Author Archives: ABC Public Relations

Who Can You Call?

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

Many years ago I was leading a group of students and adults on a trip to the Grand Canyon. We were driving from Tucson to the South Rim during the night.

We left Tucson at about 10:00 PM hoping to get to the Rim by sunrise the next morning. The coolest time of day to hike into the Canyon is early morning and later in the evening. The drive north to Phoenix went smoothly with no problems.

After a comfort stop on the north side of Phoenix, we drove on toward Prescott. Our little caravan included several cars, a pick up truck with our camping gear and my Dodge Van. The truck led the way and I brought up the rear.

However, shortly after we left Phoenix, I began to have car trouble. I flashed my headlights to alert the other cars ahead of me, but no one seem to notice. I pulled off the dark highway to see if I could figure out what had happened to our Van.

We were all alone on a dark stretch of Interstate 17. Our friends did not realize we had stopped and they drove on without us. There were no cell phones in those days so we had no way to contact them.

I decided to turn around and limp back into Phoenix. The drive was very slow but we finally made it back safely to civilization at about 1:30 AM. A gas station was open along the freeway but it only sold gas. There was no mechanic around to help diagnose our problem.

Who do you call when you are stranded in the middle of the night with a group of sleepy High School kids? My parents and my wife’s parents lived in Phoenix at that time, but I didn’t want to bother them at that time of night.

Finally, I remembered that my friend Terry Moore lived on the north side of Phoenix. He had been my counselor at our church High School camp a few years earlier. I found his number in a phone book hanging from the pay phone at the gas station.

I woke him up and it took a few seconds to convince him that it really was me and that I needed his help. I asked him if he could drive to the airport so I could rent another Van and get back on the road?

He was sleepy but very willing to help. He drove to the gas station and then took me to the airport. They didn’t have any “vans” for rent in those days, but they did have a station wagon available!

We got permission to leave my van at the gas station and then transferred our students into the station wagon and got back on the road at about sun rise. It had been a long night and we had a long drive ahead.

We couldn’t have done it without the gracious help of my friend Terry. I have never forgotten that adventure. We got to the Grand Canyon many hours later than the rest of our group, but we made it because of the willing help of a good friend.

Who can you call when you need help? Can you think of one or two close friends that you know would do anything for you at any time? Are there some people that know you well enough that they would not hesitate to call you if they needed help?

There is a verse in the Bible that reminds us that God is always available to hear our prayers and come to our aid. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us come with confidence to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.”

Cell phones are very helpful when we need help. Prayer is too! Who will you call?

Celebrate Fathers Day and Graduation at The Whole Enchilada

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Come celebrate Fathers Day and savor fresh Mexican cuisines at The Whole Enchilada. And don’t forget, they can cater your graduation or summer party as well! With its promise of authenticity, The Whole Enchilada guarantees that its customers will enjoy the taste of their entrees.
The Whole Enchilada can help you make at-home dinners easy by offering tamales all year round. This traditional holiday dish is sold by the dozen and is available in pork, beef, chicken, green chili and cheese. From platters and entrée meals to taco bars, they also provide other options to serve fresh, authentic Mexican recipes their resident chef brought from their homeland.
“All our food is made fresh daily,” says Lil Palmer of The Whole Enchilada. The restaurant has been in business for over 30 years, offering a variety of Mexican dishes ranging from tacos and burritos to carne asada and fajitas.
The Whole Enchilada’s food is only one reason to celebrate at their restaurant. They also pride themselves on excellent customer service due to their family friendly servers being attentive, courteous, and knowledgeable.
If you’re planning a celebration, parties can be planned easily at a home or business with The Whole Enchilada’s catering service. Book now and you can reserve a portion of the restaurant to celebrate with good food, family, and friends.
The staff will be there to help you celebrate special moments, raise money for your team or organization, and provide a wonderful experience for your children. They love working with the community to help with fundraisers, and special events for churches, sports, schools, clubs, and more.
Birthday parties are always fun at The Whole Enchilada, as well. No matter how old you are, the staff will provide you with a total birthday experience including singing, a special picture to take home, free birthday hat and dessert, and best of all, five “Enchilada Bucks” to use the next time you visit.
Better yet, The Whole Enchilada’s “Kids Club” includes four mailings per year entitling your children to a free meal when accompanied by an adult, as well as a birthday invitation for a free meal and dessert.
The Whole Enchilada has gift cards available for purchase in person or online at http://www.wholeenchilada.com. And remember to ask your server for a Combo Punch Card on your next visit, which provides a free combo dinner when you purchase any nine of their combination dinners.
The Whole Enchilada is located at 1114 S. Diamond Bar Blvd, (at Grand Ave.), in Diamond Bar. You can reach them at (909) 861-5340, and visit their website at http://www.wholeenchilada.com.

