Category Archives: Diamond Bar

Painting A Memory

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently my wife and I spent time with some of our grandkids.  While we were staying at their house, their mother (our daughter) asked if we would be willing to help paint a room in their apartment.

Our son-in-law was out of town on business, so we agreed to take on the task to surprise him when he got home.  The grandkids were excited about the idea, too.  They really wanted to help.

One of the most important parts of painting is the preparation.  We moved the furniture into the middle of the room and found some interesting things that were hidden under them. We found some lost toys and a missing puzzle piece.  I was hoping we might find some money, too, but that was not the case.

We covered some things with plastic and used blue painter’s tape to mask off wooden door frames and the corners of the ceiling that we did not want to get new paint on.  We removed some of the electrical outlet and light switch covers.  We found some large pieces of cardboard to put down along the walls to protect the floor.

When it was time to begin painting, our seven year old grandson got the brush and I got the paint roller.  His assignment was to paint in the middle of the wall, far away from doors, door frames and windows.  My job was to roll most of the open wall space and use a brush to trim around the edges.

We made a pretty good team.  He worked hard at his task and I tried to keep out of his way with the roller.  I was impressed at his steady effort and careful work.  I think I splattered more paint than he did!

My wife’s job was to keep our younger granddaughter busy while we painted.  They went shopping and to lunch.

It seems like painting always takes longer then you expect.  We ran out of one color and had to go back to the store for more.  We needed another paint roller, too.  But gradually, the project came together and our daughter was delighted with the result.  We hope our son-in-law is pleased, too.

Home improvement projects usually take more time and cost more money than you expect, but the end results are usually good.  It seems like they go faster and better when you work with others.

There is a verse in the Bible that says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)  I was glad to have a hard-working grandson helping me.  There may not have been any monetary “return” but there is a delightful memory we will share together for years to come.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Do You Have A Passport?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Everyone who travels outside their own country is required to carry a passport.  We are now required to have a passport to even visit Mexico and Canada.

A passport reveals a lot about a person. A passport identifies you as a citizen of a specific country.  My passport clearly states that I am a citizen of the United States of America. I am thankful to carry a US passport.

In addition, a passport tells a lot about you.  It includes the date and location of your birth.  It includes your photograph so that you can quickly and easily be identified with the information in it.   It tells when your passport was issued to you and the date it will expire.

Your passport also contains a record of the places you have been.  When you enter a foreign country, they usually stamp your passport to record the date you entered and the date you departed.  It indicates if you arrived by plane, train or by automobile. It is fun to thumb through the pages in your passport and remember the adventures you have shared and the places you have been in the past.

Sometimes airlines will put a sticker on the outside of your passport.  This indicates that you have been interviewed or screened for security purposes before they allow you to board their airplane.

Today, many countries are relying more on electronic screening.  They can scan or swipe your passport and immediately know a lot about you. You may find this comforting or you may feel concerned that there is so much information about you in their records.

I don’t know if they had passports in ancient times, but I do know that citizenship was a big deal even in Bible times.

The Apostle Paul invoked his rights as a Roman citizen on several occasions (Acts chapters 16 and 22). Citizens of Rome had additional rights and protections that were not granted to non-citizens.

In one of his letters, Paul says “Our citizenship is in heaven…” (Philippians 3:20).  Paul was both proud and thankful to be a citizen of Rome, but he was even more thankful to be a citizen of heaven through his faith in Jesus Christ.

If you have a passport, let me encourage you to dust it off and look through the pages.  It will be a helpful reminder of the places you have been to.   And, if you are not sure about your citizenship in heaven, let me encourage you to dust off your Bible and read some of the things that the Apostle Paul wrote his letters to the Romans and Ephesians about how you become one.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Diamond Bar: Teaching Kindness

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD Chaparral Middle School teacher, Sherry Robertson, with students Noah Macalino and Ashley Jong, completed 40 random acts of kindness.

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD
Chaparral Middle School teacher, Sherry Robertson, with students Noah Macalino and Ashley Jong, completed 40 random acts of kindness.

By Kelli Gile

Diamond Bar – When Chaparral Middle School teacher Sherry Robertson turned 40 this year, she didn’t want gifts or a party. Instead, she decided to complete 40 random acts of kindness to mark the day.

“I wanted to do something original and when I mentioned it to my students they thought it was a great idea and wanted to join in.”

The educator made a spreadsheet to share her ideas with the 6th Graders. Her goal was for volunteers to complete acts individually and then meet at a local shopping mall for the remaining gifts of kindness.

Three students joined the compassion day in honor of Robertson’s 40th birthday on Aug. 8.

7th Grader Ashley Jong, 12, baked chocolate chip cookies and delivered to staff members at the Diamond Bar Library and Kaiser Emergency Room.

“I’ve watched my mom bake cookies, but this was my first time. They were good!” she recalled.

Classmate Noah Macalino, 12, chose to open doors for strangers.

“I really like helping people and it’s fun to do!“ he said.

Student Ethan Yee was on vacation with his family in Las Vegas and also completed two acts of kindness.  He presented a surprise gift card to a hard-working waitress and made a charity donation.

Jong also left a shovel and pail and bottles of bubbles at a local park with a note that read, “Please enjoy this random act of kindness and pass it on!”

The do-gooders took photos of their kindness acts to document the day.

