Category Archives: Chino

Talking To Children About Violence

Tips for Parents and Teachers

Courtesy of CVUSD

 

Chino Valley – The horrific event in San Bernardino and recent threats at Los Angeles County Unified School District are tragic reminders that elected officials, law enforcement, schools, and parents must ensure it is doing all that it can to prevent violence in the community, at schools and the workplace.

According to the National Association of School Psychologists, these acts of violence can frighten and confuse children. They look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears, the association said.

They offer the following tips for Parents and Teachers:

  1. Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
  2. Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient. Children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.
  3. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.
  • Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.
  • Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.
  • Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.
  1. Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.

Santa and Police Officers Visit Chino Neighborhoods

Photo by Jeannette Garcia Santa’s Sleigh takes time out of his busy schedule to visit Chino neighborhoods thanks to the city’s Police Officer’s Association.

Photo by Jeannette Garcia
Santa’s Sleigh takes time out of his busy schedule to visit Chino neighborhoods thanks to the city’s Police Officer’s Association.

By Monique Valadez

CHINO – Chino Police Officers are once again escorting Santa with his sleigh to visit several Chino neighborhoods through Christmas Eve.

“The program gives youth the opportunity to experience the magic of Christmas,” officers said. The annual program is provided by the Chino Police Officer’s Association.

Santa will stop and spend time with all families, so all good boys and girls can visit him and get a candy cane too. Families will have the opportunity to take pictures with Santa, interact with police officers, and visit with Santa’s helpers.

Santa’s routes start at 5:30 p.m. each night, except Sundays and Mondays, through Dec. 24, and are as follows:

  • 12/12: 5:30 to 8 p.m. at neighborhood between Magnolia and Benson Avenue, near “C” (north of Chino)
  • 12/17: 5:30-8 p.m. at neighborhood between Monte Vista and Benson Avenue, near “C”
  • 12 /18: 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 6351 Riverside Drive, 6571 Schaefer Ave., 6776 Chino Ave.
  • 12/19: 5: 30 to 8 p.m. at neighborhood north of Jefferson Ave., Neighborhood north of Williamsburg
  • 12/22: 5: 30 to 8 p.m. at 5225 Francis, 12379 Sycamore Ave., 12250 Carissa Ave.
  • 12/23: 5: 30 to 8 p.m. at 11401/11405/11435 Central Ave., 11838 Central Ave., 11902 Central Ave., Seneca Village
  • 12/24: 5: 30 to 8:00 p.m. at neighborhood between Benson Avenue and Oaks Avenue, north of Riverside Drive

Chino: Pups In Training at Don Lugo High

Photo Courtesy: CVUSD Don Lugo High School students take time out of puppy rearing for a holiday photo.

Photo Courtesy: CVUSD
Don Lugo High School students take time out of puppy rearing for a holiday photo.

Courtesy of CVUSD

Chino– Don Lugo High Future Farmers of America students are raising five puppies for the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization.

The new pups – Zedrick, Zee, Waldorf, Baloo, and Frito – will be trained in basic obedience and socialization until they are about 14 to 17 months old. Then they will be returned to Guide Dogs for the Blind for further training.

Training the dogs will be Don Lugo FFA students Abigayle Monroe, Stephen Ryan, Sarah Aispuro, Emily Sevilla, and Viviana Jara. Don Lugo FFA member Lizette DePaz is the school’s Puppy Raising Campus Volunteer.

Last fall, Don Lugo agriculture teacher Ashley Doyle said she would like her students to raise puppies for the Guide Dogs for the Blind program.

“These little ones will be spending their first few weeks down in the Agriculture science lab,” Principal Kimberly Cabrera said of the young canines.

Don Lugo students Melissa Legg and Brianna Cabrera, Principal Cabrera’s daughter, are finishing their training of pups Quest and Quinn for the program. As individual trainers, Melissa and Brianna received their pups in January.

Don Lugo teacher Audrey Rohrer, who has trained several Guide Dog puppies and included them in her classes for socialization, is currently training puppy Paddington.

