Author Archives: ABC Public Relations

Seven Things They Don’t Tell You About Marriage

By Sarah Sanchez

I married my best friend almost two years ago, and I believe I’ve settled into the routine of my new married life.  I can look back over the last few years and honestly say that no one prepared my husband and I for marriage. Even though we took a pre-marital course and were given advice from family and friends, there are still things that no one told us about.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love my husband and I love our marriage. This is not a complaining session, but an informative piece. If I had been given this list before the wedding, I don’t think I would have been so shocked with the changes. So pass this along to any engaged or newly married couples you may know, and you’ll save them a few surprises.

#7 – Communication And Compromise Are Key:  Marriage is about becoming one unit, and this “all for one, one for all” mentality can be a little tough to get used to. You will be making sacrifices throughout your marriage, mainly because it’s not just about you anymore; it’s all about the “we”. You are a team now and you need to constantly be on the same page. But if you communicate and compromise with one another, then both of you can be happy with the decisions that are made.

#6 – You Will Become One; But So Does Your Bank Account:  If you and your spouse put all your money into a joint bank account, all of it now belongs to both of you and you have to learn to budget EVERYTHING. This can be tough because budgeting your money makes you realize how much you need to cut down on going out to eat, and how much groceries really cost.  My suggestion is to download a budget sheet online, fill it out every month, and – oddly enough – actually follow it by writing down every expense you make every day. Dave Ramsey has an awesome book and class you can take that will benefit you as well.               

#5 – Men And Women Are Wired Differently:  This particular point actually became quite clear to us after reading a daily devotional called, “The Love and Respect Experience,” by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. We learned that men and women are very different in almost every aspect: emotionally, physically, sexually, etc. As expressed in the book, a way to look at it is that women wear pink glasses and hearing aids, and men wear blue glasses and hearing aids. In order to understand how the other is feeling while you are in a disagreement, men occasionally need to put on the woman’s pink glasses and hearing aids, and women occasionally have to put on the men’s blue glasses and hearing aids.  Sometimes it’s just about perspective.

#4 — When You Say ‘I Do’, You Marry The Family Too: When you get married, it’s a package deal, meaning the in-laws come along with the spouse. Therefore, it’s better to put your differences aside and try to be civil with one another.  A trick my husband and I use is that we confront our own families, and not our in-laws. For example, if there is a problem with a member on my side of the family, then I will be the one to confront the family member. But if the problem is on my husband’s side of the family, then he will be the one to confront the family member. That way, the relationships with our in-laws aren’t jeopardized with the confrontation. The bottom line is to try to find a way to keep the peace and don’t let the little things bother you. Also, remember that every family is different, so the way your in-laws act may be very different than the way you grew up. It’s not wrong, just different; keep that in mind.

#3 – Pick Your Battles:  There is a difference between a disagreement and a fight. From my experience, disagreements are more about bickering, while fights are the escalated form of a disagreement that usually includes some form of yelling at each other; perhaps a slammed door or two. My advice is to pick your battles, otherwise you’ll fight about the most ridiculous things. Our first fight as a married couple was about boxes.  No underlying issues.  Just boxes.  Everybody is entitled to their opinion, and there will be conflicts in your marriage; so aim for disagreements, not fights.

#2 – Learn to Embrace Your Spouse’s Differences:  You have to remember that you are two very different people who grew up in very different homes. There are certain habits, flaws, and pet peeves your spouse will have that may be very different from what you are used to.  As long as their habits aren’t hurting anyone, life will be much easier for you if you learn to accept your spouse’s differences instead of trying to change them.  You know how hard it is to change your own behavior, even when you want to.  So the pressure increases significantly when someone else wants you to change a behavior that you’d rather not.  Refer to #3.

#1 – Your Spouse Is Not – And Will Never Be – The Same Person You Married:  This is the number one thing that they don’t tell you about marriage. It sounds bad, but it doesn’t have to be.  One of the most common reasons people get divorced is because their spouse is “not the same person they married”. But every relationship has phases.  For example, you start with the person you date (on best behavior); then comes the person you’re engaged to (you still know the person, but the façade starts to crack a bit); and finally, you end up with the person you marry (where, oh where, is my fiancé?).  So if you go into the marriage knowing there will be changes, your expectations will be better balanced.   I’ve only been married to my husband for a few years, and I can honestly say we both have already changed since the day we got married. I learn new things about him every day, even with dating him for four years prior. He has new dreams, new goals, and new personality traits I’ve never seen before. He’s noticed the same in me, too, and that’s okay, because we married each other for who we were to become, not the people we were at that moment.  You can be very different, and still grow together, which is the goal anyway.

