Category Archives: Eastvale

Eastvale: City Council Meeting Recap

Staff Reports

 

Eastvale-council-members-sworn-in

Clint Lorimore, Adam Rush, and William Link are sworn in as official Eastvale council members. (Photos By: Karen Patel)

Eastvale  For the month of December, there was only one City Council meeting. The meeting took place at Rosa Parks Elementary with all council members attending.

Prior to the meeting, new and re-elected council members Clint Lorimore, Adam Rush and William Link (respectively) were sworn into their positions.  The meeting was attended by all council members and started promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Christopher Hook, the new Public Safety Commissioner was sworn in, and the new Fire Division Chief, Silvio Lanzas, was introduced. A brief update from both the Eastvale Community Foundation and the Public Safety Commission was given. Roosevelt High School ASB President, Jakob Rivera, provided an update as well.

There were not any Public Comments or Citizen Participation at this meeting and the Consent Calendar was approved in its entirety by a vote of 4-0-1 (with Rush leaving early).

The Old Business portion of the meeting was short and focused on the reorganization and compensation of the Assistant City Manager and Senior Account Clerk. Item 8.1 – calling for title changes and reorganization of these jobs – was approved 4-0. Item 4.2, which called for a 6.4% increase for all employees (excluding the City Manager), as well as a cafeteria stipend to be increased by $100, a 5% increase for bi-lingual abilities, and administrative leave for management employees in the amount of 80 hours annually, passed 3-1 with Lorimore voting No.

The New Business portion of the meeting centered on Item 9.1 – the Chandler Street Corridor Area Improvements – costing a total of $307,000. This item passed 4-0.  Item 9.2, the Mayor’s Cup Soccer Challenge, was pulled due to time constraints and will be discussed at an upcoming Council meeting. Item 9.3 was a verbal report on the Vacant Lands in Eastvale.

The Public Hearings portion of the meeting was also rescheduled to the Jan. 14 Council meeting due to time constraints.

To learn more about the Eastvale City Council meetings, or to hear recordings of previous meetings, please visit: http://www.eastvaleca.gov.

Eastvale: CNUSD Boundary Updates  

Staff Reports

 

cnusd-boundaries

Map of Barton to Reagan attendance. Please visit the CNUSD website to see maps for other schools. (Image Courtesy: CNUSD)

Eastvale — With the 2015-2016 school year opening of Ronald Reagan Elementary School set to happen in July 2015, some school boundaries within Eastvale have changed. Clara Barton, Harada, and Eastvale Elementary Schools will see the majority of the change, as some of Regan’s new attendance will pull from those directions.

The new boundaries will be discussed in detail at parent meetings to be held at these Eastvale locations, as follows:

 

  • 14, 2015, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Eastvale Elementary School, 13031 Orange Street
  • 21, 2015, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Barton Elementary School, 7437 Corona Valley Avenue

 

ronald-reagan-elementary-eastvale

Ronald Reagan Elementary under construction last October. (Image Courtesy: Jennifer Jester)

Parents wishing to apply for transfers, as well as open enrollment, for Reagan Elementary need to complete a transfer request by filing out the proper forms. According to the CNUSD website, if you live in the CNUSD attendance area, you will need to complete a transfer request by filling out the proper form.

If you are currently attending a school on a transfer, you do not need to renew that transfer to remain at that school. As long as you maintain continuous residency in the Corona-Norco Unified School District, your transfer shall continue until your child receives a transfer to a new school or leaves the district.

Please note, if your 6th or 8th Grader is attending a transfer school, they will matriculate to the intermediate or high school based on your residence address.

If you live outside the CNUSD attendance area, you will need to renew your transfer permit annually. You must obtain a release from your home school district and submit it to the CNUSD District Office, Student Services, between Dec. 1, 2014 and Jan. 15, 2015.

Applications for School of Choice transfers (between CNUSD schools) may be obtained at the CNUSD District Office, 2820 Clark Avenue, Norco, CA, 92860, (951) 736-5111.  Applications may also be downloaded from the CNUSD website at www.cnusd.k12.ca.us/forms.

Please visit the CNUSD website for transfer forms and additional details: http://www.cnusd.k12.ca.us/Page/741.

PLEASE NOTE: Completed applications may be returned to the District Office.  Parents with children who attend Barton, Eastvale or Harada should visit the website to view the maps to determine if their child will be attending another school.

 

Eastvale: Pedestrians Beware!

