Category Archives: Eastvale

Eastvale: Love in Action

Pastor Dennis Morales Calvary Chapel CrossBridge

Pastor Dennis Morales

By Pastor Dennis Morales

My son, Noah, has a very unique ability to make friends easily; a character trait from my wife, Michelle, for sure. When Noah enters his preschool classroom, I can’t help but notice all his friends coming to greet him enthusiastically. As his Dad, I get a glimpse into his heart every day. It’s an amazing joy to see him grow.

We were at a park one day and Noah overheard someone crying. He ran over and found a little girl had fallen off her tricycle, so he helped her up, put his arm around her, and told her simply “It’s ok, it’s ok.” This little girl was his new buddy for the rest of their time at the park.

I believe friendship is the launching pad for love. Proverbs says that, “A friend loves at all times,” (Proverbs 17:17). Friendship has such an effect on other important relationships in life. Research points out that friendly people live longer than the general population. Jesus spoke highly of both love and friendship. Jesus said loving one another is a mark of knowing Him. “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,” (John 13:35).

As you read the famous 1 Corinthians 13 love chapter, we see words in our language that qualify as descriptors or adjectives. In the original Greek language, these words are action words. John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” God, with love in action, sent His Son. His Son actively loved by sacrificing His life for all mankind (John 3:16), so that we can have the hope of Heaven.

Calvary Crossbridge Eastvale meets Sundays, 11:30 a.m., at Clara Barton Elementary, 7437 Corona Valley Avenue, Eastvale; http://www.CalvaryEastvale.org.

Inland Empire: Is Anything Really Forever?

Is Anything Really Forever?
BY MICHAEL ARMIJO

Originally published in August of 1998, this is the very first “Our Life” ever printed in The Weekly News, and the reason why we started publishing newspapers. It was after writing this story that we decided how short life was, and how important it is to do what you believe in. This story helped us realize what we believe in.
The hardest day of my life was a year ago in May. It was like every other morning with the exception that it was their anniversary. Mom and dad got up, went to brunch, went home, and then got into a little argument. My dad wanted somewhere to go to be by himself, so he went to check on his rental property that was recently vacant.
I got home that night around 9 p.m. and my wife told me my mother called. She said mom was wondering why dad wasn’t home yet, but it was like him to stay at his rental property and fix things. Mom wasn’t too worried, so I went to bed. A few hours later she called me again; “Your father still isn’t home yet, now I’m worried.” At a frantic pace, I went to his rental property and found his truck in the front of the house, which was completely dark. My heart raced and I was afraid to go in and find him lying there, so I called 911 from my cell phone.
LIFE MAKES A LEFT
I told the operator that I was afraid to enter the house by myself, I was afraid of what I might find. Four minutes later, the Sheriff’s Department arrived. The officer shined his flashlight on the front door and, since it was pitch dark, I didn’t even know it was wide open. We walked inside and there was my daddy, lying in the hallway, as still as can be. I yelled, “He isn’t moving? Why isn’t he moving?” The officer grabbed me and dragged me outside, calmed me down, and told me to wait while he checked what on was going on.
At that point, I tried to convince myself he was asleep on the floor or just passed out. I was in complete denial that he would be gone – and gone forever – until the paramedics came. They ran into the house in the hopes of helping a victim survive, but three minutes later, they walked out. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I knew one thing, I had to try to be responsible, I had to go home and tell my mom.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
When I told my brother and sisters the news of our father, I received a different reaction from each. But the strongest reaction embedded in my memory is the one from my mom. I called my sisters to help me tell mom about dad, but they lived so far away they couldn’t be there for quite some time. I knew I couldn’t let my mom wait that long, she was waiting for me to bring my father home. I knocked on my neighbor’s front door, but they couldn’t hear me from their back bedroom. It was at that time I realized that no one was around and I’m going to have to do this on my own, so be it.
It wasn’t the screaming or the crying that affected me so much; it was what my mother said. She was angry because she and my father had promised each other they’d leave this earth together. They made a pact. They had a deal. She was angry because he broke that pact. The deal was off. At that point, I admired how strong their love was; I admired how much they really loved each other. So much so, they not only discussed how they’d be together, but how they’d leave together as well. I never knew this, and it saddens me that I had to find out about it this way. I guess sometimes regardless of what this life gives you, and regardless of how much you think you know, you find out that you never know what to expect.
A FIRST FOR EVERYTHING
Whoever said, “the hardest time after a death is the first year” was right. It has been interesting and difficult. Death really does something to people; it really makes them change. You hear things you never thought you’d hear; you see things you never thought you’d see. That first Thanksgiving, that first Christmas. The first time one of your parents isn’t at your son’s sixth grade graduation or your daughter’s recital. Your kid’s birthday parties, your son’s little league games. You sit there enjoying yourself and then sense that something’s missing. The first time I felt stressed and dad wasn’t there to tell me; “it’ll all work out ok,” that was my hardest. Dad wasn’t kidding when he told me: “there’s a first for everything.”
YOU NEVER KNOW
If there was one thing I’ve really had to push into my life it is to enjoy it. If one of my children gets out of line or has done something wrong, I talk about it. I don’t scream and yell, and I don’t smack them. I never send them to bed on a bad note, and whenever I leave, I always give them a hug and a kiss (something my 12-year-old son tries to avoid, but I force it on him). I do this because my father and I had the worst relationship in the world. And then one day, five years before he passed, for a reason only God may know, I confronted him with my feelings. We really opened up, laid it all on the table, and enjoyed ourselves. It took time for us to heal, but we worked on it, and in the end I had the fortunate opportunity to have a close and loving relationship with my dad. It was the fastest five years of my life.
We had fun, forgave each other, and told each other we loved each other. I am very fortunate to be able to say that I don’t have any regrets about our friendship. I always wanted more from life but he always told me to “stop striving for bigger toys and invest yourself in love, because you never know, son, you just never know.”
SOME THINGS ARE FOREVER
There’s something about seeing your parents in enormous grief that does something to a person. They’re your safety net in life, they’re the one thing you can bet your life on who’ll always take you back if you failed out there in the world. They’re the ones that you knew would love you forever, regardless of what you’ve done or where you’ve been. When that gets destroyed or damaged, you come to the realization that you’re definitely, and I mean definitely, on your own. Life becomes this big “do or die” situation. Ready or not, it’s time to grow up. You get kind of nervous that the encouraging source in your life is gone. The one who always said, “You can do it, you can do anything,” can only be heard from a distant memory.
It’s kind of like when you were in school; you’d walk into the class and find you were having a pop quiz. You felt this panic overwhelm you, and you’d try your hardest to remember what the teacher told you the day before. You had no warning, no time to prepare, the test is here and it’s now. You never anticipated this coming; it never even entered your mind. All you can do now is hope you were paying attention all that time, all you could do was hope you were a good student. Teacher’s not going to give you any answers today; you’re on your own.
And then someday, when life tests you and you see that big “A” across the top of that “life test,” you realize that what makes you a better person is to recognize that there are some things in life that you just have to believe in. Like the love you never knew your parents shared, some things really are forever.

