Author Archives: ABC Public Relations

Straight Talk With Danice

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

Dear Danice Akiyoshi,

My mom owns a rental condo that she is allowing me to stay in rent free for my last year in college.  The arrangement is that I rent the extra bedroom to a friend and the rent they pay is to help with some of my expenses.  I also work part time to help with some of my own expenses too.  My problem is that my roommate knows that the money she gives me is for my own expenses and not really to make a rent payment. She is always late or she doesn’t have the full amount and I’m in the awkward situation of having to ask her for the money.  Last week she screamed at me and called me selfish because I pressured her for her rent because I need to go to the dentist.  We are hardly talking now.  She was once a good friend.  I’m miserable.

Candace.

 

Hi Candace,

It’s nice that you were able to have your friend be your roommate, but it looks like she is confused about the differences between friendship and business.  When it comes to her needing to pay her agreed upon portion of the rent, this is simply a business transaction and should not be confused with any other aspect of your relationship.  She is relying on your friendship and your mother’s generosity to take advantage of you.  Give her proper notice and get a new roommate.  Next time don’t divulge the details of your mom’s generosity.  That is between you and your mom. Don’t set yourself up to be prey for an opportunist.

Good Luck

Danice Akiyoshi ND

Danice Akiyoshi is a Naturopathic Doctor and the head of Candid Coaching Service. She offers personal coaching services relating to all types of issues and concerns. This is a letter she received from an anonymous reader. To send a question to Danice, email her at straighttalk@ candidcoachingservices.com. You can also visit her website at http://www.candidcoachingservices.com

History 101

Photo courtesy: Google Images

May 30, 1431: Joan of Arc Martyred

 By History.com

At Rouen in English-controlled Normandy, Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who became the savior of France, is burned at the stake for heresy.

Joan was born in 1412, the daughter of a tenant farmer at Domremy, on the borders of the duchies of Bar and Lorraine. In 1415, the Hundred Years War between England and France entered a crucial phase when the young King Henry V of England invaded France and won a series of decisive victories against the forces of King Charles VI. By the time of Henry’s death in August 1422, the English and their French-Burgundian allies controlled Aquitaine and most of northern France, including Paris. Charles VI, long incapacitated, died one month later, and his son, Charles, regent from 1418, prepared to take the throne. However, Reims, the traditional city of French coronation, was held by the Anglo-Burgundians, and the Dauphin (heir apparent to the French throne) remained uncrowned. Meanwhile, King Henry VI of England, the infant son of Henry V and Catherine of Valois, the daughter of Charles VI, was proclaimed king of France by the English.

Joan’s village of Domremy lay on the frontier between the France of the Dauphin and that of the Anglo-Burgundians. In the midst of this unstable environment, Joan began hearing “voices” of three Christian saints—St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret. When she was about 16, these voices exhorted her to aid the Dauphin in capturing Reims and therefore the French throne. In May 1428, she traveled to Vaucouleurs, a stronghold of the Dauphin, and told the captain of the garrison of her visions. Disbelieving the young peasant girl, he sent her home. In January 1429, she returned, and the captain, impressed by her piety and determination, agreed to allow her passage to the Dauphin at Chinon.

Dressed in men’s clothes and accompanied by six soldiers, she reached the Dauphin’s castle at Chinon in February 1429 and was granted an audience. Charles hid himself among his courtiers, but Joan immediately picked him out and informed him of her divine mission. For several weeks, Charles had Joan questioned by theologians at Poitiers, who concluded that, given his desperate straits, the Dauphin would be well-advised to make use of this strange and charismatic girl.

Charles furnished her with a small army, and on April 27, 1429, she set out for Orleans, besieged by the English since October 1428. On April 29, as a French sortie distracted the English troops on the west side of Orleans, Joan entered unopposed by its eastern gate. She brought greatly needed supplies and reinforcements and inspired the French to a passionate resistance. She personally led the charge in several battles and on May 7 was struck by an arrow. After quickly dressing her wound, she returned to the fight, and the French won the day. On May 8, the English retreated from Orleans.

During the next five weeks, Joan and the French commanders led the French into a string of stunning victories over the English. On July 16, the royal army reached Reims, which opened its gates to Joan and the Dauphin. The next day, Charles VII was crowned king of France, with Joan standing nearby holding up her standard: an image of Christ in judgment. After the ceremony, she knelt before Charles, joyously calling him king for the first time.

On September 8, the king and Joan attacked Paris. During the battle, Joan carried her standard up to the earthworks and called on the Parisians to surrender the city to the king of France. She was wounded but continued to rally the king’s troops until Charles ordered an end to the unsuccessful siege. That year, she led several more small campaigns, capturing the town of Saint-Pierre-le-Moitier. In December, Charles ennobled Joan, her parents, and her brothers.

In May 1430, the Burgundians laid siege to Compiegne, and Joan stole into the town under the cover of darkness to aid in its defense. On May 23, while leading a sortie against the Burgundians, she was captured. The Burgundians sold her to the English, and in March 1431 she went on trial before ecclesiastical authorities in Rouen on charges of heresy. Her most serious crime, according to the tribunal, was her rejection of church authority in favor of direct inspiration from God. After refusing to submit to the church, her sentence was read on May 24: She was to be turned over to secular authorities and executed. Reacting with horror to the pronouncement, Joan agreed to recant and was condemned instead to perpetual imprisonment.

Ordered to put on women’s clothes, she obeyed, but a few days later the judges went to her cell and found her dressed again in male attire. Questioned, she told them that St. Catherine and St. Margaret had reproached her for giving in to the church against their will. She was found to be a relapsed heretic and on May 29 ordered handed over to secular officials. On May 30, Joan, 19 years old, was burned at the stake at the Place du Vieux-Marche in Rouen. Before the pyre was lit, she instructed a priest to hold high a crucifix for her to see and to shout out prayers loud enough to be heard above the roar of the flames.

