Category Archives: SGV-IE Community News

Suzanne Mathletes Win Gold

By Kelli Gile

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile Suzanne Middle School MATHCOUNTS coach Amy Erickson congratulates gold medal winners Tyler Xu, William Lin, Darren Chen, and Clement Chan.

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile
Suzanne Middle School MATHCOUNTS coach Amy Erickson congratulates gold medal winners Tyler Xu, William Lin, Darren Chen, and Clement Chan.

Walnut- The Suzanne Middle School MATHCOUNTS team won a dozen gold medals during this year’s L.A. County Math Field Day on April 30.

Team members are eighth graders Darren Chen, William Lin, Tyler Xu, and Clement Chan.

Over 30 school districts from across the county sent teams to the event, which was held at Glendale High School. The competition has a new format which focuses on Common Core mathematics curriculum and teamwork.

Students worked together in teams to solve problems and explain their understanding.  Teams were graded on mathematical knowledge and judged on group interaction and collaboration.

Suzanne’s MATHCOUNTS team took the top prize in both the Problem Solving and Conceptual Understanding categories. They also took home a teamwork participation medal.

“It was a very exciting and rewarding day for our mathletes,” said coach Amy Erickson.

 

 

Straight Talk With Danice

I’m not my best friend’s maid of honor

By Danice Akiyoshi ND

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

Dear Danice Akiyoshi ND,

I am terribly upset.  My best friend and I have had a fight and I don’t know what to do.    Her boyfriend proposed to her a few months ago and they have started to plan their wedding.  We met at a boutique last weekend to start shopping for her wedding dress. There, she told me that she hoped I would understand, but she wouldn’t be able to have me as her maid of honor because her fiancé doesn’t feel I’m deserving of that position. He told her that he would like to see her choose his cousin that he’s close to and she agreed.  I was speechless.  I admit that I am not close to this man, but my friend and I have been best friends for three years.  I was hurt and upset and I told her that her fiancé is an idiot and so is she for allowing him to control her that way.  I left the store and we haven’t spoken to each other since that day.  I’m very upset.  Should I call her?  Should I call him?  My mom says that I should send her an apology card and accept that I will be just a regular bridesmaid.  Just the thought of that upsets me because we are best friends and she hardly even knows his cousin.  What’s your opinion?

Thank You,

Desi

 

 

Dearest Desi,

I’m so sorry to inform you of this, but it looks to me like you’ve already lost your best friend.  If your friend’s fiancé feels like he can insert his opinions about who she chooses as a maid of honor and she allows this, then she has already lost her personal identity and given away her personal power to the degree that your friendship is bound to fade away no matter what you do.  Work hard to accept the reality of that now and save yourself the expense of a bridesmaid dress and all of the painful additional drama that goes along with being involved in this wedding.  My guess is that your friend has probably reported your behavior to her fiancé and he has already been pointing out that this just proves that his cousin is the better choice.  Manipulation will probably continue to be a big part of your friend’s life until she resumes thinking for herself.   Look at it this way; she is no longer a good match for you in the best friend department.  I hope you will find some delightful new friends soon.

Danice Akiyoshi ND

Danice Akiyoshi is a Naturopathic Doctor and the head of Candid Coaching Service. She 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.

 

Learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu At Sampa

Sampa LogoBy Racine Guajardo

Walnut- Right here in Walnut, people are discovering the secrets of one of the world’s most proven and effective ground-fighting and self-defense martial art: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Sampa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy not only teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but kickboxing and fitness boot camp classes are also available for adults and kids. However, their main focus is developing values, self control, and self discipline.

Owner and teacher, Renato Migliaccio, goes by “Professor Renato” at Sampa.  With over 22 years in teaching and over 30 years of experience in this field, he encourages to spread the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to as many people as possible in order to affect their lives and their community in a positive way.

In addition, Sampa’s culture is different than other martial arts places. “Every place caters to what they like the most, but here we are like families, training together, and doing effective martial arts in a safe environment,” said Migliaccio.

The passion that Professor Renato has for this field has encouraged him to continue his education so he can teach and help others. He has obtained a bachelors degree in physical education, many certifications in the field and industry, 4th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 3rd in Judo, and he is a former MMA pro fighter.

When asked if there was anything he would like his customers to know, he states, “Yes, that many people underestimate martial arts due to the many martial arts studios that are too profit oriented. But the essence of martial arts is the priority here: education and self discipline.”

