Category Archives: Eastvale Community News

A Season of Renewal

By Pastor Mark Lee

Pastor Mark Lee of Vantage Point in Eastvale

Pastor Mark Lee of Vantage Point in Eastvale

Although Eastvale residents may not notice much of a change, some individuals living in other parts of the United States are currently celebrating the official end of winter.  At the same time California has been experiencing temperatures in excess of 90 degrees, New England and parts of the northeast have seen record snowfall. Needless to say, people all over the country are welcoming spring with open arms.

However, you don’t have to immerse yourself in freezing temperatures to appreciate the beauty of the season.  After all, this is a time of growth and promise.  Everywhere you look, the world is emerging from darkness and new life is appearing.  The ice is melting, the clouds are receding, and the days that lie ahead are full of possibility.  Spring brings hope, optimism and new beginnings.  What could be more beautiful?

Perhaps the most wonderful thing about this time of year is that this sense of renewal isn’t limited to nature.  It is not uncommon for people to be inspired by the beauty of the season and use it as an opportunity to initiate changes in their own lives.  Whether this means recommitting to a resolution, improving a relationship, or pursuing a goal, spring gives us the opportunity to start all over again with a clean slate.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

If you are planning to use spring as an opportunity to recharge and refresh your life, I encourage you to include God in that plan.  With Him on your side, success is inevitable.

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

Death Halted

Pastor Dennis Morales Calvary Chapel CrossBridge

Pastor Dennis Morales

By Pastor Dennis Morales

“Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still…” – Luke 7:14

There is no arguing that one of the most painful occurrences in life is losing a loved one.  Jesus came upon a widow who had just lost her only son.  According to old Jewish custom, the women would precede a funeral procession because women were believed to have brought death into the world in the line of Eve.  This widow would be the first person He would see, and He looked at her with compassion (Luke 7:13).

It was custom for family members and friends to come and touch the coffin, which would halt the procession, and say a few words of comfort to the survived. Then the procession would continue.

According to custom, Jesus stood at the procession and touched the coffin.  Jesus tells the woman, “Do not weep.”  He then tells the young man in the coffin to get up, “So that he who was dead sat up and began to speak,” (Luke 7:15).

What Jesus did was unprecedented.   Under normal circumstances the funeral procession would have continued.  But when Jesus stopped the funeral procession it never continued!  Jesus essentially stopped death in its tracks.

This is what Jesus has done for all mankind.  He has halted the effect of sin and eternal death upon all those who believe in Him (John 3:16).  Jesus’ death on the Cross defeated sin and He further punctuates this by His Rising from the dead.  In this is the Easter message (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 55-57).

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays at 10:30 a.m.; and Wednesdays at 7 p.m., at Clara Barton Elementary (7437 Corona Valley Ave., Eastvale).  Visit their website at www.CalvaryEastvale.org.

Helpful Tax-Saving Strategies

By Ginny Grimsley

Millions of Americans face a challenge in meeting their budgets every month – not just financially, but also in their time budgets, says investment advisor, Reid Abedeen.

“Knowledge is power and time is often money, but what if you don’t have the time to empower yourself with knowledge? For many households, that often means losing out on thousands of dollars through tax deductions,” says Abedeen, a partner at Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC (www.safeguardinvestment.com).

“As a family man myself, I understand what it means to work hard to provide the best possible for my wife and children. Had I not worked in the financial sector for almost two decades, I might not have understood how to best troubleshoot my tax return, I sympathize.”

Abedeen offers the following strategies that may be relevant for your family this tax season.

  • Take tax deductions for capital loss. If your capital losses exceed your capital gains, the excess can be deducted on your tax return and used to reduce other income, such as wages, up to an annual limit of $3,000, or $1,500 if you are married filing separately. However, you may deduct capital losses only on investment property, not on property held for personal use.
  • Fund your retirement to the max. You can contribute up to $5,500 to an IRA in tax-year 2014, or $6,500 if you are age 50 or older. Workers in the 25 percent tax bracket who contributed $5,500 to an IRA would save $1,375 on their 2014 tax bills. You’ll want to check your eligibility and understand the deadline for the 2014 deduction. If you make a deposit between Jan. 1 and Apr. 15, you need to tell the financial institution which year the contribution is for.
  • Advisory fees are tax-deductible. Don’t feel like spending money to save and make money? There’s a workaround. Before closing the door on the possibility, inquire with a financial expert. Most are happy to give a free initial consultation, and you don’t have to be a millionaire to make it worth your while.
  • Gift assets to children. You don’t even have to file a gift tax return on an asset that’s valued less than $12,000, which is not taxable. If the fair market value of the gifted asset is more than $12,000 per person per year, but less than $1 million, there is the requirement of filing a gift tax return, but you won’t be taxed. The gift still is not income taxable to the recipient.
  • Deduct a home-based office when used for your employer. If space in your home is used exclusively and regularly for a trade, you can count that as a deductible. Calculate the square footage of your home office and divide the area of your office by the area of your house. If the percentage is 14 percent, for example, that represents the percentage of your total home expenses that can be allocated toward the home office deduction. For further questions, consult a professional.

