Author Archives: ABC Public Relations

Eastvale Community Helps Locate Missing Boy

Staff Reports

Eastvale – On March 25, the Eastvale community came together to search for a missing boy.  When 12-year-old Javier was reported missing by his family, the Eastvale Police Department and the City of Eastvale asked the community for help in locating Javier.  The City of Eastvale posted the missing child’s picture on their Facebook page and indicated that the boy was last seen at 2:23 p.m. at Augustine Ramirez Intermediate School.  Friends of the family said that Javier didn’t show up to his usual pick-up spot in front of the school.  Comments on the Facebook post indicated that the boy had special needs as well.   

Friends of the family were searching the area for the boy and an Eastvale Police helicopter announced his description from above.  However, several community members felt they couldn’t sit back and wait; they wanted to join in on the search.  Strangers from all over the city got in their cars with their families and searched the neighborhoods for the boy.  It was amazing to see how many community members came together to look for a child they didn’t even know.    

By 7:40 p.m., it was confirmed that the boy was found unharmed in the city of Chino and was safely returned to his family.  It was not reported how the boy ended up in Chino or why he left the school.  However, the family and the community were just thankful he was home safe.     

The City of Eastvale posted an update to their Facebook page and thanked everyone who spread the word. “The Eastvale Police Department would like to thank the community for their assistance in helping locate Javier,” said the post. 

Easter H.O.P.E.

Pastor Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

Hopeless.  What does that mean to you?  Does it resonate with you? Is it where you are at?  Hopeless means that we believe we are at the end of the road.  It means we believe that there is no more opportunity for positive change.  We are expecting things to get worse.  It’s a feeling that comes when we can’t see a way out or a way up.  It’s a feeling that comes with dire consequences.  When we are hopeless, we often become action-less as well.  Or worse, we act foolishly and make our situation worse!

But what if we believe the things we keep telling ourselves are wrong? What if there was hope?  What if there was no such thing as a hopeless situation?  Did you know that the joy and the events of Easter come at a seemingly hopeless time?  Jesus, the promised Savior, had died on a cross.  His story seemed over – hopeless.  But three days later, He was alive again! By overcoming death, he pronounced every situation HOPE-FILLED!

When you feel hopeless, remember this promise from Isaiah 40:31: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” 

You just never know what God is going to do in your story.  Find hope for your story, this Easter at Edgewater. Join us for Easter Sunday services at 6:30 and 10:00 a.m.; as well as a special Good Friday service on April 19 at 7 p.m., and our Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 20 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. – all at Harada Elementary.

Pastor Tim Eaton, Edgewater Lutheran Church, Sundays at 10am, Harada Elementary,12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA  92880, http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org

Planes of Fame Air Show: Coming May 4th & 5th

Adult, General Admission tickets for ages 12 & up are $25. Children ages 11 & under are free & must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets cam be purchased online or at the gate. The airport and museum are located at 14998 Cal Aero Dr. in Chino. You can contact them at 909-597-3722.

Chino – Look to the skies on the weekend of May 4 and 5 as the exciting Planes of Fame soar at the Chino Airport.Mooney International Corporation.  This year’s air show commemorating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day will be featuring over 50 historic aircraft including the P-47 Thunderbolt, P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustangs flying for your enjoyment.

Performers include U.S.A.F. F-16 Viper Demo and Heritage Flight, WWII Airborne Demo Team Paratroopers, World’s fastest piston engine aircraft P-51 Mustang Voodoo, N9MB Flying Wing Demo; Pacific, European, Korean & Vietnam Flight Displays, Gregory ‘Wired’ Colyer T-33 Aerobatics, Eric Tucker Piper Cub demo and Rob Harrison the Tumbling Bear.

These incredible planes are exciting to behold. Exclusive access to their many charms is available through a special photographer’s Sunrise Photo Access pass so you can capture their beauty before the gates open.

In addition to many other fantastic airplanes performing, there will be a panel discussion with some of their honored Veterans. Follow their Planes of Fame Air show Facebook page and check out their website to receive up to the minute news on Performers and attending Aircraft and Veterans!

The gates will open at 8 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, May 4 & 5 2019, with the flying show running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Static displays and vendors will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with special merchandise and delicious food and beverages offerings available.

Adult General Admission tickets for ages 12 and above are $25. Children ages 11 and under are free, and must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Sunrise Photo Access limited passes are $90 (available online). There are also special reserved bleacher seats available. For more information on this event, visit their website at www.planesoffame.org.