“Every act included a note with the social media hashtag, “RAKbirthday2015, so people could check out the pictures,” Robertson said.

In total, completing 40 Random Acts of Kindness birthday took over eight hours. Robertson and her family covered the community with kindness.  She had the help of her husband, Mario, and son Riley, a Quail Summit kindergartner.

“It has always been a priority for me to help my son grow up in an environment where he learns helping others is the norm,” Robertson said.

They handed out crayons and coloring books to children in a hospital emergency waiting room.  The family brought thank you photos to a caring fire chief, and left laundry soap, fabric softener and quarters at a local Laundromat.

“Enough for a few loads,” she said.

At Toys R Us, the Robertson’s put quarters in all the toy vending machines at the front of the store.

“I wanted to wait to see all the kids come!” the bubbly teacher said.

The educator purposely asked her students to choose acts that were low in cost or free.

One approved random act was sending a thank you letter.

“The note had to be handwritten – no emails or text messages,” Robertson said. “It takes effort and it’s the effort that makes people feel special.”

One of her favorite acts was leaving sticky notes with affirmations in women’s dressing rooms at Kohl’s.

“As I was leaving I heard one lady say, ‘Yes, I do look fabulous today!’ when she saw the note.”

“The cool thing is if you get to see or hear someone receive it,” she commented.

In the afternoon, the group met up at the Shoppes in Chino Hills.

“We taped little bags of quarters to parking meters,” Jung proudly reported.

The trio randomly passed out gift cards to customers in Barnes and Noble bookstore. They even hid a few inside books.

Recipients were surprised at the caring gifts throughout the day.

“At first they thought we were joking,” Jong recalled.

“Some were suspicious, but most were appreciative and excited when we explained it.” Robertson shared.

“I had to tell one lady that there were no strings attached. These are my students and it’s my birthday. I just wanted to include them on what it feels like to do nice things for other people,” she added.

Robertson is happy that she offered a lesson in kindness to mark her milestone birthday.

“I’ll always remember that these kids went out of their comfort zone to help spread kindness. I’m so proud of them.”

“It was an awesome day!” Macalino said.

Diamond Bar Princess Party

Photo courtesy: City of Diamond Bar

Photo courtesy: City of Diamond Bar

Diamond Bar – On Sat., Sept. 19, Miss Diamond Bar – Queen Alexandra Ornelas – and her court of princesses (Rebecca Wang, Megan Quon, Katherine Hermosillo and Cynthia Preciado) hosted a very special Princess Tea Party at the Diamond Bar Library.

The Court enjoyed meeting, dancing, singing and story time with all the little princesses, who were dressed in their very best princess attire.

Linda Headlee, Director at the Miss Diamond Bar Scholarship Pageant, Inc. – who is the event sponsor – said over 90 little princesses attended the annual Tea Party, and as you can see in the photo, they had a very delightful experience.

The Whole Enchilada Brings a Fiesta to Weekend Mornings

NOW OPEN FOR BREAKFAST

The Whole Enchilada is located at 1114 S. Diamond Bar Blvd. (at Grand Ave.) in Diamond Bar.

The Whole Enchilada is located at 1114
S. Diamond Bar Blvd. (at Grand Ave.) in
Diamond Bar.

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Add a little spice to your morning routine and hurry over to The Whole Enchilada for a flavorful breakfast fiesta! The Whole Enchilada is now open early on Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. The early bird catches the worm when you visit The Whole Enchilada and grab their Early Bird Special breakfast plate for just $5.99.

Bring the entire family to The Whole Enchilada, where you can get a taste of authenticity and enjoy a wonderful experience.

From savory huevos rancheros and chorizo to hearty egg burritos and a breakfast skillet, The Whole Enchilada offers two mouth-watering menus featuring an array classic American dishes and traditional Mexican cuisine. Visit The Whole Enchilada for a rich, delicious, invigorating Mexican breakfast perfect for any occasion.

They guarantee you will enjoy your dining experience!

“All our food is made fresh daily,” says Lil Palmer of The Whole Enchilada.

The restaurant has been in business for over 30 years, and offers fresh, authentic Mexican recipes their resident chef brought from their homeland.  there is a reason it is a favorite with locals.  The Whole Enchilada offers a variety of delicious Mexican dishes ranging from enchiladas and burritos to carne asada and fajitas – and don’t forget their Mexican Kaluha Flan or Rio Grande Mud Pie after your meal!

The Whole Enchilada can help cater any event you have planned featuring their delicious handmade tamales, which are available year round. This traditional holiday dish is sold by the dozen and is available in pork, beef, chicken, green chili and cheese.  Other menu items, such as the taquito or street taco platters, are available for catering as well.

Whether it’s an anniversary, a business meeting or catered Grand Opening, a fundraiser or birthday party, or even just a wonderful excuse not to cook, The Whole Enchilada will dazzle you with their excellent customer service and delicious food.  They look forward to helping you celebrate the special moments in your life.

The celebration doesn’t stop with just one visit.  The Whole Enchilada has gift cards available for purchase in person or online. And be sure to ask about the Combo Punch Card, Enchilada Bucks, and Kids Club.

