Category Archives: Diamond Bar

Sheriff’s Golf Tourney A Success

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – Walnut and Diamond Bar Sheriffs stations recently held their annual Booster Club Golf Tournament. The tournament was a huge success and another testament to the support, both monetary and action-based, behind the station. Not only do the funds help generally, but the funds aid specifically the volunteer and auxiliary programs within the communities of service.

This support is vital to maintaining the safety of the public and continuing to sustain the communities as safe and enjoyable.

Thanks were made specifically to Booster Club President Gil Rivera, the Board of Directors, and the sponsors who donated generously. Thanks have also been given to all participants for the tournament’s great success.

 

We want to recognize and thank all of the generous sponsors of this event:

Sponsors that donated over $1000:

Walmart Community Grant

Waste Management

Jack & Wanda Tanaka

 

We would also like to thank our other sponsors, who donated money and/or goods and services:

Walnut Valley Water District, James And Emma Farmer, City of Diamond Bar, Popa FCU, Jinza Teriyaki Restaurant, Steve Chi, Eileen Ansari, 1st City Credit Union, Los Serranos Golf, Miller Coors, Pacific Palms Hotel, Roger Dunn Golf, Les Mayeda, American Pacific Mortgage, Dong Bu Sign & Trophy, Mr. G’s Pizza, Medieval Times, Candlelight Pavilion, Dean LeCesne, Sgt Saldecke, Royal Vista Golf, Diamond Bar Golf Course, Vince Spaghetti Restaurants, Dr Kurt Bryant, DC, Ford, Santa Anita Race Track and Laser Island.

A special thanks to all that were involved.

 

Diamond Bar, Walnut High Schools America’s Best!

By Kelli Gile

WALNUT – Hats off to teachers at Diamond Bar and Walnut High Schools for grabbing medals in U.S. News & World Report’s Best High School rankings for 2018.

The annual list looks at nearly all public high schools in the country – more than 20,500 in all – to sift out the best with an eye on college readiness.

Diamond Bar High earned a gold medal, ranking 59th in California and 376th in the United States.  Additionally, Diamond Bar placed 146th in STEM high schools.

Walnut High earned a silver medal, ranking 111th in California and 639th in the United States.

Both standout schools have been included in the report every year since the publication began its ‘Best High Schools’ search in 2009.

U.S. News looked at overall student performance on state-required tests, high school graduation rates, and evaluated on how they prepare students for college using participation and performance data from AP and IB exams.

Diamond Bar and Walnut offer an extensive roster of IB and AP courses to provide teens with an opportunity to challenge themselves with college-level course work during high school.

This year, 85 California schools received gold medals, 439 received silver medals and 82 received bronze medals.

“I’m so proud that our premier high schools continue to be recognized on a state and national level for preparing students for college and beyond,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

 

Engineering Futures For Students

By Kelli Gile

DIAMOND BAR–Times are definitely changing. Classroom #201 at Diamond Bar High, where auto shop students once tinkered on old car engines in the 90s, has been transformed into a 21st century learning space with 3D printers, Chromebooks loaded with CAD and coding software programs, and bins of robotics parts.

About 150 students are now designing and creating projects in DB Engineering, one of the pathways offered through the Brahma Tech Academy.

The four-year diploma program has an emphasis on the relevance of STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in today’s workplace.

Teacher Johnny Hwang has been giving teens hands-on engineering experience using Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum for the past five years.

The successful four-course program has earned Diamond Bar High the 2017-18 PLTW Distinguished High School Award.

Only 133 high schools across the United States received the prestigious honor announced last month.

“This class gives the kids a sample of different types of engineering – electrical, mechanical, computer, robotics, and civil,” he said.

In his second-year Principals of Engineering course, students were putting finishing touches on their latest project – a materials sorting machine on May 2.

Groups spent the past three weeks building the metallic machines that could automatically sort glass, wooden, and metal spheres.

Each design was required to sort 15 marble-sized balls, use at least one sensor, include an emergency stop switch, sort the balls into paper cups, and have one 3D printed part.

The only human-assisted action was loading the marbles into the hopper in the creative inventions that slightly resemble a Mousetrap game.

“We wrote the code for the circuit sensor to tell the difference between the balls by colors and then separate them onto the different rails,” explained sophomore Timothy Noritake.