“They will have the puppies 24/7 for about 14 months,” said Ron Chrisman of Guide Dogs for the Blind. “During that time students, in addition to providing housing and obedience training, will teach the pups how to behave appropriately in public. When the pups are 14 to 17 months old, they are recalled to our San Rafael, California or Boring, Oregon campus to begin formal harness training. Our professional trainers will teach the dogs how to guide a blind or sight impaired person. Our job as Raisers is to prepare the pup to receive that training. When the dog successfully completes training, it is matched with his or her future partner. The Puppy Raiser is invited to attend a graduation ceremony where they meet their pup’s blind partner, and officially present the new guide dog.”

Chrisman said the dogs are placed all over the United States and Canada, and sometimes internationally. He also said guide dogs are placed at no cost to their sight impaired partners.

For more information on the program, visit http://www.guidedogs.com.

Motor Officer Hurt in Chino Crash

Staff Reports

CHINO – A Chino motor officer suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries in a collision Monday (Nov. 30) afternoon, authorities said.
The officer collided with a Chevrolet Silverado on Central Avenue near the westbound off-ramp to the 60 freeway while responding to an emergency call at approximately 2:01 p.m., a police statement says. The officer — identified as Nicholas Mutrux, is a 10 year veteran of the Chino police department.
Police officials said that Mutrux suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a local hospital. He is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. The solo occupant of the Chevrolet Silverado, did not suffer any injuries.
The police report said that the California Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the traffic collision.
“The level of support from the community has truly been amazing,” Chino Chief Karen Comstock said. “Our personnel are like family; when one experiences tragedy, we are all impacted greatly. Knowing we have the prayers and support of the community and fellow agencies truly keeps us strong moving forward.”

Epoh Sushi Is Fresh and Affordable

Epoh Sushi is located at 5536 Philadelphia St., Suite D, Chino 91710, and can be reached at (909) 627-8862 or www.epohsushi.com.

Epoh Sushi is located at 5536 Philadelphia St., Suite D, Chino 91710, and can be reached at (909) 627-8862 or http://www.epohsushi.com.

By Michael Armijo

Chino – As a sushi connoisseur, I am very particular when it comes to sushi. I’ve had some bad experiences, so I was pleasantly surprised when a group of us went into Epoh Sushi in the Chino Town Center on Philadelphia near Central Ave.

“I recommended this place because of the freshness and the quality of the fish” said fellow connoisseur, Ben Cortes. “And the specials are great, especially the lunch specials.”

Since there was a group of us, we all ordered a dish and shared, so I was able to sample several items.

The albacore sushi was tender and fresh. It had a delicate flavor that you could savor. The soup, called Sukiyaki, was a smorgasbord of several kinds of fish that created a delicious blend of flavor that lit up your taste buds. The “half and half” chicken and beef bowl, which featured chunks of beef instead of the traditional shredded beef, boasted with tender and seasoned cuts that melted in your mouth. And the surprising part was the rice. I am not a “rice guy,” but it was flavorful and soft, but not mushy. I even took the leftover rice home, something I’ve never done with rice before.

One of my new, all time favorites has to be the Yellowtail Collar. It was baked, crispy on the bottom, and meaty. The Collar was just delicious.

They have daily lunch specials, and their dinner prices are reasonable as well. The lunch specials range from $7.95 to $9.95. From the sushi bar, specials run from $10.95 to $12. And the Rice Bowls run from $6.95 to $11. For dinner, the entrees and the specials start out at $16. For a complete menu with prices you can sign onto http://www.epohsushi.com.

They also have a unique program called a “”membership.” It costs nothing, all you do is fill out a card and supply your email. The membership includes a 10% off each visit discount and you get a free meal on your birthday! I signed up as my birthday is in January, so I’ll be celebrating it there!

I could go on and rave about the food but we all know price is always a factor. I used to believe “you get what you pay for” but Epoh Sushi gave me more for my dollar, and for my taste buds.

Epoh Sushi, 5536 Philadelphia St, Suite D, Chino, CA 91710, (909) 627-8862. www.epohsushi.com.  Open Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Senator Hosts Turkey Giveaway

Courtesy of Senator Connie Leyva District 20

Courtesy of Senator Connie Leyva District 20
Leyva provides turkey dinner to over 175 local families on Nov. 24.