The airport and museum are located at 14998 Cal Aero Drive in Chino and you can contact Planes of Fame at (909) 597-3722.

Did You Know?: 5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Month

Photo Courtesy: (c) cppzone / stock.Adobe.com

By Statepoint

Are you looking for ways to celebrate Earth Month? From enjoying nature to making simple changes to your routine that will have a positive impact on the environment, here are five cool ideas for marking the occasion.

  1. Reduce and reuse. You may not realize how much waste you create each day when you use disposable containers, bags and plastic bottles. While recycling is a great thing to do, that process itself takes a lot of energy to support and, unfortunately, not everything makes it to the recycling center. A better way to reduce your waste is by ditching single-use items and opting for more eco-friendly, reusable alternatives.
  2. Make smart swaps. Disposing of hazardous items such as batteries and bulbs can be tricky. Take a walk through your home and swap out items containing hazardous materials, such as bulbs with mercury, to rechargeable or hybrid alternatives. For example, Casio’s LampFree projectors have a hybrid Laser and LED light source which removes the need for hazardous bulbs.
  3. Skip “fast fashion.” Many of your favorite stores likely sell what is known as “fast fashion.” The fast fashion concept is what brings brand new apparel to consumers on a consistent basis, but unfortunately, the mass production of these cheaply made garments takes a toll on the environment. You can secure fashionable finds in an eco-friendly way by taking a look at apps and websites that sell second-hand clothing or even by visiting a consignment or thrift shop for unique finds. Declutter your own closet and give your clothing a second life by making donations to those in need.
  4. Get outdoors. Celebrate the beauty of the planet by getting outdoors. Whether you’re going on a hike, kayaking, or just taking a walk, high-tech wearables can help you make the most of the adventure. For example, Casio’s WSD-F30 Pro Trek Smart Outdoor Watch is durable and water-resistant, and includes apps that support outdoor activities. Such technology can help you track your activity, navigate your surroundings, and even remind you when it’s time to take a water break.
  5. Get your veggies. Pick one day each week to eat a plant-based meal and skip the meat. You’ll be doing the planet a whole lot of good, as the production of meat and animal-based products requires far more water and land use than the production of plant-based foods do. Consider also being more mindful about food waste in your own household, buying only what you need.

Eastvale City Council Considers Creating Eastvale Police Dept.

Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale

Staff Reports

Eastvale – The City of Eastvale has been recently discussing the possibility of creating Eastvale’s own Police Department, due to the rising expense of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department (RSO) contract.  The City stated that creating an Eastvale Police Department could save millions per year, improve response times, and increase the number of officers on patrol.  In addition, the Council also discussed the possibility of placing a 1% local sales tax on a future ballot. 

“With Budget Season upon us, the City Council is given the task of evaluating revenues and expenditures; making sure our residents are provided the services they desire, at a reasonable cost,” said Mayor Todd Rigby in a news release.  “One of those services, which we hold in the highest priority in, is our law enforcement services. Our city staff shared with the Council what it could look like to establish our own police department, along with increasing patrol hours.” 

Eastvale currently budgets 100 patrol hours of service per day, but are only receiving 90 hours with the RSO contract because the City doesn’t have control over how and when the services are provided.  Since the City is only authorized to receive 90 hours per day, Eastvale is about 500 hours short this year.  However, if an Eastvale Police Department was created and if the 1% sales tax measure was approved, the City could experience approximately 210 hours of service per day. Without the 1% sales tax increase, the City would experience between 100 to 150 patrol hours per day.

In addition, City staff stated that creating a separate Police Department would increase response times from 7-8 minutes to under 5 minutes.  This response time would apply to Priority 1 calls, such as an immediate threat to life or property.  Also, the number of sworn officers are expected to increase with a new Police Department.  Eastvale currently budgets for 32 sworn officers, but the RSO contract only ensures approximately 29 officers.  However, this number will increase to approximately 44 sworn officers in the first year of a new Police Department, and it could grow to 56-60 officers over a four to five-year period if Eastvale voters support a 1% sales tax measure.

“The preliminary results show that creating our own Police Department can save us money, add patrol hours in our city, improve response times, and retain immediate local control of our law enforcement services. We would be foolish as a City Council, and it would be a disservice to our residents, if we did not look further into this option,” said Rigby. 

In a Facebook video announcement on March 25, Rigby discussed the rising expense of the RSO contract.  “Over the last five years, our law enforcement contract rate has increased by approximately 30%,” said Rigby.  The City of Eastvale stated that this increase is currently outpacing regional index cost of living.  “This increase is not sustainable,” added Rigby.

