Author Archives: ABC Public Relations

A Real Estate Minute

By Gil Rivera

 

This is my first in a series of short articles giving you updates about the local real estate market. We are all busy with our jobs, family and friends so I will make these articles short enough to read in  “A Real Estate Minute”!

As for my background, I’ve been a State Certified Real Estate Appraiser for 25 years and have owned my real estate sales company, SellYourCasa.com, for the past 17 years. I appraise over 250 homes a year for refinances, sales, listings, trusts, bankruptcies, divorces, and estates. I’ve lived in Diamond Bar for the past 26 years. I appraise homes from Los Angeles thru the San Gabriel Valley to the Inland Empire and down thru North Orange County.

As I write this, May 2017 has come upon us and the 2nd financial quarter is almost complete. It is still a SELLER’S market! In the past few weeks, homes have been selling within 7-14 days! Ever since the interest rates went up at the end of March, the market has been booming. Why? Many Buyers who were sitting on the fence decided to take action before the rates rise again. Many buyers equals More offers which in turn yields Higher prices for Sellers!

 

Happiness Is Free For Everybody

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

They don’t sell happiness at the mall or online.  Happiness is free and available to all that want it.  Happiness is in those indescribable amazing moments.  Those moments that give you goose bumps and really let you know you are alive.  I call them as-good –as- it-gets moments.  I know the world feels hard but that doesn’t mean we can’t embrace the good and all the wonderful we have in our lives.  I think the secret to happiness is in feeling grateful every day for all that we are blessed with and not taking all the little miracles about life for granted.  The honor of being alive each day is truly a little miracle and an opportunity to be happy.

Take this moment out and take a moment to be grateful, to smile and to feel how you deserve to feel every moment of every day.  Now think about what you allow to steal your happiness and make a promise to yourself that you no longer will allow that anymore.  We all have hard pieces in our stories regarding our lives.  It’s in our reaction that we have the power.  Even though we have disappointments, loss, trauma and bad experiences we still have the power to decide we really want to be happy.  In fact in deciding we are going to be happy no matter what we are incorporating a fabulous coping skill into our tool boxes.  Learning to love yourself helps with feeling you are deserving of happiness every day.  Let go of the guilt and forgive yourself for whatever you have done.  Self-pity is also the root to unhappiness.  The past needs to be something that we all just learn from. The present is truly a gift and an opportunity to be happy each and every day. Make today the day you forgive yourself and set yourself free by choosing happiness!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Nancy is now accepting new clients.  She also works as a motivational speaker.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens and can handle many court mandated needs.  For more information about any of these services contact Nancy 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.

 

History 101

Photo courtesy: Google Images

MAY 23, 1934 : POLICE KILL FAMOUS OUTLAWS BONNIE AND CLYDE

History.com

On this day in 1934, notorious criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are shot to death by Texas and Louisiana state police while driving a stolen car near Sailes, Louisiana.

Bonnie Parker met the charismatic Clyde Barrow in Texas when she was 19 years old and her husband (she married when she was 16) was serving time in jail for murder. Shortly after they met, Barrow was imprisoned for robbery. Parker visited him every day, and smuggled a gun into prison to help him escape, but he was soon caught in Ohio and sent back to jail. When Barrow was paroled in 1932, he immediately hooked up with Parker, and the couple began a life of crime together.

After they stole a car and committed several robberies, Parker was caught by police and sent to jail for two months. Released in mid-1932, she rejoined Barrow. Over the next two years, the couple teamed with various accomplices to rob a string of banks and stores across five states–Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico and Louisiana. To law enforcement agents, the Barrow Gang–including Barrow’s childhood friend, Raymond Hamilton, W.D. Jones, Henry Methvin, Barrow’s brother Buck and his wife Blanche, among others–were cold-blooded criminals who didn’t hesitate to kill anyone who got in their way, especially police or sheriff’s deputies. Among the public, however, Parker and Barrow’s reputation as dangerous outlaws was mixed with a romantic view of the couple as “Robin Hood”-like folk heroes.

