Author Archives: ABC Public Relations

Empty Is Good

By Pastor Dennis Morales

“And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”  Luke 24:24

There was a city where a building wall collapsed because the foundation caved into an empty tomb-it was unknown and hidden when they built it. Now if the men intentionally built a building with a hole as a foundation they would be fools. When we look at God and His ability to “hang the earth upon nothing” we think differently. The church as we know it has a foundation that is in fact the empty tomb. If His tomb hadn’t been emptied there wouldn’t have been any hope. The empty tomb gives us assurance that Jesus is who He said He is. Jesus “was declared the Son of God (with power) by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom 1:4). The empty tomb is proof of acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice for all mankind (Rom 5:18).   The empty tomb means death is defeated. There is now no death for those who are in Christ Jesus! “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”(1 Cor. 15:51-57).  Because of the empty tomb, you and I, by faith in Him, have life today and life forever!  He is risen!  SPECIAL EASTER SERVICES:  Good Friday at 6pm and a combined service on Easter Sunday at 9:30am with a Family BBQ following.  Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets regularly Sundays, 8:30am & 10:30am, and Wednesdays, 7:00pm at Clara Barton Elementary School (7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale).  Visit their website at www.clavaryeastvale.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Sheriff Golf Tournament Honors Former Mayor

Jack Tanaka

Staff Reports

Walnut, Diamond Bar – The Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club will host a golf tournament in honor of former Diamond Bar Mayor Jack Tanaka on April 2, 2018. Tanaka passed away in August of last year after a battle with cancer. He spent 10 years as a city council member and mayor.

“Jack was always the first to contribute to our annual golf tournaments, always stopping by the booster club booth at the city birthday party, and a fervent supporter of the volunteers who serve at the Sheriff’s station,” said Booster Club President Gil Rivera.

Since 1987, the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club has provided thousands of dollars to the Reserve, Volunteer, Explorer, and Disaster Communication Services (DCS) programs for the Cities of Diamond Bar and Walnut, and the community of Rowland Heights, to finance needs not funded by the County, Cities, or the Sheriff’s Department.

“Each year we hold an annual golf tournament to raise funds for this event among other needs the department needs that are not on the budget from the county,” said Sheriff Booster President Gil Rivera ofwww.SellYourCasa.com. “They give generously of their time to help in many areas including patrol and vacation home checks, in addition to thousands of hours at sobriety check points and school traffic assistance

This cannot be accomplished without participation from local businesses, as well as individual citizens. Membership in the Booster Club helps ensure that needed funding for these auxiliary programs is available to help protect our communities and provide a high degree of safety for our citizens.

“Thousands of hours are donated annually by our department’s volunteers, explorers, reserves and disaster communication specialists,” Captain Alfred Reyes said in an earlier statement last year.  “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.”

If you would like to contribute and/or cannot attend and would like to donate, the Booster Club is looking for 150 minimum promotional product donations to help in honoring the volunteers.
The registration will be at 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and followed by a Shotgun Start of 11:15a.m. on  April 2 at the Western Hills Country Club, 1800 Carbon Canyon Rd., in Chino Hills. A luncheon will immediately follow the tournament.

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 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.

Tanaka stated that the city council, staff and residents made his 10 years of service memorable and a great learning experience. His last day in office was December 1, 2016.

Tanaka, was first elected in 2005, served twice as the city’s mayor and served on the City’s Planning Commission for more than three years. He said he wanted to spend more time with family, but will still remain active in the community who he considers family.
A retired U.S. Army Sergeant and former peace officer with the California Youth Authority and State Department of Corrections, Tanaka was first elected to the Diamond Bar City Council in 2005.
A constant fixture in the community, Tanaka and his wife Wanda devoted much of their time to helping out in the community especially youth. From the Miss Diamond Bar Pageant and the local Humane Society to community birthday parties and city concerts, the Tanaka’s were always there to lend a helping hand.
The Tanakas moved to Diamond Bar in 1976 and have since remained actively involved in community matters. In 2012, the couple was honored with Lions Clubs International’s Lion of the Year Award, the organization’s highest honor and usually given to only one person in the world. This is one of many reasons he has earned the honor of being recognized by the Sheriff’s annual event.

