Category Archives: News By City

Eastvale: Satisfied Customers At Mountain View Tires

BY GUS UGALDE

Eastvale -– For nearly 27 years, MountainView Tire has provided Southern California residents top quality tires and auto service by never forgetting to put the customer first.

With a store located in Eastvale, the family-owned, independent Goodyear dealer brings its considerable tire and auto service expertise to our city.

“We opened our first store in Duarte in 1987, and now have 30 locations in Southern California,” said Chris Mitsos, Vice President and part-owner of the company.

MountainView Tire and Service Inc., is more than just a tire store, according to Mitsos.

“We are not just a tire dealer, we are an auto repair facility as well,” said Mitsos in a previous interview.  “Half of our revenue is derived from tires, the other half from auto service.”

“Our customers are treated with respect and get an honest assessment of their automotive needs.  We try to demystify the auto service experience,” added Mitsos.

Mitsos wants his Eastvale shop to be a one-stop shop for his clients by providing complete auto service for just about anyone who owns a car.

MountainView Tire provides computerized engine analysis, cooling system maintenance, brakes, tires, heating and air conditioning service, along with battery, oil lube and filter services.

“About the only things we don’t do are body work and smog checks,” said Mitsos.

“This is a family-run business.  My brother and I work from 7 in the morning to 6 at night…and our focus has always been our customers,” said Mitsos.

“My brother and I handle all complaints personally,” said Mitsos.  “Fortunately, there aren’t many.”

Mitsos has a great passion for two things, servicing autos and keeping his customers happy and his business philosophy clearly points this out.

“We want to give our customers the ‘wow’ experience,” said Mitsos.  “We want our customers to say ‘wow’ when they drive away from our shop.”

For coupons and discounts, check out their ad on page 20. Clients can also check out their website at http://www.mountainviewtire.com for additional savings.

MountainView Tire and Service Inc., is located at 6080 Hamner Avenue, Suite 105, Eastvale, CA, 91752 just north of Limonite Avenue. They can be reached at (877) 872-1665 and are open Mon. – Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Diamond Bar: Lions Club Update

STAFF REPORTS

(Photo courtesy: Google Images)

(Photo courtesy: Google Images)

Diamond Bar — The Diamond Bar Lions Club did a lot during the month of February, including holding fundraisers, going to events, holding meetings, beautifying local areas, holding contests,  and so much more. Here are a few highlights of what’s happening at the Diamond Bar Lions Club.

The Diamond Bar Lions Club was recognized for their excellence by receiving an award in the month of February. At the Third District Cabinet Meeting held at Westridge Golf Course and County Club in La Habra, the Diamond Bar High School Leo Club was recognized by Immediate Past District Governor, PJ Smith, for receiving the “Club Excellence Award” from Lions International. All the Leo Clubs around the world are considered, but DBHs was the only Leo Club from California to receive the award.

The Lions Club held a fundraiser at Bob’s Big Boy Restaurant in Diamond Bar last month. The Lions Club thanks the owner, Lion James Tsai, for allowing the fundraiser to happen at his restaurant, and they thank Lions, Leos, friends, and family for attending. Make sure to stop by their next fundraiser at Bob’s Big Boy on March 26.

In addition, the Lions Club held a Student Speaker Contest, where two student speakers from the Diamond Bar High School Leo Club gave a presentation of their speech at the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Sabrina Liang, Director of International Publicity, was announced as the winner.

The Diamond Bar High School Leos also did a lot of work throughout the community by picking up trash and recyclables at the school, cleaning the Ronald McDonald House in the City of Orange, cleaning up Leo Square by pulling weeds, trimming hedges, planting new flowers, and scrapping off gum.

Some events and people the Lions and Leos visited included: the Miss Diamond Bar Pageant’s Fashion Show to support contestant Leo Isabelle Chang; Sylmar to visit and tour the Guide Dogs of America facility; the La Habra Host Lions Club; and Lion James Farmer and Emma due to Lion James taking a leave of absence because of health issues.