By K.P. Sander

no=pedestrians

(Photo Courtesy: google images)

Eastvale – You’ve probably seen it while driving around town.  Youth on bicycles, skateboards, or even walking, that seem to think they own the road.  And not to compare them to the old bumper-sticker, “As a matter of fact, I do own the whole [darn] road,” but they don’t actually own it, or even have the right-of-way 100 percent of the time.

Either unschooled in the dangers of traffic safety, or endowed with an unrealistic sense of bravado, these particular pedestrians are causing unsafe traffic conditions by traveling in the roadways, crossing outside of crosswalks, and sometimes even slowing down as they cross in front of you – making eye contact in a double-dog-dare challenge for you to make a move.

In one particular instance, skateboarders ambling in the road directly in front of a vehicle moving slowly with their shenanigans, finally crossed left in the middle of the street just as an impatient driver from behind made an angry move to pass left around the barricade.  Luckily the children made it across, but the results could have been disastrous, if not fatal.

We should always yield to pedestrians, right?  Absolutely – whenever possible – but sometimes they create a dangerous situations and can be cited for behaving in an unlawful manner.  In fact, according to California Vehicle Code 21950, right-of-way does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care of his or her safety.  “No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.  No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.”  Get caught, and your wallet will be $197 lighter.

For 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation stated that 4,253 pedestrians were killed, and an estimated 76,000 were injured in traffic accidents.  On average, a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every 7 minutes.  UC Berkeley researchers have found that 30% of all pedestrian fatalities are related to improper street crossing.  These statistics are just too many tragic reminders that safety for all must be enhanced; but how?

According to Lt. Joseph Pemberton, Assistance Chief of Police for Eastvale (Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Jurupa Valley Station), a lot of the issues regarding traffic safety for youth happen around the schools, with children crossing the road with oncoming traffic, or outside designated crosswalks.

“We do occasionally cite children who are presenting themselves as traffic hazards and not showing due regard for the right-of-way or even their own personal safety,” said Pemberton.

The Eastvale Police Department also frequently cites skateboarders who impede the roadway or fail to yield to a right-of-way.  If your child brings home a citation for $197, that’s a lot of allowance that’s not going to be paid out (a lot of dishes done; a lot of lawns mowed, etc.).

Pemberton said that the Eastvale Police Department frequently conducts traffic safety programs around the schools in an effort to reduce congestion and create a safer environment for everyone, but the education for children needs to be enforced in the home as well.  In an incident of vehicle vs. pedestrian, the vehicle is always going to win for obvious reasons. Children need to realize that right-of-way and respect for rules and safety go hand-in-hand.

Motorists don’t get off scot-free either.  Pemberton quotes CVC 22352(b)(2) about driving 25 mph in schools zones when children are active.  Exceed the posted speed and you’ll pay nearly $500. Fail to yield to a pedestrian – at any time – or disobey official traffic control signs, and $238 will be fined.  When compared to a life that might be lost, it’s a bargain.  It pays to slow down and pay attention.

Remember:  Be Safe, Be Seen, and Be Smart.  Pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders and motorists all must take steps to ensure safety by following traffic signs, signals and rules.  Don’t become a statistic.  Let courtesy and safety guide your travels.

Eastvale Community News Complete Edition January 2015

Eastvale cover 01.2015The Eastvale Community News covers local news for Eastvale, Norco, Corona, and Chino. Click here Eastvale Community News Jan 2015   to access the complete issue in pdf format.

2015? Seriously?

By Pastor Robert Jewett

 

Pastor Robert Jewett Word of Truth Community ChurchCan you believe it is 2015? I remember watching The Jetson’s cartoon when I was a child. The setting of the cartoon was 2062, and one thing that amazed me as a child was when George Jetson’s boss, Mr. Spacely, appeared on a screen and they communicated face-to-face. Although this seemed far-fetched back then, such technology is commonplace today. Such advancements in technology are sobering reminders that we are getting older.

Although each new day brings newer advancements in technology, it also brings us one day closer to meeting our Maker. For those of us who have placed our hope and trust in Jesus, we rejoice that our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed (Romans 13:11). But for those of us who have never placed our trust in Jesus, the Day of Judgment is drawing nigh.

The Bible warns that “no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). Our God is love and desires that we receive his grace and mercy by turning to Him.

May we all live each passing day with the hope and expectancy of eternal life.

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

Missed Opportunities 

By Pastor Rob Norris

pastor-rob-norris-the-crossings“God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay,” (1 Peter 1:4).

