Category Archives: SGV-IE Community News

Walnut City: Fundraiser for Candidate Bob Pacheco

Bob Pacheco Candidate for Walnut City Council

Bob Pacheco Candidate for Walnut City Council

STAFF REPORTA fundraiser dinner in support of Walnut City Council candidate Bob Pacheco is set for Thursday, March 6, 2014. The event will be held at Seafood Village Restaurant, located at 1463 S. Nogales Street in Rowland Heights and will include a social hour at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner and program at 7:00 p.m.

Please join the host committee made up of Congressman Ed Royce, Michelle Steel of Board of Equalization, Assemblymember Curt Hagman, Walnut Mayor Tony Cartagena, David Hall of Mt. SAC Board of Trustees, and Phillip Chen of WVUSD Board of Trustees.

Sponsor levels are as follows:

$99 – Individual

$250 – Friend

$500 – Gold Sponsor

$1,000 – Platinum Sponsor (Includes 10 tickets to event)

For more information or to RSVP, please call Gayle Pacheco at 909-274-9222 or electbobpacheco@gmail.com. See Bob Pacheco Flyer for more details.

Rowland Heights: Alvarado Intermediate Recognized As One Of California’s Schools To Watch

RUSD

Rowland Heights – Rowland Unified School District’s Alvarado Intermediate School has been recognized for the fourth time as one of California’s 2014 Schools to Watch – Taking Center Stage model middle schools. California State Schools Chief Tom Tolarkson announced there were 11 new designated schools to receive this award and that Alvarado Intermediate was one of 12 schools to receive re-designation in the state and national program which identifies high-performing middle grade schools in the areas of academic excellence, development responsiveness, social equity and organizational capacity to support sustained improvement. The school was first named a Model Middle School in 2004, then re-designated in 2007, 2011 and in 2014.

“We are proud that our school offers strong academics that meet the needs of all of our students. We are fortunate that at Alvarado, we offer a wide variety of math programs and foreign language. We also have a wide array of electives and award-winning programs in music such as Marching Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, Color Guard and Drumline. It’s an exciting time at Alvarado and the School to Watch recognition affirms that we are definitely headed in the right direction,” said Alvarado Principal Karen Magana.

Magana along with Alvarado teachers and staff were recognized for their achievement on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at the Rowland Unified School District Board of Education meeting. Rowland USD Board President Heidi L. Gallegos said, “The entire Board of Education would like to congratulate Alvarado Intermediate for once again being named a National School to Watch – this is highly commendable and it shows the tremendous educational leadership and amazing teachers and staff that are dedicated to all students achieving at the highest levels.” Alvarado Intermediate will receive their official state re-designation at a ceremony to take place in Sacramento at the California Middle Grades Alliance annual luncheon Feb. 27, and during the California League of Schools Conference Feb. 28 – March 2. The honored schools will have an opportunity to showcase their accomplishments and network with other middle grades educators from around the state.

Alvarado Intermediate serves grades 7th and 8th grade students in the Rowland Unified School District. It is a recognized and award-winning “School of Excellence” on a national and state level and is located at 1901 S. Desire Avenue in Rowland Heights. For more information, call (626)964-2358 or visit http://www.alvaradoschool.org

For more information about the Schools to Watch™—Taking Center Stage model school program, visit the California League of Middle Schools website at http://www.clms.net/stw

For more information about Rowland Unified, call (626) 965-2541 or visit http://www.RowlandSchools.org.

Orange County: Diesel Fuel Theft

Staff Reports

Anaheim – According to Anaheim Detectives, three men suspected of stealing more than 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel over the past few months have been arrested. The three accused thieves were caught in the process of stealing on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Detectives are investigating a series of gas thefts in Anaheim. They estimate that at least 6,600 gallons of fuel were stolen in Anaheim alone since October 2013.

In addition, investigators believe they may also be responsible for similar thefts across Southern California. According to Anaheim’s public safety spokesman, the three men are also suspected of being involved in similar incidents in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino counties.

The thieves obtained the stolen diesel fuel by cutting locks on gates where 18-wheelers and vehicles using diesel fuel were parked. They would then empty out the vehicles’ gas tanks.