Sampa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is currently offering a $99 trial for 4 weeks special, which includes a uniform. You can visit Sampa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 18856 Amar Road Suite 4 in Walnut. They are located between Francesca Dr. and Amber Valley cross streets. You may also call them at (626) 238-3309. Further information is available on their website at http://www.sampabrazilianjiujitsu.c

Mt. SAC Students Named To State Academic First Team

By Mike Taylor

Walnut – Mt. San Antonio College students Jacqueline Yu and Hung Pham are two of the 93 community college students throughout the state recently selected for the 2016 All-California Academic teams, chosen by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international community college honor society.

These students represent some of the best of the 2.8 million students enrolled in California’s community college system.

Yu and Pham, both students in Mt. SAC’s Honors Program, received medallions during the Community College League of California’s awards ceremony held recently at the Sacramento Convention Center. Selection for the academic teams is based on grades, leadership, and community service.

Yu, 18, is a communication major and carries a 4.0 GPA. She was selected for the All-California Academic First Team. As a Walnut resident, she is the president of the PTK chapter at Mt. SAC, a member of the speech team, and recently received the Bovero Top Speaker Award as the outstanding speaker in a national speech competition. At Mt. SAC, she also has worked on the student newspaper, assists the student government as a tour guide, and helped found the campus Performing Arts Club. She will be honored as one of Mt. SAC’s Students of Distinction this year. In the community, she volunteers as a youth leader for Rowland Heights Community Christian Church, Azusa Pacific Lighthouse, and Lucky Puppy Rescue in Hollywood. She plans to transfer to UC Berkeley or Bradley University in Illinois as a double major in communication and acting. She wants to eventually become a communication professor.

Pham, 20, is a mechanical engineering major and carries a 4.0 GPA. He was selected for the All-California Academic First Team. As a Chino resident, he is a student government transfer committee representative, a member of the Math and Engineering Club, and a member of the Vietnamese Association of Students on campus. He also will be honored as one of Mt. SAC’s Students of Distinction this year. He plans to transfer to Cal Poly Pomona as a mechanical engineering major and plans to become an engineer.

There are 31 first-team, 31 second-team, and 31 third-team winners.

The Summer of Healing

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

Can you believe summer is almost here?   Have you been putting off some very necessary therapy for your family, your child, or maybe even yourself?  Well, make this the summer of healing and don’t put it off anymore.  For the past twenty years, I have been running a free counseling group that meets every Monday evening from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Walnut Teen Center.  Their address is 21003 La Puente Road in Walnut and their phone number is (909) 444-0089.  Even though we meet at the teen center, I have helped people of all ages at this group with many different types of problems.  We meet every week all year round, unless it is a legal holiday.  I invite you and your family to come on down and try it out.

I also have the honor of running a free grieving group at the Walnut Senior Center. They are located at 21215 La Puente Road in Walnut and their phone number is (909) 598-6200.  This group can help with successful recovery from all types of loss.  People that have attended have lost loved ones, lost pets, and even suffer loss from retirement.  The funny thing is that we actually do a lot of laughing and have a good time helping each other recover from what can seemingly feel impossible.  I have been running this group every month for seventeen years.  This group meets the first Friday of every month from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. It is my privilege to have Midnight, my registered therapy dog, as my co-therapist at both of these groups.

I hope you will allow Midnight and I to help you and your family.  It will truly be our honor and pleasure to help you and your family members heal, and finally grow into who you all deserve to be!

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; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net. 

Man Arrested For Attempted Robbery/Kidnapping

Staff Reports

Chino Hills – A Chino Hills resident was arrested last week for attempted robbery and kidnapping at a local Rite Aid.

On Sunday, May 8, a suspect entered the Rite-Aid off 4200 Chino Hills Parkway and allegedly demanded drugs from the attending pharmacy. The suspect demanded OxyContin, Suboxone and other prescription drugs, while threatening to use a gun to hurt someone if he did not get them. Chino Hills Police say that the pharmacy technician refused to give the suspect the drugs, so the suspect “jumped over the counter and chased her into a restroom,” according to a news release.

Then the suspect grabbed the pharmacy technician by both arms and “forcefully pulled the pharmacy technician to the pharmaceutical area,” said the news release. The Store Manager attempted to intervene.