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

 

 

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Sandbags Available for Eastvale Residents

In anticipation of heavy rainfall Wednesday through Friday, the City of Eastvale has provided pre-filled sandbags free of charge to residents.

Post Date:03/20/2018 4:01 PM

In anticipation of heavy rainfall Wednesday through Friday, and as a courtesy to Eastvale residents, a limited quantity of pre-filled sandbags are available free of charge at the following locations:

  • Fire Station #27 (7067 Hamner Ave., Eastvale, CA 92880)
  • Fire Station #31 (14491 Chandler Street Eastvale, CA 92880)

Sandbags will be distributed as follows:

  • Residents requesting sandbags must provide proof of Eastvale residency through a current utility bill and valid California’s Driver License/ Identification Card when picking up sandbags.
  • 10 bags per Eastvale household will be distributed.
  • Residents will be responsible for loading sandbags into their personal vehicle.
  • Available while supplies last.

Download Sandbag flyer for additional details.

The National Weather Service is currently tracking a flash flood watch that is anticipated to be in effect from March 21, 2018 at 11:00 p.m. – March 23, 2018 at 5:00 a.m. This storm will impact Southern California during this time frame. These storms will bring an estimated 2”-3” of rainfall to the area.

The City of Eastvale, in conjunction with partner agencies, have been proactive in preparing for heavy rainfall by inspecting catch basins and storm drain system to help prevent flooding within City limits.

A larger volume of water should be expected to flow in the roadway during a heavy downpour. This is normal, as roadways are designed to carry certain amounts of water runoff before being caught by catch basins and underground storm drain systems.

Residents are encouraged to plan and prepare for the expected storms by following these tips:

  • Clear debris from all roof drains, gutters, downspouts, yard drains, and private drainage channels.
  • Allow extra time in your commute to work and/or school.
  • Stay away from open storm drain channels and catch basins. James Huber Park and Harada Park serve as flood control detention basins and should not be accessed during heavy rainfall or while occupied with water.
  • Stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Report downed electrical lines to the Southern California Edison at 1-800-611-1911.
  • Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream of water. Even shallow water can sweep you off your feet.
  • Do not drive through flooded streets and avoid needless trips. “Turn Around Don’t Drown”.
  • Check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance for flood insurance coverage. If none exists and your home is in a flood plain, contact your insurance agent to discuss coverage options.
  • Keep your car fueled and ready to go and know alternate routes to and from your home and workplace.

Additional flood preparedness information can be found on the City’s website at http://www.eastvaleca.gov/residents/emergency-preparedness/resources or by visiting https://www.ready.gov/floods.

Two Local Wrestlers Take State Title

Courtesy: Kathleen Ray

By Chris Helsinger-Pate

 

Corona – A highly competitive wrestling team from Santiago High School sent three wrestlers to the CIF State Boys’ Wrestling tournament. Brayden Ray, Joshua Kim, and Jesse Vasquez traveled to Bakersfield to represent their team.

Senior Brayden Ray, a competitor in the 220-pound weight class, notes that he has “…had to train hard and stay focused on the right path” to reach the state level. He used the disappointment from last season (falling just short of the CIF title) to catapult him to this season’s success.

Joshua Kim and Jesse Vasquez experienced tremendous hard fought success at the CIF State Championship. Both wrestlers advanced to the finals in their weight classes and came out victorious making them state champs. Sophomore Jesse Vasquez says that “Wrestling continually provides me opportunities to grow and achieve my goals.” Vasquez should be a strong candidate to come out on top in the 132-pound weight class considering his first place finish in the CIF Regional round.

Courtesy: Kathleen Ray

All three wrestlers referenced their faith in God as one of the driving forces behind their success. Joshua Kim, a senior at Santiago, “…believe[s] that my success and failures as a student-athlete are God’s plan.”

While Brayden Ray, Jesse Vasquez, and Joshua Kim have been driving forces behind Santiago’s success it is Jesse Vasquez now a two time state champ, that is likely to have the longest lasting impact. Just a sophomore, he’ll have two more seasons to compete at the high school level. Another offseason of training will leave him a favorite to accomplish more accolades at the CIF level.