Marriage is an amazing experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Yes, by the list above, it is tough and there is a lot of learning you have to do. But once you get it down, it’s so wonderful to have someone who cares for you, who loves you, who supports you, and is there by your side through all of life’s adventures.  For better or worse…”The best is yet to be, come marry me.”

Reminder! Steer Clear of the 91!

Staff Reports

 

A reminder to all motorists; a full closure of eastbound and westbound 91 between the 71 and I-15 will occur from Friday, February 19, 2016 at 9 pm to Monday, February 22, 2016 at 4 am.

The full weekend closure of the 91 will allow crews to perform three major construction activities: 1) Demolish the west side of the Maple Street Bridge over the 91; 2) Install support beams for the new westbound Maple Street flyover ramp bridge; and 3) Pave the new eastbound 91 alignment near I-15.

“By fully closing the roadway, we will be able to consolidate these significant construction efforts into one weekend, rather than multiple weekends or extending this over a month of weeknights,” said RCTC Executive Director Anne Mayer. “Consolidating the work activities within one weekend will reduce the number of closure hours by more than 50 percent. The project’s design-build method allows for flexibility in planning work, such as this weekend closure,” she said. Another benefit, Mayer noted, is that the full closure will help ensure the safety of the 91 Project crews and the traveling public by eliminating cars and construction equipment on the road at the same time.

Because of the impact that a full closure will have on this heavily traveled roadway, motorists are urged to “steer clear” of the area during this closure. To minimize major travel delays and impacts during the closure, RCTC strongly recommends that motorists plan ahead, avoid travel in the area or stay home. Motorists traveling on the 91, the 71 or I-15 near the project area during the closure period can expect travel delays of three to four hours. If travel cannot be avoided, motorists can use the 57, 60 and I-10 as alternate routes.

The Green River Road interchange will remain open to motorists, and during the weekend closure, emergency vehicles will be able to travel on the 91, as needed, to respond to police, fire and medical situations.  “Corona residents can rest assured that police, fire, CHP and ambulance personnel will be fully briefed about the weekend closure and are ready to respond,” Mayer said.

In case of rainstorms or inclement weather, the closure will be postponed to the next weekend, weather permitting.  For more information, please call the helpline at 877-770-9191, or visit http://www.sr91project.info.

 

Corona-Norco Unified School District K-12 Teacher Job Fair

By Nicole Leiva

On Saturday, Jan. 30, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Corona-Norco Unified School District held a job fair to recruit teachers for kindergarten through high school. When the district announced the event, they advised teachers to visit EdJoin.org to complete an application before attending the fair.  Those who completed their applications on EdJoin.org were given numbers that allowed them admittance to the fair before those who had not yet completed their applications online.

Throughout the morning, teachers arrived every few minutes and joined an already lengthy line. Attendees made up a diverse pool; both experienced teachers and new, young teachers came from various parts of Southern California.

One woman is finishing her schooling in Idaho, and wants to come home to Southern California and teach arts in high school.  Another teacher, from Los Angeles, has taught 6th grade for fifteen years. She came to the job fair to compare pay wages. A teacher from the Inland Empire, with ten years of experience teaching math, wanted to consider her options with Corona-Norco Unified.

One attendee, who moved to the Inland Empire from Kentucky, taught high school math and English and led school activities at her last school.  She said, “I really love teaching and seeing the students thrive and that is why I am here today!”

A young male teacher who attended has great passion for teaching special education in high school, which he has done for two years. He proudly stated, “I love teaching special education and would be happy teaching at-risk students as well.” This young, incredibly positive teacher has the potential to change many young lives for the better.

The success of this job fair can be credited to Administrative Director Glen Gonsalves and all the staff that made this happen. Mr. Glen Gonsalves said “this was an exciting job fair and really pleased to see all these people.” Additionally, he said “this was a great way to showcase the District as a great place to teach and work…” Glen and his staff didn’t anticipate the amount of interest in their district and the teaching positions, and were happy to see the fair was such a success.

