits

The Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort (CARE), which was formed in 2000, has been vindicated by the courts from a string of meritless lawsuits dating back nearly 5 years.

Jeffrey Parkhurst and his wife, Katherine Hammersly, first sued CARE in 2006 over her removal from its board of directors. CARE prevailed against Hammersly when it won a summary judgment in 2008. Hammersly appealed the ruling and lost her appeal a year later.

In November 2008, Parkhurst filed a separate lawsuit alleging CARE engaged in “unfair competition.” The court in 2009 also found his claim was without merit. Parkhurst appealed that ruling and lost his appeal last month.

"The court did not find this or any of his other arguments compelling," said CARE’s attorney Adina T. Stern. "Since they filed their first action back in 2006, Parkhurst and Hammersly have consistently been defeated. It is just a shame CARE was forced to spend time and money defending itself in these ridiculous lawsuits."

Marsha Schwartze, executive director of CARE, said this victory is bittersweet. “It is heartbreaking when animals have to suffer because of human egos," she said. "The court vindicated CARE after 4 1/2 years of litigation, as we knew they would. But what a waste of assets to prove the truth and to what end? How does this benefit San Juan Capistrano animals?"

CARE's is being advised by its attorney whether or not its costs in defending this case are recoverable. Since its inception a decade ago, CARE has rescued and adopted more than 1,200 pets.

 For more information about CARE, visit www.capoanimalrescue.com.