Staff Reports

CHINO – Hundreds of local needy families enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day thanks to Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino).
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, Leyva, in partnership with the Stater Bros. Markets and Fontana Water Company, hosted her inaugural Operation Gobble turkey giveaway at her district offices in Chino and Fontana.
Leyva understands that buying the traditional bird and all the fixings can be a burden for many families.
“Times are still tough for too many families in the Inland Empire, so I am pleased that we are able to provide these turkeys, canned goods and other Thanksgiving fixings as we kick off this holiday season. I thank my community partners for sharing in the spirit of giving to ensure that 175 more families will have a home-cooked meal on Thanksgiving Day.”
Leyva provided plump turkeys and meals to over 175 local families and non-profit organizations that assist individuals.
Additionally, Leyva provided holiday meals to local nonprofits including Isaiah’s Rock in Chino and Time for Change Foundation in Rialto/San Bernardino that provide meals throughout the year to homeless and underserved individuals and families in the her district.
“I am very excited to collaborate with the Fontana Water Company and Stater Bros. Markets on this opportunity to lend a helping hand to families in my district who are struggling to make ends meet,” Leyva added.

Chino Prepares for Annual Youth Christmas Parade

Photo by: Monique Valadez

Photo by: Monique Valadez

Staff Reports

CHINO –The holiday lights are glistening once again along Central Avenue and city hall in preparation for Chino’s annual Youth Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec.12. This year’s theme is “A Christmas in Toyland” featuring dozens of community floats, classic cars, horse-drawn carriages, school bands, drill teams, elected officials and local youth organizations. But the prettiest sight to see will be jolly St. Nicolas at the tail end of the parade.

The parade steps off at 9 a.m. on the corner of Monte Vista Avenue. It continues east on Riverside Drive then continues south on Central Avenue, ending near city hall.

Some of the best spots are located near the announcement stages, one on Sixth Street and Central and the other on Central Avenue and D Street. But every spot along the parade route offers excellent views and entertainment.

City officials encourage parade goers to grab their spots early. Commuters are also advised of the street closures taking places on the morning of the parade. See map in this article.

Following the parade, the community is welcome to hang out at the civic center until 3 p.m. for live family entertainment, carnival rides, food vendors and a craft fair offering handmade gifts and other items.

The mayor will announce the parade float winners at noon during the festivities at the civic center.

Nearby the Chino Youth Museum will offer visitors free entry into their Santa’s Village from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in conjunction with the annual parade and fair. This year, Santa will make a pit stop at the museum on the corner of Sixth Street and D Street, so photos are recommended to capture this special guest.

Chino Parade Map

Chino One of America’s 50 Best

Photo courtesy: City of Chino

Photo courtesy: City of Chino

Staff Reports

CHINO – Chino is one of only two Southern California cities listed in America’s 50 best cities to live in, according to a study released by 24/7 Wall Street, a financial news and opinion operation.
The city of just over 84,700 people landed at No. 26 on the list. Temecula, just south of Chino, was listed at No. 31.
“For years, the City Council and I were proud of being distinguished as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People and now we are just as proud to be distinguished as one of America’s Best Cities to Live,” Mayor Dennis Yates said. “These accolades are a true testament to the wonderful community we have in Chino. The residents, businesses, organizations, they really do take care of each other and strive to be the best.”
According to 24/7 Wall Street, they reviewed data on 500 U.S. cities areas with populations of 65,000 or more and factored in a wide range of variables to compile the list, including crime rates, employment growth, access to restaurants and attractions, educational attainment and housing affordability.
Chino received high marks for its low poverty rate, one of the lowest rates in the country. The city also scored well for its employment growth.
The site said, “Chino has one of the fastest-growing economies in the country, with a 6.3 percent employment growth between 2012 and 2014. The city also has a poverty rate of 9.4 percent, much lower than the national rate of 15.5 percent.”

CVFD Offers Thanksgiving Cooking Tips

Courtesy of the Chino Valley Fire District

 

Chino Valley– The Chino Valley Fire District wants to help ensure that your Thanksgiving holiday is a safe and happy one. Below are some safety tips that will help you and your loved ones stay safe during the holiday.

Cooking Safety:

· Begin holiday cooking with a clean stove, oven and food preparation surfaces.

· Keep the kitchen area “off limits” to young children and adults that are not helping with food preparation to avoid accidents or mishaps.

· Have games or other activities for young children outside the kitchen area to keep them entertained.

· Avoid wearing clothing with loose or long fitting sleeves that might ignite if too close to a flame. Also avoid wearing dangling jewelry that might get caught on pot handles.

