Author Archives: ABC Public Relations

Straight Talk With Danice

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

I dont want a gun- a letter from Evelyn

By Danice Akiyoshi, N.D.

Q: My husband has become very p a r a n o i d about all of the shootings that have been on the news. He owns several guns and he is always asking me to go with him to the shooting range to practice. I go with him so I can keep up my skills and I hope this will help him feel better, but now he wants me to choose a gun for myself. I do not want a gun for myself. I do not really feel comfortable with guns. I carry a taser device instead and I don’t want to go any further with my personal protection devices. He says he needs me to be prepared to protect our family in case he’s not home, but guns are not for me. I don’t want my own personal gun. I need your advice.

A: This is a personal choice. You have every right to make this decision for yourself. The fact that you accompany him to the shooting range and are willing to understand basic gun operations in order to protect your family is quite cooperative of you. If you don’t choose to be a gun owner yourself, state that firmly to your husband. Let him know that you’ve agreed with and taken the proper steps to back him up in an emergency but you are just not willing to take it to the next level of purchasing a gun for yourself. If he pressures you, then point out that he is acting in a way that is similar to the people he fears.

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

Uniqueness of Christianity

By  Pastor Ed Moreno

Jesus said in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This claim rankles people like no other. Christians have been called arrogant, narrow-minded, and bigoted for saying Jesus is the only way to God. But the thing is, Jesus is the one who says that. Christians are just relating what Jesus said.

Part of the reason why this claim is so controversial is because it strikes at the core of three great myths about religion. I’ll briefly address the first one. The first myth says: “When you get down to it, all religions are basically the same.” The truth is that there are major differences between the religions of the world. And Christianity is like no other.  Christianity’s uniqueness is rooted in the uniqueness of Jesus himself.

Someone once noted that other religious leaders say, “Follow me and I’ll show you how to find truth.”  But Jesus says, “I am the truth.”

Other religious leaders say, “Follow me and I’ll show you the way to salvation.”  But Jesus says,  “I am the way to eternal life in heaven.”

Other religious leaders say, “Follow me and I’ll show you how to become enlightened.”  But Jesus says, “I am the light.”

Other religious leaders say, “Follow me and I’ll show you the door that leads to God.”   But Jesus says, “I am the door.”

Then Jesus adds, “So follow Me.”

What the different religions of the world teach contradict each other, so let’s not pretend they are all true. That’s irrational. They can’t all be true. What one needs to look for is who authenticated their claims.  Jesus claimed to be divinity and the only way to God, so how does he back up his claims? Jesus backs up his claims with unique credentials that make him uniquely credible.

For example, Jesus fulfilled dozens of centuries-old prophecies against all mathematical odds of probability. And unlike other religious leaders, Jesus performed great miracles that further authenticated his claim of being God’s one and only Son. And in the most spectacular demonstration of his deity, Jesus fulfilled his own prediction by rising from the grave after three days exactly as he said he would. And this was witnessed by more than 500 people.  No other religious leader ever did the powerful things Jesus did.  So, it’s not narrow-minded to say Jesus is the only way to God if the overwhelming evidence supports that claim.

New Day Christian Church meets Sundays at 9:30 and 11 a.m.  They are located at 7155 Hamner Avenue, at Schleisman Road, next to the Fire Station.  For more information, call (951) 278-8367, or visit http://www.newdaycc.net.

78-Year Old Hiker Dies On Beloved Mountain

By Marissa Mitchell

San Dimas, CA – After days of searching, rescuers discovered the body of missing hiker Suek “Sam” Kim on Mount Baldy this past Tuesday afternoon, April 11th.

The 78-year-old had climbed Mount Baldy, Los Angeles County’s highest peak and the fourth tallest in Southern California, over 800 times, according to reports.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department discovered the body via a helicopter crew on the north side of the mountain at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, search-and-rescue teams from 5 different counties were searching for Kim.

On Friday, he had gone hiking but never returned; Sunday, he was reported missing.

The Los Angeles Times profiled Sam Kim last year. Kim had stated that he wanted to complete his thousandth climb in 2017.

Kim considered himself a sort of “ambassador” or representative to the mountain, handing out snacks to hikers and taking pictures with them.

From this time on, due to the location of the body, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department San Dimas Station will control the investigation.