Your Child’s Best and Most Productive Summer

​ By Nancy Stoops

​I am a very big believer in rest and relaxation and feel summer is a great time to do that. I take a lot of time off in the summer to do exactly that but I must feel my summer is also productive as well. I force myself to move at a much slower pace and I do play a lot more but I try to remember the concept of balance as well. Summer also allows for some unique activities.
​Please allow me to explain what I mean here. I see summer as a time to work on special talents and projects. Having a project can be very grounding and give you something to be working toward, which I believe is a very important concept. This doesn’t in anyway, take away from very well deserved break.
​The other really great piece about all of this is your child won’t loose all of their skills over the summer and returning to school will be easier. Common sense tells us, if we don’t use something for three months our skills can become rusty. By allowing our children to do absolutely nothing over the summer we are not doing them a favor, we are doing them a grave injustice. Encourage your children to read a book, write a story about something fun, walk the dog to keep their muscles strong, help you add and subtract how many miles you’ll be traveling this vacation, understand why when you throw the ball up, it always comes back down, and just keep learning the whole summer through. Teaching them the way to find that balance that will enhance their relaxation, make them feel good about their productivity and allow them to have more fun than they ever have!!!!!
This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members. Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger. For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909)229-0727. You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books Midnight the Therapy Dog and Live Heal and Grow at Amazon.com.

Mustang Evan Sentoso Named CIF Scholar Athlete

IMG_4290.JPGBy Kelli GIle

WALNUT, CA–Walnut High senior Evan Sentoso has been selected as a 2017 CIF Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
The scholarship award identifies student-athletes who excel in the classroom, athletics, and are strong contributors to their schools and communities.
Sentoso is a two-sport athlete participating in cross country and track and field. His commitment to his studies earned him class valedictorian status, AP Scholar with honors as well as Junior Honor Guard accolades.
The teen is also involved at Walnut High as a member of the Class of 2017 Cabinet, Future Business Leaders of America, and Hip Hop Club. He will be attending UCLA next year.
“Evan is invested in making his high school and community a better place for those who are less fortunate,” said GLC Sonia Nunez.
Athletic Director Jerry Person adds, “Evan is the true definition of scholar-athlete. He could not have raised himself to this level without strong character, hard work, sacrifice, commitment, integrity, fun and persistence.”
This year’s two winners, Sentoso – Southern Section and Erica Barrett – San Diego Section, were selected from a pool of 263 candidates representing 1,582 CIF member schools statewide.
The State Capitol and Senate and Assembly Floors will honor the CIF Scholar Athletes on Thursday, May 25 in Sacramento.
In addition, they will receive a $5,000 scholarship award.
Adversities in and out of school have continually tested the depth of my character,” states Sentoso.
“However, by developing a resilient mindset to bounce back from these hardships, I have accomplished more than I could ever imagine.”
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award.”

History 101

June 10, 1692 – First Salem witch hanging

By History.com

In Salem Village in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Bridget Bishop, the first colonist to be tried in the Salem witch trials, is hanged after being found guilty of the practice of witchcraft.

Trouble in the small Puritan community began in February 1692, when nine-year-old Elizabeth Parris and 11-year-old Abigail Williams, the daughter and niece, respectively, of the Reverend Samuel Parris, began experiencing fits and other mysterious maladies. A doctor concluded that the children were suffering from the effects of witchcraft, and the young girls corroborated the doctor’s diagnosis. Under compulsion from the doctor and their parents, the girls named those allegedly responsible for their suffering.

On March 1, Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, an Indian slave from Barbados, became the first Salem residents to be charged with the capital crime of witchcraft. Later that day, Tituba confessed to the crime and subsequently aided the authorities in identifying more Salem witches. With encouragement from adults in the community, the girls, who were soon joined by other “afflicted” Salem residents, accused a widening circle of local residents of witchcraft, mostly middle-aged women but also several men and even one four-year-old child. During the next few months, the afflicted area residents incriminated more than 150 women and men from Salem Village and the surrounding areas of satanic practices.

In June 1692, the special Court of Oyer and Terminer [“to hear and to decide”] convened in Salem under Chief Justice William Stoughton to judge the accused. The first to be tried was Bridget Bishop of Salem, who was accused of witchcraft by more individuals than any other defendant. Bishop, known around town for her dubious moral character, frequented taverns, dressed flamboyantly (by Puritan standards), and was married three times. She professed her innocence but was found guilty and executed by hanging on June 10. Thirteen more women and five men from all stations of life followed her to the gallows, and one man, Giles Corey, was executed by crushing. Most of those tried were condemned on the basis of the witnesses’ behavior during the actual proceedings, characterized by fits and hallucinations that were argued to have been caused by the defendants on trial.

In October 1692, Governor William Phipps of Massachusetts ordered the Court of Oyer and Terminer dissolved and replaced with the Superior Court of Judicature, which forbade the type of sensational testimony allowed in the earlier trials. Executions ceased, and the Superior Court eventually released all those awaiting trial and pardoned those sentenced to death. The Salem witch trials, which resulted in the executions of 19 innocent women and men, had effectively ended.

Senate Approves Measure to Restore Funding to Eastvale and 3 other Riverside County Cities

By Marissa Mitchell

(SACRAMENTO) – Early this month, Senate Bill 130 was approved by the California State Senate (34-0), thus restoring vital funding to for the newly incorporated cities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, and Wildomar. The bill was later approved by the California State Assembly on a bipartisan vote of 72-1.

