Category Archives: Inland Empire

Inland Empire: Phone Helps Arrest Three

STAFF REPORTS

Rialto – A cell phone’s GPS helped police arrest three armed suspects in Rialto after a series of robberies occurred in two cities last week.

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, a college student walking on Eucla Avenue in San Dimas was robbed at knifepoint by three suspects. Police officials say that the suspects stole the victim’s backpack, which had a cell phone, a laptop, and other items. The suspects were unaware that the cell phone had a GPS tracking device installed.

The trio then fled the scene in a white Scion XB, while yelling out their street gang, according to officials.

The cell phone helped officials track the suspects out in Rialto, where they committed their next crime in the Ralph’s parking lot. The suspects allegedly dragged a father and his two young children out of his car, placed them in the suspects’ white Scion, and robbed them of the victim’s wedding ring and other valuables. A security guard saw the crime and called 911 immediately.

The suspects then committed another crime ten minutes later, in a Farmer Boys restaurant two miles away. A victim was robbed at knifepoint while sitting in his vehicle waiting for his girlfriend to get off of work, according to officials.

After the robbery, the suspects stopped at a Chevron station a few minutes later to get gas. Police quickly came in and arrested the three suspects. The stolen items were recovered.

The suspects were identified as Mark Fernandez, 19, of San Bernardino, Jeffery Henriquez, 18, of Los Angeles and Roberto Morales, 18, of Los Angeles.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents or know of additional victim is asked to contact the Rialto Police Department at (909) 820-2550, or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, San Dimas Station, at (909) 450-2700.

San Gabriel Valley: The Grass Is Greener

BY MICHAEL ARMIJO

I read a question and answer column in a local newspaper years ago about Bob Pacheco and boy did it move me. So I picked up the phone that day, when he was our local Assemblyman, called his office in Sacramento, and asked him about his life. He was very open and candid and told me the truth about his life, in an effort to help my own. I thought my life was tough, I thought that I had a rough time. I thought I overcame a lot.

Bob spoke of his father who was a farm worker and didn’t speak any English. He mentioned how his mother was crippled and only had a second grade education. He recalled helping his father in the fields, and how poor his family was. And yet he managed to graduate from college and finish Law School.

I’ve been told to stay away from politics, stay away from mentioning political candidates or endorsing people. But I’m not speaking about Bob the politician; I’m speaking about Bob the human being.

I believe the toughest dreams in life are the ones that require treading new paths. The dreams that aren’t mapped out for you and that aren’t the natural environment. Bob Pacheco mentioned that when he was in junior college, he took an entrance exam and the counselor asked him what he wanted to do. He said he wanted to be an attorney. She suggested he should be a mechanic. And when I was sixteen, I was working for Sav-On. My father always spoke of security in income, security in employment, and hoped that I would someday become manager of Sav-On.

Sometimes we need to go against the grain, against the odds, against what others call ‘the norm’. If Bob and I had listened to others, I would be managing Sav-On and he would be fixing my car. But I didn’t want to be a manager; I wanted to own the place. I wanted to have enough comfort in my life so that I could follow my dreams of being a writer, touching lives and helping people. Bob wanted to become a lawyer. He wanted to be in a position where he could help people in deep need, inspiring disadvantaged children who do not believe they have the skills to be accomplishing in life.

Although it’s tough disregarding all that we’re told and going with your heart, I believe that sometimes it’s necessary. I believe that we should always listen to others advice but never abandon our dreams. When I was in seventh grade, I realized I wanted to become a writer and now, years later, I make my living as a writer. At 19, Bob Pacheco realized he wanted to be an attorney, and years later, he finished law school and passed the bar.

I look at myself now and I like who I’ve become. Friends of mine have taken other routes that brought them picket fences and fancy cars at a young age, while I went against the odds and followed my dreams. I look at Bob and I see someone who is always trying to help, who always offers a kind word and a warm heart, a man who also has ignored the easy route and chose to follow the hard road of a dreamer.

Many people say that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, and many times it is. That can be very distracting to the dreamers in life. So if the greener grass is distracting, and you truly want to follow your heart, then start watering your own yard, and stop looking at the other side of the fence.

By Michael Armijo

I read a question and answer column in a local newspaper years ago about Bob Pacheco and boy did it move me. So I picked up the phone that day, when he was our local Assemblyman, called his office in Sacramento, and asked him about his life. He was very open and candid and told me the truth about his life, in an effort to help my own. I thought my life was tough, I thought that I had a rough time. I though I overcame a lot.

Bob spoke of his father who was a farm worker and didn’t speak any English. He mentioned how his mother was crippled and only had a second grade education. He recalled helping his father in the fields, and how poor his family was. And yet he managed to graduate from college and finish Law School.

I’ve been told to stay away from politics, stay away from mentioning political candidates or endorsing people. But I’m not speaking about Bob the politician; I’m speaking about Bob the human being.

I believe the toughest dreams in life are the ones that require treading new paths. The dreams that aren’t mapped out for you and that aren’t the natural environment. Bob Pacheco mentioned that when he was in junior college, he took an entrance exam and the counselor asked him what he wanted to do. He said he wanted to be an attorney. She suggested he should be a mechanic. And when I was sixteen, I was working for Sav-On. My father always spoke of security in income, security in employment, and hoped that I would someday become manager of Sav-On.

Sometimes we need to go against the grain, against the odds, against what others call ‘the norm’. If Bob and I had listened to others, I would be managing Sav-On and he would be fixing my car. But I didn’t want to be a manager; I wanted to own the place. I wanted to have enough comfort in my life so that I could follow my dreams of being a writer, touching lives and helping people. Bob wanted to become a lawyer. He wanted to be in a position where he could help people in deep need, inspiring disadvantaged children who do not believe they have the skills to be accomplishing in life.

