Author Archives: ABC Public Relations

Sheriff’s Club Raises Funds

By Sarah Sanchez

Diamond Bar/Walnut – The Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club recently held their Annual Golf Tournament to honor over 100 Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff Department’s volunteers who give their time to improve the service and security to the cities of Walnut and Diamond Bar, and the unincorporated communities of Rowland Heights, Covina Hills and West Covina.

“Thousands of hours are donated annually by our department’s volunteers, explorers, reserves and disaster communication specialists,” said Captain Jeff Scroggin in a previous interview. The golf tournament was held to provide the needed uniforms and equipment to these volunteers.

Sheriff Booster Club President, Gil Rivera, previously stated that the golf tournament had a great community participation. There were a total of 127 golfers, which is the largest number of participants that they have ever had, according to Rivera. There were also 26 volunteers in attendance from the volunteer division of the Sheriff’s Department.

This is the only fundraiser the Sheriff’s Booster Club does annually so it’s really important to the club. Every year, the golf tournament makes a little more money than the previous year, according to Captain Scroggin. But he says that the Sheriff’s Booster Club does a really good job managing the money they receive.

“This is a very good club, a very specific club, and they raise funds for a charitable cause,” said Scroggin. The Sheriff Booster Club is a valid 5013(c) non-profit and all the board members are volunteers.

“The club has done a very good job under Gil’s presidency,” said Scroggin. “Gil and Andy [Lujan] have done a great job keeping us on track with all of our records.” The club also has an outside accounting firm that manages all their financials.

Scroggin added, “The club provides funds to give back to the folks who volunteer all these hours to the community.”

“Volunteers contribute about 20,000 hours a year,” Mark Saldeke said. This number doesn’t include explorers or reserve deputies. Some volunteers will spend up to 240 hours a month volunteering, according to Scroggin.

These volunteers are extremely important to the Sheriff’s Department. “Volunteers do provide a higher level of service every day,” said Scroggin. Volunteers will even go above and beyond by checking in with victims months after an incident happens.

Also, if a Deputy Sheriff has a high call volume, volunteers will be able to fill in where they are needed. For example, volunteers will do vacation home checks, which is where deputies will check on homes for break-ins when residents are on vacation. These are considered high priority to the volunteers.

The vacation home checks have been 100% successful after a recent survey revealed that 0 crimes were reported at those homes that were on vacation, according to Scroggin.

Dozens of volunteers and explorers will also help at local events when Deputies can’t be there. Volunteers attending events will benefit the Sheriff’s Department financially because they won’t need to pay multiple Deputies to be there. Scroggin said that they couldn’t have staffed a recent event without their volunteers. “We couldn’t do the job without them,” he added.

You can also see volunteers at the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Department front desk. They will usually be the ones greeting those in the lobby. Make sure to say hi to their oldest volunteer, who is 90 years old.

“There are jobs for everyone,” said Scroggin. Volunteers can consist of anyone from an intern to a patrol officer driving in a white car. In addition, working as a volunteer has many benefits. Three volunteer interns recently became Deputies.

Signing up to be a volunteer is easy. You can obtain an application at the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Department and turn it in to Deputy Saldeke. The only requirements are that you have to be at least 18, obtain a background check, and be briefly interviewed.

“This is an opportunity for the community to be a part of our team,” said Scroggin. “Volunteers are a big part of who we are and our department.”

If a resident under 18 wants to volunteer, they can sign up for the Explorer Program, which caters to ages 14-21.

“My niece participated in the Explorer Program,” said Sheriff Booster Club member Michael Armijo. “It really benefited her; it taught her about the consequences when teenagers don’t have guidance in their lives. It also gave her the guidance and structure she needed, and it gave her an interest in law enforcement.”

Armijo also talked about his friend’s son who joined the program. “It provided structure for him, especially since his father was away in the National Guard, serving our country in a foreign land.”

Don’t wait; sign up to be a volunteer or explorer today! “The more people who we have to volunteer, the more transparent the department is,” said Scroggin. “Volunteers give us ability to provide extra eyes and ears in the community.”

WVUSD To Place Bond Measure On Ballot

Endorsed by United Walnut Taxpayers, WVUSD Coordinating Council

By Kelli Gile

Walnut— The Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees has voted to move forward with plans to put a $152,880,000 general obligation bond measure on the November ballot.