Their fame was increased by the fact that Bonnie was a woman–an unlikely criminal–and by the fact that the couple posed for playful photographs together, which were later found by police and released to the media. Police almost captured the famous duo twice in the spring of 1933, with surprise raids on their hideouts in Joplin and Platte City, Missouri. Buck Barrow was killed in the second raid, and Blanche was arrested, but Bonnie and Clyde escaped once again. In January 1934, they attacked the Eastham Prison Farm in Texas to help Hamilton break out of jail, shooting several guards with machine guns and killing one.

Texan prison officials hired a retired Texas police officer, Captain Frank Hamer, as a special investigator to track down Parker and Barrow. After a three-month search, Hamer traced the couple to Louisiana, where Henry Methvin’s family lived. Before dawn on May 23, Hamer and a group of Louisiana and Texas lawmen hid in the bushes along a country road outside Sailes. When Parker and Barrow appeared, the officers opened fire, killing the couple instantly in a hail of bullets.

All told, the Barrow Gang was believed responsible for the deaths of 13 people, including nine police officers. Parker and Barrow are still seen by many as romantic figures, however, especially after the success of the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty.

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 5.20.17

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: OurWeekly.05-20-2017

Eastvale Community News Complete Edition April 2017

The Eastvale Community News covers local news for Eastvale, Norco,  Corona, and Chino. Click the following link to access the complete issue in pdf format: 2017-04.Eastvale

City of Chino Hills Launches Mobile App

Staff Reports

 

Chino Hills, CA – The City of Chino Hills is proud to announce the launch of a customized App for Chino Hills residents and visitors. The official City of Chino Hills App is now available for free in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Marketplace for Android. Residents and visitors can stay connected with the community through their smart phone with just a few taps of the screen.

App users have access to incredible information about the City’s trails and parks with a simple touch of the smartphone screen. City staff completed a major project to compile useful information for trail and park users in the City as part of the Healthy Hills Program which promotes healthy lifestyles for residents. Click on any trail and check difficulty, time estimates for beginning hikers, distance, and even elevation gain. A chart shows the elevation of the entire trail so hikers can decide if they are ready to tackle a hike with multiple climbs in elevation. Trail photos, trailhead locations, access points, parking availability, and connections to other trails are noted and shown on a map. With GIS enabled on the smartphone, users can track their progress on the trail. For people without a smartphone, trails information is also available on the City website at http://www.chinohills.org/Trails.

Take a tour around the App for access to much more information. Looking to adopt a pet? Click on “Adopt-A-Pet” and be linked to photos of pets that are available at the Inland Valley Humane Society. Click on “News” for current events or items of interest. Click on “Recreation” for quick links to information on parks, facilities, and local attractions. Select any park or facility to view photos, special amenities and features, and get directions to the park. Some locations feature 360 degree video tours. Users may also easily report items of concern to the City from their smartphone. Select “Report an Issue” and report graffiti, a streetlight outage, code enforcement issues, and water waste or submit a service request. Residents taking those amazing pictures of Chino Hills from their smart phones can now share beauty shots of through a picture share feature on the app.

5 Simple Ways to Naturally Relieve Bloating

By StatePoint

 

Bloating is not only uncomfortable, but it can be particularly inconvenient when you want to look and feel your best in the summer.

While symptoms can seem unpredictable, there are simple and natural ways you can prevent and relieve both bloating and gas.

  • Up your fiber. You’ve probably heard that fiber is essential for your digestive system. What you may not know is that certain types of fiber called prebiotics feed the bacteria in your gut. Without enough of it, your microbial diversity can be limited, negatively impacting your ability to break down and metabolize food. Examine your diet and add whole foods rich in prebiotic fiber, or find a food-based prebiotic supplement to ensure you’re getting enough each day.
  • Eat mindfully. Overeating, as well as eating too quickly, causes air to get trapped in your digestive tract. Eat mindfully and slowly. It’ll help you feel fuller faster and keep your abdomen in-check.
  • Know yourself. Follow your gut and understand what works and what doesn’t for your body. From gluten and dairy to nuts and fried foods, and way too much sugar in just about everything made in a factory, it’s important to bring awareness to how your body handles certain ingredients. A holistic-minded, general medical practitioner can help you identify the food sources that make your gut more likely to swell.
  • Consider digestive enzymes. The enzymes in your digestive system break down food so it can nourish your body. Sadly, the number of enzymes in your body decreases as you get older or more stressed out, which opens the door for gas, bloating and irregularity.