Courtesy: Los Angeles Times

2 Die and 4 Injured in Church Parking Lot Accident

By Marissa Mitchell

 

Chino – A man driving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) struck six people in a church parking lot on Sunday, April 9, killing two and injuring four. Police say it was not terrorist-related.

The crash occurred at 7 p.m. in the parking lot of East Sarang Community Church, locate at 5540 Schaefer Avenue in Chino, CA. After an event held at the church, the senior male driver of the charcoal gray SUV reversed too forcibly when backing out, going over a curb and striking six pedestrians.

All six victims were women, and two were killed immediately upon impact. The other four were seriously injured, but with non-life threatening injuries. The driver and his passenger also sustained non-serious injuries, per the police, and were transported to the hospital as well.

“We do not believe that any alcohol or drugs played a part in this collision,” stated Lt. Kevin Mensen of Chino PD. The investigation is ongoing.

All six female victims were attending the event at the church, but were not members.

Police do not believe the crash to be intentional, but there is no immediate cause for the crash at this time.

Kevin Mensen stated of the driver, “We don’t know what his coherentness was. We don’t know what caused [his sudden acceleration], whether his age or anything else.”

The names of the person involved have yet to be released.

Prior Chino Hills City Hall Being Bought Out By Private Owner

By Marissa Mitchell

 

Chino Hills – On April 4, the Chino Hills Planning Commission met to discuss the plan that private owner Trumark Homes is requesting approval of for the area over which previously stood Chino Hills City Hall.

Due to various issues with municipal code and site plan reviews, the hearing was continued to April 18, and the report from that review meeting is still being drafted.

What is termed as the “Founders Village Project” because it is located on Founders Drive has been beset with various issues. Previously the location of Chino Hills Civic Center, with the new purchase, the sloped areas of the property would be designated as “private open space” and the flat area of the property would be classified as “medium density residential.”

Discussed at this planning meeting was the adoption a Municipal Code Amendment, which would exempt developments consisting only of duplex housing units from the obligatory building separation standards for multi-family developments in Chino Hills Municipal Code (CHMC).

There would be 38 duplexes consisting of 76 dwelling units in this former municipally-owned area. These proposed 76 units would range from 2,442 sq. ft. to 2,569 sq. ft, each unit possessing five (5) bedrooms, a two-car garage, and a minimum of 525 square feet of private open space (such as backyard space).

Senior Planner Ryan Gackstetter presented the information on this project to the Planning Commission on April 4. The project applications include a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, Municipal Code Amendment, Site Plan Review, and Vesting Tentative Tract Map. Overall, it would help the city reach housing and population goals.

One public speaker and resident of the adjacent neighborhood on Deer Haven Drive, Antonio Tau, voiced concerns about parking. He stated that the on-street parking within the project may be insufficient, and so residents and guests would park on surrounding streets, such as his own. He suggested prohibitions to overnight parking or required permits as a solution to this potential problem. This concern played a part in the continuation of the hearing until April 18.

The senior planner Gackstetter stated of the proposed alterations and concerns, and the private application overall, “The applicant is making concerted efforts and strides toward adaptation to code and paying heed to surrounding citizens’ concerns.”

A few of the issues the Commission discussed with both staff and applicant included the following: street improvements and project requirements to ensure driver visibility entering and exiting Founders Drive; guest parking on the driveways of the duplex units with fewer on-street parking; landscaping, irrigation, and maintenance of project perimeter slopes; project design, the connection of the duplex units, and the quality of the architecture, among others.

After the application is brought to the commission, it will be brought before the City Council Citizens of Chino Hills will soon see just what their “old” city hall becomes, and who that land houses.

Planes Of Fame Has Much To Offer

Photo courtesy: Planes of Fame The Cessna L-19/O-1E Bird Dog in action.

Photo courtesy: Planes of Fame
The Cessna L-19/O-1E Bird Dog in action.

Staff Reports

Chino – From the Air Museum and the Airshow to the delicious food at the café, there are several reasons to visit the Planes of Fame.

The Planes of Fame Air Museum at Historic Cal Aero Field in Chino, was founded in 1957 by Edward Maloney.  It is the oldest independently operated aviation museum in the United States.