Although it’s tough disregarding all that we’re told and going with your heart, I believe that sometimes it’s necessary. I believe that we should always listen to others advice but never abandon our dreams. When I was in seventh grade, I realized I wanted to become a writer and now, years later, I make my living as a writer. At 19, Bob Pacheco realized he wanted to be an attorney, and years later, he finished law school and passed the bar.

I look at myself now and I like who I’ve become. Friends of mine have taken other routes that brought them picket fences and fancy cars at a young age, while I went against the odds and followed my dreams. I look at Bob and I see someone who is always trying to help, who always offers a kind word and a warm heart, a man who also has ignored the easy route and chose to follow the hard road of a dreamer.

Many people say that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, and many times it is. That can be very distracting to the dreamers in life. So if the greener grass is distracting, and you truly want to follow your heart, then start watering your own yard, and stop looking at the other side of the fence.

Ontario: Elderly Scam

ONTARIO POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT

Ontario Police Department

Ontario Police Department (Photo Courtesy: socalcops.org)

Ontario – The Ontario Police Department is warning its residents, in particular its elderly residents, about a scam that has surfaced recently.  A total of six arrests have been made during this investigation, along with the recovery of thousands of dollars provided by at least four elderly victims, who reside in two different states.

Detectives have investigated several cases in which elderly victims were contacted via telephone by a suspect pretending to be the victim’s grandson. The caller (suspect) has personal information about the victim to include the victim’s location of residence, birth date and full identifying information about the grandchild they are impersonating.

In an incident that occurred on Jan. 30, the suspect, claiming to be the victim’s grandchild, telephoned the victim to say he had been arrested and was being held in a California jail. The suspect franticly pleads with the victim to send a large amount of money (in cash) to a residence in Ontario, California.

The victim (a 92-year-old Amarillo, Texas resident) spoke with a second subject who claimed to be, but is actually impersonating, a law enforcement officer.  That suspect directs the victim to deliver a large amount of money to a specific location in the City of Ontario, California. The victim, sensing something was wrong with the request, alerted local law enforcement and sent an empty package to the requested drop point in Ontario.

Ontario Police Detectives were made aware of the pending money pick up and during their investigation contacted a male and female who were discovered waiting where the money was to be delivered. The suspects were arrested after being found in possession of the package sent from Amarillo, Texas.

During further investigation, Detectives discovered three other victims who were scammed in a similar manner. One elderly victim sent a number of packages totaling $210,000 in cash from her Nebraska home to several destinations in the Inland Empire area (California). Unfortunately, only a small portion of that money was intercepted, causing that victim to suffer a substantial loss.

Two other elderly victims (for a total of four victims), who also reside in Texas and Nebraska, were scammed in a similar manner as well. These victims sent nearly $15,000 in cash to various locations in the Inland Empire area (California). Luckily, this money was intercepted and returned to the victims.

The two subjects arrested in Ontario have been identified as Desiree Marie Delgado, 19, of Fontana, and James Michael Colangelo, 19, of Fontana.

During further investigation, searches were conducted in the cities of Bloomington, Fontana and Rialto. This follow-up resulted in four additional arrests, along with the recovery of further evidence linking all six arrestees to the scam.

The additional arrestees are identified as Jose Fernando Garcia, 45, of Bloomington, Juan Martinez Lopez, 41, of Rialto, Walter Alexander Ayala, 29, of Fontana, and Mikaela Marie Bosch, 19, of Fontana.

All arrestees were booked into the West Valley Detention Center (Rancho Cucamonga) for various charges to include grand theft, identity theft, theft from an elder, elder abuse and conspiracy. Colangelo and Bosch were additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

Ontario Police warn residents to be cautious of anyone who calls and asks for money in such an unusual manner. Regardless of who the caller claims to be, it is best to contact someone of authority to independently confirm the caller’s identity. Police also recommend contacting a family member of the alleged caller (grandchild) in an attempt to confirm the grandchild’s location.

Ontario Police Detectives are concerned there may be other victims of this scam. Anyone who has been contacted in a similar manner or feels they have been victimized by this scam is asked to c

INLAND EMPIRE: Staring Into The Darkness…..

By Michael Armijo

  It was a strange day. I knew it when I woke at 3 a.m. I felt the pressure begin that early. And for the first time in my life the pressure was overwhelming. I stared into the mirror while the cold sweat dripped into the empty sink below. I gazed onward, veering at the tremendous bags under my eyes, and then I tried to rub the pain from my chest. The erratic beating of my heart confused and alarmed me, but I refused to let it be a warning.

As my day continued, the pressure seemed to build. The lectures, the threats, the bills, the worries, the irrational people with their idiotic responses. It just wouldn’t stop.

My emotions went from stress, to panic, to anger, to numbness.  Suddenly, everything that was important to me became irrelevant. All that I knew that was important was now a distant thought. A forgotten feeling. It was a weird sensation that made me fearless, something that showed me a path I had never seen. A road that was once fearful of travel was now a road that seemed appealing. This was now a time that I felt that nothing mattered. Nothing, no one, no thing. It was simply a time when I felt that there were no consequences. There was nothing to stop me from acting out any bizarre emotion, any outburst of feeling. I was at the end of my rope. It was as if I were gazing into a black hole. Although nothing was there, you couldn’t see a thing, something unforeseen was attracting my spirit. Something was pulling at my soul. I just couldn’t stop staring into the darkness.

It brought back the memory of my son’s friend who took his life one dark day years ago. After he pulled the trigger in front of his peers, and as he lay motionless on the campus pavement, the biggest question was unanswerable: “Why didn’t he say anything?” Others said, “Had I only known, I would’ve helped.”