Consider taking an enzyme supplement or eating more enzyme-rich foods such as raw fruits and veggies. Also, be sure to find some time to shake off daily stress.

  • Support your microbes. Gas and bloating are inevitable if your gut health isn’t in great shape. Unfortunately, many aspects of modern life can deplete the beneficial bacteria we’re meant to have and create a microbial imbalance. The good news? Taking an effective probiotic supplement is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward achieving a lifestyle free of gas and bloating. Doing so can also support overall wellness, giving you more energy, improving digestion, strengthening your immune system, and even optimizing your metabolism.

Banish the bloat by trying a premium probiotic formula designed to survive stomach acids like Hyperbiotics PRO-15 which can now be found at your local Target store. With 15 different strains of health-enhancing bacteria and a patented time-released delivery method, the sensitive probiotic organisms are released over an eight-to 10-hour window so that they bypass the acidic environment of your stomach and arrive at their destination alive, where they can set up shop and get to work supporting your digestion at its core.

To learn more, visit hyperbiotics.com or join the conversation on social media at #followyourgut.

For a summer of confidence and comfort, take steps to support your wellness and relieve dreadful gas and bloating by focusing on your digestive health.

Here We Grow: Amazon Fulfillment Center and Costco Building

By Marissa Mitchell

Eastvale – Amazon will soon be opening its new fulfillment center in the Inland Empire, Eastvale, adding at least 1,000 more jobs.

Postings for job positions have been found on local job sites such as Indeed.com for fulfillment managers and employees.

In the city of Eastvale, Amazon employees, will handle and process “small” customer items, including books, electronics, and toys, at a 1 million-square-foot facility built by the Goodman Group.

All over the state, more than 15,000 full-time Amazon employees process and ship customer orders at nine current California fulfillment centers in  in San Bernardino, Eastvale, Redlands, Rialto, Moreno Valley, Tracy and Patterson, in addition to sortation centers in San Bernardino and Newark.

Eastvale City Manager Michele Nissen stated, “This is a really exciting project for us because of the jobs that will be coming.” The jobs will help diversify the economy and community, as well as build revenue.

Because of augmented demand for the Inland Empire Amazon facilities, Nissen declared, “retailers in this position have to expand, otherwise they’re going to lose market share to other competitors.”

Amazon also provides a boost to the economy in the form of education. Amazon’s Career Choice program, offered to Amazon associates who have had at least one year of experience working for the company, pre-pays up to 95 percent of tuition for college courses related to in-demand fields, independent of whether the employee’s skills are relevant to a career at Amazon.

Because of this, more than 9,000 employees have pursued degrees in game design and visual communications, nursing, IT programming and radiology, among other career paths.

Amazon isn’t the only construction happening in Eastvale lately. A new Costco is now in the making – one with the region’s first Costco car wash.

The soon-to-be 158,000 square foot Costco on the east side of Hamner Avenue will showcase a 45-acre retail complex, according to Nissen, who stated, “Assuming there are no additional delays due to weather, we’re hoping Costco will open in late [this year]”.

The Costco will also provide a 30-position gas station.

“Costco has been probably the No. 1 retailer our residents have requested,” Nissen said, “and the sales tax generation from the Costco facility will make a significant difference to the long term sustainability for the city. It’s a conservative estimate that Costco would generate $1 million in sales tax annually to the general fund.”

The proposed retail center will include restaurants and house-shops…up to 14 of them, shaped in an “L.” If approved, Nissen and city planner Eric Norris stated those retailers could open late this year or early 2018.

“We have the Costco coming and we recently announced that we have an additional (Amazon fulfillment center), and between Costco and Amazon, that’s going to bring a substantial amount of employment to Eastvale,” stated Eastvale Councilman Todd Rigby. “And with the employment coming, we know that people that work in an area tend to spend money in the area.”

A Costco spokesperson declined to comment on plans for Eastvale, citing in an email company policy to withhold comment on future Costco locations.