As a source of military inspiration, Joan of Arc helped turn the Hundred Years War firmly in France’s favor. By 1453, Charles VII had reconquered all of France except for Calais, which the English relinquished in 1558. In 1920, Joan of Arc, one of the great heroes of French history, was recognized as a Christian saint by the Roman Catholic Church. Her feast day is May 30.

 

Memorial Day

By Pastor Mark  Hopper

My wife and I visited Arlington Cemetery with our children many years ago.  It is a vast area outside of Washington, D.C., where thousands of military veterans are buried.   It is one of the best known cemeteries in our country.  Both Privates and Presidents are buried there.

Our family has also visited the military cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  A bloody military battle was fought at Gettysburg during our nation’s Civil War in 1863.  The headstones list the names of each soldier and the states where these fallen veterans were from.

About ten years ago, my son and I had the opportunity to visit the beaches of Normandy, France.  This was the location of the largest amphibious invasion in history.  Troops from Canada, England, America, Australia, New Zealand and other allied nations came ashore to begin the liberation of occupied Western Europe.

Above the wide sandy beach is the American military cemetery.  My son and I walked through the endless rows of Crosses and Stars of David that mark each burial plot.  It is a stark reminder of the high price that was paid by American soldiers and sailors to secure a beachhead in France in 1944.  The war in Europe ended a year later.

Did you know that there are also military veteran cemeteries here in Southern California?  There is a National Cemetery in West Los Angeles and another in Riverside.  There are also military cemeteries in San Diego.

All of these cemeteries are dedicated to honoring the men and women who have served in our nation’s military.  Some of these people died in battle.   Many more survived their military service and have been buried in a veteran’s cemetery at the end of their lives.

On the last Monday in May, our nation celebrates Memorial Day to honor and remember the men and women who lost their lives serving in our nation’s military.  It is a day to reflect on the lives that have been lost and the price that has been paid to defend our nation’s freedom.

Someone said that “freedom is not free.” The freedoms that we enjoy everyday are a result of the sacrifice of men and women who have served in our nation’s military.

During the last few days in May, you will see American flags in many local cemeteries.  Thousands of volunteers from various service organizations give their time to place American flags on the graves of military veterans.

I hope that you will pause and reflect on what these flags represent.  Take a moment to remember those who have served in our nation’s military.  Take a moment to appreciate the sacrifice of those who died in military service.

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

Memorializing A Veteran Of The Vietnam War

Photo courtesy: R. Andrade
Robert Andrade upon entry into Hospital Corps School at Balboa Naval Hospita, San Diego.

By Marissa Mitchell

Chino, CA – Memorial Day was on May 29, and there is none better than Robert Andrade of Ontario, California to remind us of just how significant our veterans are.

Memorial Day honors the men and women who have served in the U.S. military, particularly those who gave their lives.  Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

As a hospital corpsman, Robert Andrade served actively in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1967, saving countless lives, and also bearing witness to many deaths. The widely unpopular Vietnam War was a long conflict that pitted the communist regime of North Vietnam and its southern allies (Viet Cong), against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States against the backdrop of the Cold War.

Born April 19, 1947 in East Los Angeles, Robert was 17 years old when he entered the military, and had just turned 18 when he entered Vietnam. There were many 18-20 year old boys who served alongside him. As a camp officer at the Balboa Naval School, Robert learned he was “one of many.” He was assigned to the Marines and trained as a medic.

Robert entered Vietnam in 1966 in his battalion knowing he would go directly into the line of fire in his duty to save lives. He was first sent up to the DMZ – the “demilitarized zone” of the border of South and North Vietnam.

“We were in the jungles. We were in monsoon season. We saw tiger tracks….so not only were we fighting the North Vietnamese Army, but we were being tracked by tigers,” Robert recalled. There were many casualties.

As a Hospital Corpsman, Robert stated, everyone on his team was interdependent on one another: “We had a true band of brothers,” he noted, “and many of the guys didn’t make it back.”

Photo courtesy: R. Andrade
Robert Andrade at Camp Carroll, Highway 1 DMZ, Vietnam.

In one case, Robert remembers a good friend of his – just 4 days from being flown home – being sent out on a two week operation. This young African American soldier named Nelson Queen, who Robert called, “one the gentlest spirits I have ever known” died in a firefight that week.

Robert remembers those soldiers who had wives and children they had never even held dying in combat. Two men who had been born in the same small town in Texas were close to their returning date and had plans to reunite at a local cantina back in the States; both were killed by the same mortar.

Memories from war are scarring and graphic. Robert stated, “When someone is shot, they don’t fall over like in the movies. They just drop like a marionette when the strings are cut.” It is brutal.

As a medic, Robert would go up to the injured and discover where they were hit. “One thing I’m most proud of, if anything,” Robert declared,” was my contribution as a medical professional, that I was able to keep them alive until the Med Evacuation arrived by helicopter.” He then recounted how they as medics were often forced to push and even throw the injured soldiers into the helicopter with their wounds.

“The helicopter pilots were never given enough recognition for their bravery,” he stated. They went straight into the line of fire. “I never got to say thank you to those pilots,” he continued.

Every person “in country” (in Vietnam) possessed a responsibility to protect one another, to help one another. The helicopters would land and Robert and his group of hospital corpsmen would jump out; the helicopters would return during and after the firefights.

“The experience in Vietnam was true democracy – nobody was better than anyone else. We were all a living organism that supported each others’ various parts.”