The current contract with RSO is $11,825,572, with rising cost predictions, according to the City.  The contract with RSO has increased by nearly 75% in the last five years, including patrol hours.  In addition, the RSO’s five-year budget projection is estimated at $74,860,000.  However, a Police Department 5-year projection is $68,310,000, which would give the City an estimate of $6,550,000 in savings over five years.

Rigby said that the City looked into a feasibility study after they heard that the City of Menifee was experiencing similar issues.  When the City of Menifee realized that their contract rate with their Law Enforcement services continued to increase, they decided to conduct a feasibility study then ultimately created their own Police Department.  The City of Menifee’s decision prompted the City of Eastvale to do the same.  The Eastvale feasibility study was completed for a cost of $10,000 and a peer review was completed for $2,000, which were both approved and authorized by the Eastvale City Manager.  A copy of the preliminary draft feasibility study can be viewed at www.eastvaleca.gov under the “What’s New” tab.

The study was presented to the Eastvale City Council on March 13 at the city’s second budget goal-setting workshop for the 19/20 fiscal year.  This meeting was public and residents were invited to attend.  At this meeting, the council decided to further evaluate the potential of an Eastvale Police Department.  The item was discussed again at the Public Safety Commission Meeting on March 26, where residents were asked to give their input. 

“This discussion does not in any way reflect our satisfaction with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, our RSO Lieutenant that serves as our Police Chief, or the hard-working women and men who are keeping our city safe every day,” said City Manager Bryan Jones. “They have helped Eastvale become the 12th Safest City in California, along with our Neighborhood Watch Program and other strategic public safety investments,” City Manager Bryan Jones continued. “This is a matter of fiscal responsibility that our residents are counting on. With the rising annual contract costs from RSO, it would be irresponsible of us not to explore this opportunity. There are a lot of factors to consider and we look forward to engaging the community in this process.”

Also discussed at the Public Safety Commission Meeting and the City Council meeting was the possibility of placing a 1% local sales tax on a future ballot.  Rigby states that the Police Department and the local sales tax are “two different items that are not dependent or contingent on each other.”  However, he says the two items are related in the fact that if Eastvale stays with RSO, the City’s “revenues will not be sufficient in approximately 2025, so we may need additional revenue methods.” 

If the City were to consider a local sales tax measure, the generated revenue would stay in Eastvale and serve the residents and businesses. A City news release stated that this could generate an additional $9.5 – 10 million in revenue for the City to enhance services and make strategic investments to grow the City’s revenues with commercial retail and higher value generating land uses.

“We appreciate the residents coming out and engaging in these two items,” said Rigby on April 1 regarding the proposed Police Department and sales tax.  “At last week’s Council meeting, the Council directed staff to continue to work closely with our residents and to provide workshops where residents can share their questions, comments, and concerns,” added Rigby.  The workshops will be announced via the City’s website and social media pages. 

The discussion will also continue at the next City Council Meeting and 1st Hearing Budget Adoption, which will be held on April 24, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.  Another City Council Meeting and the 2nd Hearing Budget & Adoption will be held on May 22, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.  Both meetings will be held in the Council Chambers located at 12363 Limonite Avenue Suite 910 Eastvale, CA 91752.  More information can be found at www.eastvaleca.gov.  To access a PDF of the City’s Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Police Department, visit https://www.eastvaleca.gov/home/showdocument?id=12529

City of Eastvale Complete Edition, April 2019

The City of Eastvale News covers local news for Eastvale, Norco, Corona, Jurupa Valley, Mira Loma, Chino and more. Click the following link to access the complete issue in pdf format: https://anapr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/16pg_2019-04-eastvalenews.pdf

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Meditation is a Natural Way to Wellness

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

By Nancy Stoops

I have been meditating most of my life.  I have been aware for years as to all of the benefits of daily meditation.  I have known for along time that daily meditation helps an individual focus better and manage stress better.  Recently, I was listening to the news and there was a story about a school district that has their students meditating daily.  They found a dramatic difference in how their students were able to concentrate and learn when daily meditation was incorporated into the student’s school day.  The other day a colleague was telling me about a study with the Dalai Lama.  They were able to show that meditation actually changes brain chemistry.   I personally would much rather meditate rather than use any other method, to adjust my mood or reduce my anxiety.

