🌱 Patch AM: How a San Clemente architect reinvented himself as a globe-trotting artist

Good day San Clemente! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a San Clemente architect reinvented himself as a globe-trotting artist
• Which San Clemente neighbors made OC’s 125 Most Influential list?
• How did San Clemente girls water polo fare in tournament play?

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Fog, then some sun, with a high of 63 and low of 49 degrees.
• Sunday: Fog in the morning, temps: high: 66, low: 51.
• Monday: Fog in the morning, with a high of 62 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• San Clemente Artist David Lang Blends Architecture, Art, Memory (picketfencemedia.com) — San Clemente residents can get to know longtime local artist and retired architect David Lang, whose paintings, novels, and international life experiences all circle back to the community he’s called home since the 1970s. He shares how art helped him navigate retirement, his ties to Casa Romantica’s upcoming 2026 Artist-in-Residence role, and why San Clemente’s character keeps inspiring his work.
   

• Meet the 125 Most Influential People in Orange County for 2025 (ocregister.com) — Orange County’s 125 Most Influential list includes several San Clemente standouts, from surfboard shaper Matt Biolos and USA Surfing CEO Becky Fleischauer to AVID educator Erin Bro and heroic teen surfers honored for a Laguna Beach rescue. The wide-ranging roundup highlights how San Clemente residents are shaping education, surf culture, and public safety across the county.
   

• Orange County scores and player stats for Friday, Dec. 19 (ocregister.com) — San Clemente High’s girls water polo team fell 10-6 to Foothill in Friday’s Bill Barnett Holiday Cup action, one of many Orange County results. The roundup lists scores from boys soccer and girls water polo, helping local fans track how neighboring schools and rivals are performing across the county.
   

📸 Around San Clemente

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 20

• Mission Viejo Certified Farmers' Market
  Mission Viejo Farmers Market , 25282 Marguerite Pkwy , Mission Viejo
  9:00 am
• Magical Moments at foaSouth
  FOA South , 1006 S Coast Hwy , Laguna Beach
  9:00 am
• Farmers Market and Crafts
  North Paseo , 25282 Marguerite Pkwy , Mission Viejo
  9:00 am
• Holiday Market
  Dana Point Harbor , 34571 Golden Lantern , Dana Point
  10:00 am
• Laguna Niguel Library: Teen/Adult Sewing Workshop
  OC Library - Laguna Niguel Branch , 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy , Laguna Niguel
  2:00 pm
• Nutcracker (SAT) 2PM
  San Juan Hills High School , 29211 Stallion Ridge , San Juan Capistrano
  2:00 pm
• Country Christmas in San Juan Capistrano
  Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Autograph Collection , 26907 Old Mission Rd , San Juan Capistrano
  4:00 pm
• Night Market
  North Paseo , 25282 Marguerite Pkwy , Mission Viejo
  5:00 pm
• Last Night Of Autumn ( Yalda ) Orange County
  Lake Forest Performing Arts Center
  5:00 pm
• Twas the Night Before Christmas
  St. John's Episcopal School , 30382 Vía Con Dios , Rancho Santa Margarita
  5:30 pm
• Janet and the Akusta Katz
  Alza Italian Kitchen , 22411 Antonio Pkwy c170 , Rancho Santa Margarita
  6:00 pm
• Concert 2 Illuminations Noël
  Coast Hills Auditorium , 5 Pursuit , Aliso Viejo
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making San Clemente PatchAM possible:

• D-Tek Live Bee Removal — (760) 224-3040
  DTEK Live Bee Removal: Humane, eco-friendly bee extraction.

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• UPDATE — Piper is home!
  Thank you so much to everyone for your help in her safe return. LOST MISSING DOG - SW San Clemente DO NOT APPROACH (Nextdoor Ola Vista)
• LOST DOG-SOUTHWEST SAN CLEMENTE
  South Ola Vista. Missing around noon today (Thursday). Slipped out of her harness and ran away from sitter. She is chipped and has owner's phone… (Nextdoor Forster Ranch)

• Government Jobs posted a job opening for Recreation Leader III in San Clemente. Apply here.
• Panera Bread Company posted a job opening for Team Member in San Clemente. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near San Clemente here.

🗞 Nearby News

San Juan Capistrano

• Community Coat Drive Warms Local Children (lagunabeachindy.com)
• alexis bellino net worth (sohh.com)
• USA TODAY Sports girls flag football Super 25 national champ crowned (usatodayhss.com)

Dana Point

• Reef Restoration Pays Off Santa Visits NICU Live Penguin Cam Returns: Saturday Smiles (patch.com)
• Sam Darnold's fiancee has message for those ‘wondering' about Seahawks QB after wild win (nypost.com)

Ok San Clemente! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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