Whether you live near or far, come be a local at The Whole Enchilada.  Your taste buds will thank you!  The Whole Enchilada is located at 1114 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., (at Grand Avenue, in Diamond Bar). They are open Mon. – Thurs., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sun., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can reach them at (909) 861-5340, and visit their website at www.wholeenchilada.com.See their ad on the back page of this publication.

 

Be Thankful

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently, I passed the baton of the leadership of our church to a younger pastor on our staff.  It was a morning filled with excitement and emotion as I stepped down from serving as the senior pastor and Pastor Tim Park accepted this new assignment.

Later that day, over 400 people gathered at the Diamond Bar Community Center to celebrate the 27 years that my wife and I have served at our church.  It was both humbling and amazing to see pictures and hear stories highlighting some of the things that happened during those many years.

A team at our church put together a wonderful evening.  The food was delicious and the decorations were gorgeous.  The room looked amazing! The program was filled with humor and memories.  It was an evening to remember.

One of the things I noticed was that I looked a lot younger 27 years ago when our family moved to Diamond Bar in 1988.  My hair was darker and there was a lot more of it!  Our kids were a lot younger back then, too.

A number of people shared stories about my years at the church.  Our own adult children shared some humorous accounts about their dad.  The Mayor of Diamond Bar presented me with a plaque recognizing our service to the community.

The pictures and videos brought back memories of building programs and special events that we will always remember.  In addition, many people wrote cards and notes thanking my wife and me for our ministry in their lives.

Through all of this, I was reminded that each person at that celebration had been touched in some way by my wife and me.  Their cards and words reminded us that the greatest impact we had at our church was not the new buildings and the special programs, but the times that we helped families and individuals at critical times in their lives.

God gave us the privilege to be part of their lives over the years.  We celebrated the births of their children and the weddings in their families.  We wept with others at the death of their loved ones and through the heartbreak of divorce.  It was both humbling and gratifying to hear how we were able to help and serve others.

Let me encourage you to look around you this week.  Who are the people that you work with and see every day?  Take time to thank them for the impact they have had in your life.  And, give thanks to God that he is using you to make a difference in their lives, too!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Walnut Valley Board Honors Exemplary Students

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD Vejar 5th Graders, Siarra Huang and Sunny Liu, were honored as Super Star Students during the Sept. 16 Board Meeting (shown with Board President Larry Redinger and Principal Jennifer De Anda).

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD
Vejar 5th Graders, Siarra Huang and Sunny Liu, were honored as Super Star Students during the Sept. 16 Board Meeting (shown with Board President Larry Redinger and Principal Jennifer De Anda).

By Kelli Gile

Walnut – The Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees honored stellar students and community members during the Sept. 16 meeting.

Evergreen Elementary 2nd Grader Brian Huang was lauded with the Super Star Student Award.  Last year, he won the 4th Place award in the 2015 National Elementary Chess Championship sponsored by the U.S. Chess Federation. Over 2,000 players representing 40 states vied in the contest held in Nashville, TN.

During a tourney exhibition, chess grand master, Irina Krush, the nation’s top female player, conducted 30 simultaneous games against the chess prodigies. She won 29 games and had one draw.

“And that was to Brian!” announced Principal Caroline Wills.

King’s Land Chess owners, Kiki and Leo Liu, were honored as Partners in Education for Evergreen Elementary.

“They are the company behind Brian’s achievement,” Wills added.

King’s Land Chess offers school programs and hosted a one-week chess camp during the summer. The couple also made a generous donation in support of the school.

Vejar Elementary parent, Lorena Trujillo, was recognized as a Partner in Education. The mother of three boys has been a dedicated volunteer at the school for over nine years.

“She is an active member of the community club and is always available to our support teachers,” said Principal Jennifer De Anda. “She has just been great at drawing the community together!”

Trujillo has also started a walking group with other moms in the mornings.

Vejar 5th Graders, Siarra Huang and Sunny Liu, were honored as Super Star Students.

Last year, the girls saw a need for recycling at the school. They felt the environment and animals had been impacted by all the trash. On their own, they researched, secured recycling bins, and promoted the program to students. This year, they have connected with student leaders and advisors for the Grades of Green trash-free program.

“Thank you for your service to Vejar and to our environment!” De Anda said.

Classified employee, Dori Valdez, a student data program specialist, received a special recognition during the meeting for outstanding support to the District.

“We can’t thank Dori enough for all that she does for our school district,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

The State of California requires detailed data for about 15,000 students and employees.

“Dori is the person that makes it all happen,” Dr. Taylor added.

The District has received numerous accolades for exceptional data management.

Valdez was also lauded by the state with the CALPADS Data Management Recognition.

Diamond Bar Council Recap

By Natalie Kim

Diamond Bar – Mayor Steve Tye began the Sept. 15 Diamond Bar City Council meeting by presenting certificates of recognition to the Diamond Bar Girls Softball 12 and Under Gold All-Star Team for an outstanding season. The Council congratulated the team for its successful, and hopes that Diamond Bar will continue to nurture and support successful athletes. A City Tile was also presented to a representative of the Albertson’s market, located on 1235 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., recognizing them as the Business of the Month for September 2015.

Following these presentations, Captain Jeffrey Scroggin of the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Department announced the appointment of Chad Holland to the Special Problems Team. Holland had been transferred to the Department approximately a year ago, and the Captain is optimistic that his appointment to the team will lead to a more effective task force.