The museum collection spans the history of manned flight from the Wright Flyer to the space age Apollo Capsule. They house over 150 Aircraft and displays. Many of the Aircraft are flyable, including the P-51 Mustang, F4U Corsair, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-40 Warhawk, B-25 Mitchell, P-38 Lightning, F-86 Sabre & Russian Mig 15.

Their Mission is to preserve aviation history, inspire interest in aviation, educate the public, and honor aviation pioneers and veterans.

The are a non profit 501 (c)(3) organization that has grown for the past 57 years through donations. They receive no monies from the government.

​The Planes of Fame Air Show is another exciting feature of the airport. On May 6-7 at the Chino Airport celebrates the history, contributions, and sacrifices of our Veterans and Aviation Pioneers as they commemorate the “60th Anniversary of  Planes of Fame Air Museum”. This year’s air show will feature over 50 historic aircraft, performing for your enjoyment. Performers include: U.S.A.F. F-35 Lightning II Heritage Flight Team, N9MB Flying Wing Demonstration, Sea Fury Aerobatics by Sanders Aeronautics, Jelly Belly Airplane, Greg Colyer T-33 Aerobatics, Rob Harrison and the Tumbling Bear, and over 40 WWII aircraft including the F4U Corsair, B-25 Mitchell , P-40 Warhawk, and P-51 Mustang. There will be panel discussions with honored Veterans, Military vehicles, a ‘Kids Zone’, Food, Drinks and Vendors!

Saturday and Sunday May 6-7 2017  8am – 4pm   See all of your favorite airplanes fly!

SAVE $5 ORDER TICKETS ONLINE! (Hurry! Limited Time Offer)

Free Admission Kids 11 Years & Under, General $25 FREE PARKING! (Preferred Parking $17.50) FOR INFO AND TICKETS GO TO WWW.PLANESOFFAME.ORG

The Planes of Fame Air Museum is located at 7000 Merrill Avenue #17, Chino, CA  91710 You can reach them at 909-597-3722.

Where He Leads

By Pastor Dennis Morales

Be strong and of good courage…for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  – Joshua 1:9

The children of Israel were ready to cross the Jordan into the Promise Land, but there was one thing in their way, the Jordan.  It was Harvest and it was a torrent of rushing water and virtually impassible (Joshua 3:15).  God instructed Joshua that they were to cross regardless.  God added He will be with them and He would make the Jordan passable.  In a “step of faith,” the priests were instructed to go first and to take the Ark of the Covenant and start the process.  God said when the feet of the priests dip in the edge of the water that the waters would part.  So God lead them and parted the waters the moment the priests dipped their feet in the water just as He said He would.  God also told the priests to stand on the dry river bed until every last person had crossed.  Why?  The Ark of the Covenant stands as a reminder of God’s presence.  He wanted the people to know He was with them as they passed through the waters.  Where is God leading you?  Does it seem difficult or impossible?  Remember wherever God leads you, He will be with you.  Daniel was lead to the Lion’s den as a result of his faithfulness to God but God shut the mouths of the Lions.  Jesus told His disciples “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).  God reminds His people in Scripture “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).  God’s strength is realized in allowing God’s leading.

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

 

Playing Catch

By Pastor Mark Hopper

On a recent trip, my wife and I were able to visit some of our out-of-town grandchildren.  They have grown up so much since we saw them last summer.  It was delightful to spend time with them.

One grandson specifically requested that I bring a baseball and a glove so that we could play catch together.  He has a glove and a ball, but you need two to play catch.  I was glad to oblige.

One day we grabbed our gloves and a well worn baseball and walked to a nearby field.  It wasn’t a traditional baseball field.  It didn’t have a back stop, pitcher’s mound or bases.  But, it was covered with green grass and bright colored yellow wild flowers.   It looked more like a mountain meadow that a baseball diamond.

We started to play catch.  While we tossed the baseball back and forth, and we talked.  We talked about the weather and if it was likely to rain today.  We talked about how beautiful it was with the fresh green grass and beautiful flowers covering the field.

We talked about some of the unusual rules that there are in baseball.  For example, when you are batting and the catcher drops the ball on a third strike, you can still run to first base.  There is a rule that says if you bunt the third strike into foul territory you are automatically out.