Senator Richard Roth of Riverside declared regarding the passage, “For too long, Sacramento has failed to provide our region with its fair share. There is no reason why these particular cities should be excluded from receiving an equitable share of state revenue which every other California city receives. SB 130 is a critical measure of fairness and equity, and I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support and for recognizing how important this funding is for our cities’ residents.”

The City of Eastvale will receive funds that they were not privy to prior to passage of Bill 130. Instead, because each of the four cities were incorporated before the passage of Senate Bill 89 (2011), they suffered great financial difficulties. Senate Bill 89 was one of the steps that the legislature took to close the state budget gap, and resulted in cities which had incorporated after 2004 losing critical public safety and municipal services funding previously given to all newly incorporated cities.

Senator Roth would continue, “Riverside County’s four newest cities are one step closer to receiving the funding they deserve and, in the case of Jurupa Valley, desperately need. This is an issue I have fought for since before I was even elected, and I am proud to have a strong partner in Assembly member Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) in ensuring our cities and region receive their fair share from Sacramento.”

Assembly member Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) and Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) issued the following joint statement on their support for SB 130: “We thank our colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting SB 130 and recognizing how important this funding is for our cities’ residents. For too long, Sacramento has failed to provide our region with its fair share. SB 130 is a critical measure of fairness and equity which ensures Riverside County’s four newest cities will once again have the resources they need to keep our neighborhoods and families safe.

“This is a major victory that will provide these four cities with the funding they deserve and, in the case of Jurupa Valley, desperately need. There is no reason why these particular cities should be excluded from receiving an equitable share of state revenue which every other California city receives. We look forward to receiving the Governor’s signature on this measure and finally delivering a fair share of resources to our cities.”

SB 130 will now go on to Governor Jerry Brown for his approval or veto.
# # #
Sabrina Cervantes represents the 60th District of the California State Assembly, which encompasses the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and a portion of the City of Riverside.
Senator Richard D. Roth represents the 31st State Senate District, which includes the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, March Air Reserve Base, Moreno Valley, Norco, and Perris. Prior to his election, he served for 32 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 2007 in the grade of Major General.

DB Smoke Shop Burglarized

Staff reports

Diamond Bar – Wednesday May 24, 2017 at 6:41 a.m. Walnut/Diamond Bar deputies responded to a burglary in progress at “Diamond Bar Smoke Shop”. The suspects had fled prior to the deputies arriving, but had received, from a citizen, a description of the vehicle and suspects. The deputies spotted the suspect vehicle entering the Eastbound 60 freeway and initiated a traffic stop on the 71 freeway/Chino Av. exit. The deputies searched the vehicle and found 2 trash bags filled with tobacco products that had been stolen from “Diamond Bar Smoke Shop. All 3 suspects were arrested. Station detectives followed up on the case and served a search warrant at a residence in Riverside where more stolen property was recovered. Thousands of dollars of items stolen from “Home Depot” were recovered.
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 6:41 a.m.
Incident: Commercial Burglary, 459 PC
Location: 1127 Grand Av. Diamond Bar “Diamond Bar Smoke Shop”
Suspect(s):
Eugene Little MW/A of Riverside
Louie Gutierrez MH/A of Riverside
Jon Gallarde MH/A of Riverside
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Armed Robbery Suspects Sought

Staff Reports

Grand Terrace – On May 26, 2017, at approximately 5:58 pm, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Central Station (Grand Terrace Police) received a call for service for an armed robbery that occurred at the Little Caesars Pizza in the city of Grand Terrace. Suspect #1 entered the business, brandished a black semi-auto handgun and demanded the money from the cash register. The clerk handed over the entire cash drawer and suspect #1 fled the business north to a waiting getaway vehicle being driven by suspect #2. They fled the area northbound on Mt. Vernon, into the city of Colton. Within the next half an hour, Colton Police Department had two armed robberies and the suspect descriptions were the same. The suspects robbed a Domino’s Pizza and a Pizza Hut.
DATE: May 26, 2017 / 5:58PM
INCIDENT: Armed Robbery
LOCATION: 12000 block of Mt. Vernon Avenue, Grand Terrace.
SUSPECT(S): #1, HMA, wearing a brown long hair wig, sun glasses, black dress shirt, black under shirt, black pants, and black shoes.
#2, HFA, no further description, getaway driver.
#3, HMA, no further description, front seat passenger.
VEHICLE: 2006-2013, silver 4-door Chevrolet Impala, black rims, no license plate, dark tinted windows.
VICTIM(S): Little Caesars Pizza
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at http://www.wetip.com.