Remembering that story was when I realized I knew what happens on a lonely and impassionate day.  It isn’t that when a person feels the bitter grueling emotion of desperation that no one is there to reach for them or that no one was listening. It’s at that point a distraught person will just never reach. It’s when a person gets to a point in their life that nothing matters. They just can’t reach out for anyone anymore. They’re done, and it’s just simply a time to move on.

The numbness the world has invoked on you makes you feel distant and hopeless. You can’t smile, you can’t cry. If you tried to scream, your mouth would open and nothing could come out. Your energy level is so low that the vocals from your throat just can’t conceive. You feel as though your entire life, as you know it, never mattered, never existed. You are now, subconsciously, preparing yourself for the next world.

It’s at that one instant when you feel that this life is no longer your own. You can only close your eyes and imagine how people feel when they decide to do something drastic, like pick up a heavy, handheld weapon, while feeling the cold circular steel press against their skull. They slowly close their tear-filled eyes while thinking of all those who loved them, and then they lightly squeeze.

Suddenly, all that you’ve accomplished within your life has been erased. The person you “are now” becomes the person “you were.” Everything that is “yours now” becomes everything you “left behind.” It goes from “he is” to “he was.” It’s at this time that you find out who really loved you, and you find out whose lives you’ve really impacted. People will cry uncontrollably, and others will be angry. Your loved ones will think about your actions, uncontrollably, for the rest of their own lives.

Unfortunately, you cannot erase what you’ve done. You can’t come back; you can’t erase the pain you’ve caused when you pulled that trigger. And the sad part is, for that one moment of desperation you experienced, so many lives were changed forever.

The next world? There are no guarantees that you won’t suffer for what you’ve done. So your passionate gamble could now be eternal. You could, quite possibly, pay eternally for what you did spontaneously and emotionally.

It’s at this time you realize that these consequences aren’t an option nor are they a question. They are simply a result of an emotion. These thoughts and these actions haunt those who can’t see the light. Those who can’t see the truth. They can’t see these things because their vision is clouded, their sight is constricted, because …. they’re constantly staring into the darkness…..

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Premier Body Sculpt can be reached at 1-(855) 8-SCULPT

Premier Body Sculpt can be reached at 1-(855) 8-SCULPT

Liposuction Without The Suction

By Michael Armijo

Claremon – Body Sculpting is best described as an alternate way to lose body fat in specific areas that are hard to reach, including under arms, love handles, inner thighs, or even the breast area on a man. The procedure seems to be relatively new, but it’s actually an old technique that is revised.

So upon visiting the Premier Body Sculpt Center in Upland, I was a bit skeptical about their “amazing new technology coming to work.” The combination of Ultrasonic Cavitation and Radio Frequency (RF) was said to show amazing results without the inconvenience, pain and down-time of surgery. But the skeptics are over.

This non-invasive liposuction technology works by using sonic energy and vibration to destroy and collapse fat cells, thereby facilitating the body’s natural process to metabolize and move fat out through the lymphatic system. Unlike liposuction, and for a fraction of the cost, results can be seen immediately with no bruising, swelling, or scars.

The best way to describe it would be: imagine getting a huge bag and placing small water balloons inside. Then imagine tapping the bag until the water balloons break. This same concept is applied to Body Sculpting. It liquefies the fat and then the body processes the fat through the urine. Sounds different, but the body processes the fat this way, and the results are immediate, with further results through the week.

When I experienced Body Sculpting myself, all I had to do was lie down and sit up while the three step process was administered. The ultrasound radio frequency was a bit different, as sound waves emit through your body. That’s what ultrasound is, an emission of sound waves. But this is at a higher rate, and this is how fat is broken down. And when it emits, I can actually hear sound coming out of my ears. It took a moment to get used to, but eventually it didn’t faze me a bit.

When it comes to my health, I am on it. I need to know all the facts, the downsides, and the repercussions. I am a diabetic, so I am always some type of risk. But what gave me confidence was the technician is an RN, BSN, and Aesthetic Specialist. Linell Wagers administers the sound wave procedure, but also works the emergency room at a local hospital (I called to check too).

I could not find anything negative about the procedure, just opinion. But I did see results right away and the before and after pictures were alarming. I did three sessions and I am pleased with the results so far. The procedure is a bit pricey, but we agreed if we were to educate the community, a special price has to be offered. So the $249 procedure is only $49 for our readers. Yes, $49.

I personally like the results and I am going back to do more. I do recommend Body Sculpting and I also recommend you check out their website, watch the video, and make the best decision for yourself. If you have any further questions or would like to know more about my experience, feel free to ask me at coronavalleymike@gmail.com.

Premier Body Sculpt is located at Premier Body Sculpt is located 250 W First #116 in Claremont. You can reach them at 1-(855) 8-SCULPT or visit their website at www.premierbodysculpt.com.

Walnut/Diamond Bar: Patch.com Suffers Massive Layoffs

BY GLENN FREEMAN

(photo courtesy: Patch.com)

(photo courtesy: Patch.com)

Walnut/Diamond Bar – Just two weeks after an abrupt announcement in mid-January that AOL was partnering with Hale Global to run its troubled Patch.com network of hyper-local community news sites, the joint venture laid off hundreds of staff members.  With media reports saying upwards of 80 to 90 percent of the staff was let go, the move has severely impacted each of the 900 local sites.

According to news reports, staff members were notified of their termination via a conference call, wherein Patch’s Chief Operating Officer, Leigh Zarelli Lewis, relayed information on the restructuring.