· Never leave boiling pots unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off all burners or have another adult watch what is being cooked.

· Have a fire extinguisher available no more than 10 feet from the stove or cooking area.

· Remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

· Keep anything that can catch fire—oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains— away from your stovetop.

Deep-Fryer Safety:

· If you are using a deep fryer to cook your turkey, make sure it is set up outdoors in an open area that is away from walls, wooden fences, hanging tree branches and any other structure or item that can catch fire.

· Never use a deep fryer on a wooden deck or inside a garage.

· Never let children or pets near the fryer when it is in use.

· Never leave a deep fryer unattended.

For more information on holiday safety tips, visit our website at www.chinovalleyfire.org.

Chino Teachers Receive Walmart Cash for Classroom Expenses

Photo courtesy: Gustavo Miranda Walmart and Sam’s Club presented 20 Walnut Avenue Elementary teachers with $50 gift cards for school supplies on Nov. 17.

Photo courtesy: Gustavo Miranda
Walmart and Sam’s Club presented 20 Walnut Avenue Elementary teachers with $50 gift cards for school supplies on Nov. 17.

By Monique Valadez

CHINO– Twenty teachers from Walnut Avenue Elementary received $50 gift cards to purchase supplies for their classrooms thanks to Walmart’s annual Teacher Rewards Program.

These funds come at a critical time, as many teachers will spend an estimated $1,000 of their own money to ensure their students have the supplies they need to learn throughout the school year, Walmart officials stated in a press release.

“I am thrilled that our Walnut teachers have this wonderful opportunity to win gift cards to purchase classroom supplies for their students,” Walnut Avenue Elementary School Principal Karen Morales said. “Thank you Walmart and Sam’s Club for your generous contribution to our school.”

This year, local Sam’s Club employees selected Walnut Avenue Elementary School to receive $1,000 in gift cards to be awarded to teachers. The school was selected from among 35 schools in Chino Valley district because of the school’s need and dedicated staff, officials said.

“The [Walnut Avenue Elementary] teachers are amazing as is the principal,” said Sam’s Club Marketing Leader Gustavo Miranda, who presented the 20 teacher’s with gift cards on Nov. 17 in the school’s library. “As soon as they heard me say that we wanted to give them gift cards for their classroom supplies, their jaws dropped. It was an emotional presentation with one teacher almost in tears. We know we made the right choice.”

For the past six years, Walmart has donated over $4.5 million in reward cards to approximately 90,000 teachers across the United States to help offset the cost of classroom expenses.

“We are proud to honor our community’s teachers, who give time and often their own money to ensure our students have everything they need to be successful throughout the school year,” Miranda said.

More than 5,000 U.S. Walmart stores, Distribution Centers and Sam’s Club locations are eligible to select one local public school, grades K-8, and provide reward cards to 20 teachers from each selected school. Winning teachers can use the funds to purchase essential items for their classrooms such as paper, folders, binders, pencils, crayons and markers.

“At Walmart, we are dedicated to supporting our nation’s teachers by providing support and resources needed to continue educating the future leaders of our community,” Miranda added.

The Teacher Rewards program is an extension of Walmart’s ongoing support of local initiatives that help students, teachers and families better prepare for their future including programs like Breakfast in the Classroom, Fill the Bus and Farm to School.

Chino Wins Award For Promoting Healthy Living

Staff Reports

CHINO– Chino has received the top honors in the Inland Empire’s media awards recognition for its wide-ranging and collaborative efforts to improve healthy living.

The Inland Empire Chapter of the American Advertising Federation announced last month at its annual awards ceremony in Riverside, that Chino was a recipient of a 2015 Public Service Campaign of the Year for excellence in advertising their Healthy Chino campaign.
“We are honored to have been recognized by an esteemed list of Media and Communication professionals in the Inland Empire,” City Manager Matthew Ballantyne said. “Connecting with residents and continuing to provide options in sustaining a healthy community is a priority for the city and we are humbled that others recognize the efforts.”
To reach this milestone, city officials introduced new programs in 2015 including the “grocery store on wheels” Mobile Fresh program and Children’s Discovery Workshops which offer a fun and safe atmosphere for children to learn about the environment, gardening and nutrition.

Finding new ways to engage and connect with the community such as utilizing social media also contributed to receiving this honorable award, officials said.