“After we pour them in, the gear spins one ball at a time in the sorter,” said senior Radek Grammes.

“We set it up so the color sensor can detect between 1-2,400 color value for the wood spheres,” he added.

The design was programmed to wait two seconds until the gate opens, and depending on the value the arm would swing and the gate release and drop a ball into the cup.

“Our group got 13 out of 15 balls correct,” reported junior Melvin Houston, who shared that 100% of the balls went into the right cups just one day earlier.

The engineering students are getting real life lessons and skills while in high school.

“This class is about design, problem solving, and working together,” Noritake added.

“I feel like I’m getting a head start for college,” said teammate Eric Susetyo, 16, who plans to pursue a career in engineering.

And that is Hwang’s goal for his students.

“They’re going to be so prepared for college and the learning curve won’t be so steep,” he said.

“All the programs they’re using are things used in this industry.”

Additionally, students are honing professional skills that are applicable to any field – critical thinking, working in groups, making presentations, Hwang added.

The fledgling engineers must come up with their own designs on each assignment.

“All you’re really provided with are the materials and the problem,” said sophomore Calvin Ung who is also a member of the school’s robotics team.

“We brainstorm and gather ideas, then put them into graded categories to decide which one will perform the best,” said junior Bryan Chung.

One group created an extension piece on the 3D printer to correct a slipping gear on their project.

“You feel successful in this class when you solve a problem!” said sophomore Jonathan Tan while recording the CAD design information in his reflective journal.

“I really like 3D modeling – it’s fun!”

“Honestly, I had no coding experience before this class,” said Grammes who has now decided to major in engineering next year in college.

“I had never typed a code before. Mr. Hwang did such a good job explaining the details on how to do it and the step-by-step process on how to remember it.”

“We’re very lucky here – I wish more people could experience this engineering program!”

 

Three Cheers for the Postman

By Mark Hopper

 

I suspect that the employees at the post office are the recipients of a lot of criticism.   I know I have voiced my frustration about the long lines and slow service at the post office in the past.  Maybe you have too.

 

I am sure that they hear many comments and words of criticism that are unkind and undeserved.  Customers are always in a hurry and it seems like the lines moves slowly at the post office.  I’m sure that the postal employees have a thankless task as they try to serve the needs of impatient customers.

 

However, I want to go on record and express my appreciation for the people at the post office in Diamond Bar.  I was pleasantly surprised by the shorter lines and positive service.  They deserve some recognition for their hard work.

 

We tend to ship things overseas several times a year.  Birthdays and holidays required sending small packages with special gifts for wonderful grandchildren and family members.

 

My wife does most of the shopping.  She asks our daughters who live overseas what the grandkids need or want for their birthdays or Christmas.  They provide some helpful ideas and she sets out to find the right gift for each grandchild.

 

Sometimes, we order gifts online and have them shipped directly to their homes.  Amazon, FedEx and UPS all offer delievery overseas.  Many of the items are already in Europe, we just have to track them down and order the desired items.

 

But, some gifts need to be purchased locally and shipped overseas.  We have found that shipping them through the local post office is most coat effective.  Don’t misunderstand, the price to ship even a small box to Europe is pretty high.  But, our post offfice has a pretty good record getting our packages to their oversea destination on time.

 

We have a very diverse community in Diamond Bar.  People who live here are from all over the world.  And, these wonderful people send letters and packages to their friends and families all over the world.  I have seen postal employees patiently assist people from many different countries.  They have helped me on a number of occasions to get our packages to our families in other parts of the world.

 

I hope you will exercise more patience the next time you go to the Post Office.  And, I hope you will express your appreciation to the postal workers, too.  They will be glad you did and you will too.  Three cheeers for the people who work at the Post Office.

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efree DB.org

 

Volunteer Recognition and Pinning Ceremony

By Anthony Saude
Diamond Bar – On April 26, the Sheriff’s Department held their annual Volunteer Recognition award and Pinning Ceremony at the STARS Center in Whittier. STARS is the primary training site for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Deputy Explorer program and is a learning for life certified law enforcement explorer academy.

This event recognizes Civilian Volunteers who have donated in excess of 5,000 hours of their time. The Sheriff’s Department is forever grateful to the dedicated volunteers that make so many things possible that otherwise just wouldn’t happen.