“Patch is being restructured in connection with the creation of the joint venture with Hale Global,” Lewis said, according to an excerpt of the call printed on Jim Romenesko’s media blog. “Hale Global has decided which Patch employees will receive an offer of employment to move forward in accordance with their vision for Patch and which will not. Unfortunately, your role has been eliminated and you will no longer have a role at Patch and today will be your last day of employment with the company…Thank you, again, and best of luck.”

Locally, there are Patch sites for the communities of Diamond Bar-Walnut, Baldwin Park, Monrovia, Glendora, Claremont-La Verne, and Redlands-Loma Linda.  A Jan. 30 posting on the Diamond Bar-Walnut site by Editor, Melanie Johnson, says the local staff was among those let go.

“Hi, Diamond Bar-Walnut Patchers!  I am posting to let you know that Patch was recently purchased by a company who has decided to do some restructuring. As a result, the local editor positions have been eliminated, including mine,” Johnson posted.

The website is still being updated, but not as frequently and the content appears to be more broad and regional in nature. Former staffers say the sites are being updated from afar, with a small staff now covering all Patch sites within California (which had the most sites within the Patch network, by far).  What the future holds is still unclear, but more user-generated content has been mentioned by some.

In the Jan. 15 press release announcing the partnership, AOL and Hale Global said they are “Committed to re-launching Patch as an efficient platform that allows citizens and businesses to create and share locally-themed news and content – not just with those in their own communities, but to the wider world.”

Patch began in 2007 with the help of AOL CEO Tim Armstrong, who eventually encouraged AOL to buy the collection of hyper-local news sites in 2009.  Armstrong expressed confidence in Hale Global’s ability to turn the sites around, despite Patch’s financial problems.

“Hale Global has a strong track record of operational excellence and platform experience, and we are looking forward to working closely with them on Patch,” Armstrong said in the press release.  AOL plans to maintain a minority stake in Patch.

 

Eastvale: Avoiding the Traps

Pastor Rob Norris

Pastor Rob Norris (image courtesy of Google Images)

BY PASTOR ROB NORRIS

Psalm 31:4 – Protect me from hidden traps and keep me safe.

Try to picture this scene: With 50,000 men watching intensely, a 15-year-old young man (Trent, blindfolded and barefoot), begins stepping cautiously across an outdoor stage. Before him are a dozen steel animal traps with their jaws wide open. Each is labeled with words like Peer Pressure, Drugs and Alcohol, Sexual Immorality, Rebellion, and Pornography – the “traps” that can easily ensnare teenagers today.

On the opposite end of the platform stands the boy’s father, Tom, anticipating his son’s every move. After two tentative steps, the boy’s third step places him directly in the path of the biggest snare on the stage, a bear trap powerful enough to absolutely crush his leg. It had taken three grown men just to set it.

Before his son can raise another foot, Tom yells into the microphone, “Trent, stop! Don’t take another step!” Circling the traps, he positions himself in between his son and the bear trap. After whispering some instructions, he turns his back to the boy. Trent eagerly places his hands on his father’s shoulders. Then slowly, they begin navigating the trap field together. When the two finally reach the other side and the blindfold is removed, the father and son hug each other.

The applause at this Promise Keepers event swelled to a thunderous standing ovation across the stadium. Above the roar, the host said, “Men, that’s what God has called us to as fathers; to be there and guide our children through the traps of adolescence!”

For Tom and Trent, the trap demonstration was a setup on a stage. But for you and your child, the traps of adolescence are all too real and treacherous. Don’t allow your children to risk the journey on their own. Grab them by the hand, watch your step, and move out together. Let God guide you through.

Live it: What do you not know about the traps in your child’s world? Make plans to find out.

Pray: For God’s ongoing protection over your children and for your ongoing vigilance as their parents.

Join us at The Crossings, Sundays at 10 am.
Meeting at River Heights Intermediate School.
7227 Scholar Way, Eastvale, CA 92880
951-847-6836
http://www.atthecrossings.com
Trusting and Believing with you!

Inland Empire: I Wish You Enough

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

A few months ago one of my friends shared a sweet story on her Facebook feed.  There was something about the story that really stuck with me as the message of it was so poignant in today’s world.  It seems that we so often have so much more than we really need and yet spend so much of our time trying to acquire more.  What we really need is just enough. Too much, and we don’t realize how good we have it; too little, and we find ourselves consumed with the struggle to keep our heads above water.

This little story called, “I Wish You Enough” (author unknown), has been rewritten countless times.  Sometimes it’s between a mother and son, or a father and daughter, but the message is still the same. The story is paraphrased below.

A mother and a daughter were hugging goodbye at an airport and the mother told the daughter, “I wish you enough.”  The daughter smiled and wished her mother the same. Once her mother had boarded the plane, the stranger that had been observing asked the daughter why she had told her mother that particular wish. What did, “I wish you enough,” actually mean? The daughter explained that they wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them. The daughter then looked at the stranger and said, “I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all you possess, and I wish you enough hellos to prepare you for the final goodbye.”

As both a parent and a child who has lost her mother, I found the message of this story very touching. While all of us want the best for our children, we sometimes give them too much and they can miss the meaning of the “struggle”. Often the best kids come from parents that taught them to be content with “enough” instead of constantly desiring more. This short story reaffirmed my desire to try and teach my boys to be satisfied with enough, and made me appreciate all the “hellos” I shared with my mother before she said her final goodbye.  I hope that this story can serve as a gentle reminder to be happy with what you have and that this year brings you all, “enough”.

Inland Empire: Create A Valentine’s Day To Remember

BY NICOLE GILLES, RD, CDE, CSR

Have you ever wondered what would really make your Valentine happy?  You’ve tried the chaotic restaurant scene in the past, only to leave feeling uncomfortably full, tired, and stressed from the overcrowded restaurant and crazy parking lot.