I must say that I’m very excited about these findings because they validate what I have believed for years.  Meditation takes daily practice and its’ effects can start early on, if done correctly.  True meditation occurs when one is able to clear one’s mind, by focusing on the deep breathing the individual is participating in.  Meditation isn’t a very easy skill to acquire but can be learned if the individual is serious. I meet so many people that are on medication for anxiety and depression.  I struggle with the concept of a magic pill for all that we suffer from.  Meditation is a much healthier and natural way of taking charge of you and your mindset.  On Saturday March 30 from 8a.m. -noon I will be facilitating a free wellness event at the Walnut Senior Center.  I will be teaching meditation as part of the event.  For more information contact me at (909)229-0727 or the senior center at (909)598-6200.  I hope you will join us for a wonderful morning of wellness and learn how to meditate and learn lots of other information about wellness.  Midnight the therapy dog will be helping me with the event.  We hope to see you all there!!!

  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.  You may call 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.

Tint Your Windows at Mr. Tint

Mr. Tint is conveniently located just minutes from Eastvale at 1780 Town and Country Drive, #104, in Norco (near the Post Office and DMV). Call them at (951) 737-7007 for more information, or visit their website at http://www.mrtint-ie.com.

Staff Reports

Norco- Car window tinting is one of the best ways to improve the look and comfort of your vehicle. You can protect the interior of the vehicle from sun damage by tinting the windows. Sunlight and heat can cause your interior, like seats and the dashboard, to fade, crack and deteriorate. Window tinting reduces the sunlight allowed into the vehicle, which in turn reduces how hot it gets inside your car. Likewise, homes and offices heat up during the day, and trying to keep your air-conditioner ahead of the game can be costly.
Car window tinting also increases the value of your vehicle when done by professionals like Mr. Tint. Quality car window tinting and expert installation is essential for a professional tint job and maintaining a showroom-quality car.
Mr. Tint has a solution for autos, homes, and commercial buildings.  By tinting your windows, you can not only save up to 30% on your cooling costs with a significant decrease in heat, but you can reduce up to 99% of the UV rays that fade auto interiors, window coverings and furniture in your home and office.
There is one goal prevalent at Mr. Tint, and that is for their customers to be 100% satisfied.  They are focused on not only providing a superior product, but with offering competitive pricing alongside exceptional customer service.  Mr. Tint believes in treating the customer right in all aspects of their business.  By earning your loyalty, you will refer your family, friends and business associates, and come back time and again.
Family owned and operated, Mr. Tint offers free estimates and lifetime warranties.  With over 20 years of experience, the quality of their workmanship is second to none.  They are completely sure you will be satisfied, and invite you to see what other customers are saying on Yelp.com.
Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Same-day service is available, and you can enjoy free beverages and Wi-Fi while you wait, or take advantage of their free shuttle service (within 10 miles).
Mr. Tint is conveniently located just minutes from Eastvale at 1780 Town and Country Drive, #104, in Norco (near the post office and DMV).  Call them at (951) 737-7007 for more information, or visit their website at http://www.mrtint-ie.com. 

Make Your Backyard Extreme

Extreme Backyard Designs is located at 2330 S. Vineyard Ave. in Ontario. They can be reached at 909.930.6111 or online at http://www.extremebackyarddesigns.com

By Michael Armijo

Companies come and go, so longevity is key when you’re modifying your home, both inside and out. Extreme Backyard Designs is a testimony of longevity as their family run business has been designing outdoor entertainment centers with name brand components for over 20 years.

“A key component to staying in business so long is to treat people the way we would want ourselves to be treated,” said James Deeley, founder of the family business. With so many years in business, you not only get quality products, you also gets years of experience of getting things done correctly and creatively.

Extreme Backyard Designs can provide custom Barbeque islands, outdoor fireplaces, fire pit tables, spas, patio furniture, and many other items all wholesale to the public.

“We are college and trade school educated and enjoy the interaction and satisfaction of transforming backyards into a family’s personal oasis,” Deeley said. “Since we buy at such a large volume, we always have monthly specials on our website.”

The Extreme Backyard Designs staff are the most knowledgeable and friendly people in the area, as they are centrally located on the corner of the 60 Freeway and Vineyard, right across from the newest Kaiser building.

“We believe what makes a business thrive is to provide the best quality components, a superior level of customer service, while providing an affordable price,” Deeley said.

Serving all of Southern California, Extreme Backyard Designs is located at 2330 S. Vineyard Ave in our neighboring city of Ontario. They can be reached at 909.930.6111, or you can view their website at www.extremebackyarddesigns.com.