A man at speaking engagement in Switzerland stayed at a beautiful hotel, compliments of the conference host. Each day, as he walked through the lobby, he passed the hotel’s lavish dining room and smelled the wonderful aromas of delicious entrees and desserts. But, determined to save money, he bought fruit, cheese, and crackers from a local market and lived on that all week. As he was packing to leave, his host asked him how he had enjoyed the cuisine. He stared at him in amazement.  He had not informed him upon his arrival that his meals were included! The hotel had one of the finest chefs in the entire country. He could have eaten like a king.

Let’s think about this and apply it to our own lives. If we are unaware of our wonderful spiritual inheritance, we will miss out on a bountiful banquet which God has prepared for us.

But simply understanding our spiritual inheritance isn’t enough. Many of us live spiritually poor lives because we don’t really believe God. We don’t take Him at His Word. But if God really is absolute truth, then we can and should stake our very lives on his Word.

Satan will do anything to prevent us from fully experiencing the blessings we inherit as God’s dearly loved children. He will try to convince us that the treasure is worthless. Or, he will sow seeds of insecurity and guilt so we feel undeserving. But we must not believe his lies!

Trusting in God’s absolute truthfulness releases His riches. The treasures of heaven that we inherit are claimed by faith here on earth.

LIVE IT:  Find a promise in God’s Word to fulfill a valid need in your life. Make a decision to believe it and hold on to God’s promise by faith without wavering. Because God is absolute truth, I will believe what He says and Live It.

Join us for our January Series, “GOOD INTENTIONS.”

The Crossings meets Sundays, 10 a.m., at River Heights Intermediate, 7227 Scholar Way, in Eastvale. For more information call (951) 847-6836, or visit http://www.atthecrossings.com.

 

Get Outta Your Bubble In 2015

By Jennifer Jester-Madrigal

jennifer-Jester-MadrigalHey, you! You over there with the phone in your hand, getting ready to take your hundredth selfie with your kids playing at the park…it’s time to put the phone down and really look around.

You see that old man over there walking his dog, bent over from years of arthritis but still smiling? He’s looking around, hoping that someone takes the time to stop and say hello to him and maybe engage in a little conversation. Bet you didn’t know that he served in two wars, or that he married the love of his life when he was 22, and is the father to six children and 13 grandchildren. Or did you know that his beloved wife, Rose, died last year and that he has been lost every since.

How could you know? You were too busy trying to get that next selfie, busily rearranging your kids’ hair and clothing, and sucking in your gut so that the picture looked as good as it possibly could. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with selfies (if you know me, you know that I enjoy annoying people by forcing them to selfie with me), but there is something wrong, when as a culture we no longer see what is around us.

We are the “Gotta Have It All NOW!” generation and not only do we have to have it now, we want the best of it, and we think we deserve the best. We seek out the best and the most current technology and then take photos of ourselves enjoying it as a way of showing the social media world that we matter.

Our worth is, in essence, tied to our value on social media. Do you ‘Like’ me? Facebook and Instagram have become the “highlight reels” of our lives and others compare their lives to our “best of” moments.

What they don’t see are the tear stained pillows, the loud fights, the struggling addicts, or the sense of loss that so many people hide. Often, we hide ourselves behind the filtered lens of the camera, choosing how we can filter our lives to hide our flaws. Is it a Sepia day, a Valencia day, or maybe even a Sierra filter kind of day?

Perhaps in 2015, we will put the phone away for a day, stop capturing every moment, and instead take the time to walk our chubby little toddler over to the old man sitting by himself and say hello.

I challenged myself to this a few weeks ago and walked over to an older man walking his dog by himself. I was walking with my clapping, flapping, autistic, deaf son, Nicholas, desperately trying to tire him out so he’d sleep through the night. Walter was trying to do the same with his spunky puppy. So we walked together, his arthritic gait matched Nicholas’ developmentally delayed gait. He held on to his puppy’s leash to keep her safe just as I held on to Nicholas to keep him safe. We walked and we talked and he told me stories and we shared our sadness over losing those we loved so much.

Walter may be about 50 years older than me, but we have a lot in common and I never would have known that if I didn’t get out of my bubble. For Christmas, I brought him cookies and Oreo balls, and he proposed to me in return. I had to let him down gently, as he’s much too handsome and wild for me, but I gained a great friend.

I got out of my bubble, put my phone down and walked a little walk with a new buddy, and I’m all the better for it.