There is a rule that says if the pitcher hits the batter with the ball, the batter automatically gets to go to first base.  And, there is another rule that says if a batter hits the ball over the outfield fence it is a home run, but if the ball bounces over the fence it is only a double.

We also talked about life.  We talked about what it was like to be nine years old.  We talked about his school and what he was learning. We also talked about his friends and what they are like.

I’m sure we talked about a lot more things.  We played catch for quite a while.  It was relaxing and casual.  He dropped a few throws but he caught most of them.  My grandson is a pretty good ball player.  Who knows, maybe he will be in the majors one day.

But, regardless of what the future holds, I will remember playing catch with my grandson for a long time.

Let me encourage you to make a plan and take some time to spend with someone special in your life.  It is not the activity that matters but spending time together.

Is there someone who has been asking you to do something with them recently?  Have you put it off because you are too busy to do it right now?  Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.  Make a plan and set aside some time to do something soon.  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

 

 

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 4.22.17

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: 2017-04-22-WeeklyNews

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 4.15.17

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: 2017-04-15-WeeklyNews

Spreading Good In The World

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops 

I am very blessed in that, as a therapist, I help people heal and then allow them to become the best version of themselves.  This is truly why I was put in this world.  As awesome as my life’s work is, please don’t underestimate the power that you all have in this world.  Every morning when Midnight – my dog – and I are doing our miles of walking we always run into people in our neighborhood.  It always amazes me how when they see Midnight they smile and when I say hello and wish them a beautiful day they light up.  It’s in the moment of connection with another being that we all have the chance to spread the good in our world.

You may not be a therapist, but each and every day you all have the power to spread the good in the world.  Saying hello and wishing somebody a beautiful day can make somebody’s entire day.  It’s such a simple act of kindness and goodness and you don’t need lots of letters after your name to do this.  I chat with the crossing guards as they help Midnight and I make our way safely across the street.  I chat with my neighbors and everybody I can.  I wish them some good and they smile.  It’s about giving the gift of joy and spreading the good and ultimately changing somebody’s day.  If you and I offer this gift, then hopefully they will pay it forward.

Yes I am an optimist, and I do have faith that we can change this world for the better.  It starts with you and me and even Midnight.  Together we can spread the good and help everybody understand that they have the power to make our world a better place.

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 4.8.17

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: Weekly Full PDF 4.8.17

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 4.1.17

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: 04-01.2017OurWeeklyNews

Valuing Differences

C.J. Morris students write friendship book for special needs class

By Kelli Gile

WALNUT–Two C.J. Morris Elementary 3rd graders believe that everyone has a right to have friends, especially students with autism.

Nyla Rivera and Kailyn Park feel so strongly that they’ve written a book to support special needs students on their campus.

Last year as a 2nd grader, Rivera noticed a few students sitting alone at recess and lunchtime.

One boy was even quietly talking to himself, while another child replied a gruff “leave me alone” when she offered a hello.

Rivera didn’t understand why.

“I would see them so quiet, just waiting for a friend,” the eight-year-old explained.

“This year, I found out they have autism and they need friends.”

The eight-year-old decided to take action. She recruited her best friend and classmate, Kailyn, and the two girls quickly began spending their free time with kids in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) class.

“Now they know we’re not strangers,” said nine-year-old Park.

“And little by little, they began to trust us and started talking to us.”

This month, the girls collaborated on another project together.

They’ve written “Everyone Has a Right” and are currently completing illustrations to honor the dozen students in Rochelle Mortensen’s ASD class.

They recently offered the students a “sneak preview” of their gift.

“It was a huge thing when they got the book. They really appreciated it,” Park said.

The story is intended to be an encourager for the students to make friends.

“If you try, you can do it!” Park says in the story.

Making friends is a real challenge for our students with autism, Mortensen explained.

Students identified on the spectrum are impacted in their development of social and communication skills.

“We have social lessons every morning. But with students like Nyla and Kailyn, they can practice these skills and learn to fit in,” she added.

“These two girls have a special bond with the students and wanted to brighten their day with this book,”3rd grade teacher Shayleen Ojeda said.

“They are such amazing students with so much empathy.”

Once the drawings are complete, Ojeda plans to have the book professionally printed and bound, and offer copies for sale.

All proceeds will be donated to special needs classes in Walnut Valley USD.

“It’s very exciting,” said Mortensen who has promised to purchase copies for each of her students.