Eastvale: An Interview with Council Member, Bill Link

Eastvale Council Member Bill Link

Eastvale Council Member Bill Link

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge for 2014?

A. “I feel the biggest challenge in 2014 is to review the use of our vacant land and determine the best use of this land as defined by what our citizens need, as well as a long-term revenue stream for the city.”

Q: What is your number one goal for the City of Eastvale this year?

A. “My focus this year would be an economic development plan aimed at the financial sustainability of Eastvale for years to come. Everyone wants better law enforcement, fire protection, safety, and a great quality of life; these can only be achieved when the city has long-term financial stability. In years to come, with population increases and inflation, these services will cost more. I read a quote years ago, ‘What works today may not work tomorrow; evolution is mandatory’. I believe this applies to how we must handle the future needs of our residents.”

Q: What feels great about Eastvale to you?

A. “The great feeling I get about Eastvale revolves around our fantastic residents. They are more in tune with this community than anywhere else I’ve ever lived. They participate in community activities as volunteers with no anticipation of any reward other than the betterment of Eastvale. As an example, a few years ago I read on Yahoo Residents website that a mother of three wanted to take her children to the snow and she asked if anyone had snow clothes she could borrow. Within 20 minutes she had three different strangers offering to help. You will not find that anywhere else. Anyone who thinks about this a bit has to feel a little warm inside.”

Q: How long have you been here in Eastvale? What’s your history with the city?

A. “My lovely wife, Sharyn, and I moved to Eastvale in 2008 purely by accident. Our kids, who live in Chino Hills, had just given us a new granddaughter and like any grandparents we wanted to be closer to her. So one Saturday morning we left on an excursion in search of a home closer to our granddaughter and in our travels into different areas we stumbled upon Eastvale. My wife was driving, so it is obvious that at some point a wrong turn was to be made and we would be lost. We just turned into a track for the purpose of turning around when we saw an Open House sign and decided to take a look. Sharyn immediately fell in with the house and we put an offer in the next day. It was accepted and here we are.

Since moving to Eastvale, we have participated in many civic activities. The first thing we became involved in was the Cityhood Celebration, for which I was in charge of logistics, working with Al and Gina Nassar (the greatest event coordinators anywhere). Then I was appointed to the first Planning Commission right after cityhood, where I served for three years, two of which were as Planning Commission Chairman. On January 8th of this year I was appointed to the City Council to fill the remaining term of Kelly Howell, who had resigned. Kelly did a magnificent job. I can’t give her enough praise for her hard work and dedication. To be honest, she is the one that influenced me to apply for the City Council.

Sharyn has been active in many volunteer positions and is currently the Executive Director of the Eastvale Community Foundation. I’m so proud of her for all the unselfish giving of her time and efforts to make the foundation great.”

Eastvale: Jan. 28 Town Hall Meeting Recap

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Eastvale – The Eastvale Town Hall Quarterly Meeting was held at Ramirez Junior High on Jan. 28. Various departments and organizations came to give updates and answer questions for the community. Here is a brief recap of what information was presented.

Riverside County Sheriff Report/CALFIRE Update: Asst. Police Chief Michael Yates updated the public on various crime statistics in Eastvale. He stressed the importance of Eastvale being named one of the safest cities in California (FBI Report October 2013), noting overall community involvement.

Yates says Part One crimes have declined. In the time period from Jan. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013, there were 28,982 calls, with 9,729 citations written, 43 DUI arrests, 128 injury auto accidents, 243 non-injury collisions, and zero fatal collisions. Police response time has been getting better, as well.

Many marijuana grow houses have been successfully shut down, said Yates. In 2013, 27 houses were shut down with a total of 46 houses in Eastvale overall. The Sheriff’s Department has been extremely successful with the help of the community in identifying and taking these houses down. At one point, they were seeing two houses per week, but they have seen a steady decrease over the past few weeks.