Fireworks Illegal in Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, but Legal in Chino

By Michael Armijo
Chino, Chino Hills – There’s a lot of misunderstandings in the Chino and Chino Hills areas for fireworks, so let’s try to get this straight:
CHINO: LEGAL FIREWORKS ALLOWED. There is a bit of confusion as Chino continues to post a sign: “ILLEGAL FIREWORKS A THOUSAND TIMES NO! $1,000 FINE FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.” This sign means ILLEGAL fireworks, not legal ones. City Ordinance for fireworks in Chino: Per section 8.12 of the Chino Municipal Code, the sale and discharge of “Safe and Sane” fireworks shall only be permitted within the City beginning at noon on July 1 through 9:00 p.m. on the 4th of July of each calendar year. The City of Chino will strictly enforce fireworks laws and fines: Possession or use of illegal fireworks: $1,000 fine. Inappropriate use of “Safe and Sane” fireworks: $500 fine. No fireworks allowed anywhere outside a residential zone, in any public park, and outside the city limits.
CHINO HILLS: NO FIREWORKS ALLOWED. You cannot ignite any legal or illegal fireworks and you cannot possess any illegal fireworks within the city limits. There will be alternative ways to enjoy fireworks listed on their website at http://www.chinohillls.org.
DIAMOND BAR: NO FIREWORKS ALLOWED. You cannot ignite any legal or illegal fireworks and you cannot possess any illegal fireworks within the city limits. There will be alternative ways to enjoy fireworks listed below. Alternatives are listed on their website at http://www.cityofdiamondbar.com.
All fireworks that explode, shoot into the air or move along the ground are termed dangerous and are illegal anywhere in California. “Safe and Sane” fireworks bear the State Fire Marshal seal on the packaging and are allowed only in the following cities in the county: Adelanto, Barstow, Chino, Colton and Rialto, as well as specific locations in Fontana, Grand Terrace and San Bernardino.
The illegal activity has already begun as a San Bernardino County multi-agency task force seized 7,500 pounds of illegal fireworks during operations on June 3-4, writing 40 citations totaling $50,000 in fines, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said.
“Fire officials will be issuing citations for the illegal use, possession or storage of fireworks with fines up to $1,250 for the first offense and the possibility of arrest. Property owners may be cited if they allow fireworks to be possessed, stored or used on their property,” a press release stated.
Fire officials also urge residents to report illegal fireworks to local authorities or to We-Tip at 800-472-7766 or WeTip.com.

Diamond Bar Gets New City Manager

By Cecilia Arrellano
Diamond Bar – At its regular meeting of June 6, the City Council unanimously approved appointing Dan Fox as Diamond Bar’s next city manager effective July 10.
Fox’s appointment culminates a comprehensive recruitment and selection process that began in January, soon after James DeStefano announced his plan to retire in July after having worked 26 years for City of Diamond Bar in various capacities, including the last 11 as city manager.
The recruitment period ran from February 1 through March 12 and yielded 67 applications. Diamond Bar Mayor Jimmy Lin said he felt confident that the recruitment process had led to the best candidate being selected for the city manager position.
“It was a well-organized process that drew many highly-qualified candidates. However, after narrowing the pool to applicants from several dozen to just a handful, Dan Fox was the clear and obvious choice,” Lin said. “Dan’s professional background, years of local government management experience, and wealth of knowledge in a number of areas, particularly in economic and community development, will be an asset to our organization and make him an effective leader to continue steering our city in a positive direction” he added.
Fox has a background in community development with more than 30+ years of experience serving local agencies, including more than 19 years working for city governments with a “contract services” model similar to Diamond Bar. “I am honored to have been selected as the next city manager for the City of Diamond Bar and look forward to working with the City Council, City staff, residents and businesses to help this great community celebrate its roots and build a thriving future,” said Fox.
Since December 2009, he has worked for City Laguna Niguel initially as community development director and most recently as assistant city manager. Prior to Laguna Niguel, he worked for the neighboring City of Walnut as community development director from 2004 to 2009. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in urban and regional planning from Cal Poly Pomona. When Fox assumes his post on July 10, he will become Diamond Bar’s fifth manager since its incorporation in April 1989.

Run, Teach, Eat, Sleep, Repeat

Walnut High educator Jerry Knox breaks 3 world records in 2017

 By WVUSD

WALNUT, CA—To say that Walnut High teacher and alumnus Jerry Knox is passionate about running might be an understatement.

He laces up his running shoes five days a week, clocking five-to-eight miles a day, and 15 miles every Saturday.

Knox usually runs a marathon each month, and in the past 11 years has crossed the finish line over 80 times.

Every medal is displayed in his classroom and the AP geography and cross country coach has been known to wear the event t-shirt to school on Mondays following a race.

In 2009, the 22-year veteran educator decided to up the ante and go for a world record “just to make it interesting.”

Knox said he had always liked the Guinness Book of World Records as a kid.

When his son Alex was 8, he announced “Dad, you can beat that” after reading that someone held the world record for dribbling a basketball during a marathon.

And he did. Knox won his first world record in 3 hours, 42 minutes, 20 seconds. That record was beat in 2011.

Before going for another world record, Knox decided to focus on running a marathon in under three hours.

He accomplished that goal in 2015 at the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach with a time of 2:59:20.

That same year, he won back the basketball marathon title with a time of 3:11:16, which was bested in 2016 by a runner from Estonia.

“It’s about the running, the basketballs are just a gimmick,” Knox said.

He also learned in order to be included in the actual Guinness Book, not just the website, he had to participate in the London marathon with official representatives.

In April 2015, he crossed the Atlantic and became the fastest man to dribble not one, but TWO basketballs while running the 26.2-mile course.

He captured that title in 4 hours, 10 minutes, 44 seconds.