According to Robert, there is no truer saying than that depicted at the Veteran’s Hospital: “All gave some, and some gave all.”

Upon returning to the United States, Robert and all who served in the war were treated with a great deal of anger and contempt from American society at large. Vietnam was not a popular war. They suffered from PTSD and were helped by the Veteran’s Association, but images and experiences had burned scars into their memories. Later on at UCLA, Robert would join the protests against the war, knowing just what occurred there.

“No one should ever have to experience war,” he stated. “I see Afghanistan and Syria at war, and it hurts so much to see the children of war who have done nothing to deserve what’s happening to them in their lives. The politicians have never put the welfare of the children in front their goals.”

Robert agrees with the saying that old men send young men to fight wars. He concluded his interview with the following statement:

“This Memorial Day, I go quietly through the day. Not that I am ashamed…It is only that I feel the pain of those family members who lost loved ones. I am reminded that death is about the living. I have visited Washington D.C. and stood before the Vietnam wall and openly cried. I have seen the traveling wall in La Habra, where my grandson held me as a cried. I pray he never has to go through anything I’ve gone through”

“War is unforgiving. And war is unnecessary.”

***More than 3 million people (including 58,000 Americans) were killed in the Vietnam War; more than half were Vietnamese civilians. By 1969, at the peak of U.S. involvement in the war, more than 500,000 U.S. military personnel were involved in the Vietnam conflict.***

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 5.27.17

The Weekly News covers community news for Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: Web.OurWeekly.05-27-2017 (1)

Mother Kills 2-Year-Old; Sentenced To Life

Photo courtesy: SBSD

By Marissa Mitchell

San Bernardino, California – Last week a mother who physically assaulted her 2-year-old with what would become fatal injuries was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison.

On May 12, Hesperian mother Jaimi Roberts, 24, was sentenced for the crime she had been found guilty for on March 22 of this year: involuntary manslaughter and assault on a child causing death. Her son, Grant Dunn Jr., died of complications due to the injuries she inflicted upon him. Superior Court Judge Eric M. Nakata in Victorville imposed the term.

During the trial, jurors witnessed Roberts’ video-recorded statement, in which she admitted she “dropped elbows” on her son’s abdomen. After autopsy, it was found these stomach blows had ruptured his intestines and brought about his death two days later. She also re-enacted striking the child with her elbow in the video.

Judge Nakata stated, “For you to sit here and tell me this was an accident is outrageous.” Roberts had claimed both in court and during interview that she was “play-wrestling” with her son, and that his death was an “accident.” She claimed no prior child abuse and insisted that they “play-wrestled” on April 22, 2014.

The prosecutor Deputy District Attorney David Foy indicated to the court that Roberts did not procure medical care for the 2-year-old for two days after the injury, even though the toddler was vomiting, could not stand, and felt cold sensations in his legs.

Quoting a probation report, Judge Nakata said: “The crime involved great bodily harm and/or other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness in that the victim suffered for an extended period of time after the defendant struck him, and made a conscious decision to avoid medical attention for him until after he lost consciousness.”

Paramedics had gone into the Hesperia home of Roberts (then age 21) in the afternoon after the child had lost consciousness. The child was then hospitalized, but died later that afternoon from sepsis in the bloodstream – what occurs once internal organs have been ruptured.

Roberts will serve her sentence in state prison.

Is Anything Really Forever?

By Michael Armijo

 

The hardest day of my life was a year ago in May. It was like every other morning with the exception that it was their anniversary. Mom and dad got up, went to brunch, went home, and then got into a little argument. My dad wanted somewhere to go to be by himself so he went to check on his rental property that was recently vacant.

I got home that night around 9 p.m. and found out my mother had called. Mom was wondering why dad wasn’t home yet, but it was like him to stay at his rental property and fix things. Mom wasn’t too worried, so I went to bed. A few hours later she called me again; “Your father still isn’t home yet, now I’m worried.” At a frantic pace, I went to his rental property and found his truck in the front of a darkened house. With a racing heart and fear to go in and find him, lying there, I called 911 for assistance.

LIFE MAKES A LEFT

I told the operator that I was afraid to enter the house by myself, I was afraid of what I might find. A sheriff deputy arrived and shined his flashlight on the front door. It was so dark at 2 am, I didn’t even notice the front door wide open. We walked inside and there was my daddy, lying in the hallway, lying on his side without movement.

I remember yelling; “He isn’t moving, why isn’t he moving?” The officer grabbed me and dragged me outside, calmed me down, and told me to wait while he checked what on was going on.

At that point I tried to convince myself he was asleep on the floor or just passed out. I was in complete denial that he would be gone – and gone forever – until the paramedics came. They ran into the house in the hopes of helping a victim survive, but three minutes later they walked out. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I knew one thing, I had to try to be responsible, I had to go home and tell my mom.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT

When I told my brother and sisters the news of our father, I received a different reaction from each. But the strongest reaction embedded in my memory is the one from my mom. I called my sisters to help me tell mom about dad, but they lived so far away they couldn’t be there for quite some time. I knew I couldn’t let my mom wait that long, she was waiting for me to bring my father home. I knocked on my neighbor’s door but they couldn’t hear me from their back bedroom. It was at that time I realized that no one was around and I was going to have to do this on my own, so be it.

It wasn’t the screaming or the crying that affected me so much; it was what my mother said. She was angry because she and my father had promised each other they’d leave this earth together. They made a pact. They had a deal. She was angry because he broke that pact. The deal was off. At that point I admired how strong their love was; I admired how much they really loved each other. So much so, they not only discussed how they’d be together, but how they’d leave together as well. I never knew this, and it saddens me that I had to find out about it this way. I guess sometimes regardless of what this life gives you, and regardless of how much you think you know, you find out that you never know what to expect.