Walnut: 10-Day Water Shutdown Means Major Conservation

Staff Reports                                  

WALNUT – Walnut Valley Water District customers are being asked to voluntarily reduce their water use while a major source of supply is taken out of service for 10 days, beginning at midnight Monday, Feb. 29 through Wednesday, March 9.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) will upgrade its F.E. Weymouth Water Treatment Plant in La Verne. This shutdown will reduce the city’s available supplies by more than 50 percent, according to water officials.

As structures at Weymouth continue to age, regular maintenance is required to maintain supply reliability. The Weymouth plant was last fully shut down in March 2013.

While some local water agencies have access to groundwater, stored reservoir supplies and other sources to meet retail demands during the shutdown, the Walnut Valley Water District is nearly 100 percent dependent on imported water supplies.

To insure there is adequate water, reservoirs will be full prior to the shutdown, and another local water treatment plant will provide additional supplies. However, officials encourage customers to conserve water whenever possible.

To help conserve water, here are some steps to take:

  • No outdoor watering – turn your sprinklers “OFF,”
  • No hand-washing vehicles
  • No filling swimming pools or spas
  • No hosing down driveways and sidewalks.

Other water-saving measures include:

  • Running only full loads in washing machines and dishwashers,
  • Not leaving the tap running when washing dishes,
  • Not leaving the water running while brushing your teeth or shaving. Our customers should be aware that some local parks and landscape areas that are irrigated with recycled water will not be impacted by the shutdown.

 

Keep Your Family Cozy, We’ll Help With The Cost.

Courtesy of SoCalGas

As temperatures dip lower, the cost for heating your home gets higher. We, at SoCalGas®, want all of the families in our community to get the heat and the help they need to stay healthy and warm this season. That’s why we want you to know about our family of customer assistance programs that can help you cover the costs to keep your family comfortable this winter.

If you or a loved one has a serious medical condition that requires using extra heat during cold weather, the Medical Baseline Allowance provides you with natural gas at the lowest rate. Your eligibility for this program is based on your medical need, not your income. Plus, you can still qualify for other assistance programs.

The California Rates for Energy (CARE) program offers eligible customers a 20 percent discount on their monthly natural gas bills. It takes just a few minutes to apply, and you’ll see the savings on your next bill.

The Gas Assistance Fund (GAF) provides a one-time grant of up to $100 toward the natural gas bill for customers who qualify.

One way to save money and make your home more energy efficient is through the Energy Savings Assistance Program. This program offers no-cost energy-saving home improvements to qualified renters and homeowners. Improvements include: Attic insulation, water heater blankets, door weather-stripping, minor window repairs and more.

Visit socalgas.com (search “ASSISTANCE”) to see the full list of customer assistance programs that can help you save money and conserve energy.

When heating your home during cool weather:

 

  • Thermostats should never be turned up high to heat a home quickly. The heater will stay on longer and waste energy.

 

  • Save up to 25 percent of your heating costs by installing or upgrading insulation in your attic and walls (may be covered by the Energy Savings Assistance Program)

 

  • For safety and efficiency, keep all heating vents and furnace registers free of dirt, lint and obstructions.

 

When cooking:

  • Don’t preheat your natural gas oven if you don’t have to.
  • Don’t open the oven door while food is cooking. You could lose up to 50 degrees in temperature, which wastes energy and money.
  • Keep oven and burners clean. A clean oven uses energy more efficiently.
  • Cook by time and temperature guides.
  • Cook several meals at the same time.
  • Use pots and pans that fit the range top. Pans that fit a burner absorb more of the energy, reducing the amount of heat lost.
  • Cover pots when cooking.

Southern California Gas Company is not responsible for any goods or services selected by customer. This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Southern California Gas Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Program is available on a first-come, first-served basis, until program funds are no longer available. Other terms and conditions apply.

South Pointe Named California 2016 ‘School to Watch’

By Kelli Gile

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD South Pointe 8th Graders Enjoy STEM activities

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD
South Pointe 8th Graders Enjoy STEM activities

DIAMOND BAR—South Pointe Middle School has been designated as a model middle school in the 2015-16 Schools to Watch–Taking Center Stage program.

A total of 11 high-performing middle schools in California will receive this year’s award for academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, and social equity.

South Pointe is now among a select cadre of 78 schools in the state and more than 450 around the nation that are Schools to Watch.

“We are thrilled to have received this recognition,” said Principal Susan Arzola. “Our school community has worked very hard to create an exciting and challenging middle school program that inspires students to achieve their potential and look to their future!”