The volunteers that were recognized on this night and presented with the awards are as follows;

Walnut Volunteer of the Year – Floyd Simmons

Diamond Bar Volunteer of the Year – Loretta

Rowland Heights Volunteer of the Year – Richard Kobly

Station Volunteer of the Year – Lynda Woodstra

Reserve of the Year – John Nguyen

Explorer of the Year – Alexis DeLuna

Disaster Communications Service Volunteer of the Year – Omar Acos

Due to the tireless efforts of these volunteers and the many other that help out the Sheriff’s Department is able to be offer many community improvement and safety programs to the public.

Walnut Valley Rotary Club’s Deputy of The Year

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – On Tuesday, April 24th, Deputy Mark Dean from the Walnut / Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station, was honored by the Walnut Valley Rotary Club for Deputy of The Year. Deputy Dean was presented the award by the Rotary Club during a breakfast at the Diamond Bar Golf Course in front of County Council representatives, City Council members, partners and his friends and family.

 

30 Years (Part One)

By Mark Hopper

Thirty years is a long time. It is almost a third of a century. But, that is how long we have lived in Diamond Bar, California. I began my new job as the pastor of our church on June 1, 1988 – 30 years ago. My wife and kids stayed in Arizona waiting for our house to sell while I began work at the church. I lived by myself in a condo near Pathfinder and Diamond Bar Blvd.  The condo belonged to a widow who was in poor health and she was living with her family. So I was on my own for about six weeks.

Although I missed my family during that time, I had a lot of time to get to know the community and people in the church.  I was able to visit most of the church families and several of them invited me to dinner in their homes.  In addition, I enjoyed delicious chocolate chip cookies and other snacks that came to my door during those days.

When our house finally sold in Arizona, I flew home to pack up and move to California.  With four kids and a four bedroom house, we had a lot of stuff to move.  We rented a U-Haul Truck – the biggest they made towing the biggest trailer they made!  Friends in Arizona helped us load everything in to the truck and trailer and new friends in California helped us unload it.  We could not have done it without their help.

We moved into the Daisy apartments (now the Hillside apartments) on Grand Avenue across from the Fire station.  We unloaded some things into this two bedroom apartment, but most of our things would need to be put in storage.  When I drove this giant truck and trailer down the exit driveway, it got stuck.  The trailer hitch got caught on the pavement and the back wheels of the truck were lifted off the ground.  The truck was stuck and we couldn’t move!  It was quite a sight.

I ran over to the fire station and asked for help, but they didn’t know what to do either.  Finally, I called the U-Haul hot line and they sent a tow truck from Sana Ana to help.  The tow truck driver hitched a heavy chain on to the front bumper of the truck. The firemen blocked oncoming traffic and the tow truck dragged us down the driveway and on to Grand Avenue while I was sitting in the truck using the brakes so I wouldn’t hit the tow truck in front of me.  It was a memorable start to our new life in Diamond Bar.

Our life at the Daisy apartment was fun.  It felt like we were on vacation.  It was a little crowded with four kids and two adults, but it had a pool, spa and tennis court.  I would go to work each day and my wife and kids enjoyed “vacation” at the Daisy apartments!

I usually took Monday as my day off, so we began to go to the beach on Mondays.  We usually went to Newport Beach and we usually stopped at Thrifty Drug store to get a scoop of ice cream on the way to the beach.  This became a weekly routine. Eventually the kids began to invite friends to come with us. The summer of ‘88 was a summer to remember.

In the first book in the Bible (Genesis) there is the record of Abraham leaving his home in Ur near the Persian Gulf and traveling to a land called Canaan (Israel).  The Bible says that Abraham went in faith, following the call of God on his life.  Abraham packed up his family and his possessions and traveled to a land he had never seen before.  It was a journey of faith.

We packed up our family and our possessions and traveled to a community we had never heard of called Diamond Bar.  It was a journey of faith for us too.  We are thankful that the Lord led us to this special community and to this special church.

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45

 

Car Blazes On Grand Ave

Photo by Michael Armijo

By Michael Armijo

 

Diamond Bar – Anyone who drove past Summit ridge Park last week couldn’t help but notice the formerly white but now burnt out BMW X5 on fire in the parking lot at 1600 Grand Ave in the early morning hours. LA County Sheriff deputies were on hand to oversee what happened to the car.