During the public comments, representatives from the Diamond Bar Public Library and the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library announced several upcoming events. On Sept. 23 at 4 p.m., a personal safety workshop will be available for parents of infants and toddlers to increase awareness of safety hazards. The ongoing essay contest themed, “How a Book Changed My Life,” will end on Oct 3. The top three essay winners will each receive a $200 Amazon gift card. On Sept. 26, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., swing dance lessons will be available, no partner or experience required. The Read Together novel for the month of October will be “China Dolls,” by Lisa See, and residents of Diamond Bar are encouraged to read the book together as a community.

Following the public comments, the schedule of future events was read. The Planning Commission meeting on Sept. 22 is cancelled, as is the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on Sept. 24. Diamond Bar Day at the Los Angeles County Fair will be on Sept. 24, at the Fair Grounds in Pomona, and the next City Council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

The Council then approved all items on the Consent Calendar, which consisted of the City Council minutes from Aug. 18; the Traffic and Transportation Commission minutes from June 11; the Planning Commission minutes from July 28; the ratification of a check register totaling $2,134,115.63; the treasurer’s statement for the month of July 2015; a contract with Nexus-IS to expand the City’s security camera system; an application for $267,500 from the Habitat Conservation Fund Grant Funds, which requires a $267,500 match from the City for the development of the Canyon Loop Trail; authorization to spend $58,378.22 on five decorative light poles for the Diamond Bar Blvd. and Brea Canyon Rd. Intersection Enhancement Project; Appropriation Adjustments for the fiscal year of 2015-16 for Carry Forward expenditures, Special Revenue fund carryovers, Capital Project carryovers and Fiscal Year 2014-15 final adjustments; and authorization for the City Manager to approve an agreement between the City and the East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program and Technical Center for video productions services. The Council also adopted a resolution approving the removal of the crosswalk at Grand Ave. and the State Route Eastbound on-ramp.

Following Council reports and comments, the meeting was adjourned, with plans to meet again on Oct. 6, at 6:30 p.m., at the AQMD/Government Center Auditorium at 21865 Copley Dr.

Leading Or Leaving?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

As I shared in my last article, I recently “passed the baton” to a younger pastor at our church.  My wife and I have served at the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar for over 27 years.  But, as of Sept. 1, we have a new senior pastor. His name is Tim Park.

Tim has a wonderful wife and two teenagers.  He has served at various churches and has been on our staff for over three years.  He is a good shepherd and a good communicator with lots of energy and enthusiasm.

Part of the transition plan that our church adopted included the opportunity for my wife and I to continue to attend and serve here.  Tim will be the new senior pastor and I will work under his leadership in various ministries at our church.

The best way I have explained it to our people is, “I’m not leaving; I’m just not leading.”

We love the people at our church and want to continue to serve them.  We are thankful for all the help and support my wife and I have received from these friends over the years.

We don’t want to leave.  But, we realized it is time for a younger couple to lead.  So, “We are not leaving, we are just not leading,” as a younger pastor on our staff takes the pilot’s seat at our church.

I suppose many of us face the same question: When is it time to let younger people lead a church, business or other organization?  When is it time to pass the baton to the next generation?

There are not any simple answers to this question.  I’m sure that each situation and each leader is different.  But, the reality is that each of us in leadership will eventually need to hand over the baton to another member of the team.

The leaders at our church read a variety of books and articles on the topic of transition.

One theme that we found is that wise leaders should already have a transition plan in place.   Every company and organization should prepare a transition plan in case the leader leaves unexpectedly, is unable to lead due to health or other issues, or simply retires.

The second lesson that was emphasized in many books and articles was that wise leaders should always be preparing and training future leaders.  One of the greatest privileges and responsibilities of leaders is to be training and mentoring younger men and women for future leadership responsibilities.

My wife and I are thankful for the privilege of leading our church over the past 27 years, and we are grateful that our church has encouraged us to continue to serve here. We are thankful for the new senior pastor, Tim Park, and look forward to serving under his leadership.  I hope you will come and visit our church and get to know our new senior pastor.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Walnut Valley High School Seniors Recognized

Diamond Bar, Walnut High Seniors Named National Merit Semifinalists

 

By Kelli Gile

Walnut – 38 Diamond Bar and Walnut High School seniors have been named Semifinalists in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. The nationwide pool of about 16,000 Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors in each state.

The following students have been recognized for demonstrating exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies:

Diamond Bar High: Crystal Chang, Eric T. Chen, Janet Du, Ran Gu, Melody C. Guo, Charlene L. Hsu, Renee L. Kau, Jung Hyun Kim, Prince S. Kim, Gloria Lee, Felix Lien, Letitia So, Angela Song, Frances T. Song, Hsuan-Te Sun, Jonathan Sun, Kyle Wang, Margaret Wang, Ava Y. Wu, Frances Wu, Jennifer Wu, Claire Yang, Adele Zhang, Jeremy Tran.

Walnut High:  Alison Chang, Michelle Chang, Benjamin P Hang, Jane Kim, Brian Y. Ko, Alvin Li, Doris Li, Dardrin Qin, Dalton Trinh, Derek Wan, Angel T. Wong, Daniel Yoon, Freya Zhu, Maxwell L. Zhu.