Tax Season Tips to Avoid Scammers and Robocalls

Photo Courtesy: (c) Carlos David / stock.Adobe.com

By Statepoint

It’s tax season. The time of year when phone scammers get particularly aggressive trying to trick you out of your hard-earned money. And scam calls and robocalls are a growing problem for everyone. Here are a few tricks to help you dodge scammers and give you peace of mind.

Know the Signs

Scam call technology is always changing, so it’s important to stay vigilant against scammers’ attempts to get you to answer your phone. Every year, they make millions off innocent victims with new techniques. Their latest method, known as number-spoofing technology, could fool even the savviest consumers into answering the phone. Number-spoofing makes a scammer’s number appear as either a familiar number with a local area code or even come up on Caller ID as the “IRS.” If you don’t answer, they may also leave “urgent” callback voicemails via robocalls. Recognizing these tactics can help you stay safe. If you suspect a call (or a voicemail) is a scam, hang up. If you want to be sure, don’t call back the number provided but instead, look up your local IRS Customer Service number on the Internet and call the IRS directly.

Use Protection Tools

Check out what technology your wireless company offers that can protect you from scam and spoof calls. For example, T-Mobile offers free scam and spoofing protection for customers with Scam ID and Scam Block. These tools are made available to all postpaid customers and live on the T-Mobile network, so no app is required. As soon as a call reaches the network, it’s analyzed and if it’s scam, the incoming call is tagged as Scam Likely. If customers want to stop scam calls completely, they can turn on Scam Block. With these tools in place, in the last two years, T-Mobile has alerted customers to over 10 billion Scam Likely calls. And in 2019, T-Mobile reports warning customers of 225 million Scam Likely calls each week. Others wireless providers usually also offer customers app solutions to help identify scam calls for a small monthly fee. Check with your provider to see what is available.

New standards from the Federal Communications Commission, called STIR/SHAKEN, are also helping protect consumers. T-Mobile’s implementation of STIR/SHAKEN, Caller Verified, lets you know when a call made on the T-Mobile network is authentic and not intercepted by scammers and spammers. Once other wireless providers implement STIR/SHAKEN, Caller Verified will work on calls made across networks.

Know Your Rights

While scam-blocking technology can help you filter out scam and spoof calls, it’s also important to know your rights. Many of these calls use intimidation tactics to scare consumers into divulging sensitive information over the phone. The IRS website notes that they will always make attempts to reach you via postal mail first and they will never ask you for a specific form of payment. You should know that you always have the right to formally contest the amount owed, and the IRS will not make threats against you or your family regarding arrest or deportation. If you have any elderly or susceptible family members, talk to them about how to avoid such scams and consider setting them up with the latest technology to help them stay safe.

This tax season, be wary about the calls that you receive. With up-to-date information and new technology, you can protect your pocketbook from scammers.

WVUSD Science Olympiad Teams Bring Home Top Awards

All middle, high schools advance to state finals

By Kelli Gile

Walnut—After months of preparation, Walnut Valley USD Science Olympiad teams came away with an impressive cache of gilded medals during the Los Angeles regional competition.

All three middle schools and both high schools will now advance to the Southern California State Finals at Caltech on April 6.

Chaparral scored a 3rd place finish, Suzanne took 4th place, and South Pointe followed in 5th place during the Division B middle school contest among 40 teams at Rio Hondo College.

Chaparral’s team, advised by science teacher Bob Patterson, won 1st place awards in nine of the 23 individual competitions including Disease Detectives, Dynamic Planet, and Mystery Architecture.

“The success of our team is due to the dedicated efforts and team spirit displayed by our students, and the amazing support of our parents,” Patterson said.

In Division C, Diamond Bar High’s total scores earned 3rd place and Walnut High took 4th place among 50 high-performing teams in the contest.

“Our Science Olympiad team is currently preparing for the next competition and is eager to demonstrate their hard work and knowledge at the state level,” said Diamond Bar High math teacher and advisor Dawn Daza.

Quail Summit Elementary students scored the gold medal and earned the second highest score in the competition among 66 teams in the Division A competition held at Occidental College on February 25. 

Additionally, Castle Rock and C.J. Morris Elementary Schools brought home the silver awards.

“This group of dedicated 4th and 5th grade young scientists studied all year, put in hours of research, and conducted experiments,” said Quail Summit’s elementary learning specialist Leann Legind.

“They displayed teamwork, character, perseverance, and great critical thinking skills – and we are so proud of them!”

After competing all day in the rain, the elementary division’s awards ceremony was cancelled due to the inclement weather.