“This may be a crime scene,” said one LA County Deputy. “We haven’t determined the cause yet.”

“The deputy was investigating if it was arson, insurance fraud, or vandalism, but none of those were evident,” said Walnut-Diamond Bar station captain Al Reyes. “It stemmed from a call of non-criminal auto fire we received.”

Captain Reyes told OurWeeklyNews.com that the owner of the vehicle noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment while she was driving. She pulled into Summit Ridge Park and called 911 to report her car was on fire.

“The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The cause is still unknown. The vehicle was identified as a 2008 BMW,” the Captain said.

If anyone has any information on the incident please contact the Walnut Sheriff Station at 909.595.2264.

 

Rents Skyrocketing?

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

I have reported on home values rising fast in Diamond Bar. Today, wetake a look at how fast rents are increasing as well.

Home values typically follow the pattern of economic recessions, with prices increasing as the economy improves, and peaking at about the same time or slightly after the economy has reached its zenith.  Rents, however, appear to be immune to the rise and fall or cyclical nature of home prices or home values.  The predictable thing about home rental values is that over the years, they have consistently trended upward.

As an example, where home values took a dive of almost 30-40% during the Great Recession, rents maintained a level or flat trendline.  Since the end of the Great Recession in 2009, property values across the United States have come roaring back to their current heights.  The median sales price of a Diamond Bar single family residence (SFR) in the First quarter of 2018 reached a level of $735,000.  That represented an increase of 56% from the median sales price of $470,000.00 in the first quarter of 2010.

The Diamond Bar median rental rate for a Single FamilyResidence (detached) in the first quarter of 2018 stood at $2,860.00. This represented an increase of 30% from the median rental rate of $2,200.00   where it was in the middle of the aftermath of the Great Recession.  This represents an increase of $660.00 per month, which is not an insignificant number, but it is not the “stratospheric” increase seen in the  single family resale market values.  The rate of increase of rentals (30%) in the same period has been almost half of what the rate of the median price increase of homes values (56%) from 2010 to 2018.

Next week we will look at the Diamond Bar Townhome and Condominium rental market, and the comparison of rental for that type of property to the single family residential (detached).

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

 

Volunteer Recognition and Pinning Ceremony

By Anthony Saude
Diamond Bar – On April 26, the Sheriff’s Department held their annual Volunteer Recognition award and Pinning Ceremony at the STARS Center in Whittier. STARS is the primary training site for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Deputy Explorer program and is a learning for life certified law enforcement explorer academy.

This event recognizes Civilian Volunteers who have donated in excess of 5,000 hours of their time. The Helen Reardon award is presented annually in recognition of the Volunteer of the Year. All those who were nominated for the Helen Reardon Volunteer of the Year Award were recognized and honored.

The Walnut Station Booster Club President Gil Rivera was presented with the Helen Reardon Award this year. “Gil was nominated due to his countless hours of working to keep the Booster Club financially secure and successful,” said Sgt. Saldecke. “I was surprised and honored to win the award,” said Gil. “It represents the hundreds of hours that are put in by all of the board members to ensure that we have the funds needed to support the efforts of the volunteers at the station.”

Gil, along with the Booster Club Board of Directors, work tirelessly to ensure funding for our Disaster Communications Service, Explorer, Reserve Deputy, and all the Volunteer Programs training and equipment needs.

 

 

 

New On-Ramps, Off-Ramps in Diamond Bar Now Open

Photo: diamondbarca.gov

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – Two of the three legs of the new Lemon Avenue interchange of the 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar opened on Tuesday, May 1 in time for the busy morning commute.

Caltrans will clear away the orange cones at 6 a.m. and officially allowed commuters to enter the westbound 60 Freeway via the brand new Lemon Avenue on-ramp. When they return home eastbound they will be exiting on the brand new newly constructed off – ramp for Lemon Avenue.

An eastbound freeway on-ramp, also at Lemon Avenue is scheduled to open sometime in June. When that is open it will complete the three-legged interchange that has been in the works for 14 years in the eastern section of Los Angeles County, at the corner of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties.