Schools to Watch, which are recognized at both the state and national level, become examples for middle schools across the country.  South Pointe becomes the first school in Walnut Valley USD to receive the prestigious award.

“South Pointe is committed to providing students with a strong academic foundation to foster success as they move toward high school, college, and careers,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

On Thursday, February 18 at 8:00 a.m., students, staff, administrators, board members, and community members will celebrate the selection as one of California’s newest Schools to Watch in the school’s multipurpose room.

South Pointe prepares students to be globally competitive through the integration of science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM).  “We are proudly preparing the next generation of leaders,” added Arzola.

All of California’s Model Schools will also be formally recognized in Sacramento and Washington D.C.  The schools will have an opportunity to showcase their accomplishments and network with other middle grades educators from around the state.

South Pointe applied for the designation and was chosen among schools from across the nation.  In order to become a School to Watch, applicants must have met or exceeded the Academic Performance Index (API) school-wide growth target for three of the previous five years.  School administrators must conduct a self-study evaluation and complete an extensive narrative application.  Each site is then reviewed by a team of middle grades experts. In order to retain the designation, each school is re-evaluated every three years.

The California Department of Education and the California League of Middle Schools are the lead agencies in the program, with the support of the California Middle Grades Alliance, a collaborative dedicated to providing policy assistance and encouragement for California’s 1.5 million middle grades students.

California’s Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage program uses a competitive, rigorous review process to identify high performing, high impact middle schools so that all middle schools may have models of real-world success

 

History 101

Photo courtesy of NPR

Photo courtesy of NPR

Archaeologist opens tomb of King Tut

Courtesy of History.com

On February 16, 1923, in Thebes, Egypt, English archaeologist Howard Carter entered the sealed burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen.

Because the ancient Egyptians saw their pharaohs as gods, they carefully preserved their bodies after death, burying them in elaborate tombs containing rich treasures to accompany the rulers into the afterlife. In the 19th century, archeologists from all over the world flocked to Egypt, where they uncovered a number of these tombs. Many had long ago been broken into by robbers and stripped of their riches.

When Carter arrived in Egypt in 1891, he became convinced there was at least one undiscovered tomb–that of the little known Tutankhamen, or King Tut, who lived around 1400 B.C. and died when he was still a teenager. Backed by a rich Brit, Lord Carnarvon, Carter searched for five years without success. In early 1922, Lord Carnarvon wanted to call off the search, but Carter convinced him to hold on one more year.

In November 1922, the wait paid off, when Carter’s team found steps hidden in the debris near the entrance of another tomb. The steps led to an ancient sealed doorway bearing the name Tutankhamen. When Carter and Lord Carnarvon entered the tomb’s interior chambers on November 26, they were thrilled to find it virtually intact, with its treasures untouched after more than 3,000 years. The men began exploring the four rooms of the tomb, and on February 16, 1923, under the watchful eyes of a number of important officials, Carter opened the door to the last chamber.

Inside lay a sarcophagus with three coffins nested inside one another. The last coffin, made of solid gold, contained the mummified body of King Tut. Among the riches found in the tomb–golden shrines, jewelry, statues, a chariot, weapons, clothing–the perfectly preserved mummy was the most valuable, as it was the first one ever to be discovered. Despite rumors that a curse would befall anyone who disturbed the tomb, its treasures were carefully catalogued, removed and included in a famous traveling exhibition called the “Treasures of Tutankhamen.” The exhibition’s permanent home is the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

 

Ayala Teacher Named to Wrestling Hall of Fame

Terry Martin

Terry Martin

Courtesy of CVUSD

CHINO HILLS– Ayala High School’s Terry Martin will be inducted this spring into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, California Chapter, for his Lifetime Service to Wrestling.  The Lifetime Service award is given in recognition of years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in youth through the sport of wrestling.

Martin coached wrestling for more than 30 years, half of that time at Ayala. He began his coaching career at Oklahoma University after wrestling for the Sooners, and is a proud alumnus of the university.  Coach Martin is a member of the Mt. San Antonio College Hall of Fame and has been named L.A. Times Wrestling Coach of the Year once.  He is a member of the CIF Wrestling Advisory Committee, has 1 CIF Championship, been Runner-Up 7 times, has 11 Sierra League Championships, and has coached 16 CIF Individual Champions and 8 CIF State Champions.  Coach Martin continues to teach at the school but stepped away from coaching last year.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma, pays tribute to coaches, officials, and contributors who represent “the best qualities the sport of wrestling has to offer and who share those characteristics with young people day in and out,” according to Dan Dierdorff, President of the California Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

This year’s induction ceremony will be held May 21 in Laguna Hills.

