Local Community News and Public Relations established in 1997 and serving cities of Eastvale, Norco, Chino, Walnut, Corona, Riverside, and San Gabriel Valley.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
– 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.