For more information about the Diamond Bar Lions Club, email Jack Tanaka at jacwand@netzero.net.

Walnut: Westhoff Students Experience Colonial Faire

BY KELLI GILE

Westhoff students played simple outdoor games of the past. Sarah Barahja, dressed as a royal, mastered rolling the circle using a wooden dowel.

Westhoff students played simple outdoor games of the past. Sarah Barahja, dressed as a royal, mastered rolling the circle using a wooden dowel. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)

Westhoff students Michelle Jiang, Savarin Chilukuri and Natalie Olvera showed their cornhusk dolls.

Westhoff students Michelle Jiang, Savarin Chilukuri and Natalie Olvera showed their cornhusk dolls. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)

Armando Heredia enjoyed playing colonial games.

Armando Heredia enjoyed playing colonial games. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)

Walnut — Westhoff Elementary fifth graders got a chance to experience 18th Century life during a Colonial Faire held on March 7.  About 100 students, dressed up as peasants, royals, and soldiers were excited as they rotated through hands-on activities at the annual event.

Over 50 parent volunteers headed up each station. Students weaved rag rugs and cut paper whirligigs.  They played simple games, learned quill writing, colonial dancing, made cornhusk dolls and hand-dipped candles.  Students sat very still as parent volunteers traced their silhouettes.  In the manners and etiquette station, they learned the importance of using a napkin.

“Putting on a napkin was a big deal during colonial days because clothing was washed only once a month. So they really tried to keep them clean,” said parent Katharina Tang.  “Now, if you get your clothes dirty you just put them in the laundry basket,” she said.

After the morning activities, students looked forward to sampling delicious cornmeal Johnny Cakes and apple rings topped with cinnamon and sugar.

The event is the culminating activity on their recent studies on the colonial era of American History.

“Seeing all of the parent volunteers and teachers working together to make this event possible is really powerful. It’s good for the parents, good for the kids, and good for the staff,” said Superintendent, Dr. Robert Taylor.

Inland Empire: Apathy Is Deadly

BY NANCY STOOPS

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

I believe apathy is the root cause for many of the problems in our world today.  What has happened to us and when did so many of us stop caring?  I know our world is hard and sometimes can feel like a very lonely place.  I also know that I come across many people that still believe in themselves, others and in our world.

I hate when I hear people just give up.  I hate when people just stop caring and seem to exist in a full time pity party.  Life throws us many things that get in our way but if we give up, then we have wasted our lives.  I think we use apathy as a defense mechanism to stop feeling our pain.  I guess it’s easier to not care, than to feel our pain.  I guess it makes it easier to hide from ourselves by acting like we just don’t care.  Eventually if we are apathetic enough for a long period of time, the people trying to help us might even start to leave us alone.  We may think this is what we really want, but I don’t think anybody truly wants that.

I look at apathy as being emotionally shut off or wanting to show the world that you are.   We are here to live our lives to the fullest.  We are supposed to care and yes, sometimes we can get hurt a lot, but turning off emotionally helps nobody.   I hear a lot of people tell me they don’t care because there’s nothing they can do to make our world better.  I disagree, because as long as we still care then we will work hard to be the best we can be and to keep improving our families, communities and eventually our world.

 This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar, and is currently accepting new clients.  Nancy also runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, groups for teens, and is available as a motivational speaker for employees and organizations.  For more information about any of these services, feel free to page her at (626) 935-3818.  You may also e-mail her at stoopsshecter@earthlink.net. Nancy’s new book, “Live Heal and Grow,” is available at www.RoseDogBookstore.com or at Amazon.com.

Diamond Bar: Something Smells Good

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Experts say that we associate smells with specific events or memories in our lives.  For example, the scent of pine trees reminds me of summer camping trips in the mountains of Arizona.  A salty ocean breeze reminds me of trips with my parents to the beaches of Southern California when I was a little guy. And the smell of waffle cones reminds me of walking down Main Street in Disneyland on vacation when my own children were young.