 

Eastvale Community Foundation Board of Directors

City of Eastvale

Posted Date: 1/5/2015 10:00 AM

Expire Date: 1/16/2015 4:00 PM

Job Type: Volunteer

eastvale-community-foundation-logoThe Eastvale Community Foundation is seeking applicants for the Foundation Board of Directors.  We are specifically seeking a CPA/Account type person to fill our vacant CFO position on the Board of Directors.

The Eastvale Community Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization consisting of volunteers, selected and created by the Eastvale City Council, which raises money for programs and scholarships in the City of Eastvale. The goal of the foundation is to create events and activities throughout the year to raise funds for programs, scholarships and other needs within the city.

The mission of the foundation is to strengthen the Eastvale community by providing leadership, fostering collaboration on local needs and issues, and encouraging giving through programs, scholarships and events.

The mission of the Eastvale Community Foundation is to strengthen the Eastvale community by collaborating with the city council to identify city needs and issues, encourage volunteering of time, talent, and resources.  For more information about the Eastvale Community Foundation, please visit their website: www.EastvaleFoundation.org

The Eastvale Community Foundation Board of Directors is a volunteer position. Interested parties will need to submit a volunteer application found on the Employment page as well as a cover letter describing your specific talents and experience that would compliment the services of the Foundation.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, January 16, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.

Registration for City of Eastvale CERT Training NOW OPEN!

City of Eastvale

Posted Date: 12/21/2014 12:30 PM

ARE YOU PREPARED? Recent history has shown the need for neighborhoods, schools, and businesses to rely on themselves for a minimum of 7 days to 2 weeks following a major catastrophic event.

Through funding provided by a Homeland Security Grant Program, the City of Eastvale has partnered with Jurupa Community Services District to provide Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.

CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three “killers” by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.

FREE CERT Training will be offered January 9 – 11, 2015. All three days equals one class. CERT Training is a commitment of 20 hours of training (must attend all 20 hours).  There is no cost for the training.  Only those who successfully complete the practical exercise with hands-on instruction in fire suppression, search and rescue, cribbing and medical will receive a certificate of completion and a FREE CERT kit. Class size is limited to the first 40 people who register.

This FREE class is open to citizens of Eastvale and those within the Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) boundary.

To register, visit www.rivcocert.org or call 951-955-4700.

CERT flyer

Eastvale: Culture Night at Eleanor Roosevelt High School

By Emily Aguilar

 

Eastvale – Because of its diverse alumni, Eleanor Roosevelt High School ensures that each student is given the opportunity to embrace not only the cultures of others, but that of their own as well. This environment has allowed cultures to blend with one another like peaches and cream, unifying ERHS into a strong student body.

In order to pay homage to these various cultures, ERHS’s prominent club, CSF (California Scholarship Federation), held its bi-annual Culture Night festival on Dec. 4.

Culture Night is a show meant to represent students’ traditional cultural practices through artistic performances. Before 6 p.m., the Mustang Theater was filled with supportive family and friends who wanted to see their loved ones represent their culture.

The evening began with a slideshow of students speaking about their cultures and giving the audience a preview of their performances. Following this introduction, the fun began. The performances in dance ranged from Folkloric, to the Chinese Ribbon Dance, to Polynesian and American jazz; and songs were performed from Korea and the Philippines.

Among the performances, one of the most memorable was the Bhangra Dance, which electrified the audience with its upbeat tempo and passionate movement. After captivating the audience with his group, one of the dancers, Shukan Patel stated, “I feel as if the audience was able to feel the energy and pride of the Indian culture through the fast-paced, coordinated moves to traditional music. I feel as if this performance allowed for the audience to experience the Punjabi festival of Vaisakhi’s (Harvest Festival) joy through our dance performance.”

Before the evening ended, CSF Coordinator, Frank Mata, went on stage and spoke to the audience about how working at ERHS as an AP Language and Composition teacher has introduced him to stupendous students. He expressed his admiration toward his students, because in spite of their stress with college and grades, they never fail to lose touch with who they are.

“I am proud of them – they’re not just students at that point. They become respectable young men and women who make it their privilege to pay homage to their culture in this all too foreign land,” Mata said.

After his small speech, Mata invited all of the performers on stage to sing Bill Withers’ famous song, “Lean On Me.” Captivated by the unification of their friends and children, the audience joined in and become a single voice, giving an appropriate ending to the evening.

 

Welcome 2015: New Year, New You!

By K.P. Sander

fruits-and-vegetables          SGV – The countdown for the New Year has come and gone. Did you make that annual resolution – again – to get in the best shape of your life? Is this the year you are really going to become healthy (lose weight, look younger, be happier)?