 

Chino Resident Arrested for Car Burglaries

Courtesy of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dept.
Chino– On Monday, February 8, 2016, deputies from the Chino Hills Sheriff’s Station arrested Richard Steven Silva, 22, of Chino, after being called to investigate vehicle break-ins in the 15000 block of Hanover Way in Chino Hills.

After an investigation, Silva was found to be in possession of approximately $1,023 dollars worth of stolen property.

Detectives later learned of a second subject, a 17 year old male juvenile from Chino.  Silva and the juvenile walked around the neighborhood, pulled on vehicle door handles, and stole miscellaneous items from three different vehicles.
The juvenile was cited and released to his guardian at the scene.

Anyone with information regarding this incident (DR#221600464) is urged to contact Deputy Timothy Quick at the Chino Hills Police/Sheriff’s Station (909) 364-2000. 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.

Inland Empire: Mt Baldy Trails Close After Deaths

By Lyn Taylor

MT BALDY– Icy conditions made the U.S. Forest Service shut down popular Mt. Baldy hiking trails after about a dozen injured and stranded hikers had to be airlifted from the trail on Saturday alone, according to aMt. Baldy Fire Department Twitter post. Since Friday, about two dozen people have been flown out of the mountain area due to hiking incidents, officials said. Baldy Bowl, Bear Flats, Icehouse Canyon, the Three Ts, Chapman and Devil’s Backbone trails are closed, according to a Forest Service spokeswoman.

“At one point we had four different helicopters going up here on Saturday,” said Mt Baldy Fire Department Captain Gordon Green. “One came back at least twice.”

During an earlier rescue of five stranded hikers, the sheriff’s department was advised about a married couple, Dong Xing “Tony” Liu and Linda Duan, who were hiking near the Icehouse Canyon Saddle, and who had both slipped on ice. A sheriff’s helicopter was already in the area and started searching the canyon.

Two hikers who were also in the area heard the couple’s cries for help and made their way down the steep terrain to the pair. The good Samaritans kept Duan warm while waiting for the rescue helicopter. The victims were stuck on an icy slope under a fallen tree, and rescuers were able to conduct a night hoist rescue using night vision goggles. Ms. Duan was transported to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a broken arm.  Mr. Liu sustained fatal injuries as a result of the fall and was pronounced dead at 8:12 p.m.

Liu, 47, was the just the latest person to die on the trails. Only four days earlier, 23-year-old Daniel Nguyen, a Cal State Long Beach graduate, fell to his death while trying to help a friend who had slipped on the Devil’s Backbone Trail.

The trail conditions must be evaluated before they can be reopened, according to MBFD officials.

“Anyone planning a trip up here should check with the U.S. Forest Service first,” Green advised. “Find out about the conditions and if the trails have been opened and always be prepared.”

Californians Meet Water Goals

Courtesy of CA Water Board

SACRAMENTO– Californians have reduced water use by 25.5 percent since June, and are continuing to meet Governor Brown’s 25 percent mandate, despite a decline in the statewide water-savings rate during the last three months of 2015.

In December, the statewide conservation rate was 18.3 percent, down from 20.4 percent in November, compared to the same months in 2013.  A drop in the water conservation rate was expected during the cooler fall and winter months, when Californians use less water and there is less opportunity to save on outdoor water use compared with the hot summer months.   Statewide water use declined from 76 gallons per person per day in November, to 67 gallons in December, the second lowest per-person rate since water use reporting began in June 2014.

Nonetheless, Californians are urged to keep up their efforts to conserve through the winter months.  This includes complying with urban water supplier directives to switch to once-a-week watering schedules, and not using outdoor irrigation during and within 48 hours following a rain event.

“While the recent rains and growing snowpack are wonderful to behold, we won’t know until spring what effect it will have on the bottom line for California’s unprecedented drought,” said Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board.  “Until we can tally that ledger, we have to keep conserving water every way we can.  Every drop saved today is one that we may be very glad we have tomorrow.”