A new trend in crime in Eastvale is “fishing.” Yates says this typically involves young groups of kids out at night between midnight and 3 a.m., walking through neighborhoods checking to see if car doors are unlocked. They simply walk by and lift the handles. If cars are open, they quickly grab loose change, computers, phones, etc., and move on to the next vehicle. The money is often used to buy alcohol and drugs, as the amount of change adds up rather quickly, said Yates.

CAL/FIRE stressed the importance of fire safety, especially in the dry, drought conditions that we are currently facing. Of all the calls they have received in 2013, 72.3% were medical and 2.6% were fire related. The medic squad has taken 27 responses since it came into operation in the latter part of 2013. This has taken some of the load off of the fire engines. When the second fire station at Selby/Chandler opens, this will reduce the call volume even more, according to fire officials.

eastvale, jcsd

Ric Welch of JCSD addresses the community during the Jan. 28 town hall meeting in Eastvale. (Jennifer Madrigal)

Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD): Ric Welch of JCSD announced that Eastvale Community Park will be opening March 8. Welch also said the district has added more recreational classes for mature adults and is forming a citizen’s advisory board to receive input from residents.

Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD): The state has changed how school districts get their funding and it is now connected to local control. Money must now be tied to a local plan with community engagement. A committee with 32 people has been formed to look at relevant data (student achievement, attendance, climate of school, etc.) to establish guidelines.

CNUSD is still considering the feasibility of the “Geo Bond.” A survey was done last year and the district is still looking at the details and what the plans will be for the communities. It is important to note that Yorba Elementary School in Eastvale will be completed with or without the bond. However, the district still needs more schools, because more growth is expected in Eastvale over the next seven to ten years. The “Geo Bond” for Eastvale would most likely be used for technology, infrastructure, and safety, as well as another elementary school and possibly an alternative high school. CNUSD will be doing another public survey and hopes to make a decision early to mid-summer on whether or not to proceed with bond. If they do proceed, this bond would be on the ballot for the November election season.

Senator Roth’s Office: Roth’s office says the senator is still fighting for our funds from Vehicle License Fees (VLF). Last week, Roth was able to gain the support of Assembly Speaker John Perez. Roth’s office has decided to change the bill by splitting it into two separate parts with hopes of making it easier and more cost effective. One part of the bill is now called SB69 and will deal with the recently incorporated cities like Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, and Wildomar. The other part of the bill will deal with annexations. The hope is that this new method will focus more on assisting new cities now. It also makes the bill more cost effective, which will make it more appealing to the governor. Roth’s office is optimistic that this is a step in the right direction.

Bill Newberry also shared that Roth has been nominated as “Legislator of the Year” for all the work he has done for Riverside County.

State Assembly Office: Assemblyman Eric Linder will be backing up Senator Roth on the Vehicle Licensing Fee issue. However, Linder’s office is focusing on AB 1438 – a bill concerning sex offenders. Currently, a sex offender can apply for a certificate of rehabilitation, and if they are successful, they do not need to register as a sex offender. AB 1438 seeks to remove this for offenders who violate children. The Assembly is also working on the surplus from Prop 30. They are hoping to have funds allocated more toward education and to put the rest away for a “rainy day” fund.

Leal Specific Plan: Asst. Planning Director Cathy Perring spoke to the public about the development of the Leal property. The property was originally part of a general plan for mixed-use, with retail, offices, etc. Although the land is not owned by the city, they are working with the Leal family to prepare a plan that will guide development. The city has asked for the public’s opinion and ideas for what the land could be used for. Please go to www.lealspecificplan.com to submit ideas and vote by February 7. The ideas will be presented to the City Council at the February 26 meeting, with action on a vision plan expected at the March 26 meeting.

Goodman Commerce Center: Goodman Birtcher is a real estate company that owns, develops and manages property. They will be investing $250 million in the City of Eastvale. The Goodman Commerce Center will be opening in Eastvale in conjunction with Lewis properties. Over the last two years, they have been meeting with constituents, planning staff, etc., on how to develop the 200 acres located in the “pan-handle” of Eastvale. The property is adjacent to the I-15 freeway off Cantu-Galleano and Bellegrave.

Some of the land will be used for industrial purposes with direct freeway access for trucks. This will limit trucks on our roads and prevent more traffic issues, according to Birtcher. The south 25 acres will be a business park and will have employee pathways and trails, which will be more visually pleasing and add to the landscape of the area. There is also a retail/commercial component of about 45 acres. It is currently zoned for a hospital, hotel, etc. Currently, this is in the conceptual stage, but it could be a draw for major retailers.

An Environmental Impact Report has been started and Goodman also plans to widen Hamner Avenue by three lanes, as well as build and maintain landscaping in that area. The commerce center has the ability to generate as many as 2,500 – 4,600 jobs to our area, according to Birtcher.

Chino Desalter Expansion Project: Joseph Blume and Cindy Miller of the Chino Desalter Authority/Butier Engineering Inc., spoke about the project, which will bring more drinking water to the cities of Eastvale, Ontario, Corona, and Norco. This part of the project, which involves placing a 30-inch diameter pipeline through Eastvale, is part of an overall expansion project of the CDA’s water treatment plant and delivery system. Once completed, expansion will provide 10 million gallons of drinking water per day to the communities. Construction is expected to start on Mississippi Drive in Eastvale and run north along Hamner Avenue to Riverside Drive. Hamner will stay open, although there will be some delays. However, no detours are expected. They also plan some night construction, using flag men, and will be working during the holiday season (Thanksgiving 2014 thru Jan. 1, 2015). There also may be some water shutdowns, but the plan is to use phasing limits in construction to keep inconveniences to a minimum. The project is expected to be completed by February 2015.