It’s no mystery that there is some happiness associated with looking and feeling better. When you are full of vim and vigor, there is a spring in your step and you actually have the energy and drive to accomplish more at home, work and play. And, there’s not a darn thing wrong with feeling good about yourself.

Statistics show that not everyone is equipped to go cold turkey and completely transform their lives with a drastic change in eating and exercise habits; sometimes the most successful results in becoming healthy appear by just making a few changes.

What if you added ten foods that had amazing health benefits to your diet instead of eliminating every single thing you found delicious? What if you vowed to stop eating just one food per month that you knew was damaging (like, if it dyes your fingers orange, what is it doing to your insides…just sayin’)? At the end of the year, that’s 22 choices you’ve made to become healthier.

Rather than train for a marathon – unless you are totally up for it – what if you promised to walk three times each week, for 30 minutes, no matter what? With each season change you could add one more day of something fun, like biking, skating, weight training or a dance class to keep things interesting.

To help get you started, these are the ten healthiest foods on the planet, according to Fitness Magazine:

  1. Lemons – Just one has more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin C requirements, and flavonoids that help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and reduce inflammation. Squeeze one into a cup of hot water daily, and help your liver do its job better.
  2. Broccoli – Beautiful broccoli helps give cancer the boot, with one stalk containing more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin K requirements, and nearly 200 percent of the recommended vitamin C.
  3. Dark Chocolate – ¼ ounce daily can help to reduce blood pressure, and cocoa power is rich in antioxidants shown to help reduce bad LDL cholesterol levels. No, a Snickers bar doesn’t count.
  4. Potatoes – One red potato contains enough cell-building folate as a cup of spinach or broccoli. A sweet potato has eight times the amount of cancer-fighting vitamin A that you need daily. Try to skip the butter and sour cream; it sort of defeats the purpose.
  5. Salmon – Wild, Alaskan fish from pristine cold waters can help to fight depression, heart disease and cancer, and with strong components of niacin it can help fight Alzheimer’s and memory loss.
  6. Walnuts – Delicious walnuts contain more omega-3 fatty acids than any other nut, which have been shown to fight cancer and improve moods. It’s not a coincidence that these little gems look like a brain.
  7. Avocados – This healthy fat can lower cholesterol by 22 percent, and has nearly half the fiber and folate requirements you need each day.
  8. Garlic – This powerful disease fighter can inhibit the growth of bacteria, including E. coli, and has properties that work as an anti-inflammatory to help lower cholesterol and blood-pressure.
  9. Spinach – This cancer-fighting power house contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two immune-boosting antioxidants important for eye health.
  10. Beans – Eating legumes four times per week is said to lower your risk for heart disease by as much as 22 percent.

All these foods can become a delicious part of your nutrition plan, and help to improve your health. Throw them all into a salad with a lemon vinaigrette and a square of dark chocolate for dessert, and you might be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, or just feel pretty good about yourself. As a bonus, drink a lot of pure, clean water, eat organic produce whenever possible, and get your heart rate up on a regular basis. This will definitely help make for a new year, new you. Cheers!

Norco: Wee People Playschool

City of Norco

Are you looking for a safe environment where your child can grow emotionally, intellectually and socially while helping prepare them for kindergarten? Wee People Playschool does just that! The City of Norco Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services is offering this recreational program for children ages 3-5 years old. During Wee People, children learn shapes, colors, alphabet, sight words, name recognition, cooperative play skills and manners, while exercising their fine and gross motor skills and much more.

Wee People Playschool is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30am to 1:30pm or Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 2pm. For an 8 week session, Norco Residents fee for M/W/F session is $320 and the non-resident fee is $330. The Norco Resident fee for T/TH session is $275 and the non-resident fee is $285. Fees are subject to change. Registration is taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Wee People Playschool is held at the Norco Community Center located at 3900 Acacia Ave, Norco CA 92860. For more information please call (951) 272-1619 or visit www.norco.ca.us

 

 

Eastvale: Public Safety and Planning Commission Vacancies

City of Eastvale

The City of Eastvale is seeking applicants for possible City Council appointment to the Public Safety and Planning Commissions. Interested parties are encouraged to submit a Volunteer Application with a resume and cover letter. City applications are available on the Employment Page at www.eastvaleca.gov. The filing deadline is January 8, 2015 at 1:00pm.