“You’ll want to be very vigilant regarding these details of these deductions,” Abedeen says. “For any questions, I seriously recommend consulting a professional.”

Local Heroes Save A Life

CPD Officer and Good Samaritans rescue driver from burning car

Photo Courtesy: Flickr.com

Photo Courtesy: Flickr.com

Staff Reports

Corona – On Thurs., Mar. 5 at about 11:53 p.m., the Corona Police Department dispatched an Officer to the 1100 block of E. Foothill Parkway regarding a vehicle fire.

Upon arrival, Officer Michael Neff observed a white Ford Escape crashed into a tree with its engine compartment fully engulfed in flames. Two citizens were already on scene trying to render assistance to the trapped driver.
Officer Neff obtained a fire extinguisher from the trunk of his patrol vehicle and attempted to extinguish the fire.  Neff, citizen Kenneth Lee, and an unidentified person had just enough time to rescue the driver from the burning vehicle.

The Corona Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire.

The driver was later identified as Nicole Edson, 35, of Corona. She was transported to Riverside Community Hospital with major injuries related to the traffic collision. Edson was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and was later arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Officer Neff, Kenneth Lee, and the unidentified citizen were not injured during the incident and are being commended for their actions.

The Corona Police Department is seeking information that will help identify the unknown person who assisted with the rescue. Please call Sergeant Paul Mercado at (951) 736-2280.

 

Forgiving Yourself

By Jennifer Jester-Madrigal

jennifer-Jester-MadrigalThere is a saying that says something about forgiveness being a gift you give yourself. The idea is that once you forgive those who have wronged you, you take that load off your own shoulders and release that poison from yourself.

This is true in so many ways, but never is that load so heavy as when it is your own forgiveness. It’s so much easier to forgive others than it is to forgive yourself. Often we judge ourselves so much harsher than others, and we make ourselves miserable trying to live up to some insane version of how we think we should be.  The truth is, we’re not perfect and we never will be.

Stop trying to be perfect and instead focus on who you are and the progress that you have made. Try and give yourself the same grace and charity that you give to others, and take a step back.

I do this all the time – I judge myself so much more rigidly than others and expect myself to always know better, do better and be better. But, I’m human, I mess up, I say the wrong things, do the wrong things, etc.  These things don’t make me bad and they don’t define who I am.  They are just mistakes.

Last year, I made some major life changes and decided to get real with myself. I was tired of making excuses and feeling guilty about poor choices I’ve made, and instead I took action. I forgave all those who wronged me, even if they never apologized. I set myself free from the burden of trying to make everyone else happy, and instead focused on just being a better person for myself and my kids.

The struggle to forgive myself has always been within me, and setting achievable goals has been a hard step to take. But, it’s working. I know in God’s eyes I’m amazing, and that He sees me for what I really am even when I am unable to. He sees the struggles, the heartache and all the good intentions. Most importantly, He has forgiven me.  If He can, who I am to say I am greater than He is and not do the same?

That’s the thing about mistakes and bad choices, they are so easy to do; but it’s also easy to convince yourself that you are somehow not worthy of forgiveness.

So finally, after years of hurting and setting unreasonable expectations for myself, I finally have made peace within. I gave myself the same grace that I give others, and I let it all go.

Forgiveness is truly the best gift that I have ever given or received, and it turns out I had the power inside me all along.

 

Home of the Tender Hearts

If McDonald’s is known the world over as “Home of the Big Mac,” The Lord’s Church has to be known as “Home of the Tender Hearts.”

I say this, because there are three Greek words, and their derivatives, that are used in the Bible approximately 500 times that are translated into English as “Compassion,” “Mercy,” and the like.

There are few topics or virtues that are addressed in Scripture FIVE HUNDRED TIMES. So when we come upon one of those topics or virtues, such as Compassion or Mercy, we should probably pay extra special attention to it because it is obviously ultra-important to God that we get this, understand it, and do whatever he says we are to do in relation to it.

In describing God’s own nature, King David tells us repeatedly that the Lord is compassionate (see Psalm 103:8). The great Apostle Paul tells us that God is the originator of compassion, and that compassion characterizes God (see 2 Corinthians 1:3). And so it should come as no surprise that God wants his people to emulate this virtue as well (see Zechariah 7:9).

And the kind of compassion that is to be practiced by God’s people is the same kind that Jesus practiced. It’s the kind that doesn’t just “feel” deeply at the sight of human suffering, but the kind that then “acts” to do something about the situation.

When Jesus saw the poor widow of Nain suffering over the recent loss of her only son (and probably her only child), Jesus’ heart was wrenched inside of him to the point that he acted to relieve her suffering (see Luke 7:11-17).

I’m willing to admit that my heart isn’t always tender like Jesus’ – but I want it to be.

What’s the condition of your heart?

New Day Christian Church meets Sundays at 9:30 and 11 a.m., and is located at 7155 Hamner Avenue in Eastvale (at A Street, next to the Fire Station).  For more information, call (951) 278-8367, or visit http://www.newdaycc.net.