A FIRST FOR EVERYTHING

Whoever said, “the hardest time after a death is the first year” was right. It’s been interesting and difficult. Death really does something to people; it really makes them change. You hear things you never thought you’d hear; you see things you never thought you’d see. That first Thanksgiving, that first Christmas. The first time one of your parents isn’t at your son’s sixth grade graduation or your daughter’s recital. Your kid’s birthday parties, your son’s little league games. You sit there enjoying yourself and then sense that something missing. The first time I felt stressed and dad wasn’t there to tell me; “it’ll all work out ok,” was my hardest. Dad wasn’t kidding when he told me; “there’s a first for everything.”

YOU NEVER KNOW

If there was one thing I’ve really had to push into my life is to enjoy it. If one of my children gets out of line or has done something wrong, I talk about it. I don’t scream and yell, and I don’t smack them. I never send them to bed on a bad note, and whenever I leave, I always give them a hug and a kiss (something my 12-year-old son tries to avoid, but I force it on him). I do this because my father and I had the worst relationship in the world. And then one day, for a reason only God may know, I confronted him with my feelings. We really opened up, laid it all on the table, and enjoyed ourselves. It took time for us to heal, but we worked on it, and in the end I had the fortunate opportunity to have a close and loving relationship with my dad. It was the fastest five years of my life.

We had fun, forgave each other, and told each other we loved each other. I am very fortunate to able to say that I don’t have any regrets about our friendship. I always wanted more from life but he always told me to “stop striving for bigger toys and invest yourself in love, because you never know, son, you just never know.”

SOME THINGS ARE FOREVER

There’s something about seeing your parents in enormous grief that does something to a person. They’re your safety net in life, they’re the one thing you can bet your life on who’ll always take you back if you failed out there in the world. They’re the ones that you knew would love you forever, regardless of what you’ve done or where you’ve been. When that gets destroyed or damaged, you come to the realization that you’re definitely, and I mean definitely, on your own. Life becomes this big “do or die” situation. Ready or not it’s time to grow up. You get kind of nervous that the encouraging source in your life is gone. The wisdom they provided turns into a distant whisper.

It’s kind of like when you were in school; you’d walk into the class and find you were having a pop quiz. You felt this panic overwhelm you, and you’d try your hardest to remember what the teacher told you the day before. You had no warning, no time to prepare, the test is here and it’s now. You never anticipated this coming; it never even entered your mind. All you can do now is hope you were paying attention all that time, all you could do was hope you were a good student. Teacher’s not going to give you any answers today; you are on your own.

A day will then come, when life tests you and your ability. After you feel confident you’ve passed that test you realize an important reality: just like the love you never knew that your parents shared, some things really are forever.

   Originally published in August of 1998, this is the very first “Our Life” ever printed in The Weekly News, and the reason why we started this newspaper. It was after writing this story that I decided how short life was, and how important it is to do what you believe in. This story helped me realize what we believe in. Michael can be reached at Michael@anapr.com.

Why Sell Now?

By Nef Cortez

How can it be a good time to buy and at the same time a good time to sell?

Real Estate is local!  Although Macroeconomic factors are the overall influence on the real estate market, individual property values are most influenced by local market conditions. We have all heard the mantra “Location, Location, Location!” in describing the desirability of homes. The right area…the right school district…and for some people, even the right  orientation.

So when is it a good time to sell?

Now would be a good time to sell and “move up”, If you are going to outgrow your current residence within 2-5 years, thereby locking in an interest rate that is still close to historical lows at just under 4 %.

If you are going to downsize due to retirement, or have become an empty nester, it is a good time to sell and lock in the dramatic gains achieved by the huge increase in property values over the last 5 years. Even if you go out and rent for a while, because you are not able to determine exactly where you want to settle in…it might be better to rent in a couple of different locations, sort of “scouting” those areas out to make sure you like them before making the permanent investment.

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.

News Tips To Ease Recovery From Addiction

PHOTO SOURCE: Kaspars Grinvalds – Fotolia.com

By StatePoint

Those recovering from an addiction know what a major challenge the process can be on the body and mind, as well as on the wellness of friends and family supporting your endeavor.

While a physician should be consulted in working out a recovery plan, there are steps one can personally take to smooth the road ahead.

Thinking Positively

Recovery is an ongoing process, and won’t be resolved overnight. Knowing this can help you stay motivated when the going gets tough. Acknowledging but also forgiving yourself for past mistakes is a good place to start.

Including family and friends who have been affected by your addiction in this healing process is important.

Feeling Your Best

Addiction puts major stress on the mind and body. Good nutrition and proper sleep can restore your body’s systems and processes.

Seek out a diet that contains probiotics, which replenish the digestive system with beneficial bacteria that may have been depleted as a result of toxins and chemical overload, poor diet, bodily stress and overall poor digestive health. B-vitamins are needed to energize metabolism and proper cell and muscle function, and fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids is proven to support cognitive function and brain health, joint health, heart health, eye health and more.

However, keep in mind that it can be difficult to satisfy all of one’s nutritional needs under normal circumstances, and can be even more challenging when your body is recovering from addiction. In addition to a healthy diet, consider seeking out supplements designed specifically for people in recovery, such as Recovery24, which was developed by addiction recovery experts and a board-certified nutritionist. Recovery24 is designed to replenish your body’s nutrients and support sleep, energy, healthy digestion, and overall well-being around the clock. The special formulation contains key nutrients such as probiotics, B-vitamins, fish oil, chamomile, jujube fruit, lemon balm leaf, phosphatidyl serine and antioxidants. The A.M. packs are taken with the first meal of the day and support sustained energy and mental focus. The P.M. Packs are taken 30 minutes before you go to sleep and support a calm, restful sleep.