Riverside Animal Control: Mark Visyak, Animal Control Officer, spoke to the community about 2013’s statistics. In 2013, there were 1,463 calls overall. The breakdown of these calls consisted of: impounds (346), returned to owners (24), dead animal retrieval (167), citations (85), requests for patrol (329), assists to the fire department (2), assists to code enforcement (1), assists to the police (11), investigations for bites, barking, etc. (107), and lots of opossums.

Eastvale Community Foundation: The foundation announced it will start selling Eastvale decals for cars as a way to help raise money. It was announced that the Youth Scholarship Program is back. Applications will be available at Eastvale City Hall beginning Monday, Feb. 3 through May 1, 2014.

The next Eastvale Quarterly Town Hall Meeting will be held in March, with date and location to be announced.

Are We Making Food A “Four-Letter Word”?

By K.P. Sander

Eastvale – They say, ‘You Are What You Eat’, but what if I don’t want to be Potassium Bromate? What if Butylated Hydroxyanisol gives me the creeps (after all, “butylated” sounds like “mutilated”)? In today’s world of high technology and instant gratification, have we microwaved ourselves into a toxic nightmare of diseases, obesity and unhappiness? These are questions I’m willing to find the answers to.

The artificial sweeteners, preservatives, dyes and flavor enhancers that have been added to our foods for decades have fattened not only corporate pocket books through prolonged shelf lives and disguising cheaper, sub-standard products, but they have fattened us up as well. They have created maladies in our bodies including Alzheimer’s, cancers, diabetes and heart disease, and have contributed to emotional disorders in our children – even health concerns for our pets. A hundred years ago, when you grew your own food and fast food was a chicken on the run from the chopping block, these diseases were rare, and even non-existent. But with the initiation of processed foods in the second half of the 20th Century, the health of people everywhere has taken a turn for the worse.

And, are the poisons ingested in our bodies the only cause for concern? Is there more social anxiety prevalent because of social media? By involving more people into our lives via technology, are we becoming more anti-social by hiding behind it? Look around you. The majority of people walking around (and yes, even driving around) aren’t paying attention to where they are going because they are completely focused on their phones: texting, Facebooking, Instagramming.

I’m guilty of all of it, but I can’t remember the last time I truly felt full of health and vitality and just plain old GOOD. I wake up to caffeine, drive-thru when I’m rushed, crack open a can of high-fructose corn syrup for energy, and text instead of call. But I, for one, don’t want to find myself looking a heart attack (or worse) right smack in the face, knowing I contributed directly to it. I’m going to educate myself, read more labels, and avoid ingredients I can’t pronounce or know to be toxic. I’m going to buy more organic foods and less processed foods. I’m going to consider an apple and a handful of almonds as “fast food”. And I’m going to contribute to my general well-being by participating in some actual face time with those I love. I’m guessing my fitness routines will be enhanced, my body and mind will feel better, and my relationships will benefit.

I don’t want “food” to become a four-letter word to me, like “sodium nitrite”. I want it to be a source of joy and nourishment. I want to associate food in the ilk of other four-letter words that I used to describe things that contribute to my well being. Words like good, glad, hale, well, wise…and love.

Tips to Help Prevent a Burglary

LEAFF Law Enforcement and Fire Protection

L.E.A.F.F. Eastvale

By LEAFF

Eastvale – In light of a few residential burglaries that have occurred in the city and the repercussions of AB109, 12 basic steps to prevent your house from being burglarized can be taken.

1. Perform routine tasks and clean up the outside of your property on a regular basis to show you are occupying your home. Empty your mailbox on a regular basis, collect old newspapers from your driveway, and pick up discarded trash that has landed in your yard.

2. Install timed lights or leave a radio or television playing if you are traveling or will be absent from your home for long periods of time. You may want to enlist a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your property and to collect your mail while you are traveling away from home.

3. Lock all your doors, windows, garages, and sheds when you leave your home to make it difficult for burglars to enter without attracting the attention of others. Test your locks durability by trying to open your doors and windows from the outside. Install sturdy deadbolt locks on your doors to prevent thieves from breaking in easily. If you have double front doors, use bungee cords to connect the door knobs to prevent thieves from kicking the door in. Remove the red knob tied to the string on your garage door track lock. This prevents hooking the knob and unlocking your garage door.

4. Make your doors and windows visible to the neighborhood and to the street. Cut away tree branches or high shrubbery that can hide burglars when they are breaking and entering your home.

5. Store your valuables away from windows or doors where they can easily be seen from the outside. You may want to hang privacy curtains over windows to make it difficult for others to see inside. Close shutters, blinds and pull curtains to prevent thieves from peering into your house.

6. Hide or destroy any outside trash that may advertise your personal belongings to the rest of your neighborhood. For example, you may want to break down or destroy boxes that contained valuable, expensive electronic devices you may have just purchased, such as a large television or stereo system.

7. Leave spare house keys with trusted friends, family, or neighbors instead of placing them outside on your property. Burglars may be familiar with common hiding places for spare keys.