About 1.5 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

These academically talented high school seniors will now have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,400 scholarships worth about $32 million that will be offered next spring by National Merit Scholarship Corporation, private companies, colleges, and foundations. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements including detailed applications, recommendations, essays, and SAT scores, to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

Congratulations students, parents, and teachers on these outstanding accomplishments!

Celebrate With The Whole Enchilada!

diamondbar-CMYKBy Claire Lewis

Diamond Bar – Looking for a reason to enjoy delicious Mexican cuisine?  Come celebrate Mexican Independence Day on Wed., Sept. 16 with The Whole Enchilada – where you can get a taste of authenticity and enjoy a wonderful experience in a family atmosphere.

From delicious platters and entrée meals to taco bars, The Whole Enchilada offers fresh, authentic Mexican recipes their resident chef brought from their homeland.  They guarantee you will enjoy your dining experience – on Independence Day, or any day!

“All our food is made fresh daily,” says Lil Palmer of The Whole Enchilada.

The restaurant has been in business for over 30 years, and there is a reason it is a favorite with locals.  The Whole Enchilada offers a variety of delicious Mexican dishes ranging from enchiladas and burritos to carne asada and fajitas – and don’t forget their Mexican Kaluha Flan or Rio Grande Mud Pie after your meal!

The Whole Enchilada can help cater any event you have planned featuring their delicious handmade tamales, which are available year round. This traditional holiday dish is sold by the dozen and is available in pork, beef, chicken, green chili and cheese.  Other menu items, such as the taquito or street taco platters, are available for catering as well.

Whether it’s a celebration of Independence, a business meeting or catered Grand Opening, a fundraiser or birthday party, or even just a wonderful excuse not to cook, The Whole Enchilada will dazzle you with their excellent customer service and delicious food.  They look forward to helping you celebrate the special moments in your life.

The celebration doesn’t stop with just one visit.  The Whole Enchilada has gift cards available for purchase in person or online. And be sure to ask about the Combo Punch Card, Enchilada Bucks, and Kids Club.

Whether you live near or far, come be a local at The Whole Enchilada.  Your taste buds will thank you!  The Whole Enchilada is located at 1114 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., (at Grand Avenue, in Diamond Bar). They are open Mon. – Thurs., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sun., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can reach them at (909) 861-5340, and visit their website at www.wholeenchilada.com.

 

Transition

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

On Sun., Aug. 30, I passed the baton to a younger pastor at our church.

I have had the privilege of serving as the senior pastor at the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar for over 27 years.

As of Sept. 1, the church has a new senior pastor.  His name is Tim Park.  He has served as an associate pastor at our church for several years, and is well liked and very qualified to take on the leadership of our church.

Our church leaders have been working on this transition plan for many months.  We presented this proposal to our church family in March, and it was unanimously approved at our church business meeting in April.

Actually, there was one “no” vote.  Since the vote was by secret ballot, we don’t know who cast it.  Some suspect it might have been my wife!  Just kidding!   But it was encouraging to see the strong support for this plan.

Different denominations have different traditions and procedures when they transition from one senior pastor to another.  Some reassign their pastors to new churches every few years.  In other churches, the local Bishop or Presbytery appoints new leaders to each church.

In our church, the lead pastor and Elders make recommendations to the congregation on major issues like budgets, building programs and the selection of the senior pastor.  I’m thankful that this proposal was so well received and supported by our church members.

There are many examples in the Bible where an older leader “passed the baton” to a younger person.  Moses passed the baton to Joshua; Elijah passed to Elisha; and the Apostle Paul to his young disciple, Timothy.

It is not uncommon for businesses to follow a similar practice where an older leader passes the baton to a younger member of their staff.  This can provide a smooth transition for the company or organization and help maintain their values and priorities.

I hope you will visit our church in the coming months and meet our new senior pastor.

We sure like him, and I think you will, too!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Lost Something Lately?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

My wife is beginning to worry about me because I keep losing track of things.  Recently, I lost my cell phone and could not find it.  I could not remember where I had left it. It was very frustrating.

I started my search by trying to retrace my steps.  When was the last time I used my phone? Where was the last place I had my phone with me?

The first thing we did was to look around the house.  Did it fall between the cushions on our couch?  Did I leave my cell phone in a pair of pants?

I asked a family member to call my phone number and hope we could hear the ringer somewhere in the house.  No luck.  We didn’t hear a thing.

Then I looked in my car.  Maybe I left it there or it fell under the seat.  No luck there either.

Maybe I left it in my office.  But, a careful search of my office did not reveal anything either.

My son suggested we try to use the Apple phone search app.  I guess this can help guide you to your phone’s location.  A friend of mine had done this and actually recovered phone that had been stolen!  But, apparently my phone’s battery was dead and we were unable to locate it.

Now I was beginning to get desperate.  I have phone numbers and contact information that I frequently use on that phone.  I could go buy a new phone, but how would I recover this vital information?

I finally resorted to prayer.  I genuinely prayed, “Lord, please help me find my phone.”  I know this is not a deep, theological prayer, but I was sincere.  I needed help to find my lost phone.

The answer did not come immediately.  I did not hear an audible voice.  But, later that day a thought came to my mind that I had not considered before.

A few days before, a friend of mine had driven me in his pickup truck to buy some building materials at Home Depot.  Did I have my phone with me when we went to Home Depot?  Could I have left my phone in his truck or at Home Depot?