“It was hard keeping the concentration, especially at the end of the race,” he said.

Cobblestone roads, 38,000 racers, drums, disc jockeys, a dark tunnel, coupled with fatigue quelled the distance runner during the last miles.

“I thought, is this thing going to end?” Knox commented.

“It was like an obstacle course!”

Some of the London racers cheered as he attempted the challenging world record, while others were irritated with the noisy bouncing basketballs.

“They’d trained hard and you’ve got this guy next to them passing them with a clank-clank!”

Knox has broken three additional world records in 2017: running the fastest marathon while jumping rope with a time of 4:20:31 on February 19 and the fastest marathon wearing German lederhosen at the Los Angeles Marathon on March 19.

“I thought it would be funny and an excuse to buy some!” he said about going for the quirky record.

Most recently, he crossed the finish line wearing a graduation cap and gown during the OC Marathon on May 8.

For the first time in history, Guinness sent a team to Los Angeles to verify world records.

No need for witnesses, photos, videos, or coordinating with the race director, Knox said.

“It’s so much easier. You say you’re going to do it, they watch you, and you’re done.”

The athlete is currently prepping for his sixth 100-mile race which will take about 22 hours to complete.

Next fall he’d like to break the record for skipping during a marathon.

“I think it would be a hard one to beat, you use different muscles.”

Knox doesn’t actively recruit students to join his healthy lifestyle, he prefers to quietly lead by example.

Snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables and a “Want to get fit? Join cross country – no experience necessary” recruiting flyer can be seen near his desk.

“Sometimes it’s best not to be a nag and I know it’s expensive to run marathons,” he said.

The coach also joins the cross-country team for their daily training runs.

“It’s better when he’s out on the course with us,” said sophomore Jason Yen.

“And he understands our pain.”

Knox didn’t begin running marathons until he was 36 years old, thinking distance running was only for “Olympians.”

It all began when fellow teacher So Hee Tan mentioned that she had just completed one.

“If she can do it, so can I,” he said.

The first step was joining a running club and beginning training, but the first marathons didn’t go as he had hoped.

Knox walked the final four miles during his first two attempts.

On his third try, he was able to jog the entire way and was “hooked.”

Last year, his wife Carolyn Campbell, a Vejar Elementary transitional kindergarten teacher, joined him on the course, completing her first marathon in November.

In recent years, he has also transitioned to eating more organic food.

“Every year I seemed to click off something different,” he said about first giving up ground beef, then fast food, fried food, and soda. He recently went vegan.

“So, I’ll comment to my students on that and some of my failures. I still really miss pizza!”

Yen says his marathon-running teacher is a setting a good example for fellow students.

“He has a goal and achieves it by practicing and not giving up.”

 

I Can Never Go Home Again

By Michael Armijo

I’ve always played the lotto with one intention: TO WIN! And when I thought about what I’d do with the money, I’ve always wanted to give my family careers, buy them all homes within the same block, and re-live all those days of sunshine that used to nurture my soul. It was a time and place I called HOME. But now that’s no longer an option.

I no longer feel that way anymore, mainly because I’ve realized why I’ve always wanted to do all of this. I one day realized what was truly motivating my yearning to help my family.

When I was in my 20’s our family would always get together. I think it was because my dad, the glue in the family tree, promoted that when you’re a family, that’s what we were supposed to do. We had to be friends, take care of one another, and love each other. There were no exceptions. But one day this entire philosophy died. Because my dad died.

Following those dark days after our loss, we soon fell apart as friends, and then as a family. We no longer speak, we no longer hang out, we no longer care for one another.  We never see one another. And when we do, we act like we care, but it’s obvious that we really don’t. We only call when we need or want something. We don’t even know where each other’s homes are anymore. My best friend of seven years told me last year: “I didn’t know you had a brother.” Subconsciously we’re allowing one another miss years of our lives.

In retrospect, I miss those days of love and friendship. I think that sometimes we did or said hurtful things to each other because we knew we were family. We always thought we’d be okay because we were supposed to love family to the end. We said or did whatever we wanted because we were supposed to love one another through thick and thin. Our poor judgment was always forgiven. All was forgotten. But now that’s not the circumstance anymore. We somehow came to the conclusion that we were no longer family. We somehow felt that we were no longer accountable for each other. We could no longer forgive, I guess there were just too many bad things that happened and those incidents somehow erased our blood line.

After all of these life changing incidents, I now believe that there are some places you can never visit again. It’s like being an aging rock star, or a former athlete. You have to somehow come to the realization that it’s over. Times have changed. Regardless of what you do, regardless of how you act or how much money you have, you can never go back to those days of glory. You can never re-live that time in your life, those emotions, or that love. It’s like the sun: you can gaze at it, remember its warmth, enjoy its rays of light, but you can never visit. You can never touch the sun, you can never go back in time, and I can never go home again.