Who Needs Luck?

By Pastor Mark Lee

Pastor Mark Lee of Vantage Point in Eastvale

Pastor Mark Lee of Vantage Point in Eastvale

For a single day this month, nearly everyone I know will be Irish.  While St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday honoring the life of the man credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, it has since become a cultural phenomenon celebrating the people, culture, and folklore of this beautiful European country.  And, from four-leaf clovers to wearing green, many of the holiday’s traditions revolve around the pursuit of good luck.

Whether or not you believe in their effectiveness, the appeal of lucky charms is understandable.  After all, who doesn’t want to be on the receiving end of good fortune?  The problem with luck, however, is that it is a philosophy based purely on chance.  Webster’s dictionary defines it as a “purposeless, unpredictable and uncontrollable force.”  In theory, when you place your faith in this ambiguous power, the outcome is never certain.  It can either be positive, or it can be negative.

Divine providence, on the other hand, is always benevolent.  Defined as “the sovereignty of God over the events in life,” divine providence is the belief that God governs creation as a loving father.   For human beings, this sovereignty may seem just as unpredictable and uncontrollable as luck.  The truth, however, is that God allows us to choose our own direction in life.  If we decide to place our faith in Him, He assures us that our needs will be met.   Even when tribulations arise that are hard to understand, solace can be found in this promise.

Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  With this kind of guarantee, who needs luck?

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

What Is Man?

Pastor Robert Jewett Word of Truth Community ChurchBy Pastor Robert Jewett

“O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow,” (Psalm 144:3-4)

Have you ever stopped to ponder how many stars God created? Just within our galaxy, the Milky Way, there are an estimated 300,000,000,000 stars. Yes, 300 billion! But that is only our galaxy.

Scientists have conservatively estimated that there are 200 billion galaxies. So go ahead and do the math.  300 billion, times 200 billion, equals an estimated 60,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars that God has created. That’s 60 sextillion stars!

If that is not mind-boggling enough, the sun is an average-sized star and 1 million earths can fit inside the sun.

Stop and meditate on these numbers.  Now consider how big man is when compared to the universe.

It is absolutely humbling to conclude that in size comparison to the universe, man is like a grain of sand. It is even more humbling to know that much like God has named every one of his stars (Isaiah 40:26; Psalm 147:4), he has known us before we were ever formed. His thoughts toward us are more abundant than the sand (Psalm 139:15-18). He has even numbered the hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30).

May we walk humbly before our God (Micah 6:8)!

Word of Truth Community Church meets Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m., at 850 E. Parkridge Ave., #110, in Corona.  For more information, visit WordOfTruthCC.com.

Get Quality Music Education At MUSICSTAR

Image Courtesy: Music Star

Image Courtesy: Music Star

Staff Reports

In 2000, award-winning concert pianist and composer, Eckart Seeber, established the Southern California Music School for the purpose of providing high quality music education in Southern California.

Seeber sought to strike a balance between the flexibility and unique adaptability of the independent private instructor and the standardized educational framework and support system that a public Music Conservatory can offer. Hence, Seeber’s unique music school model provides free music books to students to ensure all private students learn from standards-align methods, and automatically have all the resources they need.

Free student recital opportunities, as well as opportunities for additional learning and instruction in music literacy, etc., are also important elements of Seeber’s approach.

The organization soon outgrew its name, and in 2007, the brand name MUSICSTAR® replaced Southern California Music School.  It continues to grow, bringing quality music education to communities everywhere.

In addition to private music lessons, MUSICSTAR also provides a variety of group classes, which are usually presented in partnership with various cities, such as City of Eastvale Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Corona Recreation Department.

Check out the MUSICSTAR classes here in Eastvale and Corona/Norco by visiting MUSICSTAR online at http://www.4musicstar.com.

Maternity Motels: Birth Tourism In Eastvale?

By K.P. Sander and Jennifer Jester-Madrigal

Photo Courtesy: NationalVisas.com

Photo Courtesy: NationalVisas.com

Eastvale– You may have heard about Birth Tourism, and the so-called Maternity Motels that help to propagate it.  This is a nationwide issue that has been amidst a lot of controversy in the City of Chino Hills, and now it seems the City of Eastvale may have a thing or two to say about the matter.

Wikipedia describes Birth Tourism as travel to another country for the purpose of giving birth in that country.  One of the main reasons for taking such measures is for the newborn to gain citizenship of that country, as well as take advantage of the destination’s healthcare system.

In the United States, our 14th Amendment to the Constitution guarantees U.S. citizenship to those born on its territory, provided the individual is subject to the jurisdiction thereof.  To stop Birth Tourism, some other countries, such as France, Australia, and the United Kingdom, have made the proviso that at least one parent must be a citizen of the country, or a legal, permanent resident.  The U.S. is unconditional.

The practice of Birth Tourism is popular among women in South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, usually in elite or wealthy circles.  For a fee of around $15,000, women can come to the U.S., take a holiday with sightseeing and shopping excursions, and give birth to an American citizen.  But is this “playing the system” lawful?  Most aspects of it are not.