We drove to his house, knocked on his door and looked in his truck.  We found my cell phone under the passenger seat!  The phone is black and his interior is black, so he had not seen it.  You would not have noticed it for months unless you were specifically looking for it!

I was so thankful to find my lost cell phone.  It really was an answer to prayer.  I was ready to celebrate!

There is a passage in the Bible where Jesus tells a parable about a lost sheep, a lost shekel and a lost son (Luke 15).  There is a celebration at the end of each parable when the lost sheep and the lost coin are found and when the prodigal son came home.

Each of these stories illustrates how much God loves us and wants us to come back to Him.  The passage says that there is a celebration in Heaven every time a child or adult comes to Him.

If you have lost something and can’t find it, you might want to stop and pray and ask God for help.  If you want to start a celebration in heaven, open your heart to God.  Put your faith in Jesus today.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Diamond Bar: A Changing Of The Guard

A beloved Pastor retires and passes the reins to his successor

Photo Courtesy: Sarah Sanchez Mark and Jeanne Hopper

Photo Courtesy: Sarah Sanchez
Mark and Jeanne Hopper

By Sarah Sanchez

Diamond Bar – On Sun., Aug 30, more than 400 people gathered at the Diamond Bar Community Center to celebrate two very special people: Mark and Jeanne Hopper.
The Hoppers have dedicated 27 years of faithful ministry to the Evangelical Free Church in Diamond Bar. Mark was the senior Pastor for all those years, but this fall he will step into his new part-time role as Pastor-at-Large.
“That’s what this is about. It’s not so much about retirement; it’s more of a reassignment. We’re not leaving, we just won’t be leading. So now I’m going to be there part-time, but I’ll still continue to be a part of the church,” said Pastor Mark.
Mark said they were so surprised to walk into the Diamond Bar Center to see hundreds of people there to celebrate them. “I thought we were just having cake and punch at the church with a few people. We could have never imagined something like this,” said Mark.
But their friends, family, and members of the church couldn’t imagine being anywhere else than celebrating these two amazing people. Everyone spoke highly of both of them, being impacted by the couple in some way.
Two members of Jeanne’s discipleship group, Madelyn Zaragoza and Amy Winter, have felt the love each week as they visit the Hopper’s home.
“They have been so uplifting, encouraging, empowering, and just really helping us grow while teaching us along the way,” said Winter. “They are prominent figures of the church, but they are also willing to show that they are imperfect, which is rare. Jeanne is so real in the sense that she will show you her flaws and her weaknesses, but I still look up to her as a great child of God because God loves us even though we are imperfect. Jeanne is even more willing to show us her humility and that makes me more willing to love her and love God even more.”
Even the Mayor of Diamond Bar, Steve Tye, talked about how the Hoppers have been there for him and his family through difficult times.
“Mark and Jeanne have impacted our lives in so many different ways. It gives me goose bumps even thinking about it. They really, truly treat you as family. It’s really wonderful,” said Tye.
Bruce Biller, a member of the church for 25 years and Chairman of the Elder Board, said that Mark and Jeanne have been tremendous friends and have been there alongside his family through tough times, too.
“Watching him in ministry, Pastor Mark devotes himself and gives himself to his people. He is just a great Pastor and a shepherd. Mark is always about people; people first,” Biller said.
Waldir Guerrero, the Worship Director, said that he has also seen Mark be a remarkable shepherd.
“He is a loving man, a great pillar of the church and also the community.”
Guerrero said that Mark has had an impact on his life as a great mentor, but he has also been there for him through difficult times.
Pastor Mark said that he was the one who was thankful and blessed to be a part of the church.
“We’re just very grateful and thankful to have been servants.”

Photo By Sarah Sanchez New pastor Tim Park with Mark Hopper

Photo By Sarah Sanchez
New pastor Tim Park with Mark Hopper

But he expressed his excitement for the next chapter, and said that they all love the new Senior Pastor of efreechurch, Tim Park.
On the morning of Aug. 30, a baton was literally passed from Mark Hopper to Tim Park at both church services. The baton had Park’s name engraved on it, the church name, the date, and a Bible passage.
“It feels exciting [to be the new Lead Pastor] and I’m humbled by the opportunity to receive the baton from Mark and to hopefully carry on the legacy that he has built for 27 years at our church,” said Park. “The neat thing about this transition, is that over the last almost four years, working side by side, I’ve become very familiar with his passion, his philosophy of ministry, and his leadership style. We could not have asked for a smoother Pastoral transition.”
When asked what his goals are for the church, Park said, “I will aspire to carry on the foundation that has already been set.”
Park talked about how he would like to continue to see how God’s going to use this Pastoral transition to reach a whole new generation in the community. He has already seen a change in the last year as the church has become a multi-generational and multi-cultural church.
“My hope is that in the future we will continue to see a church that reflects this community,” Park continued.
The church showed love to the Hoppers at the Diamond Bar Center as they displayed a slideshow of their lives over the years. Many members of the church, community, and his family also spoke on stage about them. In addition, Mayor Tye gave them a plaque on behalf of the City of Diamond Bar for the many years of their dedicated service in the community. Lastly, they were given luggage and two first class tickets to Europe to go see their grandchildren.
Mark Hopper was overjoyed with the love he was receiving from everyone. “I’m so thankful for the church and being a part of the community.”
Pastor Mark said that one of the greatest things the church has done while he was Pastor was start VantagePoint Church in Eastvale. He said he’s thankful that Mark Lee and Tom Lanning had the dream and willingness to go out and start the new church. Now, over 1,100 people go to Vantage Point Church and they have baptized close to 1,000 people at this church.
Pastor Mark Lee of VantagePoint Church gave a speech thanking the crowd for their giving and generosity in order to start up this church. He explained that Mark Hopper has always treated him like a son and that the Hoppers have truly impacted his and the community’s life
Guerrero said, “The legacy that Mark leaves behind is a great example for his love for people and his love for the Lord.”