City officials and the Healthy Chino Coalition believe that a healthy lifestyle starts from childhood. Healthy Chino introduced Super Fit Flex, a superhero helping to spread the message to a young generation about the importance of staying fit and healthy.
According to city officials, the Healthy Chino Initiative was created in 2004 to combat an epidemic rise in obesity and associated chronic illness, such as heart disease and diabetes that affect communities across the country.

“Healthy Chino has been on a mission to increase the healthy lifestyle option in Chino through workshops, hikes, walking groups, a community garden, Healthy Family Day and the first-ever Healthy Chino General Plan element,” city officials said. “Due to these efforts, the Chino community is 10 years stronger!”

City Manager Ballatyne accepted the award on behalf of the City at the American Advertising Federation, Inland Empire Media Awards Ceremony in Riverside.
Healthy Chino has also received the prestigious Helen Putnam Award and the Cities Counties Schools Partnership Award.

 

Chino: Become A Gardener

Staff Reports

CHINO – The benefits of gardening are endless. Whether if you want to find a new hobby, enrich a healthy lifestyle or just want to start growing vegetables for your family table, then head over to Chino’s garden workshops held at the city’s community garden located on the northeast corner of 5th Street and D Street.
The free gardening workshops cover a variety of topics including growing fruits and vegetables, harvesting, pruning, composting, and more. Workshops are presented by the City of Chino’s Healthy Chino and Green Chino Initiatives in partnership with the UCCE Master Gardeners of San Bernardino County, Kaiser Permanente and 4th District Supervisor Curt Hagman. Advance registration is encouraged due to limited space.
The next workshop titled, “The Basics”, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. This workshop teaches participants the basics about efficient irrigation systems, soils, design practices, fertilizers and water-wise plants.
Gardening is a family affair so parents are encouraged to bring their children to participate in the Children’s Discovery Workshop that run in conjunction with the garden workshops.  Visit discovery.healthychino.com or call, 909-334-3478 for more information and details.

Free Flu Shots At Chino Hills High

Staff Reports

CHINO HILLS – If you don’t have insurance and need to get flu shots for you or your children, the San Bernardino County Health Department will be giving free flu shots Thursday, Nov. 19.

Flu shots will be provided to adults, including senior citizens and pregnant women, as well as children. Children must be three years of age and older, and children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Children below nine years of age may require two doses of flu vaccines (four weeks apart) based on prior vaccination history.

The clinic will be open from 3 until 5 p.m. at Chino Hills High School, located at 16150 Pomona Rincon Road.

Chino Hills High School is a Point of Dispensing (POD) site where the community can go to receive medication and/or vaccinations during a public health emergency, such as a pandemic influenza or bioterrorism.

The flu shots are provided and administered by the County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health, Preparedness and Response Program.

Chino Schools Marching Band Showcase Nov. 18

Courtesy of Chino High School 77th Cavalry Chino High School Marching Band performs at the 2015 Los Angeles County Fair.

Courtesy of Chino High School 77th Cavalry
Chino High School Marching Band performs at the 2015 Los Angeles County Fair.

Staff Reports

CHINO VALLEY – High school and middle school bands are taking a break from competing and putting on a fun performance for the community Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Don Lugo High Stadium.
The annual Marching Band Field Showcase is an annual opportunity for resident’s to see a live performance by some of Chino Valley’s award-winning school marching bands.
Bands from Ayala, Chino, Chino Hills and Don Lugo High Schools will play a medley of songs. They will also be joined by younger band mates from Canyon Hill and Townsend Junior High Schools. The free showcase will begin promptly at 7 p.m. with a performance of the “Star Spangled Banner” by all participating bands.
Admission is free and open to the public. Don Lugo High Stadium is located at 13400 Pipeline Ave. in Chino.

The Marching Band Field Showcase schedule:
7:05 p.m. – Canyon Hills Junior High Color Guard
7:10 p.m. – Townsend Junior High Band
7:15 p.m. – Don Lugo High Band
7:35 p.m. – Chino Hills High Band
7:55 p.m. – Chino High Band
8:15 p.m. – Ayala High Band
8:35 p.m. – Event concludes

Clark’s Helps You Live Better!