The organization, Not in Chino Hills, says women are coming to the United States under false pretenses.  They are learning about Birth Tourism through websites instructing them how to come here legally, but that is not necessarily the case.  Some of their guidelines are downright deceitful.

The Chinese website, starbabycare.com – and many others like it – actually provides specific guidelines for giving birth in the United States.  Their hyperbole suggests entering the U.S. two to three months prior to delivery and wearing relaxed and comfortable costumes in order to help “facilitate” the U.S. Immigration process at the airport.  They regale about the benefits of American citizenship, including education, political asylum, and how the baby can help others immigrate on their ticket.

The website offers special “Star Packages,” featuring luxurious accommodations (that look nothing like a hospital, but more like an upscale hotel), promising everything from the ultimate in mother/baby care with full-time nurses and exclusive chefs “preparing meals according to your tastes.”  There’s even a thrice weekly shuttle for shopping trips and site-seeing, as well as “major cleaning,” or maid services.  They entice it to sound as if you are booking the vacation of a lifetime abroad.  But who is in charge of the prenatal and neonatal care?

Local attorney, Rossanna Mitchell, who has lived in Chino Hills for 26 years – and is a spokesperson for Not in Chino Hills – says the whole system is misleading.

“Foreign women are being misled by these business operators.  They are flying over here on a tourist visa – ‘to visit Disneyland’ – and told to wear baggy clothes and not let anyone know they are pregnant,” says Mitchell.

The women are seeking the beautiful hospital accommodations shown on the websites, but are arriving in “residential areas where the accommodations are very substandard, with no amenities, and home improvements that are not permitted,” Mitchell adds.

Inspections of such homes have reportedly revealed exposed wires, unsafe water heaters, rooms with illegal distances from combustible appliances, improper ventilation, and a lack of emergency exits.  Generally, there are unsafe accommodations, not to mention the sewage (spillage) and sanitation issues, and excess trash that accompany the retrofitting for excessive occupants.

Mitchell continues, “You can’t turn your residence into a motel.  There are legalities involved.  Plus, a lot of these places are turning cash transactions to evade income taxes.”

This issue has caught the eye of Eastvale City Councilman, William Link, who has received many inquiries from the Eastvale community. Link decided to investigate the topic and got in contact with Assemblyman Ken Calvert.

According to Link, “There is nothing we as a city or a council can really do about it. It’s a federal issue and only if laws are changed, can we do anything.”

As it stands now, the only way to shut these homes down is if they make structural changes or violate housing codes. Link has received reports that there may be Maternity “Motels” in the Enclave and Serafina communities, as well as in other parts of Eastvale.

In Chino Hills, there has been action to help write the wrongs.  State Assemblyman, Curt Hagman (R-Chino Hills), previously introduced a bill that would criminalize the operation of a hotel in a residential zone. Link is hoping that Calvert will also look into similar ways of helping Eastvale with this issue.

In January 2013, L.A. County Supervisor, Don Knabe, called on the Board of Supervisors to crack down on these maternity motels, which were becoming increasingly ubiquitous in the San Gabriel Valley.

“Across the United States, the recent trend in ‘birthing tourism’ has led to money-making schemes that put the health and safety of mothers and babies in jeopardy.  We have had an increase in complaints from neighboring residents, concerned about the well-being of those in these homes, as well as the concern about the quality of life in residential neighborhoods when these facilities are allowed to operate,” said Knabe.

This isn’t about denying anyone the American Dream, but is American citizenship really for sale?  As one Chino Hills resident put it, “This is a perversion of our legal system.”

To find out more, visit http://notinchinohills.org.

The Ford Customer’s Best Friend

By Lisa Browning

(Photo Courtesy: Hemborg Ford) Hemborg Ford is located at 1900 Hamner Avenue in Norco. Visit them at Hemborgford.com.

(Photo Courtesy: Hemborg Ford)
Hemborg Ford is located at 1900 Hamner Avenue in Norco. Visit them at Hemborgford.com.

It’s been 112 years since Henry Ford first incorporated and the Ford Motor Company was born. Today, it’s one of the most popular vehicle brands in the country, and there are an estimated 3,800 Ford dealerships across the nation. Hemborg Ford, nestled in Norco, was opened by Bob Hemborg in March of 1983. They’ve been serving up a special brand of service for 32 years.

The dealership is the very definition of a family-owned and operated business; the Hemborg family started it, and they still own and run it today. Their commitment to customers and the surrounding communities is how they separate themselves from other dealerships in the region.

“It starts with a great product,” says General Sales Manager, Daryle Uhrich. “We certainly have that with the Ford line-up. But, you have to go beyond that. There’s no lack of Ford dealers in the region. The Hemborg family insists that the experience a customer receives here is friendly, and helpful. We’re old school in that sense; we don’t hassle, we handshake.”

Uhrich pulls up an online comment from a customer and reads it out loud. “Best car buying experience we have ever had. Can’t say enough about the sales person; honest, funny, fair, patient. Will be coming back.”  Ulrich smiles, adding with emphasis, “That is exactly what we want to hear!”