What comes to your mind when you pick up a familiar scent or smell?  It may the smell of a rose in your back yard or the blossoms of a fruit tree at the house next door.  One of my favorite scents at this time of year is the orange blossoms on the trees in our back yard. They are filled with blossoms right now and they smell so good!

The smell of orange blossoms takes me back to where I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona.  There were orange groves next to the elementary school I attended, and there were orange groves near the Little League baseball fields where we spent so many hours.  My wife grew up in a home that had over 20 citrus trees right on their property.  The scent this time of year is almost overwhelming; I have a lot of fond memories.

What are your favorite scents and smells?  What memories do they bring to your mind?

I am convinced that God created all the color, texture, sounds and smells for us to enjoy.  I hope you will stop and smell the roses or the orange blossoms you encounter today.

Pastor Mark Hopper

Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services:  9:00 and 10:45 a.m.

Website: www.efreedb.org

 

Diamond Bar: 21st Wine Soirée – Save the Date

DIAMOND BAR LIBRARY FRIENDS

(Courtesy of Diamond Bar Friends of the Library

(Courtesy of Diamond Bar Friends of the Library

Diamond Bar -– Enjoy the company of old and new friends and celebrate Diamond Bar by participating in the 21st Annual Wine Soirée, to be held on Sunday, April 27, at the Diamond Bar Center.  All of the proceeds go directly to your local community library.   Chairs Nancy Lyons, Rick Rogers and Tony Torng announced that they have much to celebrate in 2014, with this year’s theme being:  “Friends of the Library and the City of Diamond Bar – Growing Up Together.”  Diamond Bar will commemorate its 25th birthday, incorporating in April 1989, along with the 21st Anniversary of the Wine Soirée that started in March 1994.

Come, bring your friends and neighbors, and join this festive and exciting afternoon with delicious food from local restaurants, a great selection of wine to taste, music, and silent and live auctions.  Some of the delicious food offerings will be provided by Aljibani Halal Market, Buca di BEPPO Italian Restaurant, Chili’s Grill and Bar, Claro’s Italian Restaurant, Coco’s Bakery, Diamond Bar Golf Course, Diamond Palace, Graber Olive House, Got Taco Party, It’s A Grind, Julie’s Café, Mandarin Taste Restaurant, Mother’s Market & Kitchen, Round Table Pizza, and The Whole Enchilada.  Please stop by their restaurants, enjoy their delicious food and thank them for their support of the Diamond Bar Library, and literacy in our community.

Many exiting and desirable prizes are being donated for this year’s Wine Soirée.  One exciting prize in the live auction will be a two-night stay at Cass Vineyard in beautiful Paso Robles, along with a day of tasting (chauffeured in their 1947 Chrysler Windsor Limo), gourmet lunch, and barrel tasting for four at the Cass Winery.

With your help, the Friends gave over $30,000 in 2013 for much-needed materials, programs, books, magazines, and more, that would not have been possible without the Wine Soirée and our non-profit bookstore, Basically BOOKS.  In 2012, the Friends, in association with the Wine Soirée, donated $80,000 to partner with the County of Los Angeles and the City of Diamond Bar to create the new library.  This wonderful addition to Diamond Bar would not have been possible without the help of the community.

Those attending this great event can feel good that all the fun they are having – the food and wines they taste, the auction items they win, the music they enjoy – will help to improve the quality of life and learning.  The annual Wine Soirée is an institution in Diamond Bar and is a great way to meet new and old friends and neighbors.  Tickets are $50 per person in advance and $60 at the door.  Advertising is also available in our beautiful Annual Program.  A unique souvenir wine glass and program are included with each ticket.  Tickets and program information are available by calling (909) 861-2002.