Staff Reports

CHINO – When it comes to health and nutrition, one size does not fit all. Just ask your neighborhood’s health and nutrition market, Clark’s Nutrition and Natural Foods Market who strive to make lives better one customer at a time.
Clark’s equates success not with size but with integrity, responsibility and service.

“The cornerstone of Clark’s market position is to provide reliable scientific information for the consumer’s benefit in making educated and informed decisions resulting in vibrant health,” Clark’s website states.

Spanning three generations, Clark’s Nutrition and Natural Foods Markets was founded in 1972 in Riverside by the Clark family patriarch, Jim Clark, whose vision of healthy living grew into what is today a 60 billion-dollar industry.

Today’s, Jim’s grandchildren have taken over the reins of Clark’s Nutrition and Natural Foods Markets. Grandson Jeff Clark is president, his brother Bruce Clark is vice president of retail development, and their sister Tracy Clark is the director of finance.
Their newest location in Chino, 12835 Mountain Avenue (at corner of Mountain Avenue and Riverside Drive), boasts a large selection of organic, gluten free, grass-fed beef, vitamins and raw foods. They also carry an extensive collection of health and beauty production including, celebrity Suzanne Somers’ skin care and cosmetic line, “SUZANNE Organics.”

Clark’s puts an emphasis on connecting with the community through various in-store and local events.

With locations in Loma Linda, Riverside, Rancho Mirage, and now Chino, Clark’s Nutrition lives up to their motto, “Live Better …We Can Help!”They provide regular free lectures on various health related topics and make-up tutorials with professional make-up artists.

Customers will appreciate their knowledgeable and helpful staff. Clark’s employees undergo a comprehensive in-house training curriculum, and continuing their education “which is now accredited”.
So, for all your health and nutritional needs, look no further than Clark’s in Chino or any of their other I.E. locals. Clark’s is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Stop by for yourselves and experience Clark’s great customer service, knowledgeable staff, and affordable pricing. Whatever your health goals, Clark’s can help! Visit www.clarksnutrition.com.

Winning The Holidays!

Courtesy of Clark’s Nutrition

The holidays are that special time of the year where every indulgence is neatly packaged, socially encouraged, and conveniently available. Pumpkin-spiced, chocolate-dipped, rum-soaked, caramel-topped “megatreats” are found everywhere, from the checkout stand to the drive-thru to school fundraisers. And while the odd confectionary indulgence certainly does not make a bad diet, the holidays have become a seemingly endless parade of pies, sweets, drinks, and culinary inventions of bacchanalian proportions. So what to do if your desire is to enjoy the holidays yet still maintain workout, weight, and longevity goals? The first thing to do is be realistic. Setting a goal to drop 20 pounds is setting oneself up for failure. A more realistic goal would be to maintain one’s weight throughout the holidays whilst allowing for plenty of shared festivities and a few indulgences. Here are a few suggestions that will help in the battle to win the holidays:

-Remember there is always strength in numbers. There is nothing wrong with letting others know of your goals and surprisingly, you may find others who have similar goals

-Prepare and bring healthy snacks to school or work

-Portion-Portion-Portion. Try and use smaller plates and cups (bring if necessary)

-Drink a 12 ounce glass (think soda can size) of water before sitting down at the holiday table

-Offer to bring a healthy dish to parties (what host would say no to eggplant parmesan or grilled cucumber and hummus wraps?)

-Have a healthy snack before going to the party or dinner and once there, plan your meal in your head. Lastly, savor every bite.

-Remember to wait 20 minutes before going for seconds (better to skip them altogether)

Remember that the holiday season is strategically followed by the “New-Years Resolution” season. Making better choices during the former means making easier choices during the latter. Also, having a bite of something sweet now is better than a having 10 bites later. Oftentimes, willpower can dissolve later in the night when our bodies start to wind down. It is possible to wipe a good workout off the map with a few mindless spatula-fulls of pumpkin cheesecake. Being active and even ramping up workouts is a very effective way to make those extra calories work in your favor. Try making some personal record (PR) goals during this time of year. A cupcake-fueled sprint or latte-energized bench press may be your best attempt all year.