Instead, the suspect held the pharmacy technician’s hands behind her back and ordered the Store Manager to give him all the drugs. The suspect threatened to hurt the technician if the Store Manager did not comply.

“After a brief standoff, [the suspect] released the pharmacy technician unharmed, and fled the store,” said the Chino Hills Police Department.

After the suspect left the store, Deputy D. Emery of the Chino Hills Police Department apprehended him within a block of the scene of the crime, according to Chino Hills Deputies.

The suspect was identified as John C. Annabel, 29. The Store Manager confirmed that Annabel was the man who entered the store and Annabel was subsequently arrested.

If you have any questions regarding this case, contact Deputy J. Patrick at (909) 364-2000.

History 101

Police Kill Famous Outlaws Bonnie And Clyde

History.com

Famous outlaws, Bonnie and Clyde, were shot and killed in 1934.

Photo courtesy: Google Images
Famous outlaws, Bonnie and Clyde, were shot and killed in 1934.

On May 23, 1934, notorious criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are shot to death by Texas and Louisiana state police while driving a stolen car near Sailes, Louisiana.

Bonnie Parker met the charismatic Clyde Barrow in Texas when she was 19-years-old and her husband (she married when she was 16) was serving time in jail for murder. Shortly after they met, Barrow was imprisoned for robbery. Parker visited him every day, and smuggled a gun into prison to help him escape. But he was soon caught in Ohio and sent back to jail. When Barrow was paroled in 1932, he immediately hooked up with Parker, and the couple began a life of crime together.

After they stole a car and committed several robberies, Parker was caught by police and sent to jail for two months. Released in mid-1932, she rejoined Barrow. Over the next two years, the couple teamed with various accomplices to rob a string of banks and stores across five states–Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico and Louisiana. To law enforcement agents, the Barrow Gang–including Barrow’s childhood friend, Raymond Hamilton, W.D. Jones, Henry Methvin, Barrow’s brother Buck and his wife Blanche, among others–were cold-blooded criminals who didn’t hesitate to kill anyone who got in their way, especially Police or Sheriff’s deputies. Among the public, however, Parker and Barrow’s reputation as dangerous outlaws was mixed with a romantic view of the couple as “Robin Hood”-like folk heroes.

Their fame was increased by the fact that Bonnie was a woman–an unlikely criminal–and by the fact that the couple posed for playful photographs together, which were later found by police and released to the media. Police almost captured the famous duo twice in the spring of 1933, with surprise raids on their hideouts in Joplin and Platte City, Missouri. Buck Barrow was killed in the second raid, and Blanche was arrested, but Bonnie and Clyde escaped once again. In January 1934, they attacked the Eastham Prison Farm in Texas to help Hamilton break out of jail, shooting several guards with machine guns and killing one.

Texan prison officials hired a retired Texas Police Officer, Captain Frank Hamer, as a special investigator to track down Parker and Barrow. After a three-month search, Hamer traced the couple to Louisiana, where Henry Methvin’s family lived. Before dawn on May 23, Hamer and a group of Louisiana and Texas lawmen hid in the bushes along a country road outside Sailes. When Parker and Barrow appeared, the officers opened fire, killing the couple instantly in a hail of bullets.

All told, the Barrow Gang was believed responsible for the deaths of 13 people, including nine Police Officers. Parker and Barrow are still seen by many as romantic figures; especially after the success of the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty.

 

DBHS Announces New Volleyball Coach

Staff Reports

Photo courtesy: DBHS Katie Swetnam was announced as the new DBHS Head Volleyball Coach

Photo courtesy: DBHS
Katie Swetnam was announced as the new DBHS Head Volleyball Coach

Diamond Bar– Diamond Bar High School recently announced their new Head Volleyball Coach, Katie Swetnam.

“We are excited to welcome Katie Swetnam back to Diamond Bar High School,” said Athletic Director, Kevin Ferguson in a news release. “Coach Swetnam is a young, enthusiastic coach who has instant rapport with our student-athletes based on her collegiate playing experience. We expect she will provide stability to our volleyball program and begin the process of building the kind of success we expect to see at Diamond Bar.”

Swetnam is a first-year Spanish teacher at DBHS. But she is also a Diamond Bar graduate. She graduated in 2009, after she led the Brahmas to a league championship in 2008 and was named 1st Team All-League and Offensive MVP in volleyball.

“Swetnam continued on to play Division 1 collegiate volleyball as a full athletic scholarship recipient at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, where she lead her conference in blocks in the 2011 season,” according to DBHS.