Walnut: WVUSD Middle School Mathletes Dominate at Regionals

BY KELLI GILE

The Suzanne Middle School 1st Place Team: Matthew Nguyen, Aaron Chang, Amy Erickson, Ethan Lin, and Christopher Wong, with advisor Amy Erickson. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)

The Suzanne Middle School 1st Place Team: Matthew Nguyen, Aaron Chang, Amy Erickson, Ethan Lin, and Christopher Wong, with advisor Amy Erickson. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)

The South Pointe Middle School MATHCOUNTS team. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)

The South Pointe Middle School MATHCOUNTS team. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)

Chaparral Middle School competitors at the MATHCOUNTS Regional Competition. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)

Chaparral Middle School competitors at the MATHCOUNTS Regional Competition. (Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)

Walnut — Walnut Valley Unified School District’s three middle schools, Suzanne, Chaparral, and South Pointe, again took three of the top four places at the East San Gabriel Valley Chapter MATHCOUNTS Competition, held Feb. 21 at California Polytechnic University, Pomona.

The Suzanne MATHCOUNTS Team won 1st Place, Chaparral Mathletes took 2nd Place honors, and South Pointe brought home the 4th Place award.

Congratulations to the Suzanne MATHCOUNTS competition team who will now advance to the California State Competition. Two individual competitors will also advance to State:  Chaparral 8th Grader Matthew Ho, who placed first overall, and South Pointe 8th Grader Austin Sun, who placed second overall. The California State Competition will be held at the University of California, Irvine, on March 14.

“I am enormously proud of the students. They have been working very hard toward this goal for the past several years.  This is only the second time in our school’s 52-year history that we have placed first.  I would also like to commend the Walnut High School Math Club and especially their president, Andy Tsai, for all the volunteer hours spent coaching the Suanne Mathletes. This is truly a team win,” said Suzanne math teacher and advisor, Amy Erickson.

Walnut: Council Corner – Crime Tip Program

BY RAYMOND MENDOZA

Walnut –- Members of the Walnut City Council held a special meeting on Monday, March 10, to discuss and consider a number of resolutions for the City.  This took the place of the regular Wednesday City Council meeting.

Council members, after seeing that no minutes and public hearings were scheduled for the agenda, quickly approved three items on the consent calendar including Resolution No. 14-12, which allows certain claims and demands in the amount of $313,009.09; Resolution No. 14-13, concerning the direction and filing of the Engineer’s Report for the 2014-15 Lighting and Open Space Maintenance Assessments; and the Award Bid of the 2013-14 Maintenance Area 2 Slurry Seal Program.

At the insistence of Council Member Mary Su, Walnut’s Senior Management Analyst, Rosalea Layman explained the details of the City’s proposed Crime Tip Reward Program.  Layman explained that reporting a tip to the police department is the first step in the program and that the reporting individual would receive a reward after a conviction is established.

“It’s difficult to gauge when (the reward will be disbursed) because sometimes it takes a while for a conviction to be determined,” Layman said. “But that is per our program and as soon as we do get the conviction, our staff can review the tip and award the reward.”  Layman also confirmed that each successful crime tip that leads to a conviction would be rewarded with $100.

Captain Jeff Scroggin of the Walnut Sheriff’s Department said that a recent tip in the Three Oaks area of Walnut led to the arrest of three individuals who were in the area with the purpose of burglarizing a home.

“The tip from the resident helped us catch those people,” Scroggin said. “That’s what we’re always after.  Great information that would lead us to these criminals that come into the City.”

After Scroggin addressed the council, Council Member Nancy Tragarz reaffirmed her stance that reporting crimes should not be rewarded and that citizens should be willing to help out the police without an incentive.  The item was approved with Tragarz giving a dissenting vote.

After the council member’s announcements of events from around the City, Mayor Tony Cartagena officially adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.

Job Opportunity: Digital Media Specialist

Application Deadline: March 20, 2014 @ 4:00 p.m.

Walnut Valley Unified School District

880 S. Lemon Avenue, Walnut, CA 91789

Phone: (909) 595-1261     Fax: (909)444-3432

http://www.wvusd.k12.ca.us

Employment Opportunity:

Job Description: Digital Media Specialist

Hourly Pay Range: $16.46-$21.29

Job Requirements and Qualifications:

Any combination of experience and training that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities may be qualifying. A typical way to obtain these requirements would be:

Experience:

One (1) year of experience working with children in a library, licensed school age program, or other educational setting. In addition, one (1) year of experience in a clerical capacity to include experience working with computer applications and related multimedia technology is required.