  • Plan group activities that are not centered on food, like going on walking tours of decorated homes (also, volunteering opportunities are everywhere during the holidays as needs rise drastically)
  • Be the life of the party! Mingle, move, and burn more calories
  • Let your brain, not your stomach do the choosing. Showing up to functions hungry means being mostly defenseless against overindulgence.
  • Be picky. Take a moment to think about what indulgences are worth your extra work.
  • Get a high-quality digestive enzyme. These supplements can mean the difference between burping and “Burpees”. By assisting digestion, enzymes help
  1. Extract vital nutrients from foods
  2. Shuttle undigested foods through our digestive system
  3. Reduce gas and bloating

The holidays do not have to be an automatic “lose my gains and gain weight” season. It can be a time of intense satisfaction when we prove to ourselves that planning really does lead to success. Plan time to be mindful of your goals and increase your holiday cheer.

Chino PD Receives Traffic Enforcement Grant

Courtesy of Chino Police Department

CHINO– Chino PD has been awarded a $167,872 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a yearlong program of special enforcements and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic related deaths and injuries.
After falling dramatically between 2006 and 2010, the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions has been slowly rising. Particularly alarming are recent increases in pedestrian and bicycle fatalities, the growing dangers of distracting technologies, and the emergence of drug-impaired driving as a major problem. This grant funding will provide opportunities to combat these and other devastating problems such as drunken driving, speeding and crashes at intersections.
“Chino PD has an ongoing commitment to keep our roadways safe through enforcement and education. The partnership and support provided by OTS will allow us to further enhance those efforts and put a stop to the emerging upward trend,” said Chino Police Chief Karen Comstock.
Activities that the grant will fund include:

  • Educational presentations
  • DUI checkpoints
  • DUI saturation patrols
  • Motorcycle safety enforcement
  • Distracted driving enforcement
  • Seat belt and child safety seat enforcement
  • Bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement
  • Speed, red light and stop sign enforcement
  • Warrant service operations targeting multiple DUI offenders
  • Compilation of DUI “Hot Sheets,” identifying worst-of-the-worst DUI offenders
  • Specialized DUI and drugged driving training such as Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE)
  • Stakeout operations to observe the “worst-of-the-worst” repeat DUI offender probationers with suspended or revoked driver’s licenses

“Overall, California’s roadways are among the safest in the nation,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “But to meet future mobility, safety and accessible transportation objectives, we have to reverse this recent trend in order to reach our common goal – zero deaths on our roadways. The Office of Traffic Safety and the Chino Police Department want to work with everyone to create a culture of traffic safety across Chino and the state.”

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information on Traffic Unit services contact Corporal Trosper at 909-334-3153 or email, strosper@chinopd.org.

Chino: Be Their Parents, Not Their Friends!

By Nicole Leiva

CHINO-On Oct. 22, the Chino Valley Unified School District hosted a Parent Information Forum, in the Chino Hills High theatre. This forum had about 100 parents in attendance and it covered a wide range of issues that are affecting our millennial’s in the Chino Unified School District.

Those issues range from drug trends, social media use, cell phones, privacy, teen driver laws, and knowing your rights as a parent.

Chino Police Officer’s and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s led the event by sharing their experience and knowledge about the issues at the forefront of junior high and high school students across the district. The law enforcement officers talked about teens as young as 12 are trying the gateway drug marijuana. They also spoke about the issue with the new trend of vapors and teens using the vapors to smoke marijuana. In addition teens are experimenting with mixing two different drugs together, which can be very dangerous.

Social media use is an extremely important topic because with the internet and texting, teens can connect with anyone or any subject of their choice. Teens use their phones to share nude photos with each other, which can be considered child pornography. Some teens communicate via text with codes referring to drugs, parties or sex. So if parents check their phones they won’t know what they are talking about.

The officers also spoke about teens using social media to meet strangers on websites that are looking for relationships with minors or terrorist groups like ISIS looking to recruit youth. Worst of all teens are using social media for bullying, which can cause stress, anxiety and lead to suicide.

The presenters wrapped up the forum with addressing teen driver laws and the importance of parents and teens knowing and applying those laws when teens begin to drive.

In the end, law enforcement made a strong plea to the parents, “Be the parent, not their friend! Know your rights as a parent.”

Officers also told the forum to maintain regular communication with their children and to discipline their children accordingly.

Your children do not have the right to privacy when it comes to their bedrooms, phones, or cars, because the parents are the providers to these priviliges and they can take away these priviliges when necessary to keep their children safe, officers said.