An experienced, knowledgeable staff pays close attention to the enormous inventory of F-Series trucks that are a staple. The Ford F-Series has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for nearly 40 years. More than 2,000 are sold in the U.S. every day, and a great deal of truck business comes Hemborg’s way. The Truck Center is a huge section of the dealership, with row after row of gleaming workhorses.

“Norco is known as ‘Horse Town USA,’ and trucks are part of the lifestyle here,” Uhrich says.

Ford’s tagline is “Go Further,” while Hemborg’s tagline is a tongue-in-cheek nod to its surroundings, “Saddle Up!”

Not everything at Hemborg is old school. When the dealership first opened, there wasn’t a freeway within sight, and many current neighborhoods didn’t exist. The dealership has expanded to meet the growing needs of Norco, Corona, Chino and now Eastvale. Today, Hemborg’s service department maintains state-of-the-art diagnostics and highly skilled technicians. To accommodate the growing number of shoppers who turn to the Internet to browse and buy, Hemborg has invested in a comprehensive, user-friendly site.

Hemborg Ford supports a variety of local events, area schools and charitable organizations.

“You can treat your business address as just your location. The Hemborg way is to treat it like your home,” Uhrich says.

Asked what Hemborg’s goal is for 2015, Uhrich replies, “The same as it was last year. To be the Ford customer’s best friend.”

Hemborg Ford is located at 1900 Hamner Avenue. They are north of the 91/15 freeway interchange, at the Second Street exit in Norco. You can visit them online at Hemborgford.com.

Name Change For CNUSD?

Is CNEUSD in our future?

By K.P. Sander

Eastvale – The City of Eastvale is a significant part of the Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD), which is the largest District in Riverside County.  Eastvale currently has seven schools (four elementary, two intermediate, and one high school) in the District, including two California Distinguished Schools (Clara Barton and Harada elementary schools).  In addition, Eastvale’s eighth (and the District’s 50th) school – Ronald Regan Elementary – is under construction and scheduled to be ready for the 2015-16 school year, opening this July.

With all the positive improvements imminent to the District and the impact it will have on Eastvale and its more than 57,000 residents, it only makes sense to add “Eastvale” to the moniker.  And while Bill Newberry – CNUSD Board Member and President of the Riverside County School Boards Association – asked staff at a recent Board meeting to research the possibility of a District name change to reflect the City of Eastvale, there is a little more to it than just a yes or a no.

“The District is currently formulating a survey to be disseminated district-wide, along with researching the cost and timelines to undertake such a large project,” said Newberry when asked if the change will come to fruition.

CNUSD is currently dealing with the redistribution of the boundary lines affecting Ronald Regan Elementary, and the rebalancing of the student load to ease much of the overcrowding in Eastvale schools.  In addition, another 100 students from the Eastvale Estates are involved in a petition filed last November requesting annexation to Eastvale schools rather than continue on in Jurupa Valley.

With regard to a name change and all that it entails, Newberry says that a follow up report from CNUSD staff will be presented to the Board of Education at a future meeting.

For CNEUSD, time will tell.

Meet Lt. Scott Forbes

(Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale) Eastvale’s newest addition, Assistant Chief of Police, Lt. Scott Forbes

(Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale)
Eastvale’s newest addition, Assistant Chief of Police, Lt. Scott Forbes

Staff Reports

Eastvale – Lt. Scott Forbes has been selected to serve as the new Police Lieutenant and Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Eastvale.

Lt. Forbes earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from San Diego State University before starting his law enforcement career at the Banning Police Department in 1995. He worked assignments in patrol, schools, and investigations, and promoted to the rank of Sergeant before coming to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 2002.

Within the Sheriff’s Department, Forbes has worked assignments in patrol, traffic, contracts, and investigations at the Southwest Station, Perris Station, and Sheriff’s Administration.

In 2014, Forbes promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and transferred to the Jurupa Valley Station where he oversaw the school resource officer and traffic divisions before taking on his current assignment as the Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Eastvale.

Please join us in welcoming Lt. Forbes to the City of Eastvale. He may be reached at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 955-2600, or via email at SForbes@riversidesheriff.org.

 

Eastvale Chamber’s Official Newsletter

2015-03-ChamberNewsletter-WEB

 

Click on the image above to read the Eastvale Chamber’s Official Newsletter. This month’s letter features a note from the Chamber President covering topics of Revision of Bylaws and Operating Standards,  Financial Reports and Dues, and Chamber Values. The Chamber would like to celebrate their Ambassador Team who helps local businesses grow! A few upcoming events for March and April are also listed above. Follow the Chamber on Facebook at facebook.com/EastvaleChamberofCommerce to stay connected.

Black Student Union Showcase

By Emily Aguilar

(Photo Courtesy: Victoria Robles) Asari Aibangbee at the BSU Showcase

(Photo Courtesy: Victoria Robles)
Asari Aibangbee at the BSU Showcase

Although the trending topic, #BlackLivesMatter, has been seen worldwide, many have failed to comprehend its significance.

For many, the term is a response to the persistent prejudice that African-Americans have experienced as a culture; while to others, it’s a mere trend.