Swetnam was also named the 2011 Comeback Player of the Year after she had two shoulder surgeries; she came back strong and became team captain in 2012. After earning her degree, she started coaching club volleyball. She also became the DBHS Varsity Assistant last season, under Becky Bevans.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead the Diamond Bar volleyball program,” said Swetnam. “I’m looking forward to getting in the gym right away in preparation for the upcoming season.”

 

The Fifty Dollar Date

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

My wife and I have been trying to schedule a “Date Night” once a week.  Our days are busy, so we know we need to set aside a time to get out and enjoy some time together.  But, a dinner and a movie can put a strain on the budget.  Two movie tickets can easily cost $20 to $25.  Dinner for two can easily exceed the cost of the movie tickets. Therefore, a date night can cost at least $50.

Fifty dollar bills don’t come easy.  I try to carry a little cash, but I don’t like to break a fifty if I manage to have one in my wallet.  Most couples use their debit or credit card, but I like paying cash when I can.

Recently, we planned a date night.  The plan was to go to dinner and a movie.  My wife found a movie that I had not seen and it was playing at a theater in Brea that features movies that have been out for a while.

When we arrived for the 4:40 p.m. movie, we were both surprised to hear the employee tell us the cost for our tickets was $6.50.  We both thought she meant $6.50 for each ticket, but the total for two tickets really was $6.50…nice!

After the movie, we went to a small restaurant nearby because we had found a gift card in my car’s glove compartment.  We had used the card several months ago, and didn’t know how much credit was still on it.  We were surprised to learn that the amount that was on the card almost paid for our dinner!   I think we only had to pay about $5.00 and a tip…nice!

This was the kind of Fifty Dollar Date that I like.  My wife enjoyed dinner and a movie, and I enjoyed having most of that fifty dollar bill still in my wallet!

My wife and I have been married for almost 44 years.  We have learned that we need to invest time, energy and money to keep our marriage healthy.  How much are you investing in your marriage? When was the last time you went out on a “date” with your spouse?

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd.  Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.  For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit Efreedb.org.

 

Man Killed By Freight Train

Staff Reports

Walnut – A man was killed by a freight train on the border of Walnut and City of Industry last week.

On Saturday, May 7 at about 7 a.m., a Union Pacific train approached a man on a set of train tracks near Lemon Avenue and Lycoming Street.  The personnel conducting the train sounded the horn and applied the brakes, but the train could not stop in time, according to the LA County Sheriff’s Department.  The train hit the man and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man’s name or age has not been released.  An autopsy will be conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Industry Sheriff’s Station at (626) 330-3322.

The Eye Of The Beholder

By Michael Armijo

It was a warm yet windy day filled with strong sorrow. The air reflected a deep sense of respect as people gathered to say goodbye to a friend whose spirit had left the earth.

As everyone gathered, the vibrant, wooden casket lay atop the ground as the family huddled closely around. The youngest, a young boy, gazed at the casket while tears flowed from his swollen eyes. He walked up and laid his cheek on the rigid, shiny, wooden box, as his white-gloved hands gently caressed the top of the last home his father’s body would ever have. He laid gentle kisses on the top of the casket, as his unconditional love was reflected in front of all those who watched. A gentle whisper was heard a row back; “Did you see that? How sad.”

When I heard those words, “how sad,” I felt something deep inside that disagreed; something that didn’t see the message of sadness when the boy showed his emotions. Instead, I saw an act of love. A love so strong, it displayed the true meaning of unconditional love; something deep inside that didn’t care if the world looked on or what people felt. This was a feeling of purity, of joy, and of strength.

I believe old proverbs and words of wisdom, and I believe we all see life in certain light, and sometimes, in certain darkness. I also believe that when we express the darkness, which surrounds our lives, it spreads like a contagious and cancerous disease. It attaches by simple contact, clings like a dependent child, while deteriorating in a short amount of time.

I’ve learned that opinions are only perceptions of a person’s immediate thinking, and reflections of someone’s inner self. What we see is usually what we feel, what we feel deep inside. Without realizing it, we express past experiences, deep histories, insecurities about our future, and we reflect the perception of our own lives.

I also believe that when we see life in its darkest hour, we have the opportunity to see life through the brightest light. For some, it’s a short path traveled to a place inside that holds our mind hostage from our heart. For others, it’s a level of confidence that sits deep within that’s been damaged by a careless act from an irresponsible adult.