The unanimous decision to approve the project list and resolution for the upcoming election was made during the August 10 meeting.

The WVUSD school improvement measure will upgrade classrooms, science labs, career-training facilities, libraries, and instructional technology to support student achievement in math, science, engineering, technology (STEM).  The measure will also be bringing repairs to our schools.  Such repairs include fixing deteriorating roofs, plumbing, and electrical, and improve student safety.

“We are so excited to move forward with the bond knowing that all of our schools will benefit from it,” said Board president Helen Hall. “It’s a ‘win win’ for our district.”

Two prominent groups proclaimed their support of the school bond during public comments, before the Trustees cast their votes.

United Walnut Taxpayers (UWT) members Layla Abou-Taleb and Mansfield Collins took to the podium to announce the endorsement of the community group.

Additionally, Lily Eibert, president of the WVUSD Coordinating Council, announced that the school parent groups have given their resounding approval.

Abou-Taleb and Collins said they have been happy with the transparency of the District’s plan and willingness of officials to work closely with the community.

“I am pleased to say that after reviewing the draft bond project list and resolution presented to the WVUSD Board of Trustees, UWT will be endorsing the bond measure come November,” Abou-Taleb said.

“We commend Dr. Taylor and his staff for being transparent and open to community input and involvement in the process.”

The representatives are Walnut residents and have been neighbors in the Timberline development for the past 30 years.

Abou-Taleb explained that they have worked hard to become bond experts in recent years.  Both attended a recent town hall meeting, held on July 7, where residents were encouraged to give feedback on the District’s vision on the potential bond.

During the August 10 Board meeting, they declared Walnut Valley’s plan as a “good” bond for the future of the schools and community.

Eibert, also a Walnut resident, attended Walnut Valley schools and is proud that her two sons are continuing the tradition of excellence.

“I’ve seen the improvements that school bonds have made from when I attended Walnut Valley Schools.  I think it’s important to continue investing in our schools’ infrastructures and facilities,” she said.

“The approved project list is the result of months of hard work and reflects a collaborative partnership with the community, WVUSD staff, parents, and other stakeholders,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

“We’re definitely grateful for their support. They helped us shape the bond we present to you today,” he said before the vote.

Taylor explained that the implementation of a facilities master plan, feedback from school site teams on every campus, town hall and small group meetings, school tours, and two years of community polling, helped guide the development of the project list.

“We’ve taken all of this information and created a potential bond plan and project list that addresses the needs of our students – our highest priority – and reflects the input and contributions of our community,” he said.

The approved project list is available on the District’s website at www.wvusd.k12.ca.us.

 

Recent Recalls

  1. Sauder Woodworking Chest of Drawers due to serious tip-over hazard; Sold Exclusively at Walmart.com. The recalled chests are unstable unless they are properly anchored to the wall.
  2. Dennis East International Whiskey Glass and Stone Sets due to Laceration Hazard-whiskey glass can spontaneously break during use.
  3. Kohler Power Systems Portable Generators due to Shock Hazard. The generators have a wiring error, which can result in an electrical shock risk if an electrical device is plugged into the generator.
  4. PharmaTech LLC issues Voluntary Nationwide recall due to Potential Risk of Product Contamination. PharmaTech, LLC of Davie, FL, is voluntarily recalling all liquid products from October 20, 2015 through July 15, 2016 as a precautionary measure due to a potential risk of product contamination with Burkholderia cepacia. If a product contains B. cepacia, its use could result in infections in patients with compromised immune systems and in patients with chronic lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis. Some of these infections may be serious or even life-threatening in the at risk patient population.
  5. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) certain model year 2015-2016 CBR300RA, CBR300R and CB300F motorcycles. The affected motorcycles may have an improperly machined crankshaft which may result in the failure of the connecting rod bearing retainer.
  6. General Motors LLC (GM) certain model year 2016 Malibu Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 27, 2015, to June 3, 2016. The affected vehicles have a shut-off switch for the high voltage battery for use when servicing the vehicle. This manual service disconnect switch (MSD) may not be properly installed and thus may not lock into position, unexpectedly disconnecting the high-voltage power while driving, effectively stalling the vehicle.