The parents in attendace were very pleased with the forum. After speaking to several parents, they all responded with a sense of great appreciation to the district and law enforcement for providing this eye-opening information. Some said they were hopeful. Chino Hills High School Principal Isabel Brenes was very pleased with the parent attedance and the positive response from the parents.

Don’t Fall for ‘Slick Rick’ Phone Scammers

By Monique Valadez

CHINO-Last week I was contacted on my cell phone by an “unavailable” number. I hesitated answering it but thought perhaps it was an important call about my son. So I answered it.  Little did I know that those brief three minutes taught me a valuable lesson about phone and cyber scammers.

I noticed a few red flags such as using generic terms when describing information such as “your computer”. What if I didn’t even have a computer? He also didn’t claim any company.

So I decided to play along. “We are getting emails from your computer that you have a virus,” he pressed on.

I told him that I was at work and I did not have access to my laptop. This response immediately changed his tone with me. He asked when I would be able to get in front of my laptop. “Who does this guy think he is, ‘SlickRick,” I thought.

After a couple attempts to figure out a good time to call me back, the man thanked me for my time and hung up the phone. These scammers are clever and easily convince anyone into thinking there is an obvious issue with their computer.

Scams come in all shapes and sizes. According to Microsoft, scammers don’t just make phone calls they also send fraudulent email messages and set up fake websites. They might offer to help solve your computer problems or sell you a software license. Once they have access to your computer, they can do the following:

  • Trick you into installing malicious software that could capture sensitive data, such as online banking user names and passwords. They might also then charge you to remove this software.
  • Convince you to visit legitimate websites (like http://www.ammyy.com) to download software that will allow them to take control of your computer remotely and adjust settings to leave your computer vulnerable.
  • Request credit card information so they can bill you for phony services.
  • Direct you to fraudulent websites and ask you to enter credit card and other personal or financial information there.

Protect yourself by knowing the facts. Don’t fall victim to ‘Slick Rick’ and his bandits. If it sounds suspicious, hang up. If it looks suspicious don’t open it. When in doubt, take it to an expert.

Chino: Local Teens Shape the Community

Photo courtesy of City of Chino City of Chino’s 2015-16 Teen Advisory Committee

Photo courtesy of City of Chino
City of Chino’s 2015-16 Teen Advisory Committee

By Monique Valadez

CHINO – A group of 11 teenagers from the Chino Valley have their own ideas on how to make their communities more attractive to young people, from the teen center to the new planned Liberty Courtyard.
These local high school students are more formally know as the city’s Teen Advisory Committee (TAC) want to have a voice in local government and bend the ears of elected city officials and other community leaders.
“The Teen Advisory Committee has not only given me a voice in my community, but it has also allowed me to meet other teens who care about the City of Chino and to help organize events that benefit the community,” Teen Advisory Committee Member Bridgette Rojas said.
The committee members serve in an advisory capacity to the Community Services Commission by providing input on teen issues as they relate to programs or projects in Chino, city officials said.
Leading the committee this year are Noemi Lemus, Chairperson; Natalie Camacho, Vice Chair; and Bella Ferriola, Secretary. The officers were elected by the members during their first meeting, which was held September 3, in the City of Chino Council Chambers.
This year, the TAC will be working with the Community Services Commission subcommittee for the construction of the Chino Liberty Courtyard. The courtyard is a planned monument that pays tribute to those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The courtyard will be located at the Carolyn Owens Community Building on B Street.
The teens will explore new ways to bring more awareness and increase participation to the Chino Experience Teen Center.
Additionally, the teens will take part in charitable projects including helping out the Chino Neighborhood House and the Chino Unified School District’s Care Closet.
Open positions are filled on an annual basis as the result of a competitive application process.
Returning members include: Natalie Camacho, Don Lugo High School; Daniel Contreras, Don Lugo High School; Mari Fierro, Don Lugo High School; Noemi Lemus, Don Lugo High School; Alexis Madrid, Don Lugo High School; and Bridgette Rojas, Don Lugo High School.
Newly appointed members are: Elizabeth Cazares, Don Lugo High School;
Edith Contreras, Don Lugo High School; Michelle Cruz, Don Lugo High School; Bella Ferriola, Ayala High School; and Nicholas Sanchez, Don Lugo High School.
TAC meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month, September through May, at 7 p.m., in the City of Chino Council Chambers.