This Valentine’s Day, show how much you care through actions instead of food.  Skip the busy restaurant and store-bought chocolates.  Instead, schedule some quality time with those you love.  After all, it’s the time we spend together that creates memories, not high fat food and chocolates.  If your loved one is feeling stressed, make time to snuggle up on the couch with their favorite movie.  Or give them a back massage to relieve stress and aching muscles.

Maybe your Valentine would like a meal prepared for them.  Consider making a romantic dinner for two at home with candles and flowers.  Preparing meals at home empowers you to choose healthier foods and smaller portions.  When you make the effort, your Valentine will feel the love in their heart and not on their hips.  After all, food only lasts a second on the lips, but years on the hips.

Has your child already requested Valentine cards to pass out at school?  If so, think about pairing the cards with healthier food options like pretzels instead of candy, or even non-food options like stickers or small toys.  Providing non-food options will subtly show the next generation how we can celebrate without depending on food.  Food should be used to fuel our bodies to keep them healthy and strong, as opposed to making emotional connections to temporarily improve our moods while permanently affecting our health.

The more you separate food from emotions, the happier and healthier you and your family will be.  So give the gift of true love this Valentine’s Day and show your emotions through your actions instead of unhealthy food.

If you would like to slim down this spring, look no further than local Eastvale resident, Nicole Gilles.  Nicole is the owner of Happy and Healthy Nutrition and she is dedicated to helping you achieve your health and weight goals.  As a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Expert, and Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition, Nicole is qualified to help you learn how to cope with emotional eating and learn to eat for your body’s individual needs.  Happy and Healthy Nutrition members discover when to eat, how to eat, and how to lose weight and keep it off permanently.  Start today, for a happy and healthy tomorrow! 

 Contact Happy and Healthy Nutrition at (909) 816-0977, or www.HandHnutrition.com; and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/happyandhealthynutrition.nicolegilles.  And see their ad on page XX for a special discount.

Inland Empire: Technology and Social Media

BY RAMON AGUILAR

I like to say that I have seen enough incidents that involved students with today’s technology to prepare me for when my six-year-old daughter grows up and is surrounded by her peers with unlimited access to technology and social media.

As an educator inside the classroom, I always explained that using their smart phones or iPods to listen to music while they do their work, was a privilege. I made sure they understood the difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. The letter of the law, which follows district policy, states that there are no electronics allowed to be powered up on campus. The spirit of the law is up for interpretation, which means that they are allowed to use their electronic devices to listen to music, but not to text or surf the web.

Unfortunately, teenagers are unable to control themselves and do go ahead and break the spirit of the law guidelines, thus causing an all electronic policy to be implemented and enforced. Teenagers have a high tendency to display a sense of entitlement when it comes to their electronics. They will literally tell you that it is their devices and that have the right to use them as they please. I see this issue as one of many, but definitely not the most severe issue or liability.

When I first started working out of the classroom as a Dean of Discipline at the high school level, I dealt with three to five electronic issues every single week. The least severe were when students would use the electronics in class without permission and I was asked to intervene. I would ask student to turn over the electronics to me and I would have to notify parents of the incident. Parents and students were notified in writing the school policy on electronics, and were warned that next time the electronic would be kept until parents came by the school to pick it up themselves. Other alternatives were that students were given the option to do four hours of clean detention on Saturdays in order to receive their devices, this was the most favorable for parents, many insisted that their child do time for the crime.

The other serious issues were students carrying around electronics which placed them in danger. Often, they were attacked by other students in order to steal the items from them. I lost count on how many times students would exit the bathroom during lunch time, where they had just been assaulted by other students. Especially the boys, who would often come out bruised and bleeding from their heads or noses.

Lockers being broken into during PE were the most popular ways that these opportunist thieves would attack and steal all items left inside the lockers. As a school official, I would have to remind parents of students that were robbed, that school policy states that the school site would not be responsible for items of value, especially electronics. It was a hard lesson for both parents and students, especially when families work so hard to save money to provide these types of items for the students.

I have to admit that I took great pleasure in catching all the thieves and assaulters that were involved in these aforementioned incidents. I am fortunate that during my short time with the California Highway Patrol as an officer, I obtained the skills and experiences that allowed me to work effectively and collaborate with school police in these types of incidents.

The most serious incidents were the ones that the victims were unaware that they had become victims. This is commonly referred to as “sexting”. Every time we would encounter phones with pictures of underage girls revealing parts or all of themselves in a compromising picture, these would cause a very complicated situation. As a parent, I would want to know if my children have been victimized by having their pictures online.

It has been said that our children are less likely to be vulnerable to online strangers or being a victim of some other form of online bullying, if we as parents developed open communication with our children. In my opinion, if our children were able to trust us about their problems, they would also be more likely to trust us and respect our rules and guidelines when it came to using technology and social media.

Eastvale: City Council Recap 01.22.14

By Jennifer Madrigal

Eastvale – This month, there were two city council meetings. Here is a recap of what happened at both meetings:

The Jan. 8 meeting was attended by Council Members Ric Welch, Jeff DeGrandpre and Bill Link, along with Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Rush and Mayor Ike Bootsma. The invocation was led by Pastor Mark Lee of Vantage Point Church. There was a presentation by Darin Acevedo with Eastvale Pop Warner of a framed jersey to the City of Eastvale in appreciation for all their help. Michael Armijo of Eastvale Community News gave an update on the newspaper and on the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce.

Consent Calendar was passed 4-0-1 with Link abstaining. Item 5.2 which amends the zoning code to allow the placement of temporary signs in the public right of way, subject to Limits on Time, Place and Manner, was pulled for discussion. Motion was carried 4-1 with Welch voting No.

There were no Public Hearing items, or Old Business items. The New Business Items section was as follows:

8.1: Reaffirm or Select New Appointments to the Eastvale Community Foundation: 5-0 to re-affirm current appointments.