In order to properly define a term misunderstood by the public, Eleanor Roosevelt High School’s Black Student Union (BSU) took the initiative to educate the public by celebrating black culture in their first annual showcase entitled, “Black Lives Matter.”

The event was held on Fri., Feb. 27.  The evening was a mixture of dance, song, poems, and speeches. Although there were jokes in between performances, the event released an agonizing burden within the performers.

“Our ancestors paved the way, but the struggle never stopped, because we went from slavery to segregation, and today, at least 20 of us are getting shot,” explained poet, “Original Jamie” Braswell.

As the audience of family and friends cried, applauded, and signed in agreement, one felt as if the evening had grasped everyone and presented a topic often too sensitive to approach: Tolerance.

“Being African-American means coming from a group who has suffered and triumphed; who has been beaten down and risen. That is why I feel a connection with other people.  We have all understood these struggles at one point, so no matter who we are, we, as humans, always make a connection,” explained BSU President, Sam Sanchez.

Although the term is, “BlackLivesMatter,” the underlying theme is that an individual who has been overshadowed by the towering force of prejudice can overcome that nuisance of a barrier again and again.

When the performers and BSU members came together to sing and rap their final song, many applauded in support of their children or friends, but the audience – composed of Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians – was unified by the notion of acceptance and understanding: racial struggle is often overlooked, but it is the hope of triumph that brings us together.

Lake Norconian Club Foundation Sues To Stop Demo

(Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia) View of the Lake Norconian Resort, Dec. 2007

(Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia)
View of the Lake Norconian Resort, Dec. 2007

By K.P. Sander and Randi Hauser

Norco – Once Upon a Time, there was a beautiful resort.  The year was 1929.  The setting was an exquisite property located in the countryside north of Corona, California.

A handsome prince named Rex Clark built the resort, and on the property there was a statuesque hotel, a pavilion and beautiful manmade lake, a clubhouse with pools, an airstrip and a golf course.  No expense was spared in the grandeur of the facilities, with the finest of tapestries, stone, marble, paintings and ornate fixtures adorning at every opportunity.  The ballroom, dining room, guest rooms and swimming pools were all enticing, and designed with art deco and Mediterranean style architectures.

(Photo Courtesy: Lake Norconian Club Foundation) Caption: On May 20, 1928, the American Olympic Diving and Swimming Team participated in the grand opening of the Club’s outdoor pools. Cecily Cuhna set the world record for the 400 meter swim on that day.

(Photo Courtesy: Lake Norconian Club Foundation)
On May 20, 1928, the American Olympic Diving and Swimming Team participated in the grand opening of the Club’s outdoor pools. Cecily Cuhna set the world record for the 400 meter swim on that day.

Christened the Lake Norconian Club Resort, the property attracted the elite:  Hollywood stars, notable sports figures, a vast array of dignitaries, and world-class athletes all enjoyed its charms. Even Amelia Earhart used the resort’s airstrip to practice her piloting skills.  It was one of the darlings of its era.

The Lake Norconian Club enjoyed success until the Great Depression, and by 1933, the beautiful property was all but closed down.  Clark was struggling financially, but the resort was able to make somewhat of a comeback in 1935.  Despite some spectacular moments – like the legendary Walt Disney Studios bash to celebrate the success of the 1938 release of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the Club closed permanently in 1940.

Just like its compatriot, the Queen Mary, the Lake Norconian Club left behind its glamorous past at the onset of World War II and joined the military.  The Club became a 5,000-patient naval hospital, after being purchased by the U.S. Navy in 1941.  Rather than entertaining its guests, it cared for them, at times in pioneering ways with the first uses of penicillin, as well as the polio vaccine.  Many of the stars who frequented the resort came back to boost patient morale through entertainment at the hospital.

In 1957, the hospital closed its doors, but a Naval Assessment Center remained on the property.  94 of the resort’s acres were given to the State of California.  A state-funded addiction treatment rehabilitation center was initially opened in the old clubhouse, but it morphed into a high security prison containing 5,000 “worst of the worst” inmates.

Fast forward to the present, and you will find the Lake Norconian Club Foundation working diligently to save the magnificent hotel building, and the national treasures that relic still tries to protect.  In 2000, 19 structures were deemed worthy of Historic District/National Landmark status.  By 2004, the main hotel was considered seismically unfit and abandoned.  Priceless chandeliers now phantomly light the way for wild animals; exquisitely painted ceilings and tiled floors lie water-damaged and rotting.

In 2013, the Navy – in consultation with the California State Historic Preservation Office – stated that no additional structures were eligible for salvage, despite efforts by the City of Norco and others toward the contrary.  The Navy now maintains one portion of the property, and the Department of Corrections the remainder.

On the Naval side, the buildings that did make the cut for the National Register – the pavilion, chauffeur’s quarters and garage, as well as the lake itself – have been cared for by countless Naval and civilian officials, but due to budget cuts their fate hangs in the balance.  The other side of the property is currently a medium security prison, with as many as 5,000 inmates at any given time.