Education:

Completion of an Associate of Arts Degree or its equivalent.

Eastvale: Family Shares Connection With Former President

BY EMILY AGUILAR

Eastvale — For most people, it is an honor to meet the man who keeps our country organized. But for two Eastvale residents, it is a privilege to be the closest to a presidential figure. Amelia Crawford and her brother W. Jackson are the great-grand children of the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter.

Crawford and Jackson reveal they carry great pride that there is such an influential figure in their family tree. Former Pres. Carter has been awarded with a Nobel Peace Prize, is part of the Habitat for Humanity project, and aided America during trying times. The Crawford and Jackson families celebrated Black History Month knowing that their family members have helped this country prosper to its current might.

Wilbur Jones, a cousin of Crawford and Jackson, has researched their family’s history and has organized his findings into a book — “Cecelia and Nancy Carter, a Family History” — for others to read the story of this family’s relationship to Pres. Carter. Pick up your copy today to read more about this family.

Diamond Bar: Council Corner – Deputy City Manager Position Created

BY ARIEL CARMONA JR.

(Google Images)

(Google Images)

Diamond Bar — At their March 4 meeting, the Diamond Bar council heard a presentation from students and parents at Diamond Bar High School pertaining to efforts on the part of the school to raise $10,000 for computers, laptops and Audio Visual equipment needed for students to comply with the state’s Common Core testing standards, as well as welcomed Ryan Mcclean to his new position of Deputy City Manager, among other business.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, Mustafa Barlas, a student at Diamond Bar School, asked the council to help the school raise funds. “Every single test has to be done on a computer and because of all the budget cuts, Diamond Bar High School is not able to pay for all this stuff. We are trying to help fundraise money for that; we wanted to reach a goal of $2,000 with the help of you guys fundraising.”

The South Asian Parent Association of Diamond Bar High School, a parent based nonprofit organization under the Diamond Bar High School Magnificent 7 parent group, presented information about their upcoming fundraising event to the council. The fundraiser will include an evening of food, music and cultural event scheduled for March 21 at 7 p.m. at Diamond Palace Cuisine of India located at 1241 Grand Ave.

“Our mission is to enhance the sense of community and belonging of the students at DBHS by celebrating the Indian and sub-continent cultures through education and arts, promoting parent and community involvement…and fostering the spirit of the school’s multicultural community,” said Co-Presidents Archana Verma and Lubna Akbany in a written statement presented to the council.

Sponsorships to the event include a platinum sponsor at $2,000, a gold sponsorship at $1,000, a Silver sponsorship at $500 and a Bronze at $250.

In other actions, the council voted 5-0 to pass their consent calendar, which included a ratification of a check register dated Feb. 13 through Feb. 26 totaling $931,877; approved the Treasurers statement for the month of January and approved a contract amendment for the consulting services for the Willow Heights project’s final environmental impact report for a not-to-exceed cost of $30,210; and acceptance of work performed by a contractor for construction of improvements to the Diamond Bar Center.

The council members also thanked retiring commissioners in various city departments including traffic and transportations, parks and recreations, and the planning commission. A presentation to honor outgoing commissioners included Liana Pincher and Peter Pirritano who worked under Traffic and transportation, and Dave Roberto and Ash Dhingra for Parks and Recreation and planning respectively.

City Manager James De Stefano praised staff for their actions during the rainstorm which pelted the area. “I want to specifically thank the Public Works Department, they were the most active during the course of the few days ensuring that a variety of city staff resources were properly deployed and that the assets that we have were in position to respond to the storm. There were a variety of city staff members that worked very hard, particularly on Friday.”

During his report to the council, DeStefano also spoke about a new position approved by the council at their previous meeting. “I have promoted Ryan McClean to the position of Deputy City Manager,” said DeStefano, “Ryan has been a member of this city staff for many years, has served in the City Manager’s office in a variety of positions. Ryan is an outstanding contributor to our organization and it’s a great pleasure to have promoted to the new position of Deputy City Manager.”