The road to recovery is challenging and loved ones may also experience their own stresses, sleeplessness and nutritional gaps. Recovery24 supplements are safe and effective even for those not in recovery. More information can be found at TryRecovery24.com.

Get Active

Your road to recovery should involve new hobbies and interests. Start with some fun, physical activity to get your body moving, get healthier and boost endorphins. Whether it’s training for a 5k or joining a pick-up game of basketball in the park, exercise is a crucial component to your overall wellness.

Get Involved

Consider joining other local organizations — from being an involved member of a religious congregation to participating in a local volunteer group to taking art or music classes at a community center. It’s important to stay focused on positive, healthy activities and goals, and make friends and connections with people who are doing likewise.

Experts know that addiction recovery requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the mind, the soul and the body. While recovering from addiction, take the best care of yourself possible to support your goal.

Chino Valley Officials’ Texts and Emails Must Be Disclosed On All Public Matters

By Marissa Mitchell

Chino Valley, CA – In early March, the California Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision to disclose all public-related information regardless of source, a cause supported by open-government advocates.  Cities in and around Chino Valley are looking to comply with said ruling, which generally forces public employees, including politicians, to share texts and emails to public record, even when they come from personal devices.

This ruling came from a long-standing 8-year battle after the city of San Jose refused to release “private” texts and emails to a public records request. These texts and emails, sent by officials, discussed a downtown development project. According to the new ruling, the court stated that communication sent on personal cell phones and computers must be disclosed to the public if they “relate in some substantive way to the conduct of the public’s business.”

In response, the city of Chino Hills has set up email accounts for all public commissions, and is provided a training workshop on Monday May 22 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Calciano will commence with the training that day.

Now, public officials will be subject to scrutiny on multiple levels. The thought is that they will be disinclined to conduct public business on personal devices or avoid scrutiny.

California Supreme Court Judge Carol A. Corrigan wrote of this recent ruling, “A city employee’s communications related to the conduct of public business do not cease to be public records just because they were sent or received using a personal account.

In the city of Chino, email accounts will be issued to the planning commission, but not to the community services commission because it is not a “decision-making authority,” according to spokeswoman Monica Gutierrez. Even prior to the San Jose court ruling, the city of Chino established a policy encouraging the use of city-issued cell phones and other such devices.

The Chino policy stipulates that all communication on city-issued equipment is subject to perusal at any time, and open to monitoring and public record requests.

The Chino Valley Unified School District spokeswoman Brenda Dunkle stated the district is awaiting recommendations in the middle of May from the CSBA (California School Boards Association) regarding this ruling.  She also stated that the district’s current technology use policy declares that any device accessing the district’s network is not private, whether used on site or off.

Fire Chief Time Shackelford stated he has iterated to his personnel only to use fire district servers and accounts to correspond, create, or store documents and communications related to district business. Training will also be provided for fire station employees.

Various news media representatives have called the decision “a resounding victory for the public.” This new ruling sends a strong message that public officials and employees cannot evade public scrutiny by using personal accounts.

Local governments have expressed concerns about invasion of privacy for its workers, so further concrete details are to come from the California Supreme Court on just how to go about this monitoring. Executive director of the First Amendment Coalition David Synder stated, “If employees are conducting written business about the people’s business on email, that ought to be available to the public. It shouldn’t matter if the email is privately owned or owned by the government.”

 

 

Advanced Improvements Provides Comfort For Your Home

Staff Reports

SoCal – Advanced Improvements is an expert in air conditioning and heating, water heating, water filtration, and solar power.  For over 20 years, they have been providing eco-friendly, energy saving home and office comfort solutions for Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego and Los Angeles counties.

Advanced Improvements’ mission is to build top quality home and office improvement projects on time, with exemplary customer service, and within your budget.  Right now, Advanced Improvements is offering specials and discounts on a variety of their products.

Solar:  Whether you’re looking to go completely off the power grid, or just reduce your carbon footprint, Advanced Improvements can help by providing you with solar solutions.  They offer both solar electric (photovoltaic) and solar thermal (solar water heating) technologies.  The average solar system pays for itself in as little as four years.  When you fit your home for solar, you can receive up to 30% in tax credits, and Advanced Improvements has 2.99% financing options available for solar upgrades (OAC).

Water Heating:  Advanced Improvements carries a full line of different models and types of water heaters.  They offer everything from traditional tanks and tankless, to the new hybrids and eco-friendly solar water heaters.  Advanced Improvements specializes in tankless water heaters, claiming the title of the largest tankless water heater installation company in the nation.  They have installed over 10,000 tankless water heaters over the last ten years.  Take advantage of their $500 discount coupon on a Rheem Tankless Water Heater, or $100 discount on a Rheem Tank Water Heater.

Water Filtration: Advanced Improvements offers water filtration systems that protect against hardness elements, iron, rust, sediment, and a variety of other substances that may be present in your water.  Their systems are high flow and low maintenance machines that are designed for optimum performance.  Ask about their $500 discount coupon for Anti-Scale and Carbon Water Filtration systems.

Heating and Air:  Advanced Improvements has trained professionals that provide expert analyses, top quality equipment, and skilled installation or repair of your heating and air conditioning equipment.  They can give your home a heating or cooling system that is not only reliable, but efficient.  They also offer heat pumps, gas furnaces, package units, air handlers, and cooling coils.  Their current heating special will allow you to get $1,500 off in factory rebates for qualifying systems.  Also, ask about their $75 special for a winter tune-up for your current system.