I also believe that the true meaning of life can only be understood through beauty and joy that sits deep in our hearts. The vision of what will come can only be seen through the eyes of a believer of life. I feel the truest form of emotion can only be felt when a person can feel the presence of a higher power, a stronger entity, something or someone greater than themselves.

I understand that life is not always what it is expected to be. It changes moods like a spoiled child. But I also understand that life can be what we want it to be; all we have to do is apply our hearts in front of our minds. Following what we truly feel, not what we think we see, is the only way to put aside our petty angry thoughts and our insignificant bitterness. Because just as the young boy who helped bury his only father, the tears that flow from our swollen eyes are tears of love that can only be understood when beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Future Scientists!

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile Forty-Walnut High seniors were presented with white coats and honor medallions at the completion of the IBCC-PLTW program.

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile
Forty-Walnut High seniors were presented with white coats and honor medallions at the completion of the IBCC-PLTW program.

First WHS graduating class receives white coats during ceremony

Walnut—Forty-eight Walnut High School (WHS) seniors are charting a course to careers in the medical field.

The teens were presented with white lab coats and honor medallions during a ceremony marking the completion of the International Baccalaureate Career-Related/Project Lead the Way (IBCC-PLTW) Biomedical Sciences Program on April 26.

“We’re very proud of their accomplishments!” said Instructional Dean Barbie Cole. “These amazing students displayed knowledge, ability, and aptitude in the area of biomedical science.”

Walnut High is the only school in the state to offer both IBCC with the PLTW Biomedical Sciences program as its career-related component.

Students signed up for the new program three years ago as sophomores interested in becoming pharmacists, family doctors, and neuroscientists and quickly became immersed in building DNA double-helix models.

Teachers facilitated the inquiry-based PLTW classes while students tackled real world “CSI” style investigative and collaborative work.

In addition, they explored different medical intervention strategies of the past, present, and future including the invention of prosthetic limbs and personalized medicine for patients.

“The engaging curriculum, student enthusiasm, and a special sense of community have allowed this program to be successful,” said teacher Chiara Morgan.

To earn personalized lab coats, students were required to complete four biomedical science courses and two IB Diploma courses, a special Approaches to Learning course, numerous service projects, and a written reflective project.

“This is definitely a very exciting day!” said senior Kaitlyn Fujii, who credits the PLTW program’s labs and practical applications for solidifying her interest in psychology.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I liked the classes and coursework. It helped me find a direction.”

Students researched numerous careers, logging education requirements and job duties in journals during the course of the program.

“It gave me a taste of every type of career in the medical field,” said classmate Tiffany Casarez. “Now I’m going to study biology and hope to become a pediatrician.”

She believes the pre-med class benefitted from more hands-on learning than other graduating seniors. “We’ve already experienced half the labs from the first two years in college.”

“I felt like this was an amazing program for someone like me who wanted to go into the medical field,” said Emilio Triguero, age 17.

“The hands-on training, labs, and volunteer experience really made it possible for me to utilize my dream of becoming a doctor.”

While volunteering in 2nd floor surgery at Inter-Community Hospital in Covina, Triguero gained “front row” experiences working alongside doctors and nurses.

“I thought I’d just be cleaning trash cans (which I did), but they also taught me how to do vitals and about hierarchy in the workplace.”

He’ll be studying at UC Riverside in the fall. “When I applied for colleges, they asked if I had contacts – and I did!”

Walnut High became one of only 32 IBCC schools in the country and four in the state after completing an extensive application and authorization process in 2013.

“Our students have done some pretty remarkable things in these classes,” Cole added.

Three Ways to Improve Your Healthy Routines

Photo courtesy: StatePoint

Photo courtesy: StatePoint

Courtesy of StatePoint

When you feel strong, nothing can hold you back. From building your muscles to strengthening your mind and conditioning your body, every day you strive towards looking and feeling healthy in the truest sense.

Here are some tips that will help to improve your long-term health.

Amp Up Your Workout:

Don’t let your workout routine get stale. Mix up your regularly scheduled program to work different muscles and ward off workout boredom.

Take time to regularly evaluate your fitness regimen and make sure you’re spending enough time on improving your endurance, strength and flexibility.

For instance, training for a big race? Shave a few miles from your long run and supplement it with a bike ride. And, switch up non-cardio days with a barre, yoga or Pilates class.