Impossible (Part 2)

By Mark Hopper

A few weeks ago, I shared that the foundation of the Christian faith is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  Easter Sunday is the day that Christians around the world celebrate this important and remarkable event.

For many people it just seems impossible. Why would anyone believe that a dead person could come back to life three days after his public execution and death?

But, the Bible is very clear and specific.  Numerous biblical authors provide specific details that describe Jesus’ resurrection.

For me, the most convincing evidence is the testimony of the eyewitnesses who claim to have seen Jesus alive after his public execution. They claim to have seen and talked with him. They claim that he ate food and drank in front of their eyes. They touched him and spent time with him.

You can read many of the details in New Testament books like Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the book of Acts. The Apostle Paul provides a list of specific times when people saw Jesus alive (First Corinthians 15). Both Peter and John refer to eyewitness accounts in their letters near the end of the New Testament.

These authors claim to have personally seen Jesus alive after his crucifixion and burial.  When they were warned by local authorities not to speak about Jesus’ resurrection, Peter and John said that they could not stop speaking about what they had personally seen and heard (Acts 5).  They were convinced that Jesus was alive. They wrote down what they saw and boldly told others what they had seen and heard.

Shortly after my wife and I bought our first new car, we went to dinner with some friends to a new restaurant in Claremont.

Parking was scarce, but we found an empty spot and carefully parked parallel to the curb. After dinner, we walked back to our car and started for home. My friend saw a piece of paper on the wind shield.  It looked like a parking ticket.

However, after we pulled over, my friend got out and retrieved the paper that was under the wind shield wiper. It wasn’t a ticket at all. It was a hand written note that informed us that my new car had been hit and damaged by a Foothill transit bus! A worker in a local bike shop had heard the crash and ran out of his shop to see what had happened. He wrote down the name and license plate number of the bus and left a note on my car window.

We called the police and they investigated the matter. They were able to confirm that the back bumper of the bus hit the front finder of my car. There were scratches on the bus and extensive damage to my car. We had not noticed the damage because it was so dark.

We would have never known what had happened to my new car on that dark winter night if the bicycle repairman had not seen the accident and left a written note on my wind shield. This eyewitness was the key to solving this mystery. If someone had not seen it and written down the name and license number, we would probably never know what had really happened.

I am convinced that Jesus literally rose from the dead because many eyewitnesses saw him alive after his death on the cross. Individuals saw him. Small groups of people saw him. At one time over 500 people saw Jesus alive at the same time. All of them were convinced that he really was alive.  He wasn’t just a ghostly image or a shadowy figure. He was real, physical and tangible.  They talked with him, ate with him and literally touched him after he rose from the dead.

This may seem impossible to many people, but I believe it is true. I hope you will dust off your Bible and carefully read the final chapters in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Read the testimonies and personal accounts in the book of Acts. Examine the evidence for yourself.

I hope you will attend a church near you on Easter Sunday, April 1st. Come and celebrate the most important event in history – the resurrection of Jesus. I believe you will be glad you did!  Happy Easter!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Easter Sunday Services: 8:30 / 10:00 / 11:30 AM

Efreedb.org

 

VantagePoint Church to Host Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Staff Reports

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

On Saturday, March 24, 2018, 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 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, Spider Man and Captain America.  Admission to the event and 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 10th 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 x102 or visit www.vantagepointchurch.org.

Debris Flies Through Windshield, Kills Eastvale Man

By Anthony Saude

Eastvale – A 24-year-old man from Eastvale was killed Wednesday afternoon when metal debris was launched in the air by a vehicle and crashed through the windshield of the vehicle the victim was driving on the westbound Foothill (210) Freeway in Duarte.

The man died at the scene about 12:45 p.m. at Buena Vista Street, the California Highway Patrol reported. His name is being withheld until relatives can be properly notified.

The young man was driving a 2014 Volkswagen in the number four lane when a tan pickup truck or SUV ahead of him in the number three lane ran over metal debris that got launched into the air.

The metal debris entered the crashed through the Volkswagen windshield, striking (the victim) according to reports. A 25-year-old Upland man traveling in the vehicle as a passenger miraculously was not injured.