And although most teams headed home before the final results were announced, Quail Summit students decided to wait 90 minutes for the final tally of scores.

“We worked too hard – we’re staying!” they chimed.

VantagePoint Church to Host Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Staff Reports

Eastvale– For the eleventh consecutive year, a popular springtime event will be returning to Eastvale.

On Saturday, April 13 2019, VantagePoint Church will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Roosevelt High School Football Stadium.  The celebration will take place between 9 a.m. and 12 Noon.

Easter egg hunts for children of all ages will be held throughout the day, including special sensory hunts for children with special needs.  Children with special needs will also be given front-of-the-line wristbands and will have a special designated event entrance.

“This fun-filled event has always drawn a large crowd and every year the attendance increases,” said Monique Whritenour, Director of Operations for VantagePoint Church.  “In an effort to build upon our success and better serve our community, we added a few new features that would enable children of all ages and backgrounds to have access to the many fun activities.”

In addition to the Easter egg hunts, the event will also include games with prizes, giant inflatable obstacle courses, raffles, and pictures with the Easter Bunny, Belle, Princess Aurora, Spiderman, Kylo Ren, and other Star War Characters.

This year they’ll have a free raffle for a stay at the Great Wolf Lodge.

Admission to the event as well as all of its activities is free.  Food will be available for purchase.

While the entire community is invited to attend, Whritenour believes that families with children ages 12 and under will find it especially enjoyable.

“The 11th Annual VantagePoint Church Easter Egg Hunt will provide a wonderful opportunity for Eastvale families to get to know their neighbors, while providing their children with a positive and fun experience,” she said.  “Of course, our goal is always to show the community Christ’s love.  We ask for nothing in return.”

They will have Accommodations for Children with Special Needs like: Short Lines for Event Entrance, Front of the Line Wristbands, and Sensory Friendly Easter EGG Hunt! Look for the Sign at the Entrance that says, “Special Needs.”

Roosevelt High School is located at 7447 Scholar Way in Eastvale, Calif.  For more information regarding VantagePoint Church or the annual Easter Egg Hunt, call (909) 465-9700 x700 or visit www.vantagepointchurch.org.

A Skunk in the Church

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Diamond Bar- California was a cattle ranch for many years.  It has an interesting history dating back to Mexican land grants and a variety of owners.  Our church is built on the site where the original ranch house stood.  In the 1960’s, Transamerica Corporation bought the ranch and developed it into a beautiful master planned community.

Although Diamond Bar does not look like a cattle ranch today, there are some other residents who still call it home. In the past we have seen deer on the hillside east of our house. We have seen coyotes trotting down our street.  And, we have seen skunks and raccoons.

Our church property used to have some undeveloped land behind the first building.  Hawks built nests in the tall pine trees and skunks were seen from time to time.

One day before a Sunday church service a child approached me with an urgent message. He said there was a skunk in the church!  At first I thought he was kidding, but when several of us investigated we found a skunk lying in the return air duct that ran under the floor. We could clearly see him but we weren’t sure if he was dead or asleep.

What should we do?  Should we evacuate the building or just wait and deal with the skunk after the service?  We decided to wait and not say anything so we wouldn’t cause a panic and risk waking him up. The service ended without incident.  After people left, a friend helped me investigate. We realized the skunk was dead. We removed him and buried him in the land behind the church.

Apparently, he had found his way into the furnace room which had a fresh air grill to the outside. He must have climbed into the return air duct, slid down under the floor and was unable to get back out.  We don’t know how long he was there. We actually saw two other skunks on the property that morning. They were probably looking for their lost friend who had disappeared in the church furnace room.

As a pastor, I like to think that everyone is welcome at our church. We encourage friends and guests to attend our services.  But, we may need to post a new sign, “No Skunks Allowed”!

This article was written by Pastor Mark Hopper of Efree Church of Diamond Bar. Sunday Services are held at 9:00 am & 10:45 am at 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd. You can contact the church at 909.594.7604 or visit them online at Efreedb.org

A Growing Concern for Over 40 Years

By Michael Armijo

For those of you who know Eastvale’s history, you’re pretty knowledgeable about how abundant the ground grows green grass and fresh vegetables. Our history tells us how. Our land is very fertile.

Sunshine Growers, which currently has locations in Ontario and Corona, will soon be opening in the City of Eastvale. So now is a good time to grow your goods in a fertile environment, ridding yourself of the pesticides and the high cost of organic greens. But Sunshine Growers doesn’t stop there. They offer a variety of plants and outdoor supplies to spruce up your backyards and gardens.