ACE the lead agency, Caltrans, Los Angeles County and the cities of Diamond Bar and City of Industry have been working together on this idea of adding the new exit/entrance to this busy section of freeway since 2004.

After the contract was finally signed in 2011 the vision began to take shape. The construction on this project has led to weekend lane closures, detours and delays for the past year and a half. The increase in truck traffic from the ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach has long clogged the 60 Freeway in the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire along the so called “truck route.” Hundreds of 18-wheeler trucks carry goods from the ports to warehouses in City of Industry as well as Ontario, Moreno Valley, San Bernardino and Riverside every day.

The eastbound off-ramp at Brea Canyon Road in Diamond Bar will be permanently closed. Motorists will no longer be able to exit the freeway there.

The eastbound on-ramp to the freeway at Brea Canyon will remain open until construction is complete on the Lemon Avenue on-ramp sometime in June.

Once the work is finished, the $22.5 million project will swap the Brea Canyon Road entrance and exit with a new Lemon Avenue entrance and exit a few miles to the west.

This project, it is said, will reduce existing traffic congestion, delays and  improve mobility and access to and from the 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar and Industry. According to ACE this will eliminate the weaving and confusion many drivers experience when approaching the busy 57 /60 Freeway interchange.

The hopes of the county and the nearby communities is that the truck traffic will be diverted away from the Diamond Bar, Brea Canyon Road area and the nearby streets going toward City of Industry. “For decades, drivers have got lost and end up driving the back streets of Diamond Bar looking for their destinations”, said Diamond Bar Councilwoman Carol Herrera in February.

Closing the Brea Canyon Road ramps and diverting cars and trucks to Lemon Avenue is just a precursor to a full-fledged reconfiguration of the larger 57/60 freeways where they join together for a two-mile stretch in Diamond Bar, known as the SR 57/60 Freeway Confluence.

The larger, $260-million project has been billed as a fix to the No. 1 freeway interchange in the state for truck accidents and delays as ranked by the American Transportation Research Institute.

Stuck on the 405

By Mark Hopper

Recently, my sister in law’s car broke down while she was driving on the 405 Freeway.  Bummer! She had spent a few days with her grandchildren in San Diego and was driving home to in Bakersfield when her Nissan began to sputter and finally died in the middle of the north bound 405 Freeway!

Thankfully no one hit her as her car slowed to a stop in the middle of afternoon traffic. A helpful stranger pushed her car to the side of the freeway and she called 911 and AAA for help.  The CHP office arrived quickly and parked his cruiser behind her car to protect her from the rush hour traffic. The tow truck arrived and asked her where she wanted to go for repairs.

While all of this is unfolding on the 405, my brother called me and asked if I could go help his wife. He knew she had broken down on the 405 Freeway but he was not sure exactly where she was. After a flurry of cell phone calls with his wife and with me, he decided to have her car towed to our house in Diamond Bar.

He asked me if I knew a good mechanic who could analyze the situation and if his wife could stay with us until her car could be repaired. Unfortunately, when I called a reliable mechanic that we often recommend, he was unable to help. He was overbooked with work and his co-worker was gone for the week.

As the tow truck slowly made its way in rush hour traffic toward Diamond Bar, I realized that it would drive past a Nissan dealer on the 60 Freeway. Maybe he should take the car there and ask them to diagnose the problem? I could meet my sister in law there and we could decide what to do.

We didn’t know how late the car dealer and service department would be open late in the afternoon, but they responded quickly and assured us that they could repair the car quickly. The diagnostics would cost about $125 plus the parts and labor. The service advisor encouraged us to go find some dinner and come back in about an hour. They would call us if there was any unexpected problems.

While we ate dinner, we prayed that the repairs would be done quickly and that it would not cost too much.  My sister in law was hoping to get back on the road and get home so she could teach school the next day.

When we returned to the car dealer, we went to the cashier’s office to pay for the repair work. But, the cashier didn’t have the paper work so she told us to go back and talk with the service advisor. He explained that the repair was actually very simple. An air intake hose had come loose and they actually found the missing part laying on the engine. They simply put the part back together with a new hose clamp!

When we asked how much this cost he said, “No charge”! At first we weren’t sure we heard him correctly – did he say “No charge”? Yes – the missing part was still there and a simple hose clamp reconnected everything and the car was running fine. “No charge”. We were stunned and very thankful for this unexpected outcome. Amazing!