Go Green:  You can GO GREEN with Advanced Improvements, as they provide eco-friendly, energy saving, green products for your home and business.  They can help you go completely independent with solar power, replace your heating and cooling system with a new high-efficiency unit, or lower your energy usage by installing a tankless water heater.

Advanced Improvements stands behind their products and services and is committed to excellence.  They are also committed to the community.  Owners Jason and Athena Hayes have lived in Eastvale for over seven years, and as homeowners, they love to see Eastvale flourish. Advanced Improvements has been the platinum sponsor for the Eastvale Community Foundation’s Annual Golf Tournaments, and they will continue to invest in the City and support its growth.  Make sure to ask about their $500 discount coupon for Eastvale residents only.

Make your home or business comfortable today with Advanced Improvements (Contractor State License Board #947761). Their office is located at1352 E. Valencia Dr, Fullerton, CA 92831, and they can be reached at (888) 887-7808.  Visit their website at AdvancedIMP.com, and see their ad in OurWeeklyNews.

Chaparral Students Make Global Connections

Photo courtesy: WVUSD

By WVUSD

DIAMOND BAR, CA—Chaparral Middle School 8th grader Izzy Reedy and a dozen classmates learned about culture, education, weather, and even sports in Tanzania this year.

But, it wasn’t by opening a textbook or conducting research on a computer.

The Diamond Bar students gained knowledge through a global connection with the Gyekrum Arusha Secondary School, located over 8,500 miles away in East Africa.

Education specialist Kimberly Ramos formed the partnership with teacher Zaituni Njovu and her students through the World Education Connection program.

The students and teachers got to know each other by communicating back and forth using email and Google Hangout.

“They would ask lots of questions and post photos,” Ramos said about the 21st century-learning technology.

“Anything I received from the teacher, I would post on Google Classroom to share with my kids.”

Ramos said her students embraced the program and were amazed with how many similarities they had with their new friends.

“The kids loved seeing each other. And the things we learned this year have had more meaning because we were able to connect with the other half of the ‘Kilimanjaro Squad’ on a personal level.”

The relationship deepened when students recently held a campus clean-up project to provide supplies to the school in Karatu Urusha.

On May 10, global teams shared their thoughts of the power of connection during an inaugural World Education Day event.

Classmates Julia Brandt, Alex Ginez, and Reedy arrived before the 7:45 a.m. opening bell, eager to participate in the live global broadcast.
“Asante Sana!” the students exclaimed in Swahili while waving to one another.

“We got to experience the way they live and learn,” Brant said. “I wouldn’t have changed a thing about this experience!”

“I hope we can stay connected with the kids in Tanzania.”

“The best thing has been the sharing,” Ginez offered.

“We talked about our siblings, our pets, and hobbies. We have a lot in common.”

Students said they also gained appreciation for their own lives after seeing the East African partner school squeeze 80 students inside a class with dirt floors and dilapidated furniture.

“It showed me to be grateful for what I have, and to respect elders and family,” Reedy said.

 

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.

 

  1. 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 TOAST BUNS AND MAKE SALAD Split buns down center, then place on baking sheet with sweet potatoes to toast, 2-3 minutes. In another large bowl, whisk together a pinch of ginger, a pinch of garlic, and a drizzle of oil. Season with salt, pepper, and more garlic and ginger (as desired). Add spring mix and toss to coat.

 

6 FINISH AND SERVE Spread a little sriracha mayo on each bun, then top with a burger and remaining cilantro. Serve with salad, sweet potato, and any remaining sriracha mayo for dipping on the side. TIP: Add a little salad to your burger, if desired.

Heart 2 Serve: Offering Hope To The Hopeless

Combining Community Outreach with Business Services

By Marissa Mitchell

Chino Hills – For four years now, an organization has existed somewhat under the radar providing services to both individuals and the community at large.

Heart 2 Serve, a privately owned and operated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, currently assists adult individuals in substance abuse recovery and reintegration as productive members of society through community service and construction businesses offered to the San Bernardino and Los Angeles County areas.

This faith-based (Christian) organization was founded by Brian and Cindy Baughman, with the help of fellow faith members, in 2013. It initially began as a construction company, followed by what was termed an “RV ministry” for transitional living. In 2015, Heart 2 Serve, Inc. became a 501(c)(3) entity, focused entirely on individuals who truly wanted help.

Heart 2 Serve provides all that is necessary to rebuild individual lives that have fallen into hopelessness due to substance addiction through the business built from these humble beginnings. Currently, the organization assists often-stigmatized individuals, including parolees and homeless persons, in their recovery through provision of work, shelter, food, and clothing, so as to reintegrate them as productive members of society.

Heart 2 serve offers a 2-year program that begins with establishing a life-plan of achievable goals designed to measure a client’s progress, rebuild his confidence, and discover newfound hope.

According to its mission statement, Heart 2 Serve Inc. is “the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.” From the ashes of all the ruins of lives destroyed by addiction, there is birthed a new life amidst despair in the act of serving others. Thus, the name was chosen: Heart 2 Serve.

Among the services required and/or available for a client of the transitional living and reintegration program is participation in the following: substance abuse recovery programs (12 Step meetings), spiritual counseling, safe shelter, employment and skill training (through the construction and moving services training), health and care, food and clothing, legal assistance, education and transportation, and, finally, gainful employment.

The professional contracting and moving services that Heart 2 Serve provides through its nonprofit not only helps fun their ministry, but it also offers an opportunity for individuals in the program to learn new skills and earn an income.