The City of Eastvale is also on board as the Eastvale Planning Commission approved the development of a new 20,000-square-foot greenhouse and retail store for a new plant nursery at Sunshine Grower’s new location on Riverside Drive, east of Hamner Avenue in Eastvale.

“We are thrilled that Sunshine Growers has chosen to expand their business in our young and growing community,” said Mayor Clint Lorimore. “I am certain that our community will benefit from the variety of plant options that Sunshine Growers will provide, and I look forward to seeing how Eastvale homeowners will beautify their landscaping following the opening of this new business.”

This locally-based, family-owned business will be moving from Ontario, bringing jobs and approximately $4-million in taxable retail sales to Eastvale. Sunshine Growers is a family of wholesale and retail nurseries that sell quality plant material to the community and to landscape contractors. When they open, Sunshine Growers will be the only full-service plant nursery in Eastvale, providing a great local option for the community to continue to enhance landscaping around their homes.

“We grow a variety of Plants, Groundcover, and color so we can have a big advantage over the retail nurseries and chain stores,” said Russell Lepper, Spokesperson for the chain.

To find out more please sign onto www.sunshinegrowersnursery.com or visit them on Riverside Drive east of Hamner Avenue. Or you can call their Corona store at 951.736.6000, Ontario store at 909.923.7277, or their Yucaipa store at 909.797.9270.

City of Diamond Bar’s Annual Poster Contest to Celebrate Arbor Day

By City of Diamond Bar

The City of Diamond Bar invites all students to celebrate Arbor Day 2019 by participating in their annual art contest.  Local artist may use any art medium of their choice to create a poster depicting the theme “Trees are Terrific: for our Health and Happiness.”  Judges will select a first-place ($50 Target gift card), second-place ($25 gift card) and third-place ($15 gift card) winner. Winners will be invited to receive their prize at the Earth Day 2019 Celebration. All poster entry forms must be submitted by Friday, April 12 before 4:30 p.m.

Contest Entry Form

All fourth or fifth graders who live or go to school in Diamond Bar can participate in the annual art contest.

Artwork must be hand-drawn on letter-size paper (8 1/2 x 11 inch), and may be in color or black and white, and created using crayons, colored pencils, markers, watercolors or any other medium. Glue, stickers, and glitter are not allowed.

The top three entries will be selected and displayed at the event and artists will receive a Target gift card ($50 for first place, $25 for second place, and $15 for third place).

Posters may be dropped off at, or mailed to, Diamond Bar City Hall located at 21810 Copley Drive. A completed entry form must accompany entry.

Contest Rules

1. All entries must be original artwork created by a student who is currently in the fifth grade. A student may enter the contest only once.

2. Entries must be done on paper with sufficient clarity to allow for duplication, displaying, and framing.

3. The first-place winner’s artwork will be framed.

4. The student’s first and last name must be written or signed in the lower right-hand corner on the front of the poster.

5. Entries must be cone in marker, crayon, paint pens, watercolor, ink, acrylic, colored paper, and/or tempera paint.

6. Collages are not acceptable (Do not glue anything on your poster.)

7. Computer or photo generated art and/or printing is not acceptable.

8. Entries should not display the names of commercial products, companies, or organizations.

9. The poster must be related to the contest theme in some way. The theme: “Trees are Terrific and Energy Wise” must be on the poster. All words must be spelled correctly.

10. Entries should not be matted, mounted, laminated, framed or folded.

For more information or questions contact the City’s Environmental Services Division at 909-839-7015 or greendb@diamondbarca.gov or visit their website https://www.diamondbarca.gov/760/Earth-Day-and-Arbor-Day

Melanie Smith-Rice of State Farm Insurance in Norco.

Competitive Coverage to Meet Your Family’s Needs

Melanie Smith-Rice of State Farm Insurance in Norco.
Melanie Smith-Rice of State Farm Insurance in Norco.

Staff Reports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SGV-IE News: Complete Edition March 2019

The SGV-IE News covers local news for Walnut, Diamond Bar, Chino, Chino Hills and the surrounding areas. Click the following link to access the complete issue in pdf format:
https://anapr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2019-03-sgvienews.pdf

Autism Mom: God Sends Us Angels

By Melody Kraemer


God puts angels in our lives, and we call them friends. The other day had been rough. I had been sick for days and trying to hold it together with my autistic boys.  It was a day where everything just seemed to go wrong. It could have been the fact I was just so sick.