8.2: Reaffirm or Select New Appointments to the Planning Commission: 5-0 to reaffirm current appointments. They opened up an application for the vacant position and voted to decide on a replacement at the Jan. 22 city council mtg.

8.3: Reaffirm or Select New Appointments to the Public Safety Commission: DeGrandpre expressed concern about current functioning of the commission and would like another look at its operation and an outline of expectations. Bootsma also asked the commission to set meeting dates permanently for the commission. Motion was carried 5-0 to move this item to the Feb. 12 City Council Meeting.
8.4: Mayor Appointments to Outside Boards/Commissions: This list of appointments can be found on the City of Eastvale website.

The City Manager did not give a report and the meeting adjourned at 7:02 with closing comments from the Council. The information above was taken from the City of Eastvale Council minutes.

The Jan. 22 City Council meeting was attended by Council members Welch and Link, along with Mayor Pro-Tem Rush and Mayor Bootsma. Council Member De Grandpre was absent. The invocation was led by Pastor Ed Moreno with New Day Christian Church.
During the Presentation section of the meeting, the City of Eastvale recognized City of Eastvale volunteers for their service and dedication to helping the city.
The consent calendar with items 5.1 – 5.10 was approved 4-0-1.

The Public Hearing Section of the meeting began with Item 6.1 General Plan amendment, change of Zone, Major Development Review and Conditional Use Permit for the development of an Arco Gas Station facility, A convenience store, restaurant, and drive-through automatic car wash facility in one building, a second building for a sit-down restaurant, and a third building for a drive-through restaurant on an approximately 1.7 acre site. A second Conditional Use Permit is also being requested for the operation of a gasoline service station with concurrent sale of beer and wine in the Arco AM/PM convenience store. The City Council approved the project by approving resolutions 14-05-14-08 with a vote of 4-0-1. This property is located on the corner of Hamner and Riverside Drive.

Council Members asked about the high traffic of the industrial area on that street and whether that had been considered in the plans. In response, they were advised that it is probable that Riverside Drive will be widened in that area to four lanes or about 60-70 feet curb to curb. Council Member Welch also shared that there will be a trail consistent with Jurupa valley Equestrian trails in that area and that Jurupa Valley (not JCSD) will be in charge of landscaping and maintaining it.
During the Public Hearing Section of the meeting, a representative for the above project spoke about his general happiness and excitement for this project to proceed. He also shared that for building two of this project, they had tenants like Subway and Starbucks in preliminary discussions.

Eastvale Planning Commissioner Larry Oblea

Larry Oblea was appointed as the new Planning Commissioner at the Jan. 22 council meeting. (Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale)

The Old Business Items section of the meeting began with Item 7.1: Appointment of Planning commissioner to replace William Link. The council approved Jeff DeGrandpre’s candidate, Larry Oblea as a new City Planning commissioner. Mr. Oblea came highly recommended with great references from his time as a planning commissioner for the City of Santa Fe Springs.

New Business item 8.1 Selection and award for consultant for Traffic Engineering On-Call Support- Iteris, Inc. was passed 4-0-1. Iteris, Inc. will now handle traffic signal design and operation on the 56 traffic signals throughout Eastvale. The cost is tied to specific projects as they occur. Item 8.2 Ordinance relating to establishing speed limits on city streets was also approved 4-0-1. This item calls for the amending of speed limits on three more sections of Eastvale. These speed limits were determined after a traffic study was conducted. Council Member Link questioned how these speed limits are determined. City Manager Jacobs explained that the speed limit is based on the speed that 85% of the vehicles travel on that stretch of road. Thus the speed limit will be adjusted on the following sections of road: 65th to Hamner to 35 mph, Hamner Citrus/Schleisman to 50 mph and Schleisman to Archibald to 50 mph.

The City Manager’s Report was given by Carol Jacobs. She announced that the 3rd Annual State of the City Address will be held at Roosevelt High School on March 27. She also announced that the City will be starting a pilot program with code enforcement on the weekends. They will be keeping track of code violations and having code enforcement at different periods throughout the weekend in order to see what time period is most effective. According to Jacobs, “This new weekend program is expected to be painful to start as most new enforcement usually is.”

Eastvale City Hall Volunteers 2014

City Council recognizes City of Eastvale Volunteers at the Jan. 22 council meeting.
(Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale(

During the Council Communications portion of the meeting, the Vehicle License Fee issue was discussed. Council Member De Grandpre and Mayor Pro-Tem Rush were able to get a support letter from the California Association of Governments to Senator Roth and they are hopeful it will help improve the chance of the bill passing. Welch and Bootsma again thanked the volunteers to the City of Eastvale for all their help and Bootsma expressed his desire for some type of annual event to recognize these volunteers. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 pm.

Inland Empire: “All You Need Is Love…”

By Pastor Tim Eaton

The Beatles made the words famous but the sentiment has been around since the dawning of romance. The trouble is that life seldom follows this sentiment. In fact, just about every heartbreaking story begins with love.

What begins as love can fade quickly. It seems like most everything around us is designed to drain the last drop of love and romance out of our lives. Long hours of work (or worries about lack of work), busing the kids all over town, trying to keep the house clean, paying the bills; all of this leaves us exhausted and frustrated, making love the last thing we feel for anyone.

It’s true. We need love. Love is what we seek from the most important relationships in our lives. Still, it’s not enough to make those relationships work. What we need is a love with faithful endurance. But what does that look like? Time, attention and action. That’s what love looks like to those who feel it from us, and what it looks like on our calendar. Without these things, love quickly fades into a distant memory leaving only heartbreak behind.