One ASD student recently announced “You’re going to be my best friends forever!” Park shared.

“He doesn’t like a lot of things, but he likes us.”

“It feels good!” said Rivera.

“They know we’re not bullies and we like them just as they are.”

 

 

Our Life: Lost In “Reality”

By Marissa Mitchell

Looking at the way in which people are fettered to their phones, their computers, their watches, their iPads, their televisions, it’s a wonder that anyone would ever be able to stay present in the moment. Today, I spent most of my waking hours in front of some sort of screen, running around in a fossil-fuel operated mechanism between screened devices.

It is times like these that intermittently I will experience a pang of grief for our current state of “being” and for the generations to come. Will our children and grandchildren be chained to the pixeled and coded world, somewhere in limbo between the life of the living and virtual reality?

Not only mourning for future generations, I mourn for myself. For all the lost time caught in a fantasy world of nonexistence of…what exactly? It’s hard to explain. However, I know that in that world, I don’t really have to face my own. Or, I can become so consumed with work-related tasks that the meaning of life completely eludes me (as though I even knew what that was).

The “being present” aspect that so many yoga and meditative fads are espousing is not less meaningful for being supported by what many people would qualify as “odd” or “hippy” people. At the end of the movie A Dog’s Purpose, the dog finally finds out his life purpose: to “be here now.” Simple. That’s it.

When my dad, a hospice doctor, found out his entire medical company was switching to virtual records, he bemoaned the potential loss of his precious “patient cards,” paper cards on which he wrote down all of his patients’ important information, as well as special reminders for each. Though then I was inclined to think of him as old-fashioned, simply unwilling to change, now I can appreciate just how much the tactile feel a patient’s card prior to a visit can mean to him, how much that can really identify that patient, for him, and for them.

I mourn for the loss of the days when families, not having these things, were forced to interact with one another. So much of our time is spent in virtual hypnotism, this kind of surreal immersion, that our most wonderful moments with the ones we care about, or who we may even come to care about, are lost to us. But we chose it to be that way.

I am no different. But I want a change. I want to live in this system of a virtual world insomuch as I need it, but no more. That way, when I come to end of my days here, I will have so many moments that I can fondly look back on of my very own, I won’t be able to contain my joy for having had them.

How Everyday People Can Train Like Elite Athletes

By Dr. Greg Wells

Do you have dreams of becoming a professional athlete? Then you better lace up your skates.

Of the five most popular professional team sports in North America, those who play high school hockey have the best opportunity – a one in 598 chance – to play professionally. Unfortunately, people have better odds of being killed in a car accident – one in 113.

Just because your childhood dreams being a superstar have been dashed, doesn’t mean you can’t train like an elite athlete.

Dr. Greg Wells (www.DrGregWells.com), a scientist who specializes in extreme human physiology, and author of the book “The Ripple Effect: Eat, Sleep, Move And Think Better,” says that many people are starting to recognize their poor health habits and are taking action to change them.

“People are now understanding the necessity of being active, and that allows them to do their job better,” says Wells. “There is a definite link between movement and the brain.”

Some of the training methods elite athletes subscribe to include getting eight to 10 hours of sleep and waking early to work out. They like to lift heavy sets of weights, perform dynamic exercises and hire fitness coaches to motivate them.

On the other side of that coin, there is a world health crisis taking place and its being caused by three main factors:

• Poor Sleep
Drive by a large office complex and you can usually look up and see more than a few lights on in the building. In an effort to get ahead – or more likely just keep up – people are sacrificing sleep, a major component to performing at the highest level possible. Those who are able to get between seven and nine hours of sleep at night, reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cancer. Good sleep helps strengthen the immune system, boost problem-solving and creativity, reduce stress, builds muscle, regulates appetite and helps us manage mental and emotional health.
• Lack Of Physical Activity
A lack of physical activity can affect the first topic – sleep – causing the harmful effects that go with it. Lack of sleep, however, could be the least of concern for those who don’t get enough exercise. A 2015 University of Cambridge study found that twice as many deaths may be attributable to lack of physical activity compared with the number of deaths attributable to obesity.
• Poor Nutrition
Poor nutrition habits – which include under- or over-eating, not having enough of the healthy foods we need each day, or consuming too many types of food that are high in fat, salt and/or sugar can lead to short-term and long term negative effects on the body. Short term effects include stress, fatigue and illness, while long term effects include tooth decay, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and even some forms of cancer.