8. Park your vehicles inside a closed garage to make it difficult for burglars to determine if you are home or not.

9. Install a home alarm system to deter burglars and to alarm authorities if there is a break-in. Consult with your home insurance provider to seek discounts for alarm systems. Place home alarm signs in the front yard to alert burglars that your home has an alarm.

10. Stray away from routine schedules to make it more difficult for burglars to predict when you will be absent from your home.

11. Only use fully shielded neighbor-friendly lighting that is equipped with motion or infrared detectors. Don’t create a nuisance or safety hazard with glaring lights that impair vision. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design recommends, “Lighting that does not create glare, light trespass, or deep shadows. Lighting only has potential to act as a deterrent if witnesses are present and can counter-productively attract attention to a target and assist a burglar. FBI statistics demonstrate that the majority of residential break-ins occur during daylight hours.”

12. Alter your outside landscaping to make it difficult for burglars to navigate your property without being seen or heard. You may want to surround your windows or home with loose gravel, stones, or rocks that will make noise when stepped on. Place plants or shrubbery under your windows or on your property that are difficult to navigate around, such as rose bushes with lots of thorns.

Diamond Bar: Dr. Jeffery W. Lowe Passes Away

By Michael Armijo

Jeffrey Lowe

Jeffrey Lowe (Photo Courtesy of SB County Sheriffs Dept/Chino Hills)

Diamond Bar – Dr. Jeffrey W. Lowe, a long time Chiropractor and Community Activist, passed away at 48 years old on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 of apparent heart failure.

Dr. Lowe held his practice in the Albertsons shopping center on Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue for almost 20 years. He was the current President of the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff Booster Club, former Diamond Bar Rotary President, past board member of the Diamond Bar Chamber of Commerce, and a San Bernardino County Sheriff Reserve Deputy for over 20 years, in the patrol and homicide division.

Dr. Lowe was born in Montebello, California and grew up in La Habra, where he graduated from La Habra High School in 1983. From there, he went on to get his Bachelor’s Degree in 1992 from the Los Angeles Chiropractic College.
He was described by his peers as a “giver, family man, compassionate individual, special, caring, and a loving man.”

“Jeff always made me feel special and beautiful,” his wife, Kim Lowe said. “I am so very proud of all his accomplishments.”
“He was an excellent partner, neighbor, and friend,” said fellow Deputy Mike Kreeger. “Laughter and friendship are both words that describe Jeff well, as he loved to laugh.”

I write this story, as a reporter, but more importantly, as a personal friend to Jeff. I will always miss his infectious smile, his servant’s heart, warmth-filled hugs, and compassionate element of being a healer, brother, giver, deputy, friend, and leader.

Dr. Lowe was married in 2005 to his wife, Kim, and has been a Chino Hills Resident for over 20 years. He is survived by his step-daughter Robin, grandmother Nana, parents Ron and Karen, sister Kellee, brother-in-law Paul, and nephews Dylan, Karissa, and Sydney. On his wife’s side, he is survived by his brother-in-law Larry, his wife Edenna, and his three nieces Lilly, Tori, and Violet.

Eastvale: Quarterly Town Hall Meeting Reminder

The Eastvale Quarterly Town Hall Meeting will be held at 6:30 on January 28th, 2014 at Augie Ramirez Intermediate School located at 6905 Harrison Avenue, Eastvale, California 92880. Doors open at 6:00.
A variety of topics and updates will be covered including:
City Update by Mayor Ike Bootsma, Waterline Project, CALFIRE update, Leal specific plan, Animal Control update, CNUSD update and more. The meeting will close with public comments and open forum as time permits.

Eastvale: RCSD Conducts Probation Sweep

By: Staff Reports

According to a Riverside County Sheriff Department Press Release, on Thursday, January 23, 2014, deputies assigned to the Eastvale Special Enforcement Team, assisted by the Riverside County Gang Taskforce and Probation Department, conducted a probation compliance sweep on persons residing within the city of Eastvale. During this operation, compliance checks were conducted at 30 residences, resulting in three felony arrests. During this operation, deputies seized narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia.

All three subjects were booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center and have been identified as:
1.Cynthia Gomez, 23-year-old resident of Eastvale – Possession of methamphetamine and violation of probation
2.Anthony Rodriguez, 32-year-old resident of Eastvale – Possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and violation of probation
3.Ashly Hawkins, 20-year-old resident of Eastvale – Possession of heroin, under the influence of a controlled substance, and violation of probation

Eastvale: Local Eastvale Boys Compete in Junior Olympics In Texas

STAFF REPORTS

Eastvale – On Dec. 14, 2013, five local boys from Eastvale competed in the USATF XC Nationals Junior Olympics located in San Antonio Texas. The USATF XC National Junior Olympics features the United States top youth club teams and individuals competing for the top 25 American Championship medals and top three team titles. With over 3,000 youth runners, the largest turnout in history, the Corona Panthers Youth Track Club are in the top one percent, a testament to their dictum of “Building Champions for Life.” The girls team defended their title and came in 2nd place. The boys 9-10 team came in 3rd place and the boys 13-14 team came in 5th place.