My sister in law was able to get back on the freeway and continue her journey home. She arrived safe and sound later that night. My sister in law had quite an adventure. From broken down in the middle of the 405 Freeway and towed 40 miles to a very helpful car dealer and back on the road without a scratch or paying a penny – pretty amazing.

By the way, did I tell you the name of the service advisor who was so helpful? His name was “Jesus”. No kidding! I thought Jesus was a carpenter by trade, but I guess he is in the car repair business too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

 

The Final Four

By Mark Hopper

The Final Four championship of the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament was held in San Antonio, Texas a few weeks ago in the huge Alamo Dome. I actually attended the Final Four At that same location about 20 years ago.  It was a great experience that I still remember. Unfortunately, my favorite college teams were not there then and they were not there again this year.

One of my favorite memories from my Final Four experience was the plane ride back home to California. I had traveled with a couple of college basketball coaches. We flew on my favorite airline – Southwest. Twenty years ago, some of the Southwest planes had seats that faced each other. We ended up in the back of the plane facing three other gentlemen flying back to LA.

We had a fascinating conversation with the men sitting across from us. One of them had actually played basketball for USC many years earlier. His name was David Price. After college and law school, he eventually developed a business managing golf courses. He was the owner of American Golf. His company owned or managed over 200 golf courses across the country!

He was a quiet and unassuming man. I would have never guessed that the man sitting across from me in the back of a crowed airplane owned and managed golf courses. I even asked him why he didn’t have his own plane? He said that he did at one time but it wasn’t very cost effective.

We not only talked about his business success, we also talked about his personal life and faith. He shared with us how he had become a follower of Jesus through the influence of some teenagers that he met at a local gym.

He also shared a story of how he was led to invest some of his wealth in a new Christian school that was starting in Thousand Oaks. Some friends had challenged him to contribute to this project, but he saw no reason to help build a school. His children were already grown. Why should he help?

Eventually, he did contribute to the cause. Today, Oaks Christian High School is one of the athletic powerhouses in Southern California. And, although his own children were too old to attend, eventually some of his grandchildren did!

When we finally arrive back in LA, he gave me one of his business cards and invited me to play a round of golf at one of his courses. He instructed me to call his secretary and she would arrange it.

A few days later, I wrote him a thank you note and told him how much I enjoyed our conversation.  I also told him that my father in law was a golfer and was coming to LA. I shared with Mr. Price that what I would really love to do would be to play a round of golf with him and my father in law.

He wrote back and thanked me for my note and expressed how much he enjoyed our conversation on the airplane, too. However, he didn’t think my idea would work out because although he owned and managed many golf courses across the country – he didn’t play golf! Amazing!

You may not be a golfer either, but I hope you are a follower of Jesus. Young and old, wealthy and poor – everyone is welcome to follow Him!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 Am

Efreedb.org

 

DB Community Photo Contest

City of Diamond Bar

 

From its people to its places, Diamond Bar is brimming with photo-taking opportunities. If you live in town, we invite you to find some of these opportunities, photograph them and enter them into this year’s Through My Lens photo contest.

Co-sponsored by the City and the Diamond Bar Community Foundation, Through My Lens is now in its eight year and aims to raise community spirit while highlighting the best of Diamond Bar as captured through the camera lenses of residents.

The contest runs through Monday, October 15, with entries accepted in two age divisions (adult and youth) and five categories (people, pets, places, nature and digitally-altered).

Photo entries will be judged based on consistency with the “Diamond Bar living” theme, aesthetic appeal, originality, and creativity.

One entry will be selected as the winner in each of the divisions and categories, and those that come in a close second will receive an honorable mention. The overall top vote-getter will earn the grand prize title.

All winners will receive recognition by the Diamond Bar City Council and the Diamond Bar Community Foundation, and cash prizes of $50 for honorable mentions, $100 for winners, and $150 for the grand prize.

Official contest rules and the entry form is available at Diamond Bar City Hall, located at 21810 Copley Drive, or may also be downloaded from the City website at www.diamondbarca.gov/photocontest. To speak to someone about the contest, contact the City’s Public Information Division at 909.839.7057 or photocontest@diamondbarca.gov.