Summer Concert Series Begins June 14th

City Release

Chino Hills, CA – Chino Hills residents may have been worried that the City of Chino Hills Summer Concerts in the Park series had been reduced to four concerts this summer due to a mistake on a “What’s Going on this Summer” wrap-up page in the City’s Summer Recreation Guide and City News. No worries! The concert series continues to have eight nights scheduled including the Independence Celebration that will be held on the June 28th concert night. Activities at the Independence Celebration get an early start at 5:00 p.m. and continue till 9:00 p.m. The ceremony will begin at 6:45 p.m.

The first concert will be Wednesday, June 14th when “Wanted” a Bon Jovi tribute band will kick-off the season. The concert series will go dark on July 5th after the Fourth of July holiday. Something new for 2017… a later start time – 7:00 p.m. After conducting a survey regarding the concert series, the start time was moved from 6:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For a schedule, please visit http://www.chinohills.org/Concerts.

Natural Ways to Support Infant Health During Pregnancy

Photo courtesy: (c) pololia – Fotolia.com

By StatePoint

In the last 10 years, scientists have learned that having enough beneficial gut bacteria is a critical component of overall health. Now, research shows that ensuring newborns have sufficient exposure to probiotic bacteria during infancy and early childhood can give them a head start on lifelong wellness.

What makes bacteria so important? Well, with nearly 80 percent of the immune system residing in the gut, a healthy microbial makeup from birth is essential for proper immune system development and optimal digestive, metabolic, and brain function.

When looking to encourage a healthy infant microbiome (AKA the array of bacteria and microorganisms in the body), science tells us that the mother’s gut health is key.

Here’s how it works: during pregnancy, babies are exposed to their mother’s bacteria in the placenta, which harbors a variety of microbes. A baby’s immune system begins to develop just after birth, during which a mother passes on her beneficial bacteria to her child (often termed “seeding the microbiome”) as he or she passes through the vaginal canal and partakes in breast milk and skin-to-skin contact.

Then, through an interactive connection between host cells and the baby’s brand new gut microbiome (inherited directly from the mother), helpful microorganisms selectively colonize the gut and participate in the maintenance and promotion of the child’s immune system.

Expecting and nursing mothers can be proactive by ensuring their gut health is in tip-top condition, since the microbes they pass on to their infant can help establish a solid foundation for lifelong health.

In addition to directly replenishing their good bacteria, moms should do their best to stay well-rested and properly hydrated while paying close attention to their diet. Focusing on getting proper prenatal nutrition in the form of whole and plant-based foods, especially those rich in prebiotic fiber is important. It’s also helpful to be mindful of factors that deplete good bacteria, like antimicrobials, stress, environmental toxins and exposure to unnecessary antibiotics.

Many doctors, midwives and other experts are touting the health benefits of one supplement for expecting and new mothers believed to increase a child’s chances for a healthy start at life: probiotics.

“As a mom, the best gift you can give your baby is a healthy microbiome,” says Jamie Morea, co-founder of Hyperbiotics, a company that specializes in probiotic supplements and has developed the first probiotic formula designed specifically for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Hyperbiotics PRO-Moms includes time-release delivery for enhanced effectiveness, ensuring the living organisms survive stomach acids to colonize within the gut.

Not only can probiotics help with digestive discomfort during pregnancy, but an effective supplement can repopulate a mother’s system and help ensure she is passing on the best and most beneficial bacteria to her children.

To learn more about how to support optimal gut health for moms and babies, visit hyperbiotics.com or join the conversation on social media at #followyourgut.

Because gut and microbial health have an overwhelming impact on lifelong wellness, tending to it while expecting is one of the most important things to consider for mothers-to-be in order to properly pave the path of health for little ones.

 

Chino Hills Recreation Is On The Move, Literally

By Marissa Mitchell

 

Chino Hills, CA – Recreation in Chino Hills is now mobile. With its new “rec” van equipped to the tee with fun activities, Chino Hills Mobile Recreation is coming into local neighborhoods.

This year, the mobile recreation for the city has a new summer schedule, beginning June 12th through August 11th (closed on major holidays). The self-contained recreation vehicle will visit various neighborhoods to provide fun activities in a safe environment for children from Kindergarten through 6th grade.

Kids can enjoy arts and crafts, sporting activities, outdoor games, board games, team building activities, and healthy snacks, all provided with materials from the van. Mobile Recreation is a free program that the city of Chino Hills provides that allows children to come and go as they please. However, participants are required to sign in and out, and each child must have a signed emergency card on file.

The schedule is subject to change due to other events and/or weather conditions. Call the Chino Hills Field Conditions Hotline at (909) 364-2738 to determine if Mobile Recreation is cancelled for the day.

 

The following is the schedule for the mobile recreation van for the city of Chino Hills:

Mondays 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Danbury Park 15701 Fairfield Ranch Road

Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Butterfield Park 17671 Mystic Canyon Drive

Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Chino Hills Community Park 3280 Eucalyptus Drive

Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Chaparral Elementary School 4849 Bird Farm Road

Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Alterra Park 4921 Soquel Canyon Parkway

Don’t Ever Stop Believing

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

By Nancy Stoops

We are going through some hard times right now.  There are many people losing their jobs, their homes and many budget cuts to very important programs are taking place.  I still believe things can be turned around.  I still believe that people are basically good.  I still believe anything is possible with hard work and tenacity.  I refuse to give up in believing that all great things are possible.  They say people or things have to hit rock bottom before getting better.  But, take a look around in all that is still right with our world.  Take a look around at all the good that still goes on in our world and our community.