The passenger was able to gain control of the moving vehicle, possibly preventing serious injury to himself or others. He was able to safely bring the Volkswagen to a stop near the Buena Vista Street off-ramp.

The passenger performed first aid until the Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived.

The number one lane of the Buena Vista Street off-ramp was blocked until about 3:45 p.m. while the fatal crash was investigated and cleanup crews worked.

If there is anyone out there with any information that could help investigators identify and locate the driver of the vehicle that struck the debris you are urged to call the CHP’s Baldwin Park Area Office at 636-338-1164 to speak with Officer Kyle Croxford.

 

Upcoming Road Closures for “Every Fifteen Minutes” Program at Ayala HS

Staff Reports

 

Chino Hills – Ruben S. Ayala High School students will safely experience the devastation caused by a drunk driving accident as part of the “Every 15 Minutes” program on Thursday, March 22nd. Peyton Drive will be closed for part of the morning. The simulated “accident scene” will be set up on Peyton Drive and will feature students portraying crash victims whose vehicle was hit by a drunk driver on Prom night. Emergency response will be conducted as if it were a real accident. From 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. two northbound lanes will be closed leaving just one northbound lane open in front of the school. From 9:30-10:30 a.m. Peyton Drive will be completely closed from Bulldog Way to Boys Republic Drive. At approximately 10:30 a.m. southbound lanes will open, and at 11:00 a.m. northbound lanes will open. Motorists may wish to avoid the area.

“Every 15 Minutes” is a two-day program focusing on high school juniors and seniors, which challenges them to think about drinking, driving, personal safety, the responsibility of making mature decisions and the impact their decisions have on family, friends, their community, and many others.

The two-day program is very dramatic and emotional and purposely so. Teenagers are constantly reminded about the choices they have in front of the involving alcohol and how others in their lives are affected.

Teens know the intellectual statistics they just share the belief it will never happen to them.

The program brings together a broad coalition of interested local agencies with the goal of reducing alcohol-related incidents among youth. The partnering of the California Highway Patrol, local law enforcement, local hospitals, emergency medical responders, schools, businesses, and service clubs validates the importance of working together to ensure a healthy community.

Eastvale Community News Complete Edition March 2018

The Eastvale Community News covers local news for Eastvale, Norco,  Corona, and Chino. Click the following link to access the complete issue in pdf format: EastvaleNews.03-2018

St. Jude Medical Center to Hold Free Class for Kidney Stone Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment

Staff Reports

 

Fullerton – Join us at St. Jude Medical Center for a FREE class on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones on March 20 at 6:30 pm. Eric Tygenhof M.D. a board certified urologist will be discussing steps you can take to prevent kidney stones and the latest treatment options available. Please RSVP by calling (877)459-3627 or visit stjudemedicalcenter.org/healthclasses

While kidney stones have long been considered one of the most painful conditions, they are quickly also becoming one of the most common. One in 10 Americans will develop these solid concentrations of minerals in the kidneys—a number that continues to rise, especially among women and children.

Fortunately, advances in diagnosis, treatment and prevention are more than keeping pace, all of which can be found at the newly created St. Jude Kidney Stone Center.

Kidney stones are small “pebbles” of salt and minerals that build up in the urine and can range in size from a small grain to a golf ball. Urine normally contains chemicals that prevent these hard mineral deposits from forming and most remain small enough to travel through the urinary tract unnoticed. But if they continue to grow, the result can be an excruciatingly painful blockage in the urinary tract, the ureter (the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder), or in the kidney itself.

Medications can help speed the passage of smaller stones while high-energy sound waves or lasers are used to safely and painlessly break apart larger stones. Although most kidney stones are treated non-surgically or minimally-invasively at the Kidney Stone Center—often as a simple outpatient procedure—the center also brings a unique expertise to complex cases, including robotic-assisted stone removal and reconstruction.

Severe back or abdominal pain, the hallmark symptom of stone disease, accounts for over one million emergency room visits by patients in the U.S. each year. Other symptoms can include blood in the urine; nausea or vomiting; cloudy, foul-smelling urine; and infection, often causing fever, chills and weakness.