We moms know, life doesn’t stop because we are ill. All we can hope for is the kids will be good and go down early for bed. Though more often than not that’s not the case. 

I was exhausted from going to the doctor’s and  I was so worn down. My youngest came home from school and had meltdown after meltdown. One of the tantrums lasted forty-five minutes.  I was screamed at and yelled at. My patience was running thin and I was about to throw in the towel and say I can’t do this anymore.

Then I received a text message.

It was a friend of mine, an angel sent from God, saying she was on her way over to drop something off. The doorbell rang and there she stood. It could have been all the cold medicine I was on, but I think I actually saw a heavenly glow around her. She was holding a pizza for my boys and chicken soup and Starbuck’s tea for me.  I had no words.  I wanted to give her a big hug but I knew I couldn’t pass my germs on. Instead, I got teary-eyed and cried. I was feeling so blessed.

I was so thankful and I thanked the heavens above. A light had come into my darkness and I knew God was taking care of me. Just a reminder to all of you, don’t give up. You will always have angels around you.

Melody Kraemer is the Editor and Publisher of Macaroni Kid: Jurupa Valley-Eastvale and Macaroni Kid: Riverside. For more information or general encouragement, feel free to email her at: autismmomofboys@gmail.com 

Pastor Rob Norris, The Crossings

Are You Worthy of Imitating?

His delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:2
Pastor Rob Norris, The Crossings
Pastor Rob Norris, The Crossings

By Pastor Rob Norris

As parents, we need to think about the priorities we are teaching our children by our words and our actions. Ask yourself, If I could pass on my relationship with God to my kids, would they be satisfied with what they receive? If my children could never experience anything more than what I have today, would they be given enough to navigate themselves successfully through life? Would they experience God? One thing I have learned is that your children will listen to what you say, and they will do what you tell them, but they will become who you are. If your daily experience with Christ is less than you want your children to possess, they probably won’t ever have it either.
Your model should be the man in Psalm 1–the one whose “delight” is in spending time with God and His Word (verse 2). The one who “meditates” on the things of God through the ins and outs of the day. The one who keeps him- or herself “firmly planted” by those “streams of water” (verse 3).
Live It:
Share honestly those things that are distracting you right now from your relationship with Christ. How are you showing your children the reality of truly walking with Jesus Christ?
Meeting @ 10:00 at River Heights Intermediate School 7227 Scholar Way, Eastvale CA. Trusting and believing with you.
Pastor Rob

Golf with Your Local Sheriffs in Chino Hills

Photo Courtesy: BedneyImages

By Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club

Chino Hills- The Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club will host a golf tournament in Memory of Deputy Steven Belanger on Monday, April 1, 2019. If you would like to contribute and/or cannot attend and would like to donate, the Booster Club is looking for 150 promotional items for their golf tournament.

The registration will be at 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and followed by a Shotgun Start of 11:30 a.m. on April 1 at the Western Hills Country Club, 1800 Carbon Canyon Rd., in Chino Hills. A luncheon will immediately follow the tournament.

“Thousands of hours are donated annually by our department’s volunteers, explorers, reserves and disaster communication specialists,” Captain Alfred Reyes said.  “From vacation checks and traffic control to color guard and keeping disaster communication equipment ready in case of emergency, these are a few of the many services they provide the community.”
Prizes for the longest drive, closest to the pin and hole-in-one will be awarded during the luncheon. The cost for a single player is $100.

Sponsorship opportunities are available as follows:

Platinum sponsor – $3,000- Includes 16 players/four teams, recognition during the awards luncheon, repeated advertising of your company in Our Weekly newspaper and during the tournament, name placement on event signage and a recognition certificate from the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club.

Gold sponsor – $2,000- Includes 8 players/two teams, recognition in Our Weekly newspaper, recognition during the awards luncheon, name placement on event signage and a recognition certificate from the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club.

Silver sponsor – $1,000-Includes one team of four players and a recognition certificate from the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club.

Other sponsorship opportunities include– Soft drink/Beer Cart Sponsors for $1,000, Hole-In-One sponsor for $500, Goodie Bag Sponsor for $500, Closest-to-the-Pin Sponsor for $400, and Tee Sign Sponsorship for $100.
Captain Alfred Reyes encourages community members to join this fun and meaningful tournament to continue to help provide the needed uniforms and equipment to the people who volunteer 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.

For information and reservations, contact Sgt. Darren Luter, volunteer coordinator, at (909) 595-2264, or Gil Rivera, booster club member at (909) 967-4525, GRiveraEmail@gmail.com.