Council-member Ling-Ling Chang said, “I wanted to congratulate our new Deputy City Manager Ryan. You’ve been doing a great job; thank you for all the great work you do and congratulations on the new position.”

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for March 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the AQMD/Government Center Auditorium at 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar.

ERHS to Host “EVERY 15 MINUTES” Program

Information Courtesy City of Eastvale

 Attention Residents:

Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS) will be hosting the Every 15 Minutes Program on March 20th and 21st. This is a two day event that informs students of the dangers associated with drinking and driving. On March 20th, part of Scholar Way will be closed and a simulated drunk driving collision will be staged in front of our school between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. All residents will still have access to their homes as well as our school. All emergency services from the area will be participating in this event including a helicopter from Mercy Air.

On March 21st, the second portion of this event will be hosted in the ERHS gymnasium. We are excited that we received a $10,000 grant from the California Highway Patrol in order to bring this program to our school. We are working closely with the city to communicate this event to local residents so that they can prepare for temporary road closure to Scholar Way.

There is always a balance of how you announce an event like this. You do not want to over communicate it early and you also want to make sure that local residents know what is happening. I appreciate your understanding with this.

This will be Eleanor Roosevelt’s second time hosting the Every 15 Minutes Program and we are looking forward to see what we can continue to do to make our end of year events as safe as possible for our students. We appreciate your support and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 951-738-2100.

EVERY 15 MINUTES Program at Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Every 15 Minutes is a community-based program focusing on high school juniors and seniors challenging them to think about the dangers of drinking and driving, the importance of personal safety, the responsibility of making mature decisions, and the impact their decisions have on family, friends, and many others in the community.

Dates: March 20th and 21st from 11:10am-12:15pm both days.

Notice to the community: Road closure on Scholar Way on Thursday, March 20th, for a simulated collision. Blackboard Connect message will be sent home; Flyers will be posted.

This is a community-based program in which the community, as well as, the schools share the interest in educating high school students about the dangers of drinking and driving. As a result, the following local agencies are involved:

  • American      Medical Response 
  • California      Highway Patrol 
  • California      Office of Traffic Safety 
  • Cal      Fire, Riverside County 
  • City      of Eastvale 
  • Corona-Norco      Unified School District 
  • Eastvale      Police Department 
  • Mercy      Air 
  • Riverside      Sheriffs Department 
  • Riverside      Community Hospital 
  • Riverside      County Coroner’s Office

Participants: Twenty-one (21) students have been selected through an application process. These students will play the role of the living dead. They are representatives of the student body.

Funding: ERHS received a grant of $10,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety and the California Highway Patrol.

EASTVALE: Eastvale Elite Cheer crowned Grand Champions!

EASTVALE – Eastvale Elite competed  on Sunday March 9 in the Sharps National Cheer competition in Las Vegas and won as grand champions  for the fourth year in a row. The girls worked extremely hard and practiced twice or more a week in the Auggie Ramirez middle school gym. In addition, the mascot team(ages 6-8) won the Sharp State Regional cheer competition at  Knotts Berry Farm 3 weeks ago.
The  Eastvale Elite Cheer is a competive cheer team established in 2010 under the direction of head coach Claudia Bustillo and director Tony Broughton. There are 3 squads (mascot, junior and senior squads).

Photos courtesy of: Eileen Pajo

Photos courtesy of: Eileen Pajo

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Eastvale: March 12 City Council Meeting Recap

BY: TIANA GOEGEBUER

EASTVALE – At the March 12, 2014 meeting, Council Members Ric Welch, Jeff DeGrandpre, and Bill Link were present.  Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Rush and Mayor Ike Bootsma were present as well.  The invocation was led by Pastor Sam Tanner with Life Church.

    There were no Presentations, Announcements, or Public Comments.

All Items on the Consent Calendar were approved, 5-0.