 

Walnut Valley Middle Schools Are Golden

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Walnut Valley middle schools set the Gold standard – Chaparral, South Pointe, and Suzanne have been named 2015 California Gold Ribbon Schools for having exemplary standards and practices.

“This is an honor that we at Chaparral are very proud of,” Principal Ron Thibodeaux stated. “We’ve put a lot into making our school a 21st century learning environment, and the Gold Ribbon validates the hard work of our learning community. Our teachers and staff, parents and students are wonderful!”

According to the Walnut Valley Unified School District, the state’s highest recognition went to only 373 of the 10,366 public schools. In addition, all three schools were distinguished for having Exemplary Programs in Arts Education.

Gold ribbon schools were cited for best practices that can be replicated by other schools. WVUSD programs include the 21st Century Classroom Initiative at Chaparral, STEAM Program at South Pointe, and Global Citizenship at Suzanne.

This was the first year the state issued gold ribbon awards that temporarily replace the California Distinguished Schools Program while officials create new assessment and accountability systems.

“South Pointe is proud to be recognized by the state for its innovative approach to implementing 21st century Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math programs,” said Principal Susan Arzola. “We believe that by putting the “A” (the Arts) in STEM, we provide all students a well-balanced, joyful learning experience. Come watch them STEAM ahead!”

Diamond Bar Burglary Suspect At Large

The investigation continues after an extensive search went cold

 

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – The incident began around noon on Wed., Sept. 2 in Diamond Bar when Deputies from Walnut/Diamond Bar Station responded to a Burglary Just Occurred call in the 800 block of Pantera Drive.

The victim of the burglary gave Deputies a description of the suspect and the car he was driving.

According to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, while the Deputies were responding to the call, they saw the suspect driving the vehicle, as described by the victim, away from the residence.  At that time Deputies attempted to stop the suspect and when he did not yield, a pursuit ensued.  After approximately five minutes, the ground units terminated their part and a Sheriff’s Air Unit arrived overhead and monitored the pursuit from the air.

The suspect drove eastbound on the San Bernardino (10) Freeway, and continued to the northbound Orange (57) Freeway, west on the Foothill (210) Freeway, and south on the San Gabriel (605) Freeway, where he exited at Washington Boulevard in Pico Rivera.  The Air Unit had been surveilling the suspect the entire time.

Once the suspect left the freeway, he abandoned his vehicle and ran into the San Gabriel River wash. Deputies set up a containment perimeter and a Sheriff’s K-9 was brought to the scene to search for the suspect.  The wash is chock full of dense brush and covers an extensive area. Assisting with the search operation are Deputies from Pico Rivera and Walnut/Diamond Bar Stations, and California Highway Patrol personnel.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., the search operation for the burglary suspect concluded.  The suspect was not located; however Detectives are actively investigating his whereabouts.

Anyone with information regarding this incident may contact the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station at  (909) 595-2264.

 

Diamond Bar Princess Party

Diamond Bar Queen and her court.

Diamond Bar Queen and her court.

Calling all Diamond Bar Princesses!

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – The Miss Diamond Bar Scholarship Pageant, Inc. is hosting the 2015 Princess Tea Party for all little princesses age 10 and under.  Diamond Bar’s Queen Alexandra and her court of Princesses – Cynthia, Katherine, Megan and Rebecca – are hosting this year’s popular event, with reading, games, gifts and lots of fun!

This year’s party will be held at the Diamond Bar Library, and you can reserve a place for your little princess by calling (909) 861-4978.  More information is also available at http://www.MissDiamondBarPageant.org.   This is an event not to be missed!

DB-Princess-Invite-WEB

Tools Of The Trade

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

I have a great respect for people in the construction trades.  Plumbers, carpenters, electricians and many others help build our homes, schools, churches and industries.

One of the things that they have in common is the “tools of their trade.”  Each craftsman has to have specific tools in order to do their work.  That is why many of them drive pickup trucks filled with saws, hammers, wire cutters and pipe wrenches.

Pastors and teachers have their own “tools of the trade.”  One of their tools is books.  Teachers use books to help their students read and learn, and for preparing their lessons.  Students use books to learn on their own.

Pastors use books to study and prepare sermons, and for Bible lessons.  We use them to broaden our understanding of theology and gain insight into passages in the Bible.

Today, many pastors and teachers are using books and other resources that are available on the Internet.   The number of these resources is almost unlimited.

I have gathered my “tools of the trade” over the past 45 years.  I have books that I purchased decades ago that are still very helpful in my studies.  Some of the books in my library were given to me as gifts from friends, family and church members.