The Lake Norconian Club Foundation, for one, is not going to stand by and watch the willful demolition of this exquisite property by way of neglect.  The Foundation filed suit on Mon., Nov. 17 in an effort to protect the precious historic resources that have been “mismanaged by the Department of Corrections.”

According to the Lake Norconian Club Foundation’s website, the lawsuit was filed in Alameda County, where the Attorney General maintains an office.  They are seeking compliance with CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and other historic preservation laws to avoid additional deterioration of the resort.

Furthermore, the suit seeks an injunction for the removal and safekeeping of the hotel building’s stunning historic fixtures, tapestries and artifacts currently at risk. The Foundation alludes to a very slow and painful death for the building, from the inside out; deserted behind 20-foot tall fences and locked gates, but still looming proudly with hope.

“In the dark, rainwater seeps over breathtaking paintings, chandeliers, and stunning tiles.  Raccoons and feral cats roam the empty hallways and defecate on the marble floors.”

Foundation President, Linda Dixon, states on their website, “We have tried for so many years to work cooperatively with the Department of Corrections to achieve protection of the magnificent Lake Norconian Club…It’s as if Hearst Castle were being allowed to decompose.  This must stop now.”

Lawsuits come at a price, and to help raise funding in all of its continuing efforts toward the preservation of the Lake Norconian hotel, the Foundation hosted a great fundraising event on Sat., Feb. 14 at Nellie Weaver Hall in Norco.

(Photo Courtesy: Randi Hauser) Rosa Zuniga-Green and Historic Preservation Commissioner, Denise Lynn Sutherland dressing the part at the "Moonshine & Valentines" event.

(Photo Courtesy: Randi Hauser) Rosa Zuniga-Green (Left) and Historic Preservation Commissioner, Denise Lynn Sutherland (Right) dressing the part at the “Moonshine & Valentines” event.

Taking us back to the time when the Lake Norconian Club resort opened, the “Moonshine & Valentines” 1920s Speakeasy occasion was the bee’s knees.  The atmospheric details – as organized by Diane Markham (Community Outreach and Events Coordinator for the Foundation) – were unlike any other.  From guests in full 1920s costumes to a swing band that played all night, the event made guests feel like they were back in the Roarin’ 20s.  The night concluded with stories of the Norconian Resort during the Prohibition Era from local historian, Kevin Bash.

Dixon, in an interview at the Moonshine & Valentines event, said the most important goal of the foundation is to preserve and protect the Lake Norconian hotel.

“Since 2002, we have been trying to get the roof repaired and the building mothballed until such a time there is a determination if and when the prison ever closes,” said Dixon.  “The hotel is on the national registry, and because it is on state property, they are mandated by law to mothball the building, take care of it, and preserve it.  All through these years they have allowed it to become demolished through their neglect.”

Dixon says the lawsuit is in the mediation phase night now, and it is coming along “beautifully.”

“They [Department of Corrections] know the value of the building and the historic property, so that’s where we are right now,” she continues.

When asked about the future of the hotel, Dixon waxes enthusiastically, “The goal is that the hotel will never go away.  It is part of our history; and it’s just a phenomenal history and we can’t ever, ever let that go!”

For more information, visit http://www.lakenorconianclub.org/.

Out Of (My) Control

By Pastor Tim Eaton

pastor -tim-eaton-edgewater-lutheren

Pastor-Tim-Eaton-Edgewater-Lutheren

Life throws us curve balls. Things don’t go as planned. Pains can break our hearts.

Worrying about any of these things can make us lose our minds. When it seems our world is spinning out of control, we can often get out of control ourselves. No matter how big or small the catastrophe, when our fight or flight instinct is tripped, more problems are on their way.

If we choose to stay and fight, we can lose our cool with devastating effects, hurting our future or other people emotionally or physically.  Unfortunately, when we choose flight we can often fly to exactly the wrong place. Maybe we disengage when we are needed most. Perhaps we hide in a comforting, but damaging, addiction.

What are we to do in the face of catastrophe? Fight and flight are equally poor choices. A better choice is to run into the arms of Jesus Christ. There, we can discover that life is not out of control – only out of our control.

“It’s out of my control.”  It might be frustrating to submit to these words, but it might be one of the most freeing phrases ever spoken. When we are not in control, the worry isn’t ours; the burden of a solution isn’t ours.

Just how comforting those words are has a lot to do with whom we realize is in control. If it is a doctor, boss, or a policy, it might provide some comfort. But, if we realize that God is in control, it can bring true peace.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  The “because” is the peace.

Isaiah 53:4 reassures us, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.”

When catastrophe strikes, remember that even though it might be out of your control, God is in control.  How much better life will be if we know we are always in His hands. Then, we can avoid the panic, and live in His peace every day.

Discover His Peace at Edgewater this Easter:  Good Friday, April 3, 7pm; Easter Sunday, April 5, 6:30, 8, and 10 a.m.  See their ad on page 12.