The Beatles may have written one of the greatest songs about love of all time, but the greatest love of all time is seen in Jesus: “God is love”. This is how God showed his love to us. He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him,” (1 John 4:8-9). He didn’t just begin to love, he continues to love: “The Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does,” (Psalm 33:4). What we need is His love; an unending, consistent love.

Reconnect with the one who will always love you, Sundays at 10am.

Pastor Tim Eaton
Edgewater Lutheran Church
Sundays at 10am
Harada Elementary
12884 Oakdale Street
Eastvale, CA 92880
http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org

Inland Empire: Straight Talk With Danice-January

DEAR DANICE AKIYOSHI:

My daughter has started hanging out with a group of kids at school who are dyeing their hair unusual colors. When I say unusual, I mean green and purple and blue. So far she has only put a small streak of color on her bangs. I have not said anything, but my husband has asked me to deal with it. These kids are all seniors in high school, and aside from this weird thing they’re doing with their hair, they seem like a nice group. Can you give me any pointers on how to handle it?
Janie

Hi, Janie:

If the kids seem to be in good order with their grades and other behaviors, then I would be careful about being excessively critical. Your daughter is a senior, so I’m assuming that she is close to age 18. This is a very tricky time for parents. Sometimes teens want to exert the power they think goes with the magical adult age of 18, yet they are far from being an adult in most cases.
If I were in your shoes, I would watch and wait. Allow your daughter a little elbow room and observe how far she pushes her desire for personal expression. Sometimes when parents are too rigid, a youngster in this age group will rebel or bolt, and then you have a new set of potentially dangerous problems. I’m hoping your daughter knows your ‘firm’ boundaries and won’t cross them. If she does, then it’s time for the serious sit down conversation. Many parents choose to tolerate bizarre hair styles and wardrobe fads, knowing that these things are not permanent. Whatever you do, please think your actions through. As I said, this is a tricky age group. They need a lot of support and positive feedback.

Dr. Danice Akiyoshi, Naturopathic Doctor, Coaching, Counseling

Dr. Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi is a Naturopathic Doctor and the head of Candid Coaching Service. She has a great passion for alternative healing and has over 20 years of experience in this field. She provides a form of energy psychology called The Emotion Code, where she helps people literally get rid of their emotional baggage. She also offers personal coaching services relating to all types of issues and concerns. This is a letter she received from an anonymous reader. To send a question to Danice, email her at straighttalk@candidcoachingservices.com. You can also visit her website at http://www.candidcoachingservices.com.

Eastvale: Create a Valentine’s Day to Remember

By Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR

Have you ever wondered what would really make your Valentine happy? You’ve tried the chaotic restaurant scene in the past, only to leave feeling uncomfortably full, tired, and stressed from the overcrowded restaurant and crazy parking lot.

This Valentine’s Day, show how much you care through actions instead of food. Skip the busy restaurant and store-bought chocolates. Instead, schedule some quality time with those you love. After all, it’s the time we spend together that creates memories, not high fat food and chocolates. If your loved one is feeling stressed, make time to snuggle up on the couch with their favorite movie. Or give them a back massage to relieve stress and aching muscles.

Maybe your Valentine would like a meal prepared for them. Consider making a romantic dinner for two at home with candles and flowers. Preparing meals at home empowers you to choose healthier foods and smaller portions. When you make the effort, your Valentine will feel the love in their heart and not on their hips. After all, food only lasts a second on the lips, but years on the hips.

Has your child already requested Valentine cards to pass out at school? If so, think about pairing the cards with healthier food options like pretzels instead of candy, or even non-food options like stickers or small toys. Providing non-food options will subtly show the next generation how we can celebrate without depending on food. Food should be used to fuel our bodies to keep them healthy and strong, as opposed to making emotional connections to temporarily improve our moods while permanently affecting our health.

The more you separate food from emotions, the happier and healthier you and your family will be. So give the gift of true love this Valentine’s Day and show your emotions through your actions instead of unhealthy food.

If you would like to slim down this spring, look no further than local Eastvale resident, Nicole Gilles. Nicole is the owner of Happy and Healthy Nutrition and she is dedicated to helping you achieve your health and weight goals. As a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Expert, and Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition, Nicole is qualified to help you learn how to cope with emotional eating and learn to eat for your body’s individual needs. Happy and Healthy Nutrition members discover when to eat, how to eat, and how to lose weight and keep it off permanently. Start today, for a happy and healthy tomorrow!

Contact Happy and Healthy Nutrition at (909) 816-0977, or http://www.HandHnutrition.com; and like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/happyandhealthynutrition.nicolegilles. And see their ad on page XX for a special discount.

Walnut Valley: Governor Declares Statewide Drought

California Governor Jerry Brown

Gov. Jerry Brown declares statewide drought conditions during a Jan. 17 Press Conference in San Francisco. (Photo Courtesy: CA.Gov)

BY GLENN FREEMAN

Walnut Valley – On the heels of the driest recorded year in state history, Gov. Jerry Brown declared drought conditions in California. The statement came during a Jan. 17, 2014 Press Conference in San Francisco, where the Governor issued a State of Emergency, asking residents to conserve water.

“We can’t make it rain, but we can be much better prepared for the terrible consequences that California’s drought now threatens, including dramatically less water for our farms and communities and increased fires in both urban and rural areas,” said Gov. Brown in a press release. “I’m calling all Californians to conserve water in every way possible.”

State water officials reported that snowpack conditions are about 20 percent of normal average for this time of year, with river and reservoirs below their record lows, particularly in the State’s northern and central regions. The proclamation gives state water officials more flexibility to manage supply throughout California.
The Governor directed State agencies to use less water and hire more firefighters. He also expanded a public awareness campaign on water conservation at http://www.saveourh2o.org.