According to the Anaheim Police Department, surveillance video was what ultimately led to the demise of this group. One of the surveillance cameras spotted a vehicle believed to be used by one of the thieves. Detectives then obtained the license plate number and used it to track the vehicle down. On Tuesday night, detectives followed the van to an area near Knott and Crescent in Buena Park where they interrupted the three men in the act of stealing more diesel fuel.

Eddie Lino, 20, Deion Milton, 21, and Onorato Uribe, 32, were all arrested on suspicion of grand theft and possession of stolen property, according to Anaheim Police Department. All three men are Los Angeles County residents.

Police are asking anyone who believes they were a victim of the diesel thefts to contact police at 714-765-1900.

 

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.

Walnut: Music Legends To Be Featured In Scholarship Fundraiser at Mt. San Antonio College

Mt. SAC

Walnut – For the 16th year, Mt. San Antonio College will have the only stage in the world where you can see stars such as Lady Gaga, U2, Johnny Cash, David Bowie, and Queen together in one show as the Mt. SAC Faculty Association sponsors its annual scholarship fundraiser, “Puttin’ on the Hits.” Show times are Friday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 8, at 3 and 7:30 p.m., in the Clarke Theater.

Mt. SAC employees, students, and trustees, donning authentic costumes, will impersonate famous celebrities and lip sync their hit tunes. The program showcases several styles of music, including country, swing, R&B, hip-hop, and rock ‘n’ roll. This year’s show will pay special tribute to Mt. SAC professors Joe Franko and Phillip Maynard, who performed in the Hits for many years and who both passed away recently.

Last year, the Faculty Association raised over $12,000 for student scholarships, and over the past 15 years, “Puttin’ on the Hits” has raised more than $135,000.

Tickets are $25 and up for general admission at the evening performances and $15 at the Saturday matinee performance.

For more event and ticket information, go to http://tickets.mtsac.edu or call the Mt. SAC Performing Arts Box Office at (909) 274-2050.

La Puente: Valley Blvd. Stabbing Suspect Arrested

LA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPT.

icon-crime-01-200x200La Puente – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives are pleased to announce an arrest in the stabbing murder of a male adult, which occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the 15900 block of Old Valley Boulevard, La Puente. On Friday, Feb. 14, at approximately 9 p.m., detectives arrested Andres Aguirre Garcia, a 27-year-old Rowland Heights resident. Garcia has confessed to the crime and the murder weapon was recovered by homicide detectives. Suspect Garcia was booked at Industry Sheriff’s Station for murder and is being held in lieu of $1,000,000 bail.

Diamond Bar Council Corner: Mid-Year Budget Report Approved

Diamond Bar City Hall

Diamond Bar City Hall
(Photo Courtesy: Google Images)

BY ARIEL CARMONA JR.

Diamond Bar – At this week’s Diamond Bar City Council meeting, as part of their periodic review of its annual city budget, the Diamond Bar City Council approved by unanimous vote a resolution which adjusts the city’s fiscal year 2013-14 general fund budget increasing its resource estimate by more than $950,000 to total $23,100,358 and makes other adjustments to general fund appropriations taking into account increases in economic development costs, lighting and landscape assessments, and the resurfacing of the parking lots of several city parks.

Finance Director Diana Honeywell gave a report at the council meeting, and said improvements in the economy, with unemployment rates beginning to come down, and consumer spending rising, as well as improvements in the housing market, were some of the factors staff examined in preparation for the mid-year budget review.

City officials said nearly all categories of revenues showed growth. Among some of the adjustments approved into the budget are:

  • Other taxes- This include sales tax, transient occupancy tax, property tax and franchise tax.
  • State Subventions- Property tax in lieu of vehicle license fee is being increased by $94,670 based on actual collections received in Jan. 2014.
  • Current service charges- planning, building and engineering fees, as well as recreation fees.
  • Investment income re-allocations based in cash balances to those funds.

Some of the highlights of the changes in the General Fund appropriations as made public by the city include engaging the services of a new city attorney late last fiscal year, the re-establishment of a Deputy City Manager position to fill one vacated last month, and an increase to the city’s information systems division’s budget due to “unanticipated increase in computer maintenance costs and professional services related to database work.”

In other matters, the council heard from City Manager James DeStefano, who provided a report on a project at two intersections on Grand Avenue.