 

Our Life: May Day

By Michael Armijo

May Day is what alarms me. Not because of the significance in history, but the beginning of another “bad memory” time in life. May Day was a traditional day of celebration for laborers across the world, but can also be remembered as a distress call from someone in despair. For me, May Day wasn’t so kind.

ROUND ONE: A few years ago right before Cinco de Mayo, my buddy was going to the hospital. A simple surgery, not to last too long. Maybe a few days in the hospital. It was a “check” on something protruding from his kidney. Not life threatening, more like an exploratory procedure. Well, something went awry, and the laparoscopic procedure went to a surgery. All seemed fine until my dear friend was in deep pain.

Doctors thought of it as a reaction to a “first surgery,” that my friend had never been cut open so his pain was foreign to him. So they discounted his pain as “usual.” But there was nothing usual about what happened. It wasn’t until the morphine didn’t help that he ended up in ICU.

That night they did a CT Scan and found they had accidentally nicked his intestine, which led to his body becoming septic and he suffered from multiple organ failure. But the doctors were hopeful and he seemed to be recovering.

The next morning around 5 am I texted his wife “how’s mike doing?’ Her response was devastating. “He passed away.” I was in such disbelief that I had to go into my daughters room and ask her if I had been reading the text correctly. I thought maybe I misunderstood. I did not. He had passed and there was nothing we could do about it.

ROUND TWO: I remember eating a home made Cinco de Mayo dinner and then making a plate for my father to enjoy. I only lived a block away so I walked over there and gave it to him. He wasn’t feeling well, gestural intestinal problems left him with severe stomach pain. He was like a warrior in battle when it came to illnesses. So I wasn’t too worried. But what I didn’t know that this was the last time I would see him alive. The last time I had an opportunity to give him a hug. Of course I took the opportunity for granted and passed on the hug. Always thinking tomorrow will always be there.

The next day, my parents anniversary, they fought and he left. My mom called me late at night that he wasn’t there. So I proceeded to find him at his rental property in Artesia. After the police and the paramedics came, I was left to wonder why life ends so abruptly. And am I spared?

So May Day has a new meaning that each year I think about. I used to dwell on it and let it affect me. But as the years have passed, and the mistakes have taken their toll, I am left to accept the fact that life does change. It moves on. Sometimes it’s a sad day, but many times it’s a new beginning. It all depends on our outlook on life. It can be that we are looking for the next adventure within our lives or that we can sulk and dishonor the memory of those who have passed by being destructive with our emotions. Selfish with our actions. Self centered about our intentions. Harsh realities can sometimes allow us to redefine a time we can turn a call of distress to a time of celebration. Making it an enjoyable time I now call May Day.

 

Tips From Deputy Myers

Dear Deputy Myers:

How can I become more involved with my community and the Sheriff’s Department?

Did you know the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has numerous volunteers that assist the department with many different aspects of their day to day operations?  It’s true, and there are hundreds of volunteers department wide that are vital to assisting the department in various ways. Being the volunteer coordinator, as well as many other things, I get to see just how valuable the volunteers are to us every day! I directly supervise the Explorers, Mounted Posse, and Citizen Volunteer Patrol.

Not everyone can be an Explorer (due to age restrictions), and not everyone can be a member of the volunteer Mounted Posse (due to not having interest in horses), but nearly anyone over the age of 18 can be a Citizen Volunteer. The Citizen Volunteer Patrol meets once a month (the fourth Wednesday of every month) at 700pm at the Jurupa Valley Station. They have the opportunity to work hand in hand with deputies on patrol, assist with major incidents, DUI checkpoints, provide an added level of eyes and ears on the streets, logistics, and assist with community events (just to name a few). The station Volunteer Citizen Patrol helps in the contract cities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, and the outer lying unincorporated county areas. The Volunteers are a vital part of operations throughout the department.

If being a volunteer sounds like something that may interest you and you have the extra time, please come out to one of our meetings, learn about our program, meet some of our current volunteers, and possibly pick up a background packet to get started in something that can provide you with free training and a sense of community.

Deanna Myers is the Volunteer and Programs Coordinator for the Jurupa Valley Station of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that services the Eastvale Police Department.  She has been with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for about nine years, and most recently was assigned to patrol within the City of Eastvale before moving into her current position where she is in charge of the Neighborhood Watch program for the City of Eastvale.