Also, don’t forget to carve out time to warm up with dynamic stretches before your workout and deep stretches afterward. Get out a foam roller to stretch and massage your muscles to keep them limber. Using a foam roller will help to increase the range in motion of your muscles, which can help prevent injuries during future workouts.

Smile With Strength:

Oral health is an essential part of staying healthy in the long-term. Strengthening and repairing your enamel from everyday wear and tear can be part of your daily personal health routine.

Similar to how moisturizing lotions and conditioners replenish skin and hair, by brushing with toothpaste such as Colgate Enamel Health Mineral Repair Toothpaste twice daily, you can help strengthen weakened enamel by replenishing it with vital minerals. This toothpaste replenishes natural calcium and other minerals back into weakened enamel, for stronger, healthy enamel. More information about Enamel Health toothpaste can be found at colgateenamelhealth.com.

Fuel Your Body:

Give your body the fuel and energy it needs to keep you strong and healthy.

 

Start each morning with a breakfast full of nutrients and protein to set a good tone for the rest of the day. Make your mornings easier with simple tricks like preparing overnight oats the night before so you have no excuses to skip this crucial meal.

Stick to a healthy eating plan with meal planning. Prepare as many lunches and dinners for the week as you can on Sunday, before work and family obligations get in the way.

Look to fill those meals with a balance of lean meats and proteins, legumes, fruits and vegetables, and healthy grains like brown rice and quinoa.

A healthy balanced diet will improve your energy level throughout the day and during workouts. You should also make sure that you are hydrating post-workout with water, or for an extra hydration boost, try coconut water.

When you amp up these aspects of your overall routine your body will feel the difference and you will see the difference. Follow these tips and you will feel stronger than ever.

USPS Carriers Attacked By Dogs

Photo courtesy: USPS.com

Photo courtesy: USPS.com

Staff Reports

The United States Postal Service (USPS) released its annual Top Dog Attack City Rankings this week, which concluded that a total of 6,549 employees were attacked by dogs last year. Fifty-one cities make up the top 30 rankings, according to a USPS news release.

“Dogs are protective in nature and may view our letter carriers handing mail to their owner as a threat,” said USPS Safety Director Linda DeCarlo at a news conference in Houston.

Safety is the number one priority of USPS, so they’ve released new safety initiatives that have been put into place in order to keep their employees safe.

Two new safety measures will alert USPS Carriers of dogs on their delivery routes. The first safety measure went into effect on May 13 on usps.com’s Package Pickup application. “Customers will be asked to indicate if there is a dog at their address when they schedule a package pickup,” according to the news release. The second safety measure plans to be implemented later this spring.

“The Mobile Delivery Devices that letter carriers use to scan packages to confirm delivery will include a feature that allows carriers to indicate the presence of a dog at an individual address. This is especially helpful to substitutes who fill-in for letter carriers on their days off,” said DeCarlo.

The National Dog Bite Prevention Week was held in Houston from Sun., May 15 to Sat., May 21 in order to bring awareness to the nationwide issue of dog attacks. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Humane Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Insurance Information Institute and State Farm Insurance joined forces with USPS to educate the community about this concern.

Of the 4.5 million Americans bitten by dogs annually, half of all victims are children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  “Many attacks to children are by the family pet or a dog familiar to the child, so it’s important to keep children and dogs separate, especially if a dog is known to act aggressively,” according to the USPS news release.

USPS believes that education can help prevent dog attacks to people of all ages. They have released the following tips to help keep our USPS mail carriers safe:

  • If a letter carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to get at strangers.
  • Dog owners should keep the family dog secured. Parents should remind their children not to take mail directly from letter carriers in the presence of the family pet as the dog may view the letter carrier handing mail to a child as a threatening gesture.
  • The Postal Service places the safety of its employees as a top priority. If a letter carrier feels threatened by a vicious dog or if a dog is running loose, the owner may be asked to pick up the mail at the Post Office until the carrier is assured the pet has been restrained. If the dog is roaming the neighborhood, the pet owner’s neighbors may be asked to pick up their mail at the Post Office as well.

 

Did You Know?

Women and Blood Clots: Know the Risk FactorsWomen-BW

By StatePoint

Blood clots are dangerous. About 100,000 Americans die annually due to blood clots, which is more than those who die from AIDS, breast cancer, and automobile accidents combined. Women have different risk factors than men.