In November 2015, the Governor issued an Executive Order directing the State Water Board to extend and revise the drought emergency water conservation regulations based on conditions through January.

SMS Students Medal in National Math Exam

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD Top award winners Darren Chen, William Lin, and Amber Tsao

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD
Top award winners Darren Chen, William Lin, and Amber Tsao

By Kelli Gile

WALNUT– Fifty Suzanne Middle School students recently participated in the challenging AMC 8 math contest.

During the national event, mathletes tackle 25 multiple-choice questions on the 40-minute timed competition. Questions cover many different topics, which exceed the normal middle school curriculum.  The top three school finishers earned medals.

Darren Chen, grade 8, took home the gold medal with a top score of 23 out of 25. He was also awarded an Honor Roll of Distinction Certificate for scoring in the top 1% in the nation.

William Lin, grade 8, earned the silver medal with a score of 20 out of 25.  He also earned an Honor Roll Certificate for scoring in the top 5% in the nation.

Amber Tsao, grade 8, earned the bronze medal with a score of 17 out of 25. Additionally, she earned an Honor Roll Certificate for scoring in the top 5% in the nation.

Joining the medal winners with Honor Roll Certificates were fellow eighth graders Joseph Xu, Katherine Lee, Tyler Xu, Rongtian Yue and 6th grader Joshua Hsu.

Joshua Hsu was also awarded a Certificate of Achievement for scoring above 15 as a sixth grader.

The top-ten middle school students will also participate in the AMC 10 on February 17.

“I am very proud of the students for all of their hard work, dedication and achievements.  Well done!” commented math teacher Amy Erickson.

“I am very proud of our Math Counts students and the level of success they have achieved this year,” added Principal Les Ojeda. “They have done a great job representing our school and I am proud to be their principal. Ms. Erickson has done an outstanding job as their coach and goes above and beyond preparing them for their competitions.”

 

Assemblyman Linder Introduces the Transparency in Government Act

Staff Reports

CORONA – An open and transparent government is the premise for Assemblymember Eric Linder’s (R-Corona) newly introduced bill, AB 1707. The new bill will strengthen the California Public Records Act (PRA), increase transparency and promote clarity to help the public adequately understand the activities of state and local agencies, according to a press release issued by Linder’s office.

“Sacramento’s first priority should always be to foster transparency with those it represents,” said Linder.  “This bill will ensure that Californians have access to the information they need to review and provide oversight of their government.”

AB 1707 will require agencies subject to this act to include in their responses to requests for public records the name of documents withheld, and the exemptions that apply to each document. This change became necessary due to concerns that some agencies’ responses are too vague for applicants to understand why requests were rejected or if exempt documents even exist.

“Californian’s should fully understand why an agency rejects their requests for public records. Government should always be taking steps towards increasing transparency and helping constituents understand the daily business conducted by the numerous agencies in California” said Assemblymember Linder.

Assembly Member Eric Linder, R-Corona, represents the 60th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, & Riverside.

 

Straight Talk With Danice

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

“My daughter thinks she’s ready to move out”

By Danice Akiyoshi, N.D.

 

Dear Dr. Akiyoshi,

My daughter just graduated from high school last June and she has already decided to move out with two girlfriends.  I feel she is not ready to be on her own, but when I try to give her advice she gets nasty.  How can I make sure she is okay without making her look childish in front of her friends?  I am really worried, because she is still so immature.  By the way, none of these girls are in college, but they all have jobs. They believe they can make this arrangement work out.  Please help! – Danielle

 

Dear Danielle,

This is one of those difficult times in the parenting cycle.  You sound like a very caring mom and your daughter will appreciate that some day.  Have faith that you did a good job in raising your daughter, and create space in your relationship for her to develop self reliance.   When I felt a deep need to visit and “check in” on my young adult kids, I made favorite food items, or offered to share my giant bundle of paper towels or toilet paper.  Youngsters are usually very open to receiving these gifts when they are first starting out on their own.  Be careful not to criticize their dwelling if it is messy, and resist the urge to fix all the difficulties that crop up.  When young adults make a decision to enter adult living, you should allow them to sort things out on their own.  However, let your daughter know she can seek your assistance before she allows anything to become a crisis.  I am assuming you have given her guidance about credit card debt and basic health practices.  Also, you might want to explain that you will not be taking steps to maintain her former lifestyle once she moves out. For example, clothes shopping, haircuts, cell phone bill, extra gas money, medical or dental expenses.  This talk should be informative, but not manipulative.  Often young adults are so excited at the thought of being on their own, that they don’t see the big picture.  When my son called with a very expensive utility bill he and his roommates couldn’t pay, I explained that I would assist them, but made it clear that I would not fix the same problem twice.  This shows you’re interested in a good outcome, but allows respect for the fact that you’re both functioning adults. If she still decides to move out after this friendly and informative conversation, be supportive, wish her well, and get back to your own interests in life. Be well.