 

Eastvale Community News Complete Edition May 2017

The Eastvale Community News covers local news for Eastvale, Norco,  Corona, and Chino. Click the following link to access the complete issue in pdf format: 2017-5.EastvaleNews

Remembering Pomona Police Officer Daniel Fraembs

Photo courtesy: Pomona PD

Pomona PD

End of Watch: Saturday, May 11, 1996

Pomona Police Officer Daniel Fraembs was shot and killed while checking on three suspicious subjects, two male gang members and a female, in an industrial area of Pomona on May 11, 1996.

As Officer Fraembs patted down the first male suspect the second man was able to draw a .45 caliber handgun and fatally shot Officer Fraembs.  The gang member responsible was captured and sentenced to death in 1997.

 

Looking back at Officer Daniel Fraembs childhood, he was destined for a career in law enforcement.  Daniel was found orphaned on a beach in Hong Kong and taken into an orphanage by a local policeman. At nine months old, he was adopted by Donald and Dorothy Fraembs of Cincinnati, Ohio, and became a citizen of the United States in 1963. He rose to the rank of sergeant during four years in the U.S. Marine Corps until receiving an honorable discharge, and 3 years later, in 1988, started his appointment to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.  He worked with the Sheriff’s Department for 5 years, before joining the Pomona Police Department.

We will never forget Officer Daniel Fraembs.

Pomona Police Officers Killed in the Line of Duty:

6. Officer Shaun Richard Diamond
Pomona Police Department

EOW: Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

  1. Police Officer Daniel T. Fraembs

Pomona Police Department, CA

EOW: Saturday, May 11, 1996

Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

  1. Captain Richard Barry Zbinden

Pomona Police Department, CA

EOW: Tuesday, August 13, 1991

Cause of Death: Gunfire

 

  1. Officer Carlo Angelo Poggetto

Pomona Police Department, CA

EOW: Monday, March 11, 1957

Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

 

  1. Officer George Edward Muriset

Pomona Police Department, CA

EOW: Friday, April 9, 1954

Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

 

  1. Chief of Police Henry P. Tracy

Pomona Police Department, CA

EOW:  May 3, 1915

Cause of Death: Motorcycle accident

 

5 Camping Essentials for a Safe and Enjoyable Adventure

By StatePoint

More than 30 million Americans camp in tents yearly, according to the Outdoor Foundation. As with any outdoor adventure, having the necessary equipment is crucial.

Whether you’re hiking through backcountry or headed to an established campsite, this checklist will help you prepare for your expedition.

 

  1. Navigation

Approximately 9 million campers backpack to outdoor destinations, making navigation a top safety necessity. Remember that camping often means leaving behind cell coverage, Internet access or a GPS signal, making such low-tech gear as a compass and map mandatory. Other potential tools include a topographic map combined with an altimeter to help gauge your journey’s terrain and altitude.

 

  1. Insulation

Knowing climate and weather conditions is vital. According to Backpacker.com, clothing is just as important as a tent or sleeping bag to stay insulated. Outerwear should repel rain and snow, but also breathe so you don’t get wet from perspiration. Your base layer should be made of moisture-wicking fabric — not cotton — to prevent chafing. Consider that day and night temperatures can differ greatly, so layer clothing, and choose materials and thicknesses appropriate for your destination — and don’t forget a hat and extra socks.

Bring along T-Rex Clear Repair Tape to mend holes or tears in tents or clothing. It sticks to both wet and dry surfaces, ensuring an easy and instant fix to keep gear insulated in any weather condition.

 

  1. Illumination

Campers should always bring enough illumination to be able to safely see and move after sundown, especially in case you get delayed, lost or separated from the group. While flashlights are obvious choices, headlamps are popular, as they allow for hands-free operation, and are typically small and lightweight. Another feature to consider is a strobe lighting mode for emergency situations.

Extra batteries are essential as battery lighting was the most popular purchase among adult campers in 2014, according to the Outdoor Foundation. Available in single-use or rechargeable models, ideally the batteries should offer a balance of long duration, high performance and environmental friendliness.