Walnut City Council

By Natalie Kim

Walnut – The August 10 Walnut Council meeting began with a presentation from the Southern California Gas Company.  A representative from the company discussed the Aliso Canyon reservoir leak.  The leak has finally been plugged and the company is no longer losing gas.  However, the site has not yet been fully repaired, and the reservoir at Aliso Canyon is currently unable to be used to store natural gas. As Aliso Canyon holds the company’s largest natural gas reservoir, the company asked the City to conserve energy.

During the public comments, the Council was invited to the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China.  The G20 Summit is focused toward global cooperation towards economic stability, and allows for a space for politicians from around the world to collaborate and work together towards a more stable economic future.

The Council then approved all items on the consent calendar, including a resolution allowing claims and demands in the amount of $17,748.21 for the fiscal year of 2015-16; a resolution allowing claims and demands in the amount of $59,755.87 for the fiscal year of 2016-17; a resolution allowing claims and demands in the amount of $110,010.19 for the fiscal year of 2015-16; a resolution allowing claims and demands in the amount of $247,752.98 for the fiscal year of 2016-17; designating Mayor Pro Tem Mary Su as the official voting delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference; and a resolution of the City of Walnut as Successor Agency allowing certain claims and demands in the amount of $125,000 for fiscal year 2016-17. The Council also approved the minutes from the July 27 City Council meeting.

Following individual reports and comments, the Council adjourned to August 24 at 7 p.m. at 21201 La Puente Rd.

DUI Checkpoint Scheduled for Friday, August 26

CHINO, CA – Chino Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Friday, August 26, 2016 between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes.  Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely. DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

In California, this deadly crime led to 867 deaths and over 23,000 serious injuries in 2013 because someone failed to designate a sober driver.  Nationally, the latest data shows over 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver. Over the course of the past three years officers have investigated 60 DUI collisions which have claimed 0 lives, but resulted in 79 injuries.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily.  When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).  Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects.

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role.  They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to Chino Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’.

Chino PD Trading Cards Return

Partnership with local businesses

City of Chino

Chino – After a thirteen-year hiatus, the Chino Police Officers Association (CPOA) will collaborate with local businesses to reintroduce police officer trading cards.

Trading cards are a law enforcement tradition geared toward strengthening police and community relations, while highlighting the police officers who serve the city. Community members and children enjoy the opportunity to interact with officers when collecting trading cards.

“I can recall how great it was for me to participate in the trading card program years ago,” states Chief Karen Comstock. “Still to this day, it isn’t uncommon for citizens to ask our personnel if we still have them; we are looking forward to bringing this tradition back to the community,” she concludes.

Each trading card features a member of the police department in uniform, and a local business sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities are available and range from $250-$1,000. The benefits vary depending upon the sponsorship level. A sample of benefits include; company information and logo printed on the back of the sponsored trading card, framed copy of sponsored trading card, a full set of trading cards and additional recognition.

This is a great opportunity for personnel to collaborate with local businesses while capturing the history of Chino PD and furthering the department’s community outreach efforts.

For additional information or to sign-up as a sponsor, please contact Tamrin Olden at 909.334.3086 or taolden@chinopd.org.

 

 

Straight Talk With Danice

I do not want a gun – a letter from Evelyn

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

By Danice Akiyoshi

Q: My husband has become very paranoid 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.

Scammer Arrested Then Released

Staff Reports

Upland – An Upland man was recently arrested for conducting numerous scams throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, but was recently released. Police officials are looking for additional victims.

The first known scam occurred on July 25 when a victim contacted a reputable pool repair company from the City of San Bernardino. The suspect, identified as Todd William Karcher, 49, told the victim he was a new employee. He then gave the victim an “estimate under the company name, and a separate estimate under his name for additional work,” according to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.

The victim ultimately agreed to have Karcher do the work and gave him a personal check of $1,500, which was labeled as a deposit. “Karcher cashed the check the following day and never contacted the victim or refunded the money. The victim attempted to obtain a refund from Karcher but was unsuccessful,” said a SBSD news release.

After an investigation, it was learned that Karcher was fired from the reputable pool company for scamming other victims in Riverside County and San Bernardino County.

This resulted in Karcher being arrested and booked for theft charges on August 10 at the 11600 block of Lozano Place, Loma Linda. However, he posted bail and was released from custody at 10 p.m. that same night.

Anyone who has had recent contact with Karcher is encouraged to call the Central Station and speak to Detective Ruiz at (909)387-3545. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.