 

Diamond Bar Man Dies In Fatal Accident

Photo: insidesocal.com
A man died after his vehicle rolled down an emabankment about 700 on Angeles Crest Highway in the forest just north of La Canada Flintridge

By Anthony Saude

DIAMOND BAR —A Diamond Bar man was killed in tragic automobile accident authorities said. The Los Angeles County Coroner identified the victim as George McCreary Jr., age 64 of Diamond Bar. He had been driving late on Tuesday night near the Mt. Wilson area in the Altadena area when he lost control of his vehicle and went tumbling down a steep embankment.

According to the California Highway Patrol, “The crash was reported at 8:15 p.m. on Mt. Wilson Red Box Road.” According reports, Coroner’s spokesman Ed winter said that the paramedics pronounced McCreary dead at the scene.

McCreary was driving his Ford southbound on Mt. Wilson Red Box Road when, for unknown reasons, it veered to the right up onto a raised curb and smashed into a metal guardrail, traveled down a steep embankment, and slammed into several large trees on the way down, CHP reports said.

The Ford eventually stopped its descent laying on its right side against a large tree.

The vehicle eventually came to a rest on its right side against a large tree.

 

Boy Hit By SUV in Diamond Bar

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar -A nine-year-old boy was riding his scooter was struck by a sport-utility vehicle in Diamond Bar on Wednesday night, April 25. He suffered a broken jaw and minor internal injuries after he hit Wednesday night, deputies said.

As a precaution, a helicopter flew the child to the hospital.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s Detective David Timberlake said the Diamond Bar boy was in stable condition at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. The crash occurred just before 6 p.m. in a gated community in the 21100 block of Willow Heights Drive.

Timberlake said a Diamond Bar man was driving along the street between 8 to 10 mph. The boy was riding his scooter in his drive way when he went down the driveway and into the street right into the path of the SUV, the detective said.

The injured boy was taken to Diamond Bar High School where he waited for the helicopter to arrive to take him to the hospital. The driver of the vehicle was not arrested but the investigation is ongoing.

 

Diamond Bar Invites You To Connectwithrec! Free Event

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – This year Diamond Bar is proud to introduce what’s new in the Diamond Bar Parks and Recreation by hosting the inaugural Connectwith Rec! event. This free event is designed for the residents to be able to experience what’s new in the department with hands on experience.

The New Recreation Event being held on May 2 will allow residents to get a preview into Free Classes that will be available for residents with the Parks and Recreation revamp.

The classes will include mommy and me classes for toddlers, organized sport programs for the youth as well as early morning workouts for adults. Diamond Bar’s year-round recreation opportunities will range from the fiercely fun to the cerebrally meditative.  Also on the Wednesday of May 2, residents are also invited to a sample the City’s recreation classes and programs during this inaugural Connect with Rec event!

This family-friendly event will be held at the Diamond Bar Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be special performances and residents will be able to drop-in and for class demonstrations that include yoga, tai chi, summer day camp, and a docent-led hike.

Wait there is more fun on this day, there will be activities for the for the children, giveaways and of course information on all of the programs, classes, excursions and special events in the future sponsored by the city of Diamond Bar.

Diamond Bar Center is located at 1600 Grand Avenue. For more information, visit http://www.diamondbarca.gov/specialevents or call the Parks and Recreation Department at 909.839.7070

Wedding Season

By Mark Hopper

Spring has traditionally been the season for weddings. I often tell people that some of the happy parts about being a pastor are weddings and babies.  And, some of the sad parts about being a pastor are deaths and divorce.

I have two requirements for doing a wedding – come to church and come to counseling. I encourage each couple to come to church together regularly before their wedding. In many cases, these couples already attend our church.  Some actually met their fiancée at our church!

Sometimes I am asked to do a wedding for a couple in the community who do not attend our church. I actually enjoy this opportunity to get to know an engaged couples and I feel honored to lead their wedding ceremony.

When an engaged couple go to church together, they are developing and deepening their relationship with one another and with God. It is a healthy habit to develop early in their relationship and a habit that I hope they will maintain throughout their married life. I also encourage them to make time to pray together for one another and for their future.  When a couple prays together, they are revealing their inner thoughts, concerns and dreams.