The St. Jude Kidney Stone Center can be reached at (714) 992-3000 ext. 2055.

 

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 3.17.18

The Weekly News covers community news for Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire.Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: ALL.Weekly03.17.2018

March Madness Lecture Series

Staff Reports

Chino – Clark’s is committed to educating their customers about how healthy living begins with one healthy habit at a time. “When you have somebody walking through the process with you that is when the magic happens,” said Joe the Clark’s Nutrition Specialist on staff. Clark’s has an incredible lecture series coming to multiple locations throughout the month of March. The March Madness event has a different lecture every week in March on how to get your health on the right track. (3 events at all locations 1 Chino).

There will be 2 lectures given at all locations, Tuesday March 20 will be about Amino Acid and Tuesday March 27 the lecture will be about juicing and fair trade the lectures begin at 6 p.m.  at all locations.

On Sunday March 18 the Chino Location will host a lecture titled “The New You in two”. Author Mark Borchetta will be there lecturing on how to improve your overall health in two weeks. Mark will be hanging around for a little while after the lecture signing books and answering questions.

Certified Nutritionist Joe says, “Often people will tell us that they’ve heard of Clarks and they think it’s just another supplement shop, but once they walk inside our Chino store, they get what all the fuss is about.”

Clark’s stores not only have a huge selection of supplements (their Chino location has one of the largest supplement sections in the entire country), but they have a wide variety of organic grocery items, complete with gluten-free sections,  including Vegan and Vegetarian options, as well as a large selection of organic produce.

Want to get a free make-over with natural, cruelty-free make-up too? No problem, Clark’s has a make-up section that looks like something you’d see at a MAC make-up counter. Clark’s is the only retail partner with actress, Suzanne Somers, to offer her organic cosmetics and skin care line, SUZANNE Organics.

Clark’s is a pioneer in the health food world. They opened the doors of their first location in Riverside in 1972, long before health food became vogue. Today there are stores in Riverside, Loma Linda, Rancho Mirage and now Chino.

But have you ever been to a “health foods” store before and felt overwhelmed or weren’t sure where to start? Have you felt the opposite, like you knew more than the employee? Have no fear, Clark’s knows how refreshing it is to speak with health food store employees that know their stuff and are willing to share their knowledge.

The Clark’s slogan is, “Live better, we can help.”  How does Clark’s actually help people you ask? Clark’s has made their business thrive on helping to educate people about their health. Starkie Sowers, the Director of Education at Clarks says, “We have Nutritional Consultants at Clarks. These employees go through our 5 level in-house training program. It takes about 3 ½ years to get to a Level 5 at Clarks.” Clark’s takes education about health seriously. These knowledgeable (non-commission) Nutritional Consultants are one of the keys to why people love Clarks so much.

Clark’s is a great find for anyone looking to improve their health. They have competitive pricing, knowledgeable staff, a great product selection and a beautiful Chino location close to home.

Discover this Chino treasure located at 12835 Mountain Ave in Chino. You can also reach them by calling  them at (909)993-9200

Best Seat in the Class

By Kelli Gile

Classrooms transform with flexible seating options

DIAMOND BAR—Several Walnut Valley educators are discovering that flexible seating classrooms are providing learning environments that kids need.

Flexible classrooms give students a choice in what kind of learning space works best for them, and helps them work collaboratively, communicate, and engage in critical thinking.

At Quail Summit Elementary, first grade teacher Jessica Cabral replaced rows and rows of traditional desks with a variety of innovative seating options this year.

Learning areas are now filled with stability disks, stadium chairs, yoga balls, camp chairs, hooki stools, stack stools, lap desks, standing tables, and even a few “old school” desks.

When her 26 students enter the classroom, they decide which type of chair or desk to occupy for the day.

“They enjoy having the ability to choose where they sit,” Cabral said.

The new education space was intentionally designed to foster the five C’s (critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and citizenship), the educator said.

“They need to be given the opportunity to collaborate and solve problems with different students in the classroom. They couldn’t do that sitting in the same old spot every day,” Cabral said.