Please don’t use the state of the world as a reason to stop believing.  They say all things happen for a reason.  I don’t know why people have to suffer.  I don’t know why bad things happen to good people.  I just know that I believe in the good this world still has to offer.  I also believe our efforts to be our best do get rewarded.  It may take some time to see the results of one’s hard work.  Please don’t become a victim of apathy or anger because you feel every road you take becomes a dead end.  Remind yourself that there are unlimited roads to travel down, and that eventually you will discover the right one.  We must learn to be happy with the baby steps that occur when we want change yesterday.  Just for a moment think back to a time that you that would never change or get better, yet it did get better and so did you. I have to believe things will get better.  We need to remember why we are here and how powerful we are.  We need to remember that having faith in our world and each other is very healing and can lead us to finding that the right road!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens.  For more information about any of these services feel free to page her at (909)229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

Melty Monterey Jack Burgers

Photo courtesy: Hello Fresh

with Red Onion Jam and Zucchini Fries

 

By Hello Fresh

Cooking Time: 35 mins

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 860 Calories

Ingredients:

 

  • Garlic- 2 cloves
  • Red Onion- 1
  • Zucchini- 2
  • Mayonnaise- 3 tbsp
  • Balsamic Vinegar- 4 tbsp
  • Panko Breadcrumbs- 1/2 cup
  • Dried Oregano- 2 tsp
  • Ground Beef- 16 oz.
  • Monterey Jack Cheese- 1 cup
  • Potato Buns- 4
  • Ketchup- 4 tbsp

 

1 PREP Wash and dry all produce. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mince or grate garlic until you have ¼ tsp (you may have a clove left over). Halve, peel, and thinly slice onion. Cut zucchini into 3-inch-long pieces, then halve each piece lengthwise. Cut each into thin wedges.

2 MAKE AIOLI In a small bowl, mix together 1½ TBSP mayonnaise (we sent more) and as much of the garlic as you like. Season with salt and pepper.

3 MAKE ONION JAM Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until caramelized, 8-10 minutes, tossing occasionally. Stir in balsamic vinegar and 1 tsp sugar. Continue cooking until syrupy, 1-2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from pan and set aside in another small bowl.

4 MAKE ZUCCHINI FRIES While onions are cooking, toss together zucchini and ½ TBSP aioli in a medium bowl until wedges are evenly coated. Add panko, oregano, and a large pinch of salt and pepper and toss so that crumbs stick to zucchini. Spread on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake in oven until panko is golden-brown, about 15 minutes, tossing halfway through. TIP: It’s OK if not all the breadcrumbs stick.

5 COOK BURGERS Wash out pan you cooked onions in. Heat a drizzle of oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Shape beef into two 4-inch-wide patties. Season all over with salt and pepper. Add to pan and cook until burgers almost reach desired doneness, 3-5 minutes per side. Top each

with Monterey Jack cheese. Cover pan until cheese melts, about 1 minute.

6 FINISH AND SERVE While burgers cook, split buns in half and place on another baking sheet. Toast in oven until golden, about 3 minutes. Spread split sides of buns with ketchup and remaining aioli. Top each with a burger and as much onion jam as you like. Serve with zucchini fries on the side.

Wal-Mart Supercenter Being Built In Eastvale

Eastvale municipality leaders have approved the development of a Walmart supercenter.

By Marissa Mitchell

Eastvale – A new Wal-Mart Supercenter will be built in the city of Eastvale, as ratified by city council members. The Supercenter at large will feature Walmart and other stores, bearing the name “Eastvale Crossings”

On April 26, the project was unanimously approved for building. It will be built on the southeast corner of Limonite and Archibald. In the center covering over 25 acres, the Walmart itself will be approximately 192,000 square feet and include a gas station. Subsequent developments on other parcels of land will be subject to city and Planning Commission review, according to City Manager Michele Nissen.

Per city planning documents, the project will also feature a drive-through pharmacy for Eastvale residents. Time frame for construction, however, has yet to be determined.

Walmart spokeswoman Delia Garcia stated by phone, “The approval is the first step. We’re very early in the process here.”

The planning project is projected to serve not just Eastvale but also the surrounding communities, including Ontario, Chino, Norco, and Jurupa Valley, said officials.

Garcia added, “We know that many of our customers are already shopping at other Wal-Marts in Chino and Corona, and this will be a convenience to our Eastvale customers, but we’ll also serve a broader area.”

This novel Wal-Mart supercenter is expected to garner around $375,000 a year in sales tax revenue for the city, Nissen stated, which will help the city overall in many ways. In general, average sales tax revenue for any Wal-Mart supercenter can range from $250,000 to $900,000 per year, so the estimate is conservative.

“Those dollars go straight into the city’s general fund,” Nissen declared. “Ultimately, it’s up to the City Council and myself to decide how those dollars are spent, but it’s based on the needs of the community.” And, as a rapidly growing community, the needs are many.