I also require the engaged couple to commit to spend time with me in premarital counseling. I have used a number of different books and resources over the years to help these couples talk through various topics that will impact their marriage. Topics include communication, finances, expectations, money, intimate relations and more.

We usually meet together 4-5 times before the wedding. Each couple is expected to do a homework assignment on one of the topics listed above and then we discuss their thoughts and ideas together. I always remind them that the more time and effort they invest in this process the more they will benefit from it. Some couples work hard and “do their homework” while other couples only put in the minimum effort required. Some don’t realize the long term benefits that can come from premarital counseling.

We always spend a session planning and discussing the wedding ceremony. I enjoy hearing about what the bride and groom would like to include in their ceremony that makes it unique and special for them. Sometimes I am able to offer a suggestion, too.

I always use the Bible in premarital counseling and in the wedding ceremony itself. I believe that God created the institution of marriage and that the Bible has a lot to say about marriage.  In the very first book in the Bible, the author explains that God intended that “a man shall leave his father and mother and embrace his wife and the two will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:25). God’s plan is for the kids to grow up, get married and start a family of their own. It is both sacred and very special.

Weddings can be stressful for everyone involved. There are so many details to attend to and so many decisions that need to be made.  But, I always remind these hopeful couples that a wedding is a day of celebration for the lucky couple, their friends and their families. Don’t let the stress and pressure detract for the celebration. You will be glad you did and your family will be too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

 

City of Diamond Bar’s Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration

Staff Reports

 

It will be all things environmental at the City of Diamond Bar’s annual Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration, which will be held Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District located at 21865 Copley Drive in Diamond Bar.

There will be plenty to see and do at this outdoor event, including:

Free Smart Gardening and Composting Workshop – 9:30 to 11 a.m. – Pre-registration is required

Learn how to spruce up your lawn or garden with plants and flowers that are water-thrifty but big on curb appeal and how to turn kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost at this workshop.

Workshop attendees have a chance to purchase a compost bin at a reduced price of $40 (conventional bin) or $65 (worm bin with half-pound of worms). Only cash or check payment is accepted.

Paper Shredding – Bring up to five grocery bags or two banker boxes of household financial documents, personal medical records and other sensitive documents for on-site destruction and proper disposal. Make sure bags or boxes contain only documents and no batteries, binders, plastics or metals; folded, enveloped, stapled or paper-clipped papers are OK.

E-Waste and Textile Recycling – Have obsolete or broken electronics or clothing, shoes or linen that are too worn or damaged to donate? Bring them to the event to have them recycled.

Garden Mulch – Come ready with gloves, a shovel, and containers to collect and take home up to 80 gallons of mulch for your home garden.

Children’s Fun Area – Free earth-themed arts and crafts, and the chance to learn about, observe and touch more than 10 species of ocean animals inside the Long Beach Aquarium on Wheels that will be part of the kid-friendly offerings at this event.

Green Exhibits – Attendees will have the opportunity to check out displays of electric and plug-in hybrid-electronic vehicles, and visit various information booths to pick up giveaways and information about special programs to save money while conserving energy, water and preventing pollution.

For more information, call 909.839.7015 or visit http://www.diamondbarca.gov/earthday

FREE Sustainable Gardening Workshop

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – The City of Diamond Bar is hosting a FREE Sustainable Gardening Workshop on Saturday, April 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:0a.m. The free Basic Composting Workshop will provide instructions on composting, worm composting, and water-wise gardening including a selection of drought tolerant plant.

California is either just starting a drought, in the middle of a drought or the last drought just ended but one way or another we are always in a drought. This can become a real problem and has even led to laws being changed and penalties being handed out. If we want to be a responsible California resident then we should always be learning new ways to conserve water and use our natural resources.

The City wants to invite residents to participate and learn about the plant combinations that require less water and add more color to your garden. Compost bins will be available for purchase at a discounted price of $45 for this event. Worm compost bins will also be available for the discounted price of $65. The FREE composting workshop will take place at the AQMD – West parking lot located at 21865 Copley Drive.

The workshop is OPEN to ALL Los Angeles County residents; however space is limited so pre registration is suggested. To register send an email to greendb@diamondbarca.gov, be sure to include your name and phone number or call the City’s Environmental Services Division at 909-839-7015.