Eastvale: Open House

OPEN HOUSE SAT Jan 25 11 am- 2 pm
6599 Wells Springs, Eastvale, 91752 $499,000
Call Gil Rivera at (909) 967-4525.
TV in master bedroom, refrigerator, washer & dryer. Storage shelf hanging from garage ceiling
Description: GORGEOUS Eastvale area home with approximately 3652 sqft, 5 bedrooms, 4 baths! Large rear and front yards with plenty of grass plus a covered patio with pavered flooring. Firepit also at rear and solid, blockwall fencing. Interior offers custom painting, granite countertops in kitchen, high quality cabinetry and appliances, formal dining room, LARGE Family Room downstairs, HUGE Bonus Room upstairs. Master bedroom has a master retreat area plus spacious master bath with walk-in closet. There is 1 bedroom is downstairs! Ample 3 car Garage and the property is located on a corner lot in a quiet neighborhood.

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Eastvale: New Year, New You!

Nutritionist Nicole Gilles

Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR

BY NICOLE GILLES, RD, CDE, CSR

Eastvale – This year, give yourself the gift of a successful New Year’s Resolution. The New Year often comes with a drastic resolution that may be difficult, or even impossible, to obtain. Making unobtainable goals can leave you feeling worse than before the goal was made.

Rather than make an outrageous resolution, why not set yourself up for success? Instead of saying, “This year I am going to lose 50 pounds and I don’t care if I have to starve to do it”, try making smaller, healthier goals that will help you reach your ultimate objective. For example, “My doctor said I need to lose weight, so I will find a local weight loss expert to help me and I will join the Eastvale Walking Group”.

Choosing smaller goals makes the process more manageable and essentially more obtainable than making one large goal. Instead of focusing on the distant goal, focus your time and energy on the present, and how you’re going to reach today’s goal. Try making a schedule of weekly goals that improve your lifestyle habits, like walking three days a week or limiting eating out to just twice a week instead of four times a week. Your goals should be individualized to you and the areas of your life that you are ready to work on. The small lifestyle changes that you make today will add up to a weight and health improvement before you know it.

If you are seeking a true food professional to help make your goals a reality, look no further than Eastvale Registered Dietitian, Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR. Nicole is the owner of Happy and Healthy Nutrition and she is ready to help you achieve your health and weight goals. Through her program, you will learn how to eat for your body’s individual needs and learn how to deal with emotional eating. Happy and Healthy Nutrition members learn when to eat, why to eat, and how to eat to lose weight and keep it off. Start today, for a happy and healthy tomorrow.
Contact Happy and Healthy Nutrition at http://www.HandHnutrition.com, call them at (909) 816-0977, and like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/happyandhealthynutrition.nicolegilles.

A Decade Behind Us

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

January marks the beginning of a new year and a new month, a chance to start over anew. In our home, January is a month full of birthdays with the most important one belonging to the youngest boy, Nicholas. This year, my son Nicholas will reach another milestone; he will finally belong to the “two-hands” club and turn 10! I remember my grandpa joking with me when I turned ten and telling me that I was part of an exclusive club of “two handers” and that this was the first and last year that I would ever be able to count my age on just two hands. Back then, that seemed like a pretty awesome club to be a part of and it’s a little surreal that my youngest child is now ten and on his way to his next decade.
But turning 10 for Nicholas is just a little bit more special to me because the road we have traveled has been such a tumultuous one. If you read this column regularly you know I speak about my boys often and that my youngest Nicholas, is deaf and autistic, visually impaired, low tone Cerebral Palsy, etc. etc. but that this boy has the spirit of an angel and the tenacity of a lion. There is truly nothing that I would say he can’t do. He may not be able to do it now, but he always manages to figure things out and surprise us all with just how dang smart he is.
This first decade of his life, we spent so much time getting him to sit up, crawl, walk, eat on his own, wear his glasses, wear his hearing aides, cochlear implant surgery, physical and occupational therapy, potty training, writing and so on and so on. We just wanted to give him the best shot we could to be as “normal” as possible. What I never expected was that not only would he far surpass all those basic goals but that he would also learn to read, write, add and subtract and basically rock at school. Further, this year I experienced with Nicholas the absolute best gift any mother could receive, Nicholas said “mom” for the very first time. That small little “deaf” voice clearly and slowly watching my lips form the word and along with me, clear as day, say “MOM”. As always, my son remains my biggest inspiration and deepest source of strength. Anytime I feel that I can’t do something, I remember all the doctors that shook their heads and told me to give up and to not expect much from Nicholas, and then I get back up, shake myself off and get back to being awesome…because Nicholas and I still have a lot of people to keep proving wrong.

Eastvale: Chamber Of Commerce Events and Plans

BY MICHAEL ARMIJO
EASTVALE CHAMBER
SECRETARY

Recently, I met a resident who invited me to a movie at a Chino Hills theatre. I asked why go over there and not here in the city. They said: “The popcorn over there is better.”
At first I thought it was kind of strange, but then I remembered why I go to get ice cream in Eastvale instead of Chino by my work. It’s the ice cream cones. In Chino they crumble easier, so I wait until I come into the city where they don’t crumble easily in my hand.
What’s interesting to me is that at times, we don’t realize what makes our company better, even the little things like popcorn and ice cream cones. These items aren’t supposed to be the draw to a movie or the reason you eat a certain brand of ice cream, they are the little things. But the little things can mean big money if people decide not to use your services for a minor detail. Those pennies we save in the short run could be costing us thousands in the long run. My advice? Don’t skimp. Take pride and provide quality throughout. People will recognize this and word will spread.
In the month of January, we had TWO events: First, we had “Good Morning Eastvale” on Thurs. Jan. 9, from 7 – 8:30 a.m. at Corky’s Kitchen and Bakery. $15 for Members/ $20 for Non-Members. How else are you going to make more money and gain a stronger business presence? Let your Chamber membership work for you!
Next: After Hours Mixer, Tues. Jan. 16 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Definitions Salon & Spa, 2395 Hamner Avenue, Norco, (Hamner/3rd street), $5 for Members and Non Members.
Finally we are happy to announce a few events we are planning for the upcoming year: Our Chamber Board Installation Dinner will be in early February and we are searching venues now. We are planning our Farmers Market with the help of our Mayor Ike Bootsma and Bill Van Leeuwen scheduled for late March; The Mayor’s State of the City in April, and our MEGA MIXER in May. We’ll be announcing specific dates in February.
The Chamber is looking for Ambassadors and Chamber Board members. If interested, please contact the Chamber at 951.768.6000.
It’s an exciting time for us at the Chamber with so many exciting changes on the horizon. Remember to attend mixers and events to get your name out there and to get your business marketed. And for more information, please sign onto: http://www.eastvalechamberofcommerce.org and http://www.facebook.com/eastvalechamberofcommerce.