The city received about $700,000 in federal funds for the project which has been augmented with about $300,000 of additional resources to improve the public right of way generally in the intersections of Diamond Bar Boulevard at Grand Avenue and Longview Drive at Grand Avenue, according to DeStefano.

“These two intersections were selected because they serve as primary gateways to the city and there is a design process that’s underway right now to set a tone that would result in new street furniture, new landscape in those intersections, a variety of street elements that would lighten, brighten and make those much more inviting landmarks within our community and gateways to other portions of our community,” said DeStefano in his report to the council.

“Part of the project is designed to create an overall palate for use with the rest of the community so when we do intersection improvements in the next few years at Golden Springs, Grand, and other areas, we will have a new palate to utilize to spread throughout our community.”

DeStefano added that even though approximately $1 million worth of resources has been allocated to the project, those resources can only be utilized on Grand Avenue in this general area; particularly the federal dollars are restricted and can’t be utilized in any other way.  Local businesses and residents are invited to come to city hall on Wednesday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. for a public meeting inviting comments, looking at the design concepts, and to participate in the overall process of improving the project leading to design and construction sometime later this year into 2015.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents implored the council to help Bob’s Big Boy at Golden Springs Drive get historical landmark designation in order for the restaurant to stay in the area. The fast-food chain’s lease is set to expire in a few years and the landlord is looking to raise the rent. For more information about this, read the story on page 1.

In other city council actions, the council adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 2, 2014, suspending Chapter 8.26 of the city municipal code prohibiting the operation and establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries. The council also approved by a 5-0 vote the first reading of a permanent ordinance prohibiting these establishments, including mobile dispensaries.

The council also voted to appoint new members to its Parks and Recreation, planning, and Traffic and Transportation commissions.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council is set for March 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the AQMD/Government Center Auditorium at 21685 Copley Drive.

Chino Hills: Stage II Water Alert

STAFF REPORTS

Water Conservation

Photo Courtesy: Google

Chino Hills – While the east coast is experiencing one of the coldest winters on record, Southern California is wishing it had a little weather; rain, to be precise.

With Governor Brown declaring a Drought State of Emergency on Jan. 17, the City of Chino Hills has confirmed a Stage II Moderate Water Conservation Alert in accordance with its Water Conservation Ordinance, effective immediately.

Nadeem Majaj, the City’s Director of Public Works, said, “Last year was the driest year on record in the State of California and Chino Hills is redoubling our efforts to use water carefully and to remind our residents that water conservation should be a way of life.”

According to the City, Stage II is declared when it is anticipated that the water supply may be reduced by up to 10%.  The California Department of Water Resources has indicated that the Metropolitan Water District (MWD), one of the providers of water imported to Chino Hills, will not receive any water from the State Water Project which originates from the Sacramento Delta.  However, because of improvements in water storage, water deliveries from MWD are not anticipated to be reduced.

“Chino Hills and our residents have been at the forefront of conservation,” Majaj continued.  “We are required as a community to reduce water use by 20 percent by the year 2020, and we are well on the way to achieving the state-mandated goal.”

Residents and readers in all cities can continue to conserve our precious resource by adhering to the following prohibitions and restrictions:

  • Do not hose-wash sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, etc.
  • Repair all residential and business water leaks.
  • Do not water any outdoor landscaping between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
  • Do not overwater landscaping, or allow water to run off into streets, sidewalks or other paved areas.  Keep sprinklers well maintained to prevent leaking.
  • Wash vehicles, trailers, boats (and livestock) from a bucket, and quickly rinse with a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle.  Look for Car Wash businesses that use recycled water.

There are simple things you can do every day such as using a broom instead of a hose for outdoor cleanup, having fun contests to see who can take the shortest shower in the house, and not ordering water in restaurants unless you really plan on drinking it.  Did you know that you can save four gallons of water per minute just by turning the water off while brushing your teeth?  That is 200 gallons per week for a family of four!  You can also keep your eyes open and report concerns that you observe by calling the City’s Water Wise Hotline, at (909) 364-2850.

Water Conservation…every little drop helps.

Walnut/West Covina: Suspect Shot After Walnut Robbery

STAFF REPORTS

LA SheriffWalnut/West Covina – A suspect was fatally shot in West Covina after a car chase and