To that end, Heart 2 Serve is a licensed, bonded, and insured general contractor, able to meet every commercial and residential construction and moving needs.

What attracts individuals and businesses to hire Heart 2 Serve over other companies is not just the low pricing, but, as a non-profit, there is also a substantial tax savings provided in using the service, as it is considered a “charitable contribution” on tax forms.
Good cause. Good savings. Rebuilding society from the ground up – literally. Not much else one could desire from a nonprofit, really.
For more information, visit www.h2si.org.

 

A Cow Bell

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Many years ago my wife and I and a group of adults from our church traveled to Romania.  We worked in partnership with a young pastor and growing church in the middle of the country.

In addition to visiting their church in the city of Cluj, we spent a week together in a rural village near the Transylvania mountains.

A number of young couples participated in a week-long marriage retreat.

In addition to daily discussions on marriage, there was also time for recreation and relaxation.  The Romanians were just as competivte as Americans.  Coed volleyball games were enjoyed by all of us.

One day during the week, I saw a line of cows walking down a dirt road near the field where we were playing volleyball.

The lead cow had a small brass bell hanging from a strap around his neck.  He was leading the other cows back into the village at the end of the day from the grassy fields nearby.

I told the members of our team that we were going to continue to play volleyball until the “cows come home”.  They didn’t know how accurate my prediction was.  We ended the game a few minutes later after the cows passed by us on the dirt road.

Recently while I was playing with our granddaughter at our house,  she had discovered a small cow bell on a self in our bedroom.  She was intrigued by its size and sound.  She didn’t know that this small bell was a gift from our friends in Romania.

I had not noticed that bell for years, but it immediately brought back fond memories of our trip to Romania and the wonderful friends we met there many years ago.

You probably have some keepsakes and souvenirs that remind you of people and events in your life.  You may have a picture or a plaque that brings back special memories of places you have been.

In one example in the Bible,  the people of Israel piled up twelve large boulders along the bank of the Jordan River.  These large stones were to serve as a reminder that the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground (Joshua chapter 4).These large stones were to remind future generations of this remarkable event in their nation’s history.

I think we all need visual, tangible objects to help us remember special events and special people in our lives.  You probably have some things around your house – pictures, trophies, and souveniours.  Let me encourage you to take some time this week to look around your house or office and reflect on the memories you find there.

Take time to tell your children and grandchildren the meaning and significance of some of the things that are hanging on your walls or sitting on the shelves in your house.  Maybe it is time to add a few new ones while you have the time.  You will be glad you did and they will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

“Protect Chino” Launches Prop H Campaign

By Marissa Mitchell

Chino, CA – There is a grass-roots group – “Protect Chino No on H” – campaigning against a large housing development that will be built if passed on special ballot July 11. Developer D.R. Horton plans to build 180 homes in north Chino if the special election ballot passes.

There is vehement opposition to this ballot in and around the surrounding neighborhoods. If approved, the measure stipulates that 20 acres of rural land south of Francis Avenue would be rezoned. In place of rural space will be 12 single-family homes, 87 detached single-family homes, and 73 condos.

May 20 there will be a community meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. at Wolfinbarger landscape store, 5675 Francis Avenue, in Chino, for those opposing Measure H.

In response to this group, property owners of the rural land have organized a committee called “Support Chino Jobs and Schools, Yes, on Measure H.”

Currently, 30 acres of parceled land north of Cinemark Movies in Chino is zoned for one house per acre, possessing the grazing land and 8 single-family houses. In a Chino City Council meeting in April, the council voted 4-1 to place Measure H on the ballot for citywide election.

Chairman of “No on H” Ed Layaye stated, “The neighborhood is very concerned about this project, “We’re meeting weekly and figuring out how to compete with a multi-billion dollar corporation like D.R. Horton.”

Former mayor Larry Walker is the group treasurer and wrote the argument opposing Measure H, stating, “I’ve become aware of a dramatic number of developments cooking in Chino and it seems like every one is a violation of the general plan,” he said. “I told the people 40 years ago the general plan should be the guide for the development of Chino.”

The property owners of the rural land are long-time Chino residents, and state that this development is a benefit for the city. Matt Evans and father-in-law Ron Brewer, stated that more than 600 Chino residents have expressed support for the project.

Evans declared, “   “Ron Brewer and I believe that Measure H will be a positive step forward for our entire community. It will enable young Chino residents the opportunity to raise their families here and offers new home ownership in an affordable part of the city.”

Other owners echo this sentiment, saying that this development will lure more potential residents to Chino, thus bringing in more economical revenue to be used municipally.

Special ballot is to occur on July 11 of this year.

Competitive Coverage To Meet Your Family’s Needs

Melanie Smith-Rice of State Farm Insurance in Norco.

Melanie Smith-Rice of State Farm Insurance in Norco.

Staff Reports

Norco – At the Melanie Smith-Rice State Farm Office, 24-hour good neighbor service is at the forefront.  Smith-Rice is confident that she can meet your needs for all insurance and financial services, and promises to wow you with expert professional service.

A State Farm Agent since 1985 and a Corona resident since 1971, Smith-Rice understands the needs of the community and has worked hard to provide a palette of services that makes one-stop-shopping easy and affordable.  Along with Auto insurance, Smith-Rice provides Home Owners and Renters Insurance.

“A home is a big investment, so let’s make sure you have enough coverage at the right rate,” says Smith-Rice.  As well, protecting your personal property may be more affordable than you think.  “The average person has over $200,000 worth of stuff that is probably not covered under your landlord’s policy.  That’s where our State Farm Renters insurance comes into play,” she adds.