“I feel that flexible seating absolutely impacts student learning. Statistics have shown that movement increases memory,” she added.

Her goal is to provide students the opportunity to move while learning, in order to increase their attention, focus, engagement, and overall, their learning experience.

“The Hokki stools are an absolute hit. We can’t get enough of them!” she shared.

Logan Shih, age 7, didn’t hesitate when asked about choosing his favorite mobile seat in class.

“Oh, that’s simple,” he proudly announced.

“The yoga ball – because I like to bounce around!”

“All the kids like the yoga ball!”

A few feet away, classmate Clovis Hung was settled on a red stadium chair while writing at a low table.

“I like it because I can adjust it,” he said.

How did she do it?

Most recently, Cabral was able to purchase eight swivel Hokki stools, at $96 each, with funds raised through the online classroom project site, Donor’s Choose.

After experimenting with choice seating options for years, Kathy McLean “dove in all the way” three years ago.

The second-grade teacher began with Goodwill tables repurposed with a fresh coat of paint and whiteboard tops.

Next, McLean brought in few Wobble and Hokki stools, and two double standing tables.

McLean received a grant for the standing tables, that run about $200 each.

“Some of my students prefer to stretch out on the floor with lap desks,” she reported.

The savvy educator discovered that doing away with assigned seating has empowered her students to make positive decisions for their own learning.

“By being able to change seats each day, students also have the opportunity to collaborate with different classmates while working on self-discipline. After all, to sit by your best buddy, you have to abide by classroom expectations!” she said.

McLean said trusting her students to make the best choice for themselves has been an important factor in the success of innovative classroom.

“Flexible seating has been a game changer for me!”

Cabral advices teacgers contemplating the classroom seating switch to “start small.”
“Change a few chairs and tables. Expect chaos, it’s not as easy to manage at first, but you will see the benefits as the year progresses!”

 

Diamond Bar “Fix and Flip”

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

Are there fix and flip opportunities in Diamond Bar? It appears there are.

Generally, fix and flip opportunities are more common in communities that are long established, where the housing stock is older, and the combination of time and deferred maintenance intersect to provide the “perfect storm” that allows for the fix and flip opportunity.

The search for these kinds of opportunities are more likely to result in a larger and more established city like Los Angeles, or San Bernardino, or Riverside.  Diamond Bar is a more limited and very competitive environment.  Diamond Bar, where the median sales price of a single family detached home reached $745,000 in the fourth quarter of 2017, requires an investor that has a higher level of resources and cash liquidity in order to compete for these opportunities.

The most recent case that I am aware of that was clearly a “fix and flip” in Diamond Bar  occurred in the south part of the city. The home, located walking distance to Diamond Bar High School and H-Mart, was listed as a 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a little over 1500 square feet. Los Angeles County Public records show that that investor was able to purchase the property at $515,000, although the California Regional Multiple Listing Service has it at $525,000.  Within 6 months, the property was completely rehabbed and resold for slightly over $700,000.  This generated a gross profit of $175,000 to the investor/flipper. Not bad for a few months’ worth of work!

There are always opportunities that may come up, some better than this one, and some not.  It does require constant vigilance, a constant search, and being prepared financially when the opportunity does show up.  These opportunities do not wait for one to get ready…one has to be ready ahead of time. Best advise is, if you are interested in fixing and flipping, be ready!

This article was written by Nef Cortez, a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

One-Pan Orzo italiano

with Chicken Sausage, Tomatoes, and Spinach

 

By Hello Fresh

 

Cooking Time: 30 mins

Servings: 2

Nutrition: 550 Calories

Ingredients:

 

  • Garlic- 2 cloves
  • Baby Spinach- 5 oz
  • Lemon- 1
  • Grape Tomatoes- 4 oz
  • Parsley- 1/4 oz
  • Italian Chicken Sausage- 6 oz
  • Orzo Pasta- 2/3 cup
  • Italian Seasoning- 1/2 tbsp
  • Chicken Stock Concentrate- 1
  • Mozzarella Cheese- 1/4 cup
  • Panko Breadcrumbs- 1/2 cup
  • Parmesan Cheese- 1/4 cup

 

 

1  PREHEAT AND PREP.     Wash and dry all produce. Preheat broiler to high. Mince garlic. Finely chop spinach until you have 1 cup very packed spinach. Halve lemon; cut one half into wedges. Halve tomatoes. Pick parsley leaves from stems and finely chop; discard stems. Remove 2 links sausage from casings (use other link as you like).