Top Quality Auto Body Repair and Towing

By J.D. Alberts    

California Coach

California Coach

Walnut – For over 25 years, California Coach Auto Collision has served its community with top notch repair and assistance services, reaching from “Diamond Bar to Chino and beyond.”

Under original ownership, California Coach takes great pride in their quality service reputation and understands the importance of automotive safety. Their highly trained, certified mechanical technicians take great care of every vehicle they service.  And with a 16,000 square foot “state of the art” collision repair shop and one acre adjacent storage space, California Coach is well-equipped to take care of all of your auto collision needs, including:

  • Estimating
  • Complete Auto Repair, Auto Body and Paint
  • Frame, Unibody and Metal Repair/Replacement
  • General Repair
  • Refinishing
  • 24-Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance
  • Towing (Light, Medium and Heavy Duty, and Recovery)
  • AAA Battery Service Program
  • Battery Jumps
  • Tire Changes, and much more!

California Coach has earned a reputation for courteous service, high standards, and extremely high customer satisfaction ratings since they opened in 1998.  Most new customers are a result of referrals by happy customers, and this is a standing they don’t take for granted.  They understand the stress associated with an accident or tow, and their goal is to take care of your car and reduce your frustration.  They will work hard to restore your car to its original condition and keep you updated throughout the process; and all insurance claims are welcome.

In partnership with Mercury Insurance Group and Diamond Honda of Puente Hills (as an approved repair facility), California Coach is also ASE certified, and a AAA Roadside Assistance Provider and Patrol.  They are also members of the California Auto Body Association, the California Tow Truck association, and the Walnut Sheriff’s Booster Club.

California Coach Auto Collision is located at 22064 Valley Blvd. in Walnut. Body Shop hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. You can reach them at (909) 595-9448, or (909) 595-6970 for their 24-hour towing service. For more information visit their website at http://www.calcoachautobodytowing.com, or send them an email at info@CalCoachAutoBodyTowing.com.  And see their ad on page 5 of this publication.

Say Hello To Our New Assistant Editor

By Sarah Sanchez   

Chino – We are proud to welcome Racine Guajardo as our new Assistant Editor for all our newspapers: OurWeeklyNews.com,  CityofEastvaleNews.com, and the SGVNews.com.

Racine Guajardo new Assistant Editor

Racine Guajardo
new Assistant Editor

“Racine has done such a fantastic job with her creativity, ongoing support of responsible journalism, creative writing, and constant input towards making this paper more informative; she deserves this promotion,” said Michael Armijo, President of ABC Public Relations and acting editor.

Racine is a Chino resident and a proud mother of two. She has two beautiful girls named Kylie, 3, and Natalie, 2. She spends all her spare time with her girls. She enjoys taking them to Disneyland, the beach, or other outdoor activities.

Something you wouldn’t know about Racine is that she is a tattoo enthusiast and loves to attend Tattoo conventions.

She is also proud to say she was born and raised in the Chino Valley Unified School District. She is currently pursuing her English degree at Chaffey College.

Racine is excited to be promoted to Assistant Editor after being an in-house reporter for ABC Public Relations and Armijo News.

“I appreciate the company giving me the opportunity to have more responsibility as Assistant Editor,” said Racine in a recent interview. She stated that she will strive to “constantly come up with ways to be resourceful to the community.”

Racine has a passion for writing and wants to continue using the newspaper as an informative and helpful source. “If anyone has ideas, pictures, or article suggestions, please send them to me!” said Racine. You can email pictures to editor@anapr.com or call our office at (909) 464-1200 to submit story ideas.

“I’m confident Racine will continue to grow and climb a very successful ladder with her passion for writing and her commitment to informing residents of news and information within our communities,” added Armijo. “We welcome her to the management team.”

 

Our Internal Dialogue

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

We all have a dialogue that lives within us.  It tells us how we feel about ourselves.  It can make us fly or it can literally paralyze us.  Our internal dialogue usually is created in our childhood and it comes from how we feel we are perceived by others, especially our parents.  We learn at a very young age to love ourselves or to hate ourselves.  We adopt a belief system about who we are and about whether we deserve life’s best or whether we deserve nothing good at all.  This belief system can literally create a successful human being or a human being that is always failing.