Pregnancy hormones, such as estrogen, cause women’s’ bodies to produce extra clotting factor proteins, making pregnancy a major risk factor for life-threatening blood clots. Similarly, any birth control method or menopause therapy containing estrogen can pose a blood clot risk.

To reduce risk, the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) offers these tips:

  • If you’re pregnant, ask your doctor about your blood clot risk to determine if you need to be on blood thinning medication.
  • If taking birth control, consider methods not associated with pregnancy hormones, including barrier methods, copper IUD and progestin-only pills, IUDs and implants.
  • When managing menopause symptoms, consider non-estrogen and natural treatments that don’t carry blood clot risks.

NBCA’s experts urge women to know the signs of blood clots, which include swelling and pain in limbs, shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up blood.

To learn more, visit WomenAndBloodClots.org.

Reducing your risk for blood clots is crucial, particularly when it comes to choices connected to pregnancy, family planning and menopause treatment.

 

Crime Recap

 

Staff Reports

Inland Empire– The local Sheriff’s Department has done a great job arresting several individuals for conducting crimes in and around our city. Here is a recap of the news releases that were released by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the Corona Police Department.

On April 6, at 1:38 a.m., Eastvale patrol officers responded to a residence located in 6700 block of Ruby Canyon Dr., Eastvale, regarding a missing juvenile. During this investigation, an extensive search of the area was conducted and officers were unable to locate the juvenile.  At 7:30 a.m. on April 7, the juvenile was located at school in the city of Corona. The juvenile was in good health and unharmed. The juvenile was reunited with their family.

On April 20, Eastvale Police deployed extra traffic enforcement officers to stop distracted driving, thanks to funding provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The results of this operation included: eleven drivers that were issued a citation for either talking or texting while driving, and two drivers that were cited for driving without a valid license.

On April 20, the Jurupa Valley Police Department conducted the same operation, which resulted in six drivers that were issued a citation for either talking or texting while driving, and three drivers that were cited for driving without a valid license.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has provided a list of tips that can help you, your children, and your employees to stop talking or texting while driving. View the tips at http://www.riversidesheriff.org/press/jvs16-0420.asp

On April 21, three suspects were arrested for crimes related to the thefts, vandalism, and a strong-arm robbery in Eastvale. The Eastvale Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) worked closely with the Jurupa Valley Station’s crime analyst, patrol deputies, and the Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) parks deputy to narrow down dates, times and locations of the crimes that have occurred since November 2015.

After an investigation was conducted, three suspects were identified and arrested.  Ryan Filkins, 18 of Eastvale, was arrested for felony warrants and bringing a controlled substance into a jail.  Robert Filkins, 18 of Eastvale, was arrested and booked for felony warrants.  Aaron Allen, 23 of Eastvale, was arrested for felony warrants.  Charges against all three suspects are being sought related to the thefts, reports of vandalism, and a strong-arm robbery.

On April 29, two Corona residents were arrested by Postal Inspectors on federal conspiracy and mail theft-related offenses for a scheme that resulted in them using a counterfeit Postal Service key to access 300 mailboxes at a Corona apartment complex and steal mail. A third defendant is currently a fugitive being sought by federal authorities.

The two taken into custody on April 29 are Bernie Martinez, 23, and Kammi Leigh Vestesen, 24. The third defendant that is being sought by authorizes is Hector Mendez, 29, of Corona.

According to the indictment, Martinez and Vestesen entered the mail room of the Sierra Del Oro apartment complex on April 10 and used a counterfeit Postal Service key to open resident mailboxes. All three defendants allegedly went to the same mailroom on April 12, used the counterfeit key to open mailboxes, and left the premises with a trash bag full of mail. The indictment specifically charges all three defendants with conspiracy, mail theft and possession of a counterfeit United States Postal Service key.

Backyard Pool Safety

pool-safety-for-kidsCity of Diamond Bar

Diamond Bar – A backyard swimming pool can provide hours of summer fun for families, but without proper safety measures in place, it can also pose a danger to young children.

According to statistics kept by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States and approximately one in five people who die from drowning are age 14 and younger.

Also, for every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal injuries that result in severe brain damage and long-term disabilities such as memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent vegetative state.