In addition, I have dozens of notebooks filled with over 40 years of sermons, study notes and illustrations.  I am grateful that I have preserved years of material that I can refer to as I prepare new studies and sermons.

I have often told the people at our church that if there is ever a fire on our property, don’t worry about the music equipment or office computers – save my books!  These are priceless resources that cannot be replaced.

When the Apostle Paul was near the end of his earthly ministry, he wrote a letter to his young apprentice, Timothy.  In that letter he instructed Timothy, “When you come, bring the books and the parchments that I left with Carpus,” (2 Timothy 4:13).

These resources were some of the “tools of Paul’s trade.”  They were portions of the Bible and other resources that he used in his ministry.  Even in his older years, he had an insatiable desire to keep on learning.

What are the tools of your trade?  For many people today, it is their smart phone and computer.  For others, it may be some specialized piece of equipment or a motorized wheelchair.

Whatever your “tools” are, treat them with care and use them to help others.  You will be glad you did, and they will, too!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Delicious, Authentic Cuisine At Mandarin Taste

See their ad in this issue of the Weekly News for coupons and specials. For more information, call (909) 861-1819 or just stop by their location at 23391 E. Golden Springs Drive, in Diamond Bar.

See their ad in this issue of the Weekly News for coupons and specials. For more information, call (909) 861-1819 or just stop by their location at 23391 E. Golden Springs Drive, in Diamond Bar.

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – If you are searching for a wonderful dining experience with delicious, authentic food and great service, then look no further than Mandarin Taste.  A staple in the City of Diamond Bar for more than 27 years, Mandarin Taste provides a family-friendly atmosphere that keeps customers coming back again and again.

“We are like a family restaurant,” says manager, Chi Young, when describing how their customers feel when visiting.  “People are always smiling here,” he adds.

Mandarin Taste has thrived because they take pride in their recipes, and work hard to bring you authentic Chinese cuisine.  They specialize in Peking Duck, and the Ginger Lobster served at Sunday Brunch is a delicacy you’ll return for again and again.  Mandarin Taste is well known for their Wonton Soup, and customer favorites are the Crispy Shrimp, Walnut Shrimp, and the Fried Dumplings.

The Champagne Sunday Brunch is very popular, and features a variety of delectable dishes in an all-you-can-eat buffet presentation.  The champagne is all-you-can-drink, too!

The Mandarin Taste owners and staff want everyone who comes to their establishment to relax and enjoy themselves over the delicious food in their pleasant ambiance.  If you don’t have time to linger, you can call in a delicious order to go.

For more information, call Mandarin Taste at (909) 861-1819, or just stop by their location at 23391 E. Golden Springs Drive, in Diamond Bar.

Walnut Valley: Back To Class!

Walnut Valley begins 2015-16 School Year

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD School spirit showed during opening pep rallies held at Diamond Bar High on Aug. 17.

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD
School spirit showed during opening pep rallies held at Diamond Bar High on Aug. 17.

By Kelli Gile

Walnut – Over 14,600 students headed back to school in the Walnut Valley Unified School District on Mon., Aug. 17.

At Diamond Bar High, over 3,000 students cheered with classmates during two superhero-themed pep rallies held in the gymnasium.

“We’re welcoming everyone back today!” exclaimed Janna Van Horn, United Student Body (USB) advisor.

The extravaganza featured Drumline, Dance Company, Pep, and Song performances, and highlighted fall sports programs.

“I love the spirit here and how everyone is involved in the 4 A’s – Academics, Activities, Arts, and Athletics,” senior April Song commented.

Forty USB members organized the event during the summer.

“We put in a lot of hours to help our students have a better time on campus – especially the rallies,” added Song, the USB finance director.

At Westhoff Elementary, over 600 students and families waited for the first bell of the new school year. Many took photos to mark the first day near welcome banners and helium balloons.

For the opening class activity, kindergarten teacher, Roxanne Dennen, read the “Kissing Hand,” a sweet account of a young raccoon who was nervous on the first day of school.  The children’s book details a mother raccoon comforting her little one by kissing its paw.  After the story, Dennen asked parents to kiss their youngsters’ hands, before saying goodbye.

“You’re ready for kindergarten now!” she exclaimed.

“You’re going to learn so much this year,” Dennen said as they sat criss-cross-applesauce on lettered carpet squares.

At C.J. Morris Elementary, Carol Martindale’s 3rd Grade students loved the “First Day Jitters” story, because the teacher was also nervous about coming to school on the first day.

“It demonstrated that we all get excited and nervous about the first day of school and then we realize it is not so bad after all,” she said.

Collegewood Elementary 5th Grade teacher, Laura O’Donnell, also had memorable first day.  At the end of last year, a 4th Grader called to her and said, “Pick me for your class next year!” she recalled.  O’Donnell explained that she didn’t get to pick her students, but if she did, she certainly would.

“As luck would have it, he was on my class list,” O’Donnell shared. “When I walked down the line today to greet my students, he looked up at me, smiled, and whispered, ‘You picked me!’”

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD Kindergartners heard the “Kissing Hand” during the opening activity of the 2015-2016 school year at Westhoff Elementary (shown with teacher Roxanne Dennen).

Photo Courtesy: WVUSD
Kindergartners heard the “Kissing Hand” during the opening activity of the 2015-2016 school year at Westhoff Elementary (shown with teacher Roxanne Dennen).