April 7 is World Health Day and May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. These are great times to get moving on your physical fitness plans, while concentrating on maintaining a healthy sleeping pattern, getting physically active and incorporating healthy foods into your diet.

About Dr. Greg Wells

Athlete, expedition adventurer and physiologist to the world’s best athletes and business people, as well as an Olympic commentator for Canadian TV, Dr. Greg Wells (www.DrGregWells.com) is an authority on high performance and human physiology. Wells’ latest book, “The Ripple Effect: Eat, Sleep, Move And Think Better,” hit shelves earlier this year. Dr. Wells is an assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Toronto where he studies elite sport performance. He also serves as an associate scientist of physiology and experimental medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children, where he leads the Exercise Medicine Research Program.

Our Life: It Takes A Village

By Michael Armijo

“I am not insane.  I am angry.  I killed because people like me are mistreated every day.  I did this to show society push us and we will push back.”  This statement came from a note a boy wrote in Mississippi after he went to school and open fire killing two classmates with a rifle.  “Never in a million years did I think this would’ve happened here,” a  Kentucky resident said after another student open fire into an unsuspecting teacher.  Now these communities are struggling to find out why this happened and whether it could have been prevented.  Will we find ourselves saying the same some day?  How do we go about preventing this type of tragedy from happening here in our community?  Is anyone exempt from tragedy?

The recent shootings at schools and recent incidents involving students and children are on the increase and alarming.  I believe that none of us are exempt from tragedy, and I feel we need to prevent such tragedy, or at least try.

I believe the parents of these children are very much responsible for the actions of these kids.  As a parent of two children, a seven-year-old and a twelve-year-old, I am willing to take responsibility for my own.  I did not have a perfect childhood nor was I a perfect father.  But I’ve taken the time and effort to recognize how my parenting skills are and I’ve spent the last eight years trying to better myself.  Education, stronger health habits, counseling, and even forgiveness.  I’ve been there and done that.  Although I do not profess omniscience, I do know where my heart is and where my head should be.

As we’ve stated in our mission statement, this paper was designed to be a pro-positive publication that promotes education, communication, positive reinforcement, understanding, care and awareness.  We are not a forum for political power nor do we have a quest to be rich or famous.  We don’t want to change the world, we just want to change your outlook on life.  We just want to help.

In the last five months of 1997, there were four shootings, ten dead, and twenty-two wounded.  In each attack, a boy under the age of 16 was charged.  Child perpetrators that have lashed out at society by killing others didn’t develop this type of anger over night and they certainly weren’t born with it.  As a community we need to remember that it does take a village to raise a child.  I think it’s time to start watering the garden so that we can still stop and smell the roses. (originally written in Jan 1998. How much have we, as a society, changed since then?)

Hands Down

By Pastor Rob Norris

Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12

In a classic Sunday comic strip from Charles Schulz, creator of Peanuts, Linus is eating a sandwich and Lucy is nearby as he begins to ponder. “Hands are fascinating things,” he says. “I like my hands. I think I have nice hands. My hands seem to have a lot of character. These are hands which may someday accomplish great things. These are hands which may someday do marvelous works. They may build mighty bridges, or heal the sick, or hit home runs, or write soul-stirring novels. These are hands which may someday change the course of destiny!”

A moment of silence. Then Lucy’s one-line reply: “They’ve got jelly on them.”

Even as we laugh, we know that Lucy’s comment is typical of the way she treats other people.  unfortunately, it is also a picture of how you can treat your spouse. Rather than encouraging your spouse and building him or her up, you choose instead of be the voice of criticism and harsh reality.

Dr. John Gottman, a leading expert in sociological research, conducted a 10-year study to determine the types of communication — both verbal and nonverbal — The four critical elements he determined as being the most detrimental.

  • Criticism — nagging, deflating, picking at each other
  • Contempt — rolling your eyes, discounting the other’s value
  • Defensiveness — refusing to hear the truth or to deal with self
  • Stonewalling — retreating, withdrawing, not saying anything

Live it:

Take a look at how you are relating with one another and see how you can use attitudes and words to strengthen and encourage one another.
Pray

Invite the Lord to intervene every time you feel like saying something you shouldn’t..