 

  1. Emergency/First Aid Kit

Accidents happen to even the most experienced and best prepared campers. Your kit can prove invaluable if you, or another member of your group, are in a first-aid situation, need gear repaired or are under other tense conditions.

SectionHiker.com proposes supplies such as a pre-assembled first-aid kit, a multi-tool, knife, scissors, screwdriver and safety pins. You can then add other items based on preference and experience. A useful addition is a high-quality tape, like T-Rex Tape, as it can be used to repair hiking poles, patch sleeping bags, make a rope, temporarily stabilize an injury or broken boot, and more. T-Rex Clear Repair Tape can even be used to fix cracked GPS or phone screens and flashlights.

 

  1. Hydration and Nutrition

Food is an enjoyable part of camping, but deciding what to bring will depend on whether you’re backpacking miles to your site or camping near your car, as well as how many days you’ll be gone. If you’re trekking far, be prepared with lightweight and nourishing options.

Water is essential but heavy, so check the area for potential natural sources. “Mountaineering” suggests carrying a collapsible water reservoir and purification tablets to ensure water safety. Freeze-dried meals are popular selections, however, no-cook meals with long shelf lives are better in arid regions. Other possibilities include energy bars, nuts, dried fruits or jerky. Never leave out animal-attracting leftovers, as that could attract unwanted intruders.

“Essentials” are called so for a reason. Don’t be caught camping without proper supplies. With these necessities, it will be easy to prepare for and enjoy your next adventure in the great outdoors.

Meatloaf Balsamico

Photo courtesy: Hello Fresh

with Sweet Potato Mash and Green Beans

By Hello Fresh

Cooking Time: 40 mins.

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 670 Calories

Ingredients:

 

  • Garlic- 2 Cloves
  • Parsley- 1/4 oz
  • Green Beans- 12 oz
  • Yellow Onion- 1
  • Panko Breadcrumbs- 1/2 cup
  • Ground Beef- 16 oz
  • Balsamic Vinegar- 2 tbsp
  • Ketchup- 4 tbsp
  • Sweet Potato- 2
  • Honey- 4 tsp
  • Sliced Almonds- 1 oz

 

  1. PREHEAT AND PREP Wash and dry all produce. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mince or grate 1 clove garlic (we sent more). Chop parsley. Trim green beans. Halve and peel onion. Using a box grater, grate one half into a large bowl (use the rest as you like).
  2. BAKE MEATLOAVES Add garlic, parsley, panko, beef, and ½ tsp salt to bowl with onion. Season with pepper, then mix with hands to combine. Form into two 1-inch-tall loaves and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix 1 TBSP balsamic vinegar (we sent more) and ketchup, then brush onto meatloaves. Bake in oven until no longer pink in center, about 25 minutes total.

3 BOIL SWEET POTATO Peel and chop sweet potato into ½-inch cubes. Place in a large pot with a pinch of salt and enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and cook until easily pierced by a knife, about 10 minutes. Drain and return to pot.

4.  ROAST GREEN BEANS After meatloaves have baked 10 minutes, remove from oven. Toss green beans on same baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. (TIP: Use tongs to avoid burning your hands.) Return to oven and bake until meatloaves are cooked

through and green beans are slightly browned, about 15 minutes more.

5 MASH SWEET POTATO Mash sweet potato in pot with a fork or potato masher until mostly

smooth. (TIP: If potatoes have cooled, quickly reheat over medium-low heat.) Add 1 TBSP butter and honey. Continue mashing to melt butter and combine. Season generously with salt and pepper

6 FINISH AND SERVE When meatloaves and green beans are done, sprinkle almonds over

green beans and toss to combine. Divide meatloaves between plates and serve with sweet potato mash and green beans on the side

SB 130 Restores Funding to Eastvale

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.

A Small Box

By Mark Hopper

I think most husbands have difficulty finding gifts for their wife.  After many years of marriage, it is hard to think of something new and creative to give her. From a husband’s perspective,  most wives who have been married for 25 or 30 years have everything they need.  We have been married 45 years!  What else could she possibly need?