There were no Public Hearings or Old Business Items, so the meeting continued on to the New Business Items.  The New Business Items are as follows:

8.1: School Liaison to City Council was approved 5-0.

8.2: Selection Of Consultant for Engineering Design Services – Anderson Penna, was passed 5-0.

8.3: Goal Setting for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Budget: a study session was requested and passed 5-0.

8.4: Review of Reimbursement of Expense Policy was approved 4-1, with DeGrandpre voting ‘no’.

8.5: Attendance At The International Conference Of Shopping Centers (ICSC) was approved in favor of staff members attending the meeting 4-0-1, with DeGrandpre abstaining.

In the City Managers Report, City Manager Jacobs reminded the Council that they need to select a Planning Commissioner for the Economic Development Committee, as well as formally re-appoint a Public Safety Committee member.

During the Council Communications, the Planning Commission and the Public Safety Commission’s attendance was requested at the next meeting, as well as an ‘after-action’ report on the robbery/dog shooting that recently occurred by the Animal Services.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45.

Inland Empire: Girl Scouts Learn About Counterfeit Money the Hard Way

BY TIANA GOEGEBUER

(Google Images)

(Google Images)

Rancho Cucamonga – In Rancho Cucamonga, at least two people have used counterfeit money to steal cookies and money from local Girl Scouts.  The Scout members had set up a table outside their local grocery store to begin this year’s cookie drive. Shortly after that, the suspects, one man and one woman, each used $50 counterfeit bills to pay for cookies and proceeded to ask the Scouts for change.  The process is said to have been repeated at least once more at another Rancho Cucamonga location during the same weekend.  The troops who were taken advantage of are said to be liable for the loss, and are out a little more than $200.

The community is appalled.  The thought that someone would use counterfeit money to steal from a Girl Scout is shocking to most people, but especially to the Girl Scouts themselves.  The girls are very trusting, and did not expect to need to have knowledge of how to differentiate real money from fake.  In response to the crime, the Rancho Cucamonga Police have provided the affected troop with some basic training on spotting counterfeit money.

The local police department is reviewing the video surveillance from the stores where the crimes took place in the hopes of identifying the suspects.

Diamond Bar: Former Lorbeer Teacher Found Guilty of 17 Sex-Related Counts

STAFF REPORTS

Steven Andrews

Steven Andrews (Photo Courtesy: L.A. Sheriff’s Department)

Diamond Bar — Steven Andrews, 43, a former Diamond Bar Middle School history teacher, was found guilty Wednesday of 17 sex-related counts: six counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, five counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object, three counts of lewd acts upon a child, two counts of oral copulation with a person under 16, and one count of possession or control of child pornography. The jury deliberated for less than a day before reaching their verdict in the case.

 Andrews surrendered to authorities back in September 2011, admitting he committed lewd acts on a 14-year-old student.  He taught the student for about a year at Lorbeer Middle School in Diamond Bar, prior to when the sexual relationship began. The incidents took place both on and off campus. Police were initially alerted after the relationship was brought to their attention by a teacher who was concerned over the interaction between the victim and Andrews. The Los Angeles County Special Victims Bureau then began investigating the case.

Andrews has remained in custody since his arrest. He is scheduled to be sentenced at the Los Angeles Superior Court in Pomona on April 24.  The maximum sentence is 15 years and eight months in state prison.  Andrews must also register as a sex offender.

Walnut: Mt. SAC Wins Four Gold Medals at SkillsUSA

MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE

(Google Images)

(Google Images)

Walnut — Mt. San Antonio College vocational education students won four gold, three silver, and one bronze medal at the SkillsUSA Regional Competition held recently at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, with seven students qualifying to advance to the 47th Annual State Leadership Conference competition, April 24 through 27 at the Town Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego.

Rhiannon Britney of West Covina and Kevin Velasquez of Ontario won gold medals in technical drafting and will advance to the state competition. Sukhdev Singh of Chino won a gold medal for technical design and will also advance to state.  In the electronics technology competition, Jose Gomez of Azusa won first place and Cesar Bustamante of Anaheim took the silver medal. Both will advance to the state level. In telecommunications cabling, Samuel Arrieta of Monrovia took second place, and Hyun Cha of Rowland Heights won third place with both advancing to state.

