on cultivating a living from the ranching community. “Hard work, strong minds and a devotion to God, characterize Basque people from the old country, and I believe that still holds true in San Juan today,” said Bondi, one of four siblings from the Marie and Jean-Pierre Lacouague family. Jean-Pierre Lacouague, born in 1923, paved the way for posi-
tive community growth with compassion and kindness long before San Juan became a city. When Lacouague wasn’t tending his father’s orange groves and avocado orchards, he was proudly serving his country overseas in World War II. In 1955, Lacouague joined the San Juan Capistrano Volunteers Fire Department and was an active member of the American Legion Post 721, for 46 years. During his Fire Department tenure, he was appointed Fire Chief in 1964. He was one of the first to serve his community in this capacity. At the legion, he secured spots and financial aid for two San Juan Capistrano boys to attend the Boys State Assem- bly in Sacramento every year, his daughter recalled. Today, the number of local Basque families is dwindling, but their influence on modern times is still quality strong. Carmen Orhyzabal, born and raised in San Juan Capistrano, still lives in the home her Basque family bought back in 1800s, located on Camino Capistrano, just north of El Adobe restaurant. Now in her 80s, Carmen volunteers at the Mission Basilica and Serra Pantry. Jean-Pierre Lacouague, who passed away in 2008, has the honor of the marquee at the Old Fire Station Recreation Complex. The complex houses the old fire station, Chamber of Commerce, San Juan Capistrano elementary school services offices and local Native American Indian offices. While Renee Bondi, founder of the Bondi Ministries, is lighting up locals’ lives with a beautiful singing voice and her deep compassionate insights. She received the Woman of the Year award from the California Sate Senate.
THE MEXICAN COMMUNITY The emergence of the Mexican community in San Juan can
be traced as far back as 1821, when Spain lost political control of Las Californias and all of New Spain, placing it in the hands of the Mexican government. Soon after, the Mexican Colony Law of 1824, established rules for land grant petitions, bringing an influx of Mexican ranchers to San Juan. The Rios Family - whose history dates back more than 200
years, is the oldest family to settle here with Spanish-Mexican heritage. Maria Catalina Garcia de Romero and husband, Felicia- no Rios, built their family home in San Juan in 1794. Rios Adobe, one of 20 abodes that once lined Rios street, holds a significant place in California history - as the oldest, continuously occupied residence. It is located in the charming Historic Los Rios District, one of San Juan’s major tourist attractions. “You can imagine my ancestors, the Californios — a mixture of Indian, Spanish and Mexican blood — fishing or gathering aba- lone at nearby Doheny Beach or tending their horses and cattle here in the valley,” said Stephen Rios, an attorney who lives with his family at the Rios Adobe residence. As the influence of Mexican-Americans on San Juan culture
expanded, matriarch Gertrude Reina Rios, whose family came from Mexico for ranching opportunities in the 1800s added a little restaurant known as “Casa de Los Rios” to the family tree. It was famous for its hospitality and good food. Today, people of Hispanic heritage comprise nearly 40 percent of San Juan Capistrano’s population, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.
22 San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce | Business Directory & Visitor Guide
Photo: Scott Schmitt/San Juan Photo & Digital “Since the recession, we’ve been seeing a trend of Hispanics
relocating to San Juan for work opportunities in the gardening, hotel and equestrian industries. They’re coming from Los An- geles, Santa Ana and Arizona,” said restaurateur Ricardo Beas, who serves on the board of directors of San Juan’s Chamber of Commerce Latino Business Council. And their traditions permeate city life. Bringing value to their
heritage through music and dance is the motto of Ballet Folklor- ico of San Juan Capistrano, a student dance company that pays homage to the native dances of Mexico. Here, students not only master the dance, they build self-esteem and learn teamwork. The dancers, a spectacle of swirling skirts with a rainbow of rib- bons weaved into their hair, are regulars at San Juan events. They are often joined by the folk music of Mexico. Mariachi music, widely believed to be grounded in Mexican native roots, most likely made its debut in San Juan, in the 1700s. Performed at mass, the music is steeped in the Roman Catholic church rituals.
One nonprofit, Capistrano Community Mariachi Program, is
committed to programs designed to achieve positive outcomes through cultural, educational and social networks. The organiza- tion’s school has already made a huge difference since its found- ing five years ago. “I believe creating healthy environments allows people within
our community to prosper,” said Rosa Ceja, executive director of the Mariachi program. Working with the Sheriff’s Department and parents, the pro- gram’s positive alternatives have given San Juan youth a chance
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