It is possible to change your internal dialogue if it is destructive.  I think it starts by writing down all of the lies that you live by and correcting them by writing down the truth for every lie.  It sounds so very simple but it is hard work to be so very brutally honest with ourselves.  The alternative is being paralyzed and never having the life you were intended to have or never becoming who God intends you to be.  The alternative is being cheated of all the wonderful that this life does have to offer.

I believe we owe it to ourselves to right the wrong; to correct the irrational belief system that haunts us and steals our joy and hope.  I believe everybody deserves to be who God intends them to be.  Every being has the right to be his or her very best.  How dare we allow anything else for ourselves?  Make today the day that you start to change that internal dialogue.  Make today the day you start to settle for nothing but the best for yourself.  Today become your child’s most effective model for well being and success!

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 page her at (909229-0727.  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.

 

August 2016 SGV News

SGV News covers Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Rowland Heights and 2016-08-SGVNews-COVERsurrounding areas of the San Gabriel Valley; portions of the western Inland Empire; and northern Orange County. Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: 2016-08-SGVNews-FULL

Blind Religion Warning

Pastor Robert Jewett Word of Truth Community ChurchBy Pastor Robert Jewett

 

Adam and Eve’s two eldest boys had dramatically different responses to God (Gen. 4:3-8).  Cain, a farmer, brought the Lord an offering “of the fruit” of the ground.  There was no need to trust God with sharing from his abundance.  On the other hand, Abel, a shepherd, brought the firstborn of his flock.  Abel trusted God to provide for him and offered up his firstborn.

The danger of blind religion is that it is faithless.  We know that it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb. 11:6).  Faithless religion is ritualistic and impersonal.  It is powerless to free a person from the bondage of sin.  Scripture informs us that Cain’s life was full of evil deeds (1 Jn. 3:12).   His blind religion deceived him to believe that his sin was okay as long as he made offerings to the Lord.  The Lord desires obedience more than sacrifices (1 Sam. 15:22).

Even in his sinful state, God gave Cain an opportunity to repent, “If you do well, will you not be accepted?”  God warned that if Cain chose not to do well, sin was crouching at the door desiring him.  Sadly, Cain chose to disregard God’s warning and killed his brother.

Just as Cain came to the crossroads of a decision, you too may have a decision to make.  Has faithless blind religion crept into your life?  If you have found yourself trying to do good deeds to make up for your habitual bad deeds, it is time to repent.  Confess your sins to God and turn from them. We would be honored to assist you as you begin to walk in obedience to Christ.

 

Lakeshore City Church meets Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Circle City Center (formerly Fender Museum), 365 N. Main St. in Corona. For more information, visit lakeshorecitychurch.com.

Italian Meatloaf

With Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Roasted Green Beans, and Garlic Rosemary Mashed Potatoes

By Hello Fresh  recipe-pic-1-WEB

We’re not sure what we like best about this recipe: the unique and flavorful ingredients, the quicker cook time of individual patties versus slow cooking, traditional meatloaf, or the silky, melt-in-your-mouth mashed potatoes. We’ll let you make the call.

Cooking Time: 45 min.

Servings: 2

Nutrition: Calories: 690 cal, Fat: 31g, Sat. Fat: 13 g, Protein: 43g, Carbs: 63 g, Sugar: 15 g, Sodium: 751 mg, Fiber: 10 g

Ingredients:

  • Ground Beef- 10 oz.
  • Russet Potatoes- 12 oz.
  • Green Beans- 6 oz.
  • Chicken Stock Concentrate- 1
  • Sun-dried Tomatoes- 1 ½ oz.
  • Shallot- 1
  • Rosemary- ¼ oz.
  • Garlic- 2 cloves
  • White Bread- 1 slice
  • Sour Cream- 2 T
  • Butter- 1 ½ T
  • Oil- 2t

Preparation:

  1. Prep: Wash and dry all produce. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Halve, peel, and mince the shallot. Mince or grate the garlic. Strip the rosemary leaves off the stems and finely chop (about 2 teaspoons). Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes. Trim the ends of the green beans.
  2. Make the meatloaf: In a medium bowl, soak the bread with the stock concentrate and ¼ cup water. Break up the bread with your hands until a paste forms. Add the beef, sun-dried tomatoes, shallot, half the garlic, half the rosemary, and a large pinch of salt (we used ½ teaspoon kosher salt) and pepper to the bowl. Mix with your hands until just combined. Form the beef mixture into 2 oval patties, then place onto a lightly oiled baking sheet. Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through.
  3. Boil the potatoes: Meanwhile, peel and dice the potatoes into ½-inch cubes. Place in a medium pot with a large pinch of salt. Add enough water to cover, then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook about 12 minutes, until potatoes are fork-tender.
  4. Roast the green beans: With 15 minutes left to go on the meatloaf, toss the green beans in a medium bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread onto the baking sheet with the meatloaf. Cook about 15 minutes, until tender.
  5. Mash the potatoes: Once tender, drain the potatoes. In the same pot you cooked the potatoes in, heat 1½ Tablespoons butter, the remaining garlic, and the remaining chopped rosemary over medium heat. Cook 30 seconds, until melted and fragrant. Add the potatoes and sour cream to the pot. Mash with a fork or potato masher until very smooth, adding a splash of water (or milk) if necessary. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
  6. Serve: Plate the garlic rosemary mashed potatoes, then top with the roasted green beans and Italian meatloaf. Enjoy!

History 101

When was the first U.S. driver’s license issued?

By Elizabeth Nix on History.com

In 1886, German inventor Karl Benz patented what is generally regarded as the first modern car. Less than two decades later, in 1903, Massachusetts and Missouri became the first states to require a driver’s license, although it wasn’t necessary to pass a test to obtain one. In 1908, Henry Ford launched the Model T, the first affordable automobile for many middle-class Americans (1919 is when Ford’s native state of Michigan started issuing driver’s licenses and got his first one at age 56). The same year the Model T debuted, Rhode Island became the first state to require both a license and a driver’s exam (Massachusetts instituted a chauffeur exam in 1907 and started requiring tests for all other drivers in 1920).

California, now known for its car culture, started requiring licenses in 1913 and exams in 1927. However, it took several decades for licenses and tests to be adopted by all states. In 1930, only 24 states required a license to drive a car and just 15 states had mandatory driver’s exams. South Dakota was the last state to begin issuing licenses (without exams), in 1954. Additionally, a handful of states didn’t impose driver’s tests until the 1950s, including Alaska (1956), Arizona (1951), Idaho (1951), Illinois (1953), Missouri (1952) and Wisconsin (1956). In 1959, South Dakota became the final state to institute a driver’s exam requirement.

Getting a license was long considered a rite of passage for many American teenagers; however, in recent years the number of young people who are legal to drive has declined. Around 77 percent of Americans between the ages of 20 and 24 had driver’s licenses in 2014, compared with almost 92 percent in 1983, according to a 2016 report by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Among 16 year olds, less than 25 percent had licenses in 2014, down from about 46 percent in 1983. Although the study didn’t cite specific reasons for the drop, other research has suggested that contributing factors include new transportation options as well as the Internet, which has made it possible for people to socialize and shop online instead of getting in a car to do so.

Recent Fires Prompt CVFD Weed Program

Staff Reports   

Photo courtesy: Jennifer Carrillo The Blue Cut Fire can be seen clearly from a home in Oak Hills.

Photo courtesy: Jennifer Carrillo
The Blue Cut Fire can be seen clearly from a home in Oak Hills.

Chino- Fire season is here and on high alert. The most recent and current fire is named the Blue Cut Fire, shutting down major freeways such as Highway 138 and the I-15. The fire has forced people to mandatory evacuate from their homes, and close down several schools.

As of August 16, California had a total of 11 fires; 8 that were current and 3 reported to be contained, according to the online source at www.fire.ca.gov.

With Chino Valley Fire District’s (CVFD) commitment to safety, they have scheduled the weed abatement program on August 29 that will focus on preventing brush fires and the accumulation of combustible materials.

Any tumbleweeds, combustible vegetation and rubbish must be cleared by August 29. If they find a hazard does exist, the property owners will be assessed a non-compliance fee. If the property is not cleared by September 28, an additional administration fee may be placed and the property would have to be cleared by a contractor. The legal owner of the property that is on record at the time of the citation will be responsible for any fees, including contractor charges.

The Chino Valley Fire District says, “Property owners are required to maintain their properties clear of tumbleweeds, combustible vegetation and rubbish year round. Tumbleweeds are a high fire danger due to their propensity to break loose once dry and be carried by the wind to areas where they can accumulate along flammable vegetation, wood fences, homes and other combustible materials.”