The Public Safety Commission and Planning Commission are five-member commissions composed of Eastvale residents appointed by the City Council. The Commissioners term of service runs concurrent with the council member that appointed the commissioner.

Duties

The Public Safety Commission advises the City Council on traffic concerns, Neighborhood Watch, Emergency Operations, and conducts Community Outreach for Crime Prevention. Additional details about the Public Safety Commission may be found on Public Safety Commission page of the City’s website.

The Planning Comission has the authority to review all development proposals for consideration of approval. The Planning Commission may advise the City Council in the development and application of policies affecting land use and development within the City. The Planning Commission may also review and make recommendations regarding any proposed changes to the General Plan, Zoning Regulations and Design Standards. Addition details about the Planning Commission may be found on Planning Commission page of the city’s website.

Please direct any questions on the position to the City Manager’s Office: 951-361-0900

The Miracle of Christmas

By Pastor Tim Eaton

pastor -tim-eaton-edgewater-lutheren

Pastor-Tim-Eaton-Edgewater-Lutheren

Christmas is all about the greatest miracle in history. It’s about something distinctly better than the big guy in the red suit making an appearance on Christmas Eve.The birth of Jesus is one of God’s great miracles. And there were many more miracles leading up to Jesus’ birth, with many more to come in His life.One of the joys of Christmas is the joy of giving; but sometimes the logistics of it all can overshadow the joy. Edgewater would like to help. We will be offering FREE (that’s NO donation) gift-wrapping in front of Kohl’s in the Eastvale Gateway Shopping Center, on Sat., Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by with your purchases and let us put a little more joy into the joy of giving.

This year, Edgewater will be hosting three Christmas services and two distinct worship experiences. The festivities begin with our “Christmas Music Celebration,” on Tues., Dec. 23, at 7 p.m. This service is perfect for those out of town on Christmas Eve, or those just wanting to experience a joyful, musical celebration with wonderful Christmas music and carols. Just as on Christmas Eve, this service will end with songs by candlelight.

Our beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight services will be offered at both 3 and 5 p.m. All services will be held at Harada Elementary.

Join us, and discover that God is still in the miracle business. This Christmas, Jesus just might be your miracle.

Edgewater Lutheran Church, worshipping at Harada Elementary, is located at 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880. Contact them at (951) 479-5575, or visit their website at www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

Open Enrollment & Transfer Instructions for Corona Norco Unified School DistrictPosted Date:12/8/2014 7:30 AM

City of Eastvale

The following dates have been established as the “OPEN ENROLLMENT” period for the 2015-2016 school year: DECEMBER 1, 2014 TO JANUARY 15, 2015

If you live in the CNUSD attendance area – you will need to complete a transfer request by filling out the proper form. If you are currently attending a school on a transfer, you do not need to renew that transfer to remain at that school. As long as you maintain continuous residency in the Corona-Norco Unified School District your transfer shall continue until your child receives a transfer to a new school or leaves the district. Please note, if your 6thor 8th grader is attending a transfer school, they will matriculate to the intermediate or high school based on your residence address.

If you live outside CNUSD attendance area – you will need to renew your transfer permit annually. By getting a release from your home school district, and submitting it to CNUSD District Office, Student Services, between December 1, 2014 and January 15, 2015.

Applications for School of Choice transfers (between CNUSD schools) may be obtained at the following locations:

  • CNUSD District Office 2820 Clark Ave., Norco, CA, 92860, Phone: (951) 736-5111
  • Or downloaded from the CNUSD website at www.cnusd.k12.ca.us/forms

Please visit the CNUSD website for transfer forms and additional details: http://www.cnusd.k12.ca.us/Page/741

PLEASE NOTE: Completed applications may be returned to the District Office.

Transfer requests are granted based on space availability.

They Saw A Star

By Pastor Dennis Morales

Pastor Dennis Morales Calvary Chapel CrossBridge

Pastor Dennis Morales

Matthew 2:10 – “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

How do you respond to Christmas? For some, Christmas sparks fond memory, some exuberance, and for others it’s shopping.

Unfortunately, Christmas has lost its meaning in our modern culture. More are mindful of a tree than the manger. I am all about the festivities and family traditions. I love opening gifts and sharing stories with family. But the true message of Christmas doesn’t lie in gift wrap.

The heart of Christmas is that God gave us the best gift ever in His Son Jesus Christ. We see several responses in the Bible to the birth of our Savior. Creation’s response was a star to tell the world a King had been born (Numbers 24:17). The angels responded with worship (Luke 2:13-14). Magi (wise men) responded with gifts of worship, whom were also guided by the Star (Matthew 2:2). The Shepherds responded by running to see Jesus, then telling everyone about what they saw (Luke 2:17). The Bethlehem Star signified God’s response to the world’s greatest need. That was to be saved from sin and be given hope of Heaven (John 3:16).