 

2  COOK SAUSAGE.      Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large tall-sided pan over medium-high heat (use an ovenproof pan if you have one). Add sausage, breaking up meat into pieces. Cook until just browned, about 3 minutes.

 

3 START ORZOTTO.        Add tomatoes and garlic to pan with sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes start to wilt, 2-3 minutes. Add ⅔ cup orzo and ½ TBSP Italian seasoning (we sent more of both). Cook, stirring, until orzo is coated in juices, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.

 

4  FINISH ORZOTTO.       Add 2 cups water, stock concentrate, and a pinch of salt to same pan. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium. Let simmer, stirring occasionally, until orzo is almost al dente, 7-9 minutes. Stir in chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes more. TIP: If mixture seems dry, add water ¼ cup at a time until loose.

 

5  BROIL ORZOTTO.    Stir ¼ cup mozzarella (we sent more) and a squeeze of lemon into pan. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon to taste. (TIP: If your pan is not ovenproof, transfer mixture to a baking dish at this point.) Sprinkle panko and Parmesan over top of orzotto. Broil until panko is golden brown, 1-3 minutes.

6  PLATE AND SERVE.      Divide orzotto between plates. Sprinkle parsley over top. Serve with

lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.

“EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES” PROGRAM AT RUBEN S. AYALA HIGH SCHOOL ROAD CLOSURES – MARCH 22nd

Chino Hills, CA – Ruben S. Ayala High School students will experience an accident scene caused by a drunk driver as part of the “Every 15 Minutes” program on Thursday, March 22nd. Peyton Drive will be closed for part of the morning. The accident scene will be played out on Peyton Drive and features student crash victims whose vehicle was hit by a student drunk driver on Prom night. Emergency response will be conducted as if it were a real accident. From 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. two northbound lanes will be closed leaving just one northbound lane open in front of the school. From 9:30-10:30 a.m. Peyton Drive will be completely closed from Bulldog Way to Boys Republic Drive. At approximately 10:30 a.m. southbound lanes will open, and at 11:00 a.m. northbound lanes will open. Motorists may wish to avoid the area.
“Every 15 Minutes” is a two-day program focusing on high school juniors and seniors, which challenges them to think about drinking, driving, personal safety, the responsibility of making mature decisions and the impact their decisions have on family, friends, their community, and many others.

History 101

Maine enters the Union: March 15,1820

History.com

 

As part of the Missouri Compromise between the North and the South, Maine is admitted into the Union as the 23rd state. Administered as a province of Massachusetts since 1647, the entrance of Maine as a free state was agreed to by Southern senators in exchange for the entrance of Missouri as a slave state.

In 1604, French explorer Samuel de Champlain visited the coast of Maine and claimed it as part of the French province of Acadia. However, French attempts to settle Maine were thwarted when British forces under Sir Samuel Argall destroyed a colony on Mount Desert Island in 1613. Sir Ferdinando Gorges, a leading figure in the Plymouth Company, initiated British settlement in Maine after receiving a grant and royal charter, and upon Gorges’ death in 1647 the Massachusetts Bay Colony claimed jurisdiction. Gorges’ heirs disputed this claim until 1677, when Massachusetts agreed to purchase Gorges’ original proprietary rights.

As part of Massachusetts, Maine developed early fishing, lumbering, and shipbuilding industries and in 1820 was granted statehood. In the 19th century, the promise of jobs in the timber industry lured many French Canadians to Maine from the Canadian province of Quebec, which borders the state to the west. With 90 percent of Maine still covered by forests, Maine is known as the “Pine Tree State” and is the most sparsely populated state east of the Mississippi River.