CVFD also provides several helpful tips for clearing vegetation safely and effectively:

  • Use trimming, mowing and power equipment before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
  • Never use a lawn mower in dry vegetation. Use a weed trimmer to cut down dry weeds and grass.
  • Keep a cell phone nearby and call 911 immediately in case of a fire.
  • Never put yourself in harm’s way to extinguish a fire.

For more information about the weed abatement program, you may visit www.chinovalleyfire.org or you may also call the Community Risk Reduction Division at (909) 902-5285.

History 101

Althea Gibson becomes first African-American on U.S. tennis tour

By History.comHistory-101-WEB

On August 22 in 1950, officials of the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA) accept Althea Gibson into their annual championship at Forest Hills, New York, making her the first African-American player to compete in a U.S. national tennis competition.

Growing up in Harlem, the young Gibson was a natural athlete. She started playing tennis at the age of 14 and the very next year won her first tournament: the New York State girls’ championship, sponsored by the American Tennis Association (ATA), which was organized in 1916 by black players as an alternative to the exclusively white USLTA. After prominent doctors and tennis enthusiasts Hubert Eaton and R. Walter Johnson took Gibson under their wing, she won her first of what would be 10 straight ATA championships in 1947.

In 1949, Gibson attempted to gain entry into the USLTA’s National Grass Court Championships at Forest Hills, the precursor of the U.S. Open. When the USLTA failed to invite her to any qualifying tournaments, Alice Marble, a four-time winner at Forest Hills, wrote a letter on Gibson’s behalf to the editor of American Lawn Tennis magazine. Marble criticized the “bigotry” of her fellow USLTA members, suggesting that if Gibson posed a challenge to current tour players, “it’s only fair that they meet this challenge on the courts.” Gibson was subsequently invited to participate in a New Jersey qualifying event, where she earned a berth at Forest Hills.

On August 28, 1950, Gibson beat Barbara Knapp 6-2, in her first USLTA tournament match. She lost a tight match in the second round to Louise Brough, three-time defending Wimbledon champion. Gibson struggled over her first several years on tour but finally won her first major victory in 1956, at the French Open in Paris. She came into her own the following year, winning Wimbledon and the U.S. Open at the relatively advanced age of 30.

Gibson repeated at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open the next year but soon decided to retire from the amateur ranks and go pro. At the time, the pro tennis league was poorly developed, and Gibson at one point went on tour with the Harlem Globetrotters, playing tennis during halftime of their basketball games. In the early 1960s, Gibson became the first black player to compete on the women’s golf tour, though she never won a tournament. She was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971.

Though she once brushed off comparisons to Jackie Robinson, Gibson has been credited with paving the way for African-American tennis champions such as Arthur Ashe and, more recently, Venus and Serena Williams.

 

Jerk Chicken And Peach Skewers

with Curried Rice Pilaf

By Hello Fresh  recipe-jerk-chicken-pic-WEB

We’ve taken skewers to a whole new level with this Jamaican-inspired recipe. Our jerk seasoning will knock your socks off with a combination of 12 different herbs and spices. Add in tender chicken, sweet fruit, and curried rice, and you’ve got yourself a sweet and savory meal to remember.

Cooking Time: 30 min

Servings: 2

Nutrition: Calories: 494 cal, Fat: 8g, Sat. Fat: 1 g, Protein: 48g, Carbs: 63 g, Sugar: 13 g, Sodium: 332 mg, Fiber: 7 g

Ingredients:

  • Chicken Breasts- 12 oz.
  • Basmati Rice- ½ cup
  • Snap Peas- 4 oz.
  • Red Onion- 1
  • Peach- 1
  • Jerk Seasoning- 1T (spicy)
  • Curry Powder- ½ t
  • Lemon- 1
  • Chicken Stock Concentrate- 1
  • Skewers- 4
  • Oil- 2t

Preparation:

  1. Prep: Wash and dry all produce. Preheat the broiler to high or oven to 500 degrees. If you want to use the grill, fire it up to high. Soak the skewers in water. Halve, peel, and finely dice half the onion. Cut the other half into 1-inch cubes for the skewers. Trim and cut the snap peas into ½-inch pieces. Halve, pit, and slice the peach into wedges. Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces.
  2. Make the pilaf: Heat a drizzle of oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, tossing, for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the rice and ½ teaspoon curry powder. Toss to combine. Add 1 cup water and the chicken stock concentrate. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer for about 15 minutes, until rice is tender. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir the snap peas into the rice. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Marinate the chicken: Toss the chicken in a medium bowl with the jerk seasoning, peaches, onion cubes, and a drizzle of oil. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  4. Broil the skewers: Thread the chicken, onion, and peach wedges onto the skewers, alternating between each. Place onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil 10-12 minutes, turning once, until cooked through and lightly charred. You can also cook the skewers on the grill.
  5. Finish and serve: Cut the lemon into wedges. Serve the jerk chicken skewers on a bed of curried rice pilaf. Squeeze over a lemon wedge and enjoy!

One Hundred Years Old

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently I was at the local hardware store picking up some metal brackets for a project we were doing at our church.

A group of men were constructing a new back drop for the stage in our Worship Center and they needed more brackets to finish the job.

Since I am not the handiest guy in the group and since they had plenty of help, they sent me to the hardware store.

As I was waiting to pay for my materials, I noticed a small box by the cash register that had some pennies in it.  The sign on the small box said something like, “Need a penny & leave a penny”.

I have seen these in other stores.  Customers are allowed to take a penny or two to complete their purchase and avoid getting a pocket full of change.

And, people who end up with a couple of pennies after their purchase are encouraged to leave the pennies for another customer who might need some.

I noticed that one of the pennies looked a little different than the others.  Sure enough, it was a “Wheat Penny”.

I am not an avid coin collector, but I know that the US Penny has changed over the years.  The penny has an image of Lincoln on one side, but the back side has changed over the years.

In the early 1900’s, the penny had Lincoln on the front and two grains of “Wheat” on the back.  In the 1950’s, the US Mint changed the back of the penny to the image of the Lincoln Memorial.

In the early 2000’s, the Mint changed the penny again with the image of Lincoln still on the front, but an image of a “Shield” with the words “one cent” on the back.

I asked the attendant if I could swap a penny for the one in the box.  Yes, she was glad to let me do that.  She was curious why I wanted the penny.  I briefly explained my interest in “Wheat Pennies”.

When I got home later that day, I looked for the date on the penny.  To my surprise, it read 1914!  That penny was over 100 years old!  Amazing!

I don’t think the penny has any significant collector value.  Millions of them were made in 1914.  But, it is remarkable that something over 100 years old is still circulating around in our pockets, purses, banks and stores.

I wonder where this penny has been and who it has belonged to over the past century.  It probably has many stories to tell!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd.  Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.  For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit Efreedb.org.

Aliso Canyon Leak Discussed At DB Council Meeting

By Natalie Kim

Diamond Bar – The August 2 Diamond Bar Council meeting began with a presentation by Bob Cruz with Southern California Gas Company. Cruz discussed the Aliso Canyon leak, and the subsequent plugging. Unfortunately, in order to stop the leak, the gas reservoir in Aliso Canyon is currently offline, and Southern California Gas Company is unable to store gas in their largest natural gas reservoir. Cruz called for awareness in the community and asked, while the reservoir is offline, for residents to conserve energy by lowering use of not only electricity but also appliances that use natural gas, such as central heating and gas stoves.

Following the public comments, the Council read the schedule of future events, which included the final Concerts in the Park and Movies Under the Stars, featuring Cold Duck and The Good Dinosaur respectively; the next Planning Commission meeting on Aug 9; the next Traffic and Transportation meeting on Aug 11; and the next City Council meeting on Aug 16.

The Council then approved all items on the consent calendar, including the City Council minutes of the July 19 study session and regular meeting; the Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting of June 9; ratification of a check register totaling $1,497,926.11; a contract with the Regional Chamber of Commerce of San Gabriel Valley for fiscal year 2016-17 in an amount not to exceed $12,000; and lastly an amendment to the contract with BrightView Landscape Services, Inc. to extend the term of the contract through June 30, 2017 to provide landscape maintenance services at nine City parks, the grounds of the Diamond Bar Center, the football field/slope at Lorbeer Middle School, and the Mesa Trail/Trail Head at Sycamore Canyon Park.  The total contract amount is $408,116 including $25,000 for as needed work in fiscal year 2016-17.

The Council concluded with individual reports and comments and adjourned to Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at 21865 Copley Dr.