The wonder and beauty of Christmas is that Jesus took His place in a manger so that we might have a home in Heaven. Our Savior was wrapped in nothing more than common rags. The Star rested over an ordinary manger, which held the greatest gift in the simplest of wrapping (Luke 2:7).

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

Orange County: Ford Rewards Over 150 Local At-Risk Students

ford-transit-connect

Ford Transit Connect (Photo Courtesy: Ford.com)

Staff ReportsIrvine – On Fri., Dec. 5, the Ford Motor Company – in conjunction with the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP), and the Taco Bell Corporation – rewarded over 150 local at-risk elementary, middle and high school students with an exclusive visit to their regional headquarters.

Students met with professional skateboarder, reality star, and entrepreneur, Ryan Sheckler, and were taken on an exclusive tour of Ford’s Design Studio. They also heard from law enforcement officers and prosecutors, including Orange County District Attorney, Tony Rackauckas, who spoke to the students about positive life choices and the negative effects of criminal street gangs. Lunch and additional activities were provided by Taco Bell.

To earn this incentive, the students met a challenge to have no unexcused absences, criminal activity or arrests, violence or weapons on campus, and no gang-related clothing, writing, or behavior.

As a reward for their commitment to additional OC GRIP programming, 25 students and their families in attendance were eligible to win an all-new Ford Transit Connect, furnished by the OC Ford Dealers Advertising Fund.

This is the third year that the OC GRIP program, in partnership with Ford and their employees, have provided at-risk-students with resources and support to encourage them to make education a priority in their lives. In this year alone, over 90 Ford employees volunteered their time by visiting 12 Orange County schools to meet with students in the program.

 

 

 

Great Harvest Comes To Eastvale

By K.P. Sander

great-harvest-bread-eastvale

Great Harvest Bread Co. is located in the Marketplace at the Enclave, at 14244 Schleisman Road, Suite 130 (behind Starbucks). They can be reached at (951) 427-5737. Expect their Grand Opening on Dec. 5.

Eastvale – Close your eyes and imagine being in a bakery, early in the morning. Smell that? That amazing sensory delight is a perfect wheat kernel that has been magically transformed into warm, nutritious, whole-grain goodness – cleverly disguised as a beautiful loaf of bread – just waiting to dazzle you with superior taste and satisfaction.            To say that Eastvale is lucky to become the newest home for the Great Harvest Bread Company is – in my humble opinion – an understatement. For more than 30 years, Great Harvest has been pursuing perfection in the baking of their breads, and very soon citizens in and around Eastvale will be able to enjoy their full range of incredibly tasty treats, including a wide variety of artisan breads, sandwiches, cookies, muffins, and much more.

Most important, perhaps, are the benefits of whole grains that you will easily be able to provide for your family by making breakfast and school lunches with the Honey Whole Wheat or Farmhouse White choices; but there is something so comforting and soul-feeding about freshly baked bread. Grilled cheese takes on a whole new meaning when you pair it with the Cheddar Garlic Bread. Ever tried a roast beef sandwich with fresh Chimichurri sauce? If you aren’t already salivating, know this…your family will throw a ticker-tape parade in your honor when you make them French toast using the Cinnamon Chip bread. I could go on and on.

Meredith Sumenek, the owner of Eastvale’s Great Harvest Bread Company, is very excited to be opening the doors to her all natural bread and sandwich shop in the city she calls home.

“We grind our whole wheat flour on site for the freshest bread around – without preservatives,” says Sumenek. “As owner, I strive to find the freshest ingredients and support other local businesses by purchasing as much as I can locally.”

Sumenek has been baking since she was a toddler, and because her mother never bought bread from the store, but baked every roll, cookie, cake, pie and loaf of bread from scratch, she has very discernible tastes and standards. After 20 years in the financial services industry, becoming a professional baker was a very logical choice for her.

“Our [Great Harvest] breads and sweets taste like no other. Every loaf of bread is hand-crafted from start to finish in the store daily. We knead every single loaf and roll it by hand until it is the way your mother or grandmother would have made it,” Sumenek says (and I believe her). “We do not take shortcuts…it takes five hours to make a single loaf of bread, and it shows in the taste and texture as well as the healthy ingredients,” Sumenek goes on to say.