Eastvale: A Fresh Start

Pastor Robert Jewett Word of Truth Community ChurchBY PASTOR ROBERT JEWETT

With the New Year now underway, many people have made New Year’s Resolutions. Each has desired a fresh start in various areas of life. Many make a new resolution to get in shape after over indulging from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Some have made a commitment to better manage their finances after over spending at Christmas. Yet others may go to a much deeper level and decide it is time for a fresh start with God.
Is there even such a thing as a fresh start with God? If so, how does one pursue it? The good news is that a fresh start is possible. Paul the apostle shared with everyone who would listen that “they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance” (Acts 26:20b).
A fresh start with God is possible when you actively choose to turn from your sinful ways and begin walking obediently to God’s ways. At the time of genuine repentance, God gives you his Holy Spirit to empower you (Acts 5:32, Phil. 2:13).
Thus, he will take you from start to finish! May today be your fresh start!
For more information, visit Word of Truth Community Church online at http://www.wordoftruthcc.com.

Eastvale: City Begins Weekend Code Enforcement

WEEKEND CODE ENFORCEMENT TO BEGIN
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Courtesy: City of Eastvale – Effective this weekend, January 25, 2014 Eastvale Code Enforcement Officers will be actively patrolling the City of Eastvale and addressing weekend code violations.
Due to budget constraints, the City has not traditionally had Code Enforcement coverage on the weekends. The new implementation of Code Enforcement coverage on the weekends will be a pilot program to determine the volume of weekend code violations and evaluate the overall impact on Code Enforcement services city-wide.
Code Enforcement officers will be paying close attention to the most common code violations such as:
Property maintenance (Municipal Code Chapter 8.18 – Administrative Nuisance Abatement)
Trash/recycling receptacles storage (Sec. 120.05.080 – Neighborhood Preservation Standards)
Parking of Recreational Vehicles and Boats (Sec. 120.05.080 – Neighborhood Preservation Standards)
Temporary Signs (Sec, 120.05.070 – Signs – Amended by Ordinance 2013-17)
Temporary Signs in the Public Right of Way is defined as any sign, including commercial, non-commercial or political sign displayed for a limited period of time.
Temporary signs may be placed in the public right of way during the period beginning 4 p.m. Friday and ending 7 p.m. Sunday. Signs in place outside this period will be subject to removal.
Temporary Sign Size, Materials, and Maintenance Criteria. All temporary signs placed in the right of way must:
a) Be free-standing and securely mounted on a wooden or metal stakes;
b) Be no higher than four (4) feet above grade;
c) Be no larger than six (6) square feet and no more than three (3) feet in either height or width;
d) Be constructed of substantial sturdy, durable and weather-proof material;
e) Be kept in good repair;
f) Be non-illuminated;
g) Include the contact name and phone number of the person responsible for the sign in a clearly legible manner, either on the front or back of the sign; and
h) Be located in a permitted location as defined in this Section 5.E. 3.
Sign Location. Temporary signs in the public right of way must be located at least 20 feet from the curved portion of the corner in order to maintain visibility for motorists, as shown in the illustration. In addition, the following apply:
a) Signs must be located at least two feet from the edge of a curb or sidewalk, or from the edge of the pavement if there is no curb or sidewalk.
b) Signs shall be installed so as not to damage plant materials, irrigation equipment or other public property.
c) Signs may not be placed on a sidewalk.
d) Signs may not be placed in a roadway median.
e) Signs may not be attached to utility poles, sign posts, fences, walls, or any other structure.
Permitted Locations for Temporary
Signs in the Public Right of Way
Code Violations may be reported to the Eastvale Code Enforcement Department at (951) 361-2888 or Code_Complaint@eastvaleca.gov. For general information about the City of Eastvale Municipal Code, please visit the City’s Municipal Code library at http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=15015.

Eastvale: Tips For Spotting “Pot Houses”

PROVIDED BY LEAFF

Eastvale – With yet another successful take down by the Eastvale Police of a marijuana grow house last month, we wanted to take the time to remind the community of some potential warning signs of a pot houses. As a community, we need to continue to work together to report suspicious activity to our Police Department at 951-776-1099 so we can continue to drive these houses and illegal activity out of Eastvale.
Below are some tips for spotting a marijuana grow house:
1. Windows are often covered from the inside of the residence.
2. Commercial-grade air conditioners and electrical equipment may be seen being moved or installed.
3. Individuals other than uniformed utility workers may be accessing the electrical vaults near the street.
4. Lights and televisions are set on timers, turning on and off and at the same times daily.
5. Individuals may arrive and leave within a few hours on a regular basis, and may pull directly into the garage and immediately shut the door.
6. There may be a constant humming sound.