More important than the care of your property is the care of your family.  Along with Life Insurance, the Melanie Smith-Rice State Farm Office can provide various types of health insurance, including Long-Term Care should you become unable to care for yourself.

And for the business owner, Smith-Rice says, “I understand the needs of a business owner like you.  Together we can help protect your business and plan a roadmap for your financial future.

As if all this weren’t enough, the Melanie Smith-Rice State Farm Office can provide you with financial services such as Mutual Funds, Annuities, and even Banking (yes, Banking!), including Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, and Loans.

Don’t wait another minute to help ensure your family’s well being.  Call the Melanie Smith-Rice State Farm Office today, and get peace of mind in return.  A staff of professional experts is standing by at (951) 734-5290, or Toll-Free at (888) 734-5292.  They are located at 2027 River Road in Norco, in the Stater Bros. shopping center at Second Street and River Road.

Walnut Valley Students Honored At Lunch With The Principal Event

Photo courtesy: WVUSD

By WVUSD

WALNUT, CA—Nine students were treated to a sizzling reward for achieving their personal best during the 19th annual Benihana Lunch with the Principal on Tuesday.

Each of the nine elementary schools in the Walnut Valley Unified School District chose a hard-working student to celebrate during the special lunchtime adventure held at the City of Industry restaurant.

Congratulations to this year’s fifth grade honorees: Aayati Sangal– Castle Rock, DJ Ruffin – Cyrus J. Morris, Estrella Gallegos – Collegewood, Alicia Agalos – Evergreen, Alice Shen – Quail Summit, Leah Owens – Maple Hill, Brianna Velez – Vejar, Sunny Morales – Walnut Elementary, and Emily Santos – Westhoff.

Personal chefs entertained audiences while creating flaming onion ring volcanos, drizzling eggs into a cartoon characters, and flipping shrimp tails in stovepipe hats.

After enjoying the teppan-style meal, principals took turns sharing success stories about their students.

“Not only has Emily achieved academic excellence, she perseveres through hard times, she’s a fabulous friend, and always follows the Golden Rule,” said Westhoff Elementary Principal Denise Rendon.

“Estrella is very hard-working, resilient, and shows genuine compassion to classmates,” said Collegewood Elementary Principal Mary Wendland.

Evergreen Elementary Principal Carolyn Wills shared that her honoree was selected for demonstrating attributes from the school’s the Keys to Success character education program.

“Alicia shows perseverance and kindness to everyone and is sure to be very successful!”

Students received certificates, Benihana chef’s hats, and keepsake photos.

 

“I’m There”

By Pastor Rob Norris

“I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.”
Philippians 2:20

Gary Thomas, author of such inspiring books as Sacred Marriage and Authentic Faith: The Power of a Fire-Tested Life, tells the story of two American soldiers who became fast friends during their preparations for combat in World War I. Though they had known each other only a short time, the camaraderie of battle and their shared dreams of postwar life quickly cemented their relationship.

One day, these two buddies crawled from their foxhole with the rest of their unit in an attack on the German forces. After a valiant fight, the order was given to retreat. But only one of the two friends returned to the trench. The other had been hit by German gunfire and was lying about 50 yards out of reach.

Against his commanding officer’s orders, the other soldier crawled out of the ditch to go find his fallen comrade. Hugging the ground and dodging enemy bullets, he worked his way across the bloody, corpse-littered ground until he finally located the friend he sought. Finding him semi-conscious, they were left with only a few seconds together before he died.

When the man returned to the trench with the body of his soldier friend, the ranking officer flew into a rage for this overt flaunting of his order, asking, “Was it worth it for you to risk your life?”

“Absolutely, sir. Because when I turned him over, he looked up at me and said, ‘I knew you’d come.'”

That’s the kind of loyalty we are called to in all our relationships–especially in our homes and families. Your spouse needs to know without a doubt that when you are needed, you will be there. Your children need to know they can count on you, not just in a pinch, but also in their most routine of expectations. When they need you, can they be sure you’ll come?

Live it:
How can your marriage and family practically demonstrate this kind of love for one another?

Pray:
Pray that the Lord will keep you sensitive to each other, anticipating when you’re needed most.

 

Meeting @ 10:00 at River Heights Intermediate School 7227 Scholar Way, Eastvale CA.

Trusting and believing with you, Join us on Mother’s Day for a celebration service.

Pastor Rob

 

Straight Talk With Danice

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

Dear Danice Akiyoshi,

My father has a terminal illness that he is in denial about.  He has asked me to take him house hunting close to the beach so he can have a better yard to enjoy the sun.  He is frail and weak and I’m not sure that he can survive the move or get used to a new neighborhood.  He sleeps a lot so I’m not sure when he’s planning on enjoying this new yard that he talks about.  He would also be moving away from his health providers which he says he hates.  None of this is logical to me, but I want him to be happy.  Please help.

Bob

 

Hi Bob,

Sometimes when people are faced with a difficult diagnosis they try to become involved in things that give them the impression that they are still involved in the process of life and true living.  Do you think you could provide these feelings for your dad if you spent some days at the beach or in the mountains or even in the desert?  We have so many wonderful locations in our area that help people feel like they’re on a true get away.  The week end cruises might be a good idea too. Remind him that moving has far too many nasty tasks involved and that having fun and enjoying the nice weather is a possibility without the hardships of moving.  I hope you find a way to enjoy this time together.

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi is a Naturopathic Doctor and the head of Candid Coaching Service. She offers personal coaching services relating to all types of issues and concerns. This is a letter she received from an anonymous reader. To send a question to Danice, email her at straighttalk@ candidcoachingservices.com. You can also visit her website at http://www.candidcoachingservices.com