National Signing Day in the Chino Valley

Courtesy of Facebook Emily Nguyen signs her letter of intent to Finlandia University in Michigan.

Courtesy of Facebook
Emily Nguyen signs her letter of intent to Finlandia University in Michigan.

By Carol Heyen

Chino Valley – Chino Valley Unified had more than two dozen seniors sign with universities on February 3 and 4, as part of National Signing Week.

The annual event allows America’s most talented high school senior student-athletes their first opportunity to sign a binding letter of intent to a NCAA school.  The event has become well-known as major colleges such as USC, Michigan, Alabama, Ole Miss and others sign their football recruits during this time.   The letter of intent restricts a recruit to signing with only one school in the NCAA.   National Signing Day is typically on the first Wednesday in February, according to Sports Illustrated.

Football is the big topic when talking about National Signing Week, but other sports are included as well.  Chino Valley Unified had several recruits sign this year in different sports such as softball, water polo, baseball, gymnastics and soccer.

Chino Hills High School’s Emily Nguyen, who will be majoring in Criminal Justice at Finlandia University in Michigan, said this week that while she will miss her family and friends in Chino Hills, she is excited for the change of scenery and the adventure that college holds.   “Signing day was one of the biggest days of my life; it meant that I knew I was going to do what I love while learning at the same time.”  She also said that Signing Day was especially sentimental because she got to sign with her best friend, Emily Luna, who will be attending Wilmington University in the fall.  The duo started playing together on a 8U Chino Hills Girls Softball team, and have been friends since.

Congratulations to all CVUSD student-athletes!

Man Dies after being Hit by Train

Courtesy of Google Images

Courtesy of Google Images

Staff Reports

CORONA– On Jan. 22 at about 1:55 p.m., Corona Police Officers responded to a train versus pedestrian collision in the 100 block of North McKinley Avenue. Through investigation, officers determined that 19-year-old Anthony McRea of Riverside was walking northbound on McKinley with his girlfriend. As they approached the railroad tracks just south of Sampson, they stopped for an eastbound train travelling on the north set of tracks. The crossing arms were down, lights flashing, and alarms sounding.

As the end of the train passed, McRea stepped out in front of a train travelling westbound on the south set of tracks. The train struck McRea, killing him instantly.

According to the Delaware Undergraduate Student Congress and the CSX Corporation, more people are killed in pedestrian/train accidents than airplane crashes in the United States each year. Here are some tips for staying safe around railroad tracks:

• Remember, trains may be closer than they appear. It is very difficult to accurately judge the distance and speed of an oncoming train.
• Trains are wider than they appear; most trains extend three feet on either side of the track.
• The force of a train hitting a car is comparable to the force of a car running over a soda can.
• Most trains will not be able to stop if something is in their way, so remember to never cross the guardrails. They are there for your safety.

Walnut Valley Now Registering for 2016-17 School Year

 By Kelli Gile

 

WALNUT–The Walnut Valley Unified School District is currently registering for the 2016-2017 school year for those elementary children new to the district, at any grade level.

You may register your child for transitional kindergarten if he/she turns 5 years old between September 2nd and December 2nd.  Students must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, to enroll in kindergarten for the 2016-2017 school year.

At the time of registration, parents will be asked to present a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport, proof of the child’s immunizations, and for kindergarten and 1st grade, proof of an oral health examination.  For residency verification, parents will also need to provide either final escrow papers, mortgage statement or lease/rental agreement, along with a current utility bill (gas, water or electric bill) and a driver’s license (or California I.D.) with current home address.  Enrollment is ongoing, and your residence address determines the elementary school where you should enroll your child.

The Walnut Valley Unified School District offers quality day care programs at all elementary sites, for both before and after school hours.  You may contact the Child Care office at 909-444-3460 for additional information and fees.