Metropolitan Water District (MWD), which provides water to nearly 19 million people in Southern California via 26 cities and water districts, released a statement supporting Gov. Brown’s declaration, asking users to take conservations measures.

“Lowering water demand in Southern California is a big reason why this region has sufficient supplies short term, but this drought is a wakeup call … to conserve every possible drop,” said Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

MWD has conservation tips available at its website, at http://www.bewaterwise.com.

Locally, the Walnut Valley Water District says water use is down in recent years.

“We’re supportive of the call for reduction in water usage and have always been about water efficiency. We’re buying 15% less water now than in 2006,” said general manager Mike Holmes.

Holmes also says the district encourages customers to visit their website (www.wvwd.com) for water conservation tips, as well as a program for getting up to 25 sprinkler nozzles for free.

The district serves approximately 100,000 customers in six San Gabriel Valley communities.

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.

Riverside: A Second Chance With DRC

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Riverside – For many repeat offenders who have spent much of their life in and out of the “system”, the Day Reporting Center (DRC) in Riverside is a breath of fresh air. With the implementation of AB109, many people who would be “parolees” are now the property of the Riverside Probation Department. This change is a positive step for many as they feel that the Probation Department offers more accountability and gives them more tools to succeed.
The DRC opened its doors in October 2012 as a “one stop shop” with multiple agencies under one roof to help with the AB109 Realignment. The DRC is comprised of Riverside County agencies and community partners working together to support the goals of those on probation and to help them toward integration back into the community.
According to Chief Mark Hake, Chief of Probation, “Many of our clients come out of prison without even having the basics like a GED, a license, or a Social Security card. The DRC provides an environment where obstacles and barriers are removed and together they derive a plan of accountability in order to help them succeed.” Providing these services helps give the clients hope and the basics needs to start the job search process. The center also offers mandatory counseling classes in parenting, anger management, basic computer education, and substance abuse education, to name a few.
Courtney Johnson, Senior Deputy Probation Officer, believes that one of the reasons that their center has been so successful is because they try to build up self-esteem and help clients find success. “We have them come in and interact with us and give them the tools to at least stay clean, stay hopeful and stay on track. We want them to be the father, son, grandpa or husband that they are meant to be.” And, it’s working. Calvin Smith, who is currently on probation and reports to the DRC, finds the goal setting to be the most helpful. “They help me set little goals which lead to bigger goals. You really have to crawl before you walk, but the goals teach you patience.” Kurt Gomer also finds the goal setting helpful. He said, “You make goals happen because I’m learning how to walk up the ladder slowly to get the top.”
In addition to helping get their client’s get back on their feet, the DRC also offers family counseling. For clients like Brian Frederick, who has been in and out of the system for 20 years, this has been the biggest blessing. “My family participates with me and the classes help me to relate better with my family and for us to get back on our feet and focus on being a real family.” The parenting classes are crucial since so much of their success is dependent on social activity and family ties. Chris Duffy, the Peer Support Specialist, feels that “Building these strong family ties and having a good, solid support system helps our clients be more successful.” The parenting classes are offered to the client and other family members, and offers a holistic approach to the healing of the entire family by also including addiction services, accountability and structure. “The hope is that all these elements will increase accountability and structure to avoid going back to their old ways,” says Duffy.
The DRC is the first center of its kind and was started in Riverside since the region has the greatest realignment population. The goal was to create a cost effective place where all the services could be handled under one roof. The goal is to open up more Day Reporting Centers in the eastern end of the county and one in the desert area. The main problem is that no one wants one of these centers in their community. Transportation issues are also a common problem. But for clients of the center and those that work so hard to make it successful, the need is there. At least three or four more centers are needed throughout the county so others can also experience the hope and success that they have seen here.

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.

A Better Place

BY SARAH ARMIJO

I went on a Missions trip to Haiti with a team last year, and lately we’ve been talking about going back. The team and I always talk about how much we miss Haiti, but I think it’s strange that we’re talking about how much we miss a Third World country, where people lived in poverty and barely had enough food to eat. So the other day, I really thought about what it was that I missed about Haiti and the first thing that popped into my head was: the people.

The Haitian people who lived in the villages were always so friendly to us. They would wave at us as we walked by, have us hold their children, or ask us to pray with them. They were so welcoming everywhere we went. They treated us as we were family, even though we were strangers who didn’t even speak their language.
And the Haitian children were a whole new level of welcoming. Whenever we had an opportunity to play with the children, my arm would end of being tired from holding so many of them and my legs would be tired from running around with them the entire day. At one point, I had a little over ten children surrounding me, each fighting to hold my hand, trying to play with my hair, try on my sunglasses, ask me questions in Creole or do anything to get my attention. The funny part was that as soon as I turned around to look at them, all they would do was give me the biggest smile. The love they showed us was truly remarkable.

It wasn’t until we were back in a United States airport that I realized how different Haiti was. The moment I realized we weren’t in Haiti anymore was the moment I turned to say “Bonswa” (meaning hello in Creole) to someone, and I didn’t see a smiling face like I was used to in Haiti.

It’s amazing to think that I miss a country where we didn’t have any electricity, where we didn’t have clean water, where we barely had enough food, and where I’ve sweated more than I’ve sweated my entire life. But still, I have the urge to go back just so I can see those friendly faces and feel that special love all around me.

The question I found myself asking is, why do I have to go back to feel this way? Why can’t I have that same feeling when I’m in my own hometown? Why can’t we be friendly to one another here? So I ask you to please help me spread love around the community. Say hi to one another, smile at each other, open doors, help with grocery bags, or do a simple act of kindness to show a stranger this love. As the years progress, I find the world becoming less civil. But who says we can’t change it? Let’s work together to make this world we live in a better place.