 

Neighborhood Watch Program

By Anthony Saude

Walnut – In case you were unaware, the City of Walnut has an ongoing Neighborhood Watch Program that is always interested in recruiting volunteers. Over the years it has been proven over and over again, that Neighborhood Watch Programs lower crime rates within the neighborhoods they patrol. If there is one thing that criminals hate but the police love more than anything, it’s nosy neighbors. The purpose of the program is to have neighbors look out for one another and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and best-known crime prevention concepts in North America. In the late 1960s, an increase in crime heightened the need for a crime prevention initiative focused on residential areas and involving local citizens. The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) responded, creating the National Neighborhood Watch Program in 1972 to assist citizens and law enforcement. If you live in the City of Walnut and are already a Neighborhood Watch Block Captain, but you have not had a meeting in a couple of years call for the latest and greatest programs. If you are motivated and want to get involved in the program, please contact Deputy McDonald at (909) 595-2264 for information on how to start a group in your area.

Diet vs. Exercise: Which is Better for Weight Loss?

By StatePoint

What’s more important: diet or exercise? Anyone who’s tried to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle has likely asked this question.

Sixty-eight percent of people want to lose 10 pounds or more, according to a recent Harris Poll on behalf of Nutrisystem. March is National Nutrition Month, and a good time to get started on your goals. So, should you focus on diet, exercise or both?

When it comes to weight loss, the split should be roughly 80 percent focus on what you eat and 20 percent on exercise. The logic is simple, say experts.

“It’s all about calories in and calories out. If you’re eating less and exercising, you’re going to burn more calories,” says Courtney McCormick, corporate dietitian at Nutrisystem. “However, exercise often makes us hungrier, which is why many people who only change their exercise habits don’t see the scale move.”

To achieve a healthier lifestyle and shed weight, consider these quick tips that combine both diet and exercise.

• Eat more often: A 2015 study from the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that on average, people who ate six times or more daily consumed fewer calories, had a lower body mass index, and ate more nutrient-rich foods than those who didn’t eat at least six times a day. Eating smaller meals every three hours keeps you feeling full, controls blood sugar and helps boost metabolism.

• Watch portions: American portions have become too big; and those used to dining out may consider restaurant portions to be correct, when they’re often four times as large as what’s recommended. Learning portion control is key to losing weight. When eating out, ask for a to-go box and save half for later. You can also turn to plans, like Nutrisystem, which deliver portion-controlled meals to your home.

• Veg out: Vegetables are low in calories, high in filling fiber and loaded with nutrients. For breakfast, add spinach to an omelet; at lunch, pile your sandwich high with fixings like tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, or use lettuce as a wrap instead of bread. During snack time, munch on carrots dipped in hummus or blend kale into a fruit smoothie.

• Drink more water: A study found that when people drank six cups (48 ounces) of cold water, they increased their resting calorie burn by up to 50 calories each day. Another study found that dieters who drank two eight-ounce glasses of water before meals lost 36 percent more weight over three months than those who didn’t sip before sitting down to eat. So, fill up that water bottle!

• Get moving: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend 150 minutes of aerobic activity weekly, but research suggests that it doesn’t matter if you exercise for two-and-a-half hours straight or break it up into 10-minute chunks. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise per day then build up to 60 minutes when you’re ready.

More diet and exercise tips can be found at leaf.nutrisystem.com.

Remember the key to meeting your weight loss and health goals is to make sustainable lifestyle changes. Focus on eating better and moving more and you’ll be on the right track.

Purse Snatch Suspect Arrested

Google Images

Courtesy of Pomona PD

Pomona – On March 6, 2018, Suspect Joseph approached the female adult victim on Holt Bl at Eleanor St. and forcefully took a bag filled with personal items from her. The victim was able to flag down a passing neighborhood. The suspect was able to hide in a nearby backyard officer.
While making contact with the suspect, he fled on foot into a nearby under trees and a patio cover. While air support was available, we could not see his exact location.
An extensive search with additional officers and a canine team was made throughout the neighborhood. The suspect ignored the officers and the audio announcements. The suspect was eventually taken into custody by the canine unit in the 400 Blk of Center St. The stolen property was eventually recovered.
Suspect Info:
Joseph, David Age- 51 Ontario resident

Contact Information:
Lt. Eddie Vazquez
eddie_vazquez@ci.pomona.ca.us