To help prevent a pool-related death or injury, backyard pool owners are urged to ensure that they have in place the following layers of protection:

  • A self-closing and locking fence enclosing the pool area, clear of ladders or other furniture that can be used by children to climb over.
  • A responsible adult with swimming experience and trained in CPR and other lifesaving techniques always supervising children in or near the pool.
  • Visible and quickly accessible water rescue equipment, such as a rescue hook pole and life buoy, as well as a list of emergency phone numbers, a wireless phone and CPR instructions.

A three-minute video on pool safety produced by the City in collaboration with the Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Team is available for on demand viewing on the City’s website at www.diamondbarca.gov/videos , and on the City’s official YouTube Page www.youtube.com/diamondbarca by entering “pool safety” into the search channel bar.

To obtain a copy of the City’s fencing standards for installing a new pool or spa, visitwww.diamondbarca.gov/poolstandards or call the Building & Safety Division at 909.839.7020.

 

Walnut Student Wins ‘Missing Children’s Day’ Poster Contest

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile Walnut Elementary student Michael Wu is the big winner in a National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest.

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile Walnut Elementary student Michael Wu is the big winner in a National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest.

By Kelli Gile

Walnut–Walnut Elementary fifth grader Michael Wu has been named the grand prize winner in the National Missing Children’s Day poster contest.

The talented 11-year-old’s entry in the “Bring Our Missing Children Home” competition depicts the silhouette of a young boy hugging his teddy bear.

“It shows that the child feels lonely and he wants to be back home,” Michael explained.

The annual competition is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice to create awareness and promote child safety.

Michael was named the 1st place winner in California. His original artwork was then submitted for the national judging.

“It feels awesome!” the soft-spoken student said about receiving the national award.

Teacher Seema Bagai was happily “shocked” after learning the news that her student took the top prize.

“I am thrilled for Michael and can’t wait to celebrate with him in Washington D.C. later this month!”

Michael learned about the contest from his mom, Wendy, an art teacher at the school.  He quickly decided to pull out his paint brushes for a good cause.

“I wanted to help find missing children!”

Michael used colored pencils in shades of brown to bring life to the cuddly teddy bear.  To achieve a splattered shadow around the outline of the child, he flicked dark green paint from an old toothbrush.

Michael, along with his parents, and teacher have been awarded a trip to Washington D.C. to be recognized during the National Missing Children’s Day ceremony on May 25. This ceremony honors the heroic and exemplary efforts of agencies, organizations, and individuals to protect children.

The young artist also took 1st place in the fifth grade category of the Walnut Valley Water District 2016 Water Awareness Month Poster Contest. Michael is a back-to-back winner and his entire class will be visiting the Three Valleys Municipal Water District Miramar Treatment Plant for a tour and pizza lunch.

Full Closure of Southbound 71

By Shelli Lombardo

 

The California Department of Transportation will close all southbound lanes of State Route 71 (SR-71) between Euclid Avenue and the Riverside County line from 8 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2016 to 5 a.m., Saturday, May 21, 2016.

Maintenance crews are repairing and/or replacing concrete slabs in the number one and two lanes of southbound SR-71. Northbound lanes will remain open.

The southbound detour is as follows: use eastbound SR-60 to the southbound I-15 to westbound SR-91 or use SR-60 as an alternate route into and out of Los Angeles and Orange County.

Thank you for your patience as Caltrans works to improve your commute.

To stay on top of roadwork in the Inland Empire go to http://www.caltrans8.info and sign up for commuter alerts. View traffic conditions at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov.

DB Community Hero Award

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar- The City of Diamond Bar is looking for nominees for their Community Hero Award. This award is given to a community member who has “dedicated his or her spare time volunteering for an organization or who has performed other acts of kindness to improve the lives of others within the community,” according to the City of Diamond Bar. The award can be given to a senior, adult or a youth in the community.

The winner will be recognized for their volunteer service at this year’s Diamond Bar Day at the Fair on September 15. The winner will receive free admission to the fair and be “honored with a special reception, parade, and awards presentation,” according to the City of Diamond Bar.

To nominate someone, you can download the form by visitingwww.diamondbarca.gov/fair. Hard-copy forms are also available at Diamond Bar City Hall (21810 Copley Drive), Diamond Bar Library (21800 Copley Drive), and the Diamond Bar Center (1600 Grand Avenue). The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, July 1.

Questions regarding this Community Hero award recognition program may be directed to Fairplex Community Relations Coordinator, Shanell Fuquay, by email at fuquay@fairplex.com or phone at 909.865.4075.