 

Join us Easter Sunday for a Easter Celebration Service and Egg Hunt, Meeting @ 10:00 at River Heights Intermediate School 7227 Scholar Way, Eastvale CA.

 

 

Designing Your Own Life

By Nancy Stoops

Do you let everybody else run your life?  Do you feel as though you have no choices and that life can’t ever get better?  What is it that seems to keep you stuck?  How many times have you asked yourself these questions?  Let’s see if we can’t answer a few of them.  I think we let others run our lives because we feel that we don’t know how to, and, out of fear, we allow others to run things for us.  In terms of feeling, we seem to have no choices. As a therapist, I think this way of thinking is a bad habit that limits our expectations so that we do not have full faith in ourselves.

I believe we stay stuck because we get comfortable, even if we are miserable.  It also takes a lot of energy to change, and many times we don’t want to put forth that kind of energy.  The alternative is to do nothing and to just stay stuck.  Sometimes, we ask ourselves the same questions over and over, and at the time, we tell ourselves this time we will finally change.  I believe people mean it at the time they say this, but then they become complacent when it comes to actually doing the work involved necessary to get where they want to go.

Stop assigning blame to everybody else and everything else other than yourself as to why you don’t have the life you want.  We all have things that get in our way of our journeys, but it’s also up to us to overcome that adversity that stops us dead in our tracks.  I get so tired of people telling me they can’t when I know they can if they tried harder and fought for the life they want.  People are always putting off having the life they want by telling themselves once they get though this or that, life will improve and be what they want it to be.  The truth is that all they are really putting off is…. life!

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

 

Easy Goals for a Healthier You

Photo courtesy: State Point

By StatePoint

Setting big health goals can be a double-edged sword. While many of us feel inspired to improve our health, happiness and wellbeing, we often find the changes hard to sustain, and sometimes end up reverting back to old practices.

Check out these tips for starting and maintaining a healthier lifestyle.

 

Baby Steps

Many people hoping to improve their fitness routines and eating habits quickly become discouraged when results aren’t immediate. Instead of cancelling your new gym membership and opting for a box of chocolates, set achievable and realistic goals to stay on track.

If losing weight is the objective, aim for 10 pounds instead of 50. If you succeed at losing the first 10, celebrate and make a new goal.

Instead of adopting an extreme diet, cut back on one snack a day or incorporate a smoothie as a healthy meal replacement. Use ingredients like fresh fruit, dark leafy greens, flax or chia seeds — even savory vegetables like beets — the possibilities are endless.

 

Fuel Up to Get Fit

Sticking to fitness goals takes the right fuel. Eating whole foods instead of processed foods will give you more and longer-lasting energy. Plus, a whole-food diet is more simple and sustainable than restrictive calorie counting or elimination diets.

Powering your body with snacks like low-fat yogurt topped with granola, fresh hummus and whole-grain pita, or an apple and peanut butter, will carry your body through a workout and help you feel fuller longer. To make delicious homemade nut butter, throw three cups of roasted, unsalted peanuts or cashews into a high-powered blender like a Vitamix machine and blend for a minute or so. The result is a gooey, good-for-you treat that will provide ample energy for healthy pursuits.

While grocery shopping, stick to the outer perimeter of the store and pick up nutrient-rich and versatile ingredients like avocados, chickpeas, bananas, nuts and spinach, that can stand alone or be mixed into everything from healthy salads to frozen desserts.

 

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth

Being healthy and eating whole foods doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your sweet tooth. Before you plunge into a tub of cookie dough, consider other ways to curb cravings. Make your own, customized whole-food ice cream without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives using a blender. Varieties like apple pie and spiced strawberry will delight without guilt.

Or try a simple sorbet: blend two peeled oranges, two tablespoons sugar and four cups of ice. Use a blender with special settings for this purpose, such as the Vitamix Professional Series 750. Its Frozen Dessert program, one of the machine’s five pre-programmed settings, allows you to make an easy, healthy dessert in minutes.

Looking for something that feels even more decadent? Find recipes like chocolate hazelnut spread and more at vitamix.com/Find-Recipes.

For a healthier you, focus on small, attainable goals, and use whole foods to get creative with your diet.