Moreover, the new center is anticipated to help ease a challenge for the city, said Brandon Plott:   “For the last six years, we’ve been able to maintain a solvent budget, but it’s been very challenging. The topic of gaining more sales tax revenue comes up and Wal-Mart brings that to the city.”

More revenue generated leads in turn to greater benefits of the community at large. Simply the project in and of itself is expected to create approximately 100 construction jobs and around 300 retail jobs for the city.

The Wal-Mart will include a full grocery department, giving citizens choices and flexibility in food shopping in and around the marketplace of Eastvale.

Plott stated, “It does bring a level of service to the city that the residents want. People can shop for something at a lower price and it brings a level of competition to the city, which is good for our local economy. I think people want to pay lower prices for products.”

New Tower Successful At San Antonio Regional Hospital

By SARH

Upland–San Antonio Regional Hospital is raving about with the opening of its new 52-bed Emergency Department and 92-bed patient tower earlier this year. The hospital’s new Vineyard Tower not only provides the latest medical technology and advanced care delivery systems; it offers patients and their families the comfort and convenience of private accommodations. Each patient room has been specifically designed to create a calm and healing environment for patients and their loved ones, while also providing the healthcare team with immediate access to the essential medical equipment and supplies needed to provide exceptional care.

The completion of the hospital’s $160 million expansion project could not have come at a better time. Emergency rooms throughout the Inland Empire have faced challenges in recent years as the demand for medical services continues to grow. Over the last decade, the population in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties has grown rapidly, outpacing state averages and increasing the need for a number of healthcare services, including emergency and hospital care. More recently, the demand has been fueled by the Affordable Care Act, which expanded coverage for previously uninsured residents, placing additional pressure on the already stretched emergency medical system serving the Inland Empire. “San Antonio Regional Hospital’s” Emergency Department, which has nearly tripled in size, has helped to ease this burden by adding additional capacity at the height of the flu season,” stated Kevin Parkes, M.D., President of Mountain View Emergency Physicians Medical Group, Inc. “The Vineyard Tower’s additional beds with heart monitoring capabilities, along with the third critical care unit, has also helped free up emergency treatment rooms by allowing patients who require admission to the hospital to be moved into their private room as quickly as possible.” Combined with the rooms in the hospital’s existing Citrus Tower, San Antonio Regional Hospital’s total bed capacity has grown from 271 to 363.

The first floor of the new tower includes the hospital’s main lobby, reception, gift shop, coffee bistro, and art gallery. The second floor is dedicated to the Emergency Department, which houses 52 private treatment rooms, including three rooms that are equipped for major procedures. Imaging equipment is now located in the Emergency Department, eliminating the need to transport patients to other areas of the hospital for X-rays, ultrasounds, or CT scans. The third floor houses a 12-bed intensive care unit and 32 telemetry beds for patients in critical condition needing constant monitoring and care. The fourth floor has 48 medical/surgical beds, including an orthopedic unit with a rehabilitative gym.

The expansion was the largest in the hospital’s 109 year history and was carefully designed and constructed to bring residents the very best hospital experience, with modern amenities, state-of-the-art equipment, and streamlined processes for managing patient care.

“While extraordinary attention to detail was employed throughout the planning and execution of our new Vineyard Tower, the hospital’s legacy is not defined solely by providing state-of-the-art facilities and the latest in medical technology; it also encompasses the caring team of professionals who have devoted their lives to providing excellence with compassion for the people we serve,” stated Harris F. Koenig, President and CEO of San Antonio Regional Hospital.

For more than 100 years, San Antonio Regional Hospital has offered advanced medical care for residents throughout the Inland Empire region. The hospital offers a full range of medical, obstetrical, and surgical services, including open heart, vascular, neurosurgery and urgent care. The hospital treats more than 200,000 patients each year, and is one of the busiest paramedic receiving centers in San Bernardino County. San Antonio has a strong history and reputation for quality care with a personal touch.

The hospital is located at 999 San Bernardino Road, Upland.

High End Falters

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

The Real Estate market in Diamond Bar and Chino Hills are part of the higher end of the real estate market in the East San Gabriel Valley and the West San Bernardino County.  The median home values of  homes in these communities surpass by the thousands of dollars the median home values of many of the surrounding communities.

The media value of Diamond Bar homes is currently running at approximately $650,000, according to Realtor.com and other real estate data aggregators. That represents a median price increase of about 4% in the last 12 months. According to Realtor.com, the median listing price in Diamond Bar is currently $798,000, with the closing price of $575,000. The median home value in Chino Hills is about $629,000, and currently the median listing price of the 272 homes that are for sale in Chino Hills is $750,000, with a median closing price of $623,000.  According to Realtor.com, home values have gone up approximately 8.0% over the past year and are predicted to rise 3.8% within the next year.

What does this all mean?

Generally, when there is such a disparity between the median listing price and the median closing price, it means that the homes in the lower end of the real estate market are dominating the sales transactions volume.  As a matter of fact, the homes in the lower end of the range are selling so fast (when they are priced right) that the median days on the market has dropped from about 65 days a year ago to 38 days on the market this year.

 This article was written by Nef Cortez, a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181 since 1976. He can be reached via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com.  Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.