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshipping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880; http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

Schleisman Road Realignment and Street Name Changes

Schleisman-Detour-PlanStaff Reports

Eastvale – On Nov. 13, 2013 the Eastvale City Council adopted Resolution No. 13-38 to vacate a portion of Schleisman Road east of Scholar Way as a public street. This vacation is a result of the realignment of Schleisman Road between Scholar Way and Hamner Avenue through a new roadway constructed by the D. R. Horton development, also known as “A” Street. The resolution was recorded on Feb. 24, 2014.

According to the City of Eastvale, as the new roadway is nearing completion, you are being advised that the intersection of Schleisman and Scholar will be closed to all traffic beginning on Fri., Mar. 27, at 6 p.m. This will allow for the permanent closure of Schleisman Road east of Scholar Way to vehicular traffic, and for the preparation of a major transfer of the east-west traffic on to the new Schleisman Road upon opening of the intersection at 6 pm on Sun., Mar. 29.

Major construction will continue through the following week, which is a spring break week for River Heights Intermediate School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School, followed by a few weeks of paving, striping, and signage installation. During this time, an interim detour and traffic control plan will be implemented to direct vehicular as well as pedestrian traffic.

  1. R. Horton subdivision map, Tract No. 34014 includes the renaming of “old/existing” Schleisman Road as Riverboat Drive to match the current street name east of Wells Spring Street. Consequently, the new roadway referred to as “A” Street that terminates at Hamner Avenue will be renamed Schleisman Road. All these changes will take place within the next few weeks in coordination with the transfer of traffic during the weekend of Mar. 27 to 29.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your cooperation during the transition.

If there are any questions, please call Ruben Castaneda, City of Eastvale Public Works Department, at (951) 703.4472.

Attempted Carjacking In Eastvale

(Image Courtesy: City of Eastvale) Police rendering of attempted carjacking suspect.

(Image Courtesy: City of Eastvale)
Police rendering of attempted carjacking suspect.

By Claire Lewis

Eastvale – Some form of carjacking has been around – probably since automobiles were invented – we just never hear that much about it.  It became more prevalent in the media around the mid-1980s.

Carjacking is a very violent and frightening concept, even more so when it happens in our own city.  The extreme threat to the victim, the public, and even the carjacker, is made all the more dangerous by the fact that these attacks are usually associated with another crime.  Intensity is escalated when a criminal needs to make a quick getaway from a crime just committed, or needs a vehicle to commit a crime.

According to the City of Eastvale, on Wed., Feb. 11, at approximately 9 a.m., Police Deputies responded to the 14200 block of Schleisman Road regarding an attempted carjacking.  The victim was stopped at the intersection of Schleisman Road and Archibald Avenue, waiting for the signal to change.  At that time an unknown male attempted to forcefully gain entry into her vehicle.  The victim was able to flee from the area without injury to herself or damage to her vehicle.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male adult; 30 to 40 years of age; tall, thin build; and a dark complexion with a mustache.  He was last seen wearing a baseball cap, jeans and a camouflage jacket.  Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call Investigator Merrill at the Jurupa Valley Station at (951) 955-2600.

While there are not many statistics available, a study conducted by the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) states that from 1992-1996, 49,000 carjackings and attempts occurred in the U.S.  About half of those crimes reported resulted in failure.  Of the completed carjackings, 92% were committed with a weapon, using a handgun the majority of the time.  Of the failures, 75% used a weapon – making it obvious that criminals needed to be armed to be taken seriously.

According to NCVS, carjackers have unknowingly driven off with infants in the backseat of the car, lending even more distress to the situation.  Other drivers have been traumatically pulled from their cars and left lying in the street, terrified and often injured.  As the criminal speeds away, surrounding vehicles and pedestrians are exposed to the recklessness.

What can you do to help prevent this terribly crime and keep safe?  According to Lt. Scott Forbes from the Eastvale Police Department, the following tips can help deter would-be carjackers.

  • Drivers should keep doors locked and windows up when driving.
  • Always be aware of your surroundings, especially when stopped at a signal or parking your vehicle.
  • Always leave room between you and the vehicle in front of you, in the event you need to leave the area quickly.
  • Immediately call 911 if you are in danger.

CNUSD Teacher Arrested

(Photo Courtesy: Corona PD) Shane Alan Kent

(Photo Courtesy: Corona PD) Shane Alan Kent

Staff Reports 

Corona – On Feb. 26, the Corona Police Department was notified by site administration from the Corona Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) of the possible inappropriate touching of a student by a teacher at the Orange Elementary School, in the City of Corona.

During the investigation, Orange Elementary Teacher, Shane Alan Kent, 55, of Corona, was identified as the teacher accused of the inappropriate touching of a female student. Corona Police Detectives discussed applicable charges with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and on Feb. 27, Kent was arrested for lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14.

As a result of the investigation and arrest, CNUSD has placed Kent on administrative leave.
At this time the investigation is ongoing and detectives believe there may be other victims. The Corona Police Department is asking for parents of students who attend, or attended, Orange Elementary School to speak to their children about any inappropriate contact they may have had with Kent, or any inappropriate behavior they may have witnessed.

If anyone has any information pertaining to this investigation, please contact Detective Martin Vega of the Corona Police Department at (951) 817-5796.