“Our sandwiches are fresh and amazing with all of our sauces made from fresh ingredients in the store,” she continues. How about smoky ham and slightly melted brie cheese, with tart green apples and a homemade mustard-apricot spread on – if I might be so bold – Cranberry Orange bread? Just sayin’…

When asked why she got into the Great Harvest business, Sumenek says, “I do this because I have a tremendous love of fantastic tasting, healthy bread, and the desire to be a part of the local community. Great Harvest Bread Company is a way to help build the marvelous community we are all making here in the Inland Empire, and I want to have something to pass on to my family, friends and team.”

If you’ve had the pleasure of visiting a Great Harvest Bread Company location, you know what you’re in for. I’m not saying that the drive to Temecula is in vain just for a loaf of their bread (okay, lots of reasons to visit our local vineyards), but now I no longer have to buy in bulk. I can just run ‘round the corner to my favorite bakery any time I like. Trips to Temecula can now focus on the perfect grape to accompany my local bread purchases.

So don’t take my word for it, visit our new Great Harvest Bread Company, with an opening date scheduled for Dec. 5 in the grand city of Eastvale. Meredith Sumenek will be waiting for you, saying, “I look forward to meeting all of you, sharing old memories, and making new friendships.”

She had me at cheddar garlic bread.

Five Holiday Safety Tips To Keep Pets Safe

By LEAFF (Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters)

 

LEAFF Law Enforcement and Fire Protection

L.E.A.F.F. Eastvale

Eastvale – The holidays are a time of family and celebration, and that celebration also includes the family pets. While most of us know the holiday dangers in regard to keeping our homes and families safe, pets are just as likely to be injured from owner negligence. Follow these important tips to ensure that the holidays are a time of joy for all the members of your family.

  1. Secure Your Christmas Tree:Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pets. This will also prevent the tree water – which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset – from spilling. Stagnant tree water is also a breeding ground for bacteria, and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should they ingest it.
  2. Avoid Tinsel on Trees: While sparkly and eye-catching, tinsel can beswallowed by pets, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery.
  3. Holiday Food is Not Pet Food: Chocolate and anything sweetened with Xylitol is very dangerous for animals. Keep in mind, animals will go to great lengths to chomp on something tasty. Be sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and secure the lids on garbage cans.
  4. Holiday Lights: Keep wires, batteries, and glass or plastic ornaments out of the reach of paws. An exposed wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock, and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus. Shards of breakable ornaments can also damage your pet’s mouth and digestive tract.
  5. New Year’s Celebration Noise: As you count down to the New Year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in an animal’s intestines, if ingested, possibly necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears. Just like the Fourth of July, the clanging of pots and pans, firecrackers, and other loud disturbances can cause outside pets to become fearful and attempt to leave your yard in search of shelter. Keep pets safely inside as midnight approaches.

 

Tips Courtesy of the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

Bouncing Ball

BY PASTOR ROB NORRIS

pastor-rob-norris-the-crossings“I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity,” Ecclesiastes 2:11.

There are seasons in life when our work requires more of us than it does at other times; tax season for the accountant; Christmas season for the retailer. Whatever your line of work, it likely has a natural rhythm that spikes at certain times.

But increasingly in our success-driven culture, busy seasons have run together into all seasons. We have allowed the pace to perpetuate itself, driving us at full throttle month after month, year after year. Things begin to come totally unraveled at home, in our marriage, in our relationships with our children. It can happen, seemingly, in a blink.

This reminds me of a commencement address attributed to Brian Dyson, who held several senior management positions with Coca-Cola during his long career. He told a class of Georgia Tech graduates, “Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air: work, family, health, friends and spirit. You’re keeping all of these in the air.

“You soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. It will never be the same.”

You may not get as many pats on the back for being at home to dry the dishes or settle a disagreement or help a child study for a test. You may not receive the same sense of affirmation you feel from accomplishing a work goal or achieving recognition among your peers. But you will be living proof that winning at home first is the key to winning anything of value.

Marriages and families don’t bounce. They shatter. For generations.

Live It: What is your “busy season”? What are the first signs that work is getting out of balance? How can you help each other handle those seasons that demand more of you than usual?

Pray: Pray for the ability to juggle well, and to know which balls can drop without causing major damage.

The Crossings meets Sundays, 10 a.m., at River Heights Intermediate, 7227 Scholar Way, in Eastvale. For more information call (951) 847-6836, or visit http://www.atthecrossings.com.