Since I wasn’t sure what to do,  I called one of our daughters and asked for some suggestions.  One idea she thought of was to give my wife theater tickets to a Musical that was coming to southern California in the spring. The nice thing about theater tickets is that my wife enjoys receiving them and she looks forward to the date we will actually use them!  The anticipation adds to the enjoyment.

Another suggestion was to give my wife a gift card to one of her favorite clothing stores so she could pick out a dress or an outfit herself.  That does eliminate the surprise factor but it does allow her to find something she likes. Finally in desperation, I decided to go to the Mall myself on the Saturday before Christmas and see what I could find.  I had a budget in mind and thought I would start in the jewelry department.  The Mall was crowded and parking was scarce, but I was determined to not leave without a Christmas gift for my wife.  After I finally found a parking space, I set out on my quest.

Since I had not been to the jewelry department in years, it took me a while to find it.  Several helpful clerks were waiting for me. I’m sure they know what a desperate husband looks like on Christmas Eve. I decided to lay my cards on the table and simply asked the clerk what could I buy within my budget?  I was surprised at how willing they were to help me.  They even had some items on sale within my price range. When I picked out the item I liked,  they informed me that the special reduced sale price wasn’t available until after Christmas. Bummer!  But, they assured me that they could check with their manager and see if they could sell me the item at the special after Christmas reduced price now.  Was this a scam?  Was I their next victim?  I held my breath.

Finally, the clerk returned with good news.  They were glad to sell me the item now at the after Christmas price.  It was within my budget and they even offered to wrap it.  Success!

Before they wrapped the little velvet box, they removed the price tag and gave it to me.  According to the tag, the original price was several times higher than what I paid.  I was impressed with my bargaining skills! I left the Mall with a gift in hand.  Like Julius Caesar said,  “Venti, vidi, vici” – “I came, I saw and I conquered”.

My wife was thrilled with her Christmas gift.  It was a winner.  She couldn’t believe that I would buy something this nice.  She was very pleased and very surprised.  Who was I?  Where was her real husband?? I managed to leave the price tag in an obscure place knowing that she would eventually find it.  When she saw it a few days after Christmas, she called me immediately and asked if I had really spent that much on her gift. I reassured her that she was worth every cent, but I tried to avoid telling her I that I had actually paid the after Christmas super discount price.  I hope you won’t tell her either. I hope your holidays were as much fun as ours.  Gift giving is a risky business.  It is hard to find the right gift for the woman who already has everything!  This Christmas was a winner!

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

EFreedb.org

“Our Everything”

By Pastor Dennis Morales

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”Psalm 18:2

David, the author of this Psalm, writes eight titles referencing God and His reliability.  He experienced God’s hand of protection and deliverance from his enemies and now David is worshipping God for His faithfulness during battle.  I’m sure David sang often in battle.  I heard it once said a young boy was trying to pull a large weed from his front yard.  Suddenly, the weed came out, root and all, and the boy was thrown back and fell in the process.

A man happened to be passing by and replied to the young boy, “That sure was a hard pull!”  The boy replied, “It sure is tough when you have the whole world pulling against you.”  We can all feel what this boy said at times.   The cares and concerns of the “pulling world” have a way of fading away in God’s presence.  Pressures, demands, deadlines, and failures are no match for the reliability of God.   He strengthens you when you are at your weakest point (2 Corinthians 12:9).  David rejoiced that God was everything he needed to get through the most difficult of situations.   When the battle rages or the world pulls, it takes strong faith to worship.  But as you worship, you will find the One supplying the strength to worship is your “stronghold.”  God is closer than you think and He is “able to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”  (Phil 4:19).

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays 8:30 & 10:30 am, Wednesdays at 7pm at Clara Barton Elementary School (7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale). 

Mustang Signing Day

Walnut High athletes make college commitments official

 By Kelli Gile

WALNUT, CA—Walnut High School celebrated seven elite athletes who have received scholarships to play college sports during a lunchtime ceremony on Wednesday.

Bella Amezcua – soccer, Jacob Garcia, Royce Labuguen, Frankie Zamarripa, and Brandon Godoy – baseball, Malia Avila – track, and Mia Dow – wrestling, signed national letters of intent as families and friends cheered them on.