Other competitors for Mt. SAC were Carlos Galdamez of West Covina with a silver medal in technical drafting, Trevor Lauritson of Pomona with a fifth-place finish in technical drafting, and Rodrigo Del Villar of El Monte with sixth place in the computer maintenance technology competition.

First-place winners at the state competition will advance to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference slated for June 21 through 27 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The SkillsUSA championships are showcases for the best career and technical students in the country. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels. More than 5,600 students are expected to compete at this year’s national event.

SkillsUSA is a nationally affiliated vocational club representing secondary and post-secondary students in the trade, technical and health fields. The vocational education organization represents more than a quarter million students in over 13,000 chapters nationwide.

San Gabriel Valley: Designing Your Own Life

BY NANCY STOOPS

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

SGV — Why do you let everybody run your life?  Why do you feel you have no choices and that life can’t ever get better?  What is it that seems to keep you stuck?  How many times have you asked yourself these questions?  Let’s see if we can provide some answers.

I think we let others run our lives because we feel we don’t know how to. Out of fear, we allow others to run things for us.  In terms of feeling, we have no choices.  I think it’s just a bad habit of limiting our expectations and not having faith in ourselves.

I believe we stay stuck because we get comfortable even if we are miserable.  It also takes a lot of energy to change and many times we don’t want to put forth that kind of energy.  The alternative is to do nothing and to just stay stuck.  We ask ourselves the same questions over and over, and at the time, we tell ourselves that this time we will finally change.  I believe people mean it at the time they say it, but then they get lazy when it comes to actually doing the work involved to get to where they want to.

Please stop assigning blame to everybody and everything, except yourself, for why you don’t have the life you want.  We all have things that get in the way of our journeys, but it’s also up to us to overcome that adversity that literally stops us dead in our tracks.  I get so tired of people telling me they can’t when I know they can if they would try harder and fight for the life they want.  People are always putting off having the life they want by telling themselves that once they get though this or that, life will improve and be what they want it to be.  The truth is that all they are really putting off is life.

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens.  For more information about any of these services, feel free to page her at (626) 935-3818.  You may also e-mail her at stoopsshecter@earthlink.net. Nancy’s new book, “Live Heal and Grow,” is available at www.RoseDogBookstore.com or at Amazon.com.

 

Diamond Bar: Small Things, Big Problems

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

Diamond Bar — I know that we are all thankful for the recent rain.  And it really did rain!  I haven’t heard the total amount yet, but it was certainly several inches of rain in my neighborhood and probably a lot more in the foothills.

During some of the heaviest rain, I noticed that my backyard was filling up with water.  I realized that the drain pipes in my yard were not working properly.  So, I rolled up my jeans, took off my shoes, and waded into the cold standing water.  When I located the drain pipe, I discovered it was covered with leaves.  The leaves were blocking the drain and causing the water to back up into the yard.

The drain pipe had a plastic cover with small slots in it.  I’m sure the cover prevents animals and large objects from getting into the pipe and blocking it completely. But I was surprised that a few small leaves could stop up the drain and prevent the water from draining out to the street.  It was a helpful reminder that small things can cause big problems.  We know that small termites can devastate a large home.  We know that a small pebble in your shoe can cause a lot of discomfort.

The same is true in personal relationships.  Small issues in a marriage that go unresolved can lead to big problems.  One white lie can lead to a habit of dishonesty.

I wonder… are there any small things in your life that need attention?  Are there things that you have allowed to go unaddressed and overlooked that could lead to bigger problems in the future?

Let me encourage you to take a look at your life and your heart.  Ask God to reveal to you some little things that need your attention.  Don’t let these little things become a big problem in your life.

Pastor Mark Hopper

Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd.

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services:  9:00 & 10:45 a.m.

Website: www.efreedb.org