🌱 Patch AM: How a San Clemente artist is quietly linking San Juan’s art scene

Cheers San Juan Capistrano! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a San Clemente artist is quietly linking San Juan’s art scene
• How JSerra’s perfect season stacked up against the nation’s best
• Which San Juan Capistrano changemakers made OC’s 125 most influential list?

Also on today's calendar: Chanukah Comedy Night with Sandy Hackett and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Low clouds, fog forming, with a high of 67 and low of 52 degrees.
• Saturday: Periods of sunshine, temps: high: 63, low: 49.
• Sunday: Times of sun and clouds, with a high of 67 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. San Clemente Artist David Lang Blends Architecture, Art, Memory (picketfencemedia.com) — A longtime San Clemente artist and retired architect is deepening his ties to the local arts scene, including showing his work at Cottage Gallery in San Juan Capistrano. David Lang blends memories from Japan, China, and family life with oil, watercolor, and pen-and-ink pieces, and will serve as Casa Romantica’s 2026 Artist-in-Residence while continuing to connect with area galleries and restaurants.
   

2. USA TODAY Sports girls flag football Super 25 national champ crowned (usatodayhss.com) — San Juan Capistrano’s JSerra Catholic girls flag football team capped a perfect 28-0 season and finished No. 3 in USA TODAY’s national Super 25, tops in California. The rankings recap how JSerra battled powerhouse programs from Alabama and Arizona and celebrates the Lions as state champions and one of the nation’s elite flag football teams.
   

3. Meet the 125 Most Influential People in Orange County for 2025 (ocregister.com) — Two San Juan Capistrano connections made this year’s list of Orange County’s 125 most influential people: developer Dan Almquist, who opened the $70 million River Street Marketplace, and chef Tyler Wells, whose residency at The Ecology Center drew rave reviews. The broader roundup highlights educators, philanthropists, artists, politicians, and business leaders shaping life across the county in 2025.
   

4. alexis bellino net worth (sohh.com) — San Juan Capistrano gets a brief spotlight as the former home base for reality TV personality Alexis Bellino, who once owned a multimillion-dollar mansion there. The piece mainly breaks down her estimated 2024 net worth, income from Real Housewives of Orange County, business ventures, and post-divorce lifestyle in nearby Dana Point.
   

📸 Around San Juan Capistrano

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🗓 Upcoming Events in San Juan Capistrano

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday December 21

• Chanukah Comedy Night with Sandy Hackett
  Chabad Jewish Center of Laguna Beach, 30804 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 20

• 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

Sunday December 21

• Vinny Appice's Sabbath Knights
  The Coach House Concert Hall , 33157 Camino Capistrano , San Juan Capistrano
  6:00 pm

📣 San Juan Capistrano Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 19

• Winter Celebration - Laguna Niguel, CA 2025
  Sea Country Community Center , 24602 Aliso Creek Rd , Laguna Niguel
  1:30 pm
• KNOLLS RESTAURANT
  Knolls Restaurant , 29971 Alicia Pkwy , Laguna Niguel
  6:00 pm
• Cocktail Class: Apres Ski
  HŌM Dana Point , 24452 Del Prado Ave Ste. A , Dana Point
  6:00 pm
• Sacred Rest Ceremony: Winter Solstice
  Twin Star Yoga , 657 Camino De Los Mares #134 , San Clemente
  6:30 pm
• Holiday Songs with Pacific Vocale Series
  The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel , One Ritz Carlton Dr , Dana Point
  6:30 pm
• Candlelight Dana Point: Christmas Carols on Strings
  The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel , One Ritz Carlton Dr , Dana Point
  6:30 pm
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
  No Square Theatre , 384 Legion St , Laguna Beach
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Holiday Market
  Dana Point Harbor , 34571 Golden Lantern , Dana Point
  10:00 am
• San Clemente Library: Sensory Playtime
  OC Library - San Clemente Branch , 242 Avenida Del Mar , San Clemente
  10:30 am

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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• My new book was just released on Amazon.
  Kitty Claws is like Santa Claus but for cats only. It's based on my award-winning musical. It's about hope and following your dreams. (Nextdoor Marbella)

• PetSmart, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate Full Time in San Juan Capistrano. Apply here.
• Dollar Tree Family Dollar - Dollar Tree, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate I in San Juan Capistrano. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near San Juan Capistrano here.

Ok San Juan Capistrano! 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 don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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