“It’s exciting! Today makes all the years of hard work pay off,” said defender Bella Amezcua who committed to play soccer at Cal State University, Dominquez Hills.

Four varsity baseball teammates committed to continue playing their sport at the collegiate level during the May 4 event.

“It felt really good signing these papers today!” said pitcher Royce Labuguen who will attend Cal State University, Dominguez hills.

Labuguen said “it felt like home” when he recently toured the campus and met with the coaching staff.

“They’re really nice and welcoming.”

“This is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. It’s a dream come true,” said first baseman Frankie Zamarripa who will attend Clarke University in Dubuque Iowa.

Zamarripa said he’s been playing since he was about seven-years-old.

“Swinging the bat and throwing the ball has always been fun for me!”

Pitcher and outfielder Jacob Garcia will attend Cal State University, Stanislaus and third-baseman Brandon Godoy will attend Cal Poly University, Pomona.

Mia Dow, the most decorated wrestler at Walnut High, took 4th place during the CIF State Championships in February. She will be playing her sport at MacMurray College in Jackson, Illinois next year.

Track and field sprinter Malia Avila committed to attend Concordia University.

“This school had everything I was looking for!” said the star athlete who competed in the 300-meter hurdles at CIF State Championships.

Learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Sampa

Sampa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is offering a $199 Special for June, July & Aug. 2017 for Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Fitness. Visit Sampa at 18856 Amar Road Suite 4 in Walnut. You may also call them at (626) 238-3309.

By Staff Reports

 

Walnut– Right here in Walnut, people are discovering the secrets of one of the world’s most proven and effective ground-fighting and self-defense martial art: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Sampa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy not only teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but kickboxing and fitness boot camp classes are also available for adults and kids. However, their main focus is developing values, self-control, and self-discipline.

Owner and teacher, Renato Migliaccio, goes by “Professor Renato” at Sampa.  With over 22 years in teaching and over 30 years of experience in this field, he encourages to spread the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to as many people as possible in order to affect their lives and their community in a positive way.

In addition, Sampa’s culture is different than other martial arts places. “Every place caters to what they like the most, but here we are like families, training together, and doing effective martial arts in a safe environment,” said Migliaccio.

The passion that Professor Renato has for this field has encouraged him to continue his education so he can teach and help others. He has obtained a bachelor’s degree in physical education, many certifications in the field and industry, 4th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 3rd in Judo, and he is a former MMA pro fighter.

When asked if there was anything he would like his customers to know, he states, “Yes, that many people underestimate martial arts due to the many martial arts studios that are too profit oriented. But the essence of martial arts is the priority here: education and self-discipline.”

Sampa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is currently offering a $199 Exclusive Special for the months of June, July & Aug. for Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing & Fitness. You can visit Sampa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 18856 Amar Road Suite 4 in Walnut. They are located between Francesca Dr. and Amber Valley cross streets. You may also call them at (626) 238-3309. Further information is available on their website at http://www.sampabrazilianjiujitsu.com.

 

Why Buy Now!

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

Real Estate Values in Diamond Bar and Chino Hills Have now surpassed the price points they reached at the height of the market in 2006.  They had a precipitous fall from that point down to levels not seen since 2002. Since real estate cycles are more pronounced in California than other parts of the country, why would anyone buy real estate at these levels, when every day we get closer to another downturn?

There are many reasons why it is still a good time to buy.  First of all, buying real estate to occupy as a residence is far different from buying real estate for investment.  The most important factor in buying a “home” is the quality of life that one is seeking to enjoy. It is the sense of having one’s “own castle” or one’s own “Nest”, where you do what you want to do (within reason) and no one can tell you different. You can hang up pictures on walls, choose and paint the interior whatever color you choose, and change out carpets for hardwood or tile floors, put in whatever plants you choose, and the list goes on.

A large part of that sense of “Home” is in the security of knowing what your payments are going to be, month after month, season after season, year after year (if you choose a fixed rate mortgage). Fixed Rate mortgages continue to run about 3.75-4.25%, well at the low range of historical levels.  The fised rate loan is what locks in the payments for the long term. Contrast that sure feeling to the insecurity of renting, where one is at risk of rental increases, year after 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.