Eastvale: Police Successfully Shut-down Another Pot House

Staff Reports

Eastvale- Eastvale Police and Riverside County Sheriffs have successfully shut down another marijuana grow house in Eastvale. The following is according to a Press Release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept.:

Officers assigned to the City of Eastvale’s Special Enforcement Team obtained new information regarding a residence being used for an illegal marijuana grow operation. A follow-up investigation was initiated and a search warrant was obtained for the residence.

On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at 6:25 p.m., the search warrant was served in the 6300 block of Iris Ct. in Eastvale by officers assigned to the city of Eastvale’s Special Enforcement Team. During the service of this search warrant, two subjects were detained inside the residence. Officers discovered the residence had been modified for the sole purpose of cultivating, processing and packaging marijuana for sales. Officers seized 398 marijuana plants, five (5) pounds of processed marijuana and packaging material. Additionally, electricity was being bypassed around the meter, causing a serious fire hazard and resulting in approximately $6000.00 a month in stolen electricity.

Both subjects were arrested and booked into jail at the Robert Presley Detention Center. They have been identified as:
• John Tran, a 27 year-old resident of Los Angeles, for conspiracy, cultivation and possession of marijuana for sales, and grand theft of utilities.
• Vinh Tran, a 26 year-old resident of San Gabriel, for conspiracy, cultivation and possession of marijuana for sales, and grand theft of utilities.

The Eastvale Police Department is committed to the safety of the citizens of Eastvale and will be vigilant in investigating all crimes of this nature. The investigation is ongoing and we are reaching out to the public and asking anyone with information about this incident to contact Officer Javier Morando at the Jurupa Valley Station at 951-955-2600.

Photo courtesy: Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Vinh Tran

Vinh Tran

John Tran

John Tran

Eastvale: Heat Your Water With Less Energy

STAFF REPORTS

Do you want to replace your old water heater with something more efficient and eco-friendly? Well, Advanced Improvements’ tankless water heaters are reliable and energy saving which means a lower utility bill for you. With these water heaters, you’ll also never run out of hot water again!
To top it off, Advanced Improvements specializes in tankless water heaters, so a pro will be installing your heater. They are the largest, tankless water heater installation company in the nation. They have installed over 10,000 tankless water heaters over a period of 10 years!
Take advantage of their current tankless special, which is $500 off Rheem tankless water heaters. They are also offering up to $200 in gas rebates.
Contact Advanced Improvements at 888-698-8859 for a free quote or for more information. You can also visit their website at http://www.AdvancedIMP.com.
Make sure to check out their ad on page 12 regarding solar panels that produce 20% more power and are three times less expensive than leasing. If you book a solar panel now, you can also get a FREE Heating and Air Conditioning Unit as a bonus.

What “Feels Good” About Eastvale?

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Eastvale – For the “web savy” individual, immediacy can sometimes seem like a bad thing. The majority of the news comes with a negative spin. So we’ve decided to reach out to our residents and find out more about the great things that happen within our city limits.
This community is amazing and full of great people who work diligently to keep this city one of the best and safest places to live. So, the responses we’ve received share some positive stories that we are sharing them with our readership. We hope that you will feel as inspired and uplifted by these stories as we have been.
From an Anonymous Resident: This year has been an exceptionally difficult year for me. My four children and I were forced out of our home by my husband of 18 years. I have struggled to find a job, a place to live and provide food and essentials with little or no income at all. Even my belongings have been denied and withheld from me. Though we have much to be thankful for, this Christmas was looking pretty meager. On Monday, December 23, a knock came to our door during dinner. Some volunteers were making Christmas deliveries with gifts for the kids from the Eastvale Fire Department. We were in shock. It was a blessing to my family and a beneficial lesson to teach my children about how lives can be changed through giving to our community. We truly have a great city!
Courtesy of Eastvale Lost and Found Pets Facebook Page: One resident was in a horrific crash on the 15 freeway and her Akita jumped out of the window of the car. The car was obliterated and it is a miracle that they both survived. Her dog’s picture was posted on several Facebook pages and the community really banded together to help reunite the owner with her fur-baby! Here is her post of thanks: I would just like to let everyone know that I have finally found my dog after my horrible accident on 12/26/13! Thanks to one man who was kind enough to stop for him on the freeway, pick him up and keep him safe until he was able to contact me. I would like to thank everyone who reposted my message about my lost dog because without the reposts this man would have never found me. Thank you to all who took the time to help me find my love, Kuma!
From Resident Mary Timassy-Nelson: Our neighbor decided to throw a “Christmas Bonfire”. She left flyers at homes of people she didn’t know, but live in our tract (Centex, near Moon Flower and Schleisman). She asked a few of us to bring a desert or an appetizer. She and her husband provided pizza, drinks, and a bonfire. I know a lot of my neighbors, but I met a few new ones who have moved in over the last few months…and I met someone for the first time that has been here as long as I have! It was so much fun watching kids play in the street at 10:00 at night. What is really great is that another neighbor has been setting up a Neighborhood Watch. We have a deputy coming in January for a meeting. Now, I was able to pass the word along to more people! Yea for Eastvale!
If you have any positive stories about Eastvale that you would like us to print and/or share, please email them to jenniferanapr@hotmail.com.