 

The Road to Humility

Mark Lee NewBy Pastor Mark Lee

As our country prepares to elect the next President of the United States, the men and women vying for the position face off in a series of televised debates.  These verbal battles are where campaigns are bolstered, promises are made, and plans are outlined.  During these events, the candidates’ speaking abilities, political knowledge, and personalities will be on display.  One thing that most likely will not be on display, however, is their humility.  In fact, some people believe a humble politician is a creature as mythical as a unicorn.

Humility isn’t only rare in politics.  Several social commenters have noted that we are stuck in the era of “me, me, me.”  One has to look no further than social media to see that self-promotion is now the norm.  Haven’t we all taken a selfie at some point?  With so much time being spent focusing on ourselves, is humility even possible?

Author C.S. Lewis once wrote “Humility is not thinking less of yourself.  It is thinking of yourself less.”  Common thought is that humble people are weak or lack confidence.  In reality, a humble individual realizes that their talent is a gift, their success was achieved with help, and their strength is tempered with gentleness.  A humble man gives credit where credit is due, acknowledges that he has limitations, and admits when he makes mistakes.

Luke 4:11 says “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  True humility is a journey that we can choose, or be forced, to take.  And, the funny thing about this journey is that as soon as we feel we are reaching our destination, we have moved further from the finish line.

VantagePoint Church meets at Roosevelt High School on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

 

The Winner of Your Personal Revolution

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops, M.A.M.F.T.

Do you ever feel like you just need to make a huge change?  Are you afraid and stay with your same old ways, because it’s what you have always done and how you’ve always been?  Maybe it’s time to have a personal revolution and really shake things up.  I think you can start your own personal revolution by making a list of what you need to keep about you and what you really need to finally let go of.  It’s time to revolt and personally attack those demons and the lies that hold you back from being a great and powerful you.

I know it sounds crazy to stage a revolution against yourself or against the pieces of yourself you are sick and tired of, but I don’t know of any other way to move forward if you are really stuck.  Fight hard and fight smart and do your interpersonal work.  What better day than today to claim the rights to you?  Stop letting others hold you hostage to being a lesser version of you.  Today is the day you take control of yourself and of your mind.  Has somebody made you doubt yourself?  Today is the day to fix that.  Today is the day you decide that you are proud of yourself and that you will fight to become the best you can be.   I know you can win that internal battle and you can revolt against all the lies.

You owe yourself this revolution and I know you can win.  The past is over, the future is uncertain, but the present is a gift that can help us unwrap our true inner being.  This is an inner being we can be proud of and can make us feel confident like never before.  This newly found confidence can help us see anything is possible and there will be no limits for us!

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.

Chino: Prado Lake Maintenance

 

 

Courtesy of Facebook After drainage, Prado Lake is being refilled with reclaimed/recycled water at the rate of 10 million gallons per day.

Courtesy of Facebook
After drainage, Prado Lake is being refilled with reclaimed/recycled water at the rate of 10 million gallons per day.

By Carol Heyen

CHINO– The lake at Prado Regional Park has been looking a little different these days.  The San Bernardino County Regional Park Department began a maintenance and enhancement project around the lake on January 31, and the lake was drained.

According to a park employee, one of the lake drains was severely damaged, and the lake needed to be emptied to investigate the problem.  Workers were able to clean out three drainage basins in the process, which will help prevent mosquito breeding in the summer.  Workers also removed hundreds of pounds of trash from the lake and, interestingly, a green mid-1990s Chevy truck, which was sitting about 40 feet from the nearest shoreline. The truck had been reported stolen at the beginning of 2009.  When park rangers went to get the VIN number for the truck to identify it, there was water in the cab and trout swimming in the truck.

The lake is being refilled with reclaimed/recycled water at the rate of 10 million gallons per day, and fishing will resume on February 13.  There are still many fish in the lake, because there was a pond left in the center to keep them alive until the refill began.  The lake will be double-stocked with trout before re-opening, and there may be a possible one-time stocking of bass in the coming month.

Prado Regional Park is located in the Chino Valley basin where San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles Counties connect.  The name Prado is derived from California’s early Spanish days when the countryside was known as a “prado” or meadow.

Park entrance fees are: $8 per car Monday – Fridays (excluding holidays and special events) and $10 per car on weekends and holidays (excluding special events.)  Daily Fishing Permits are $8.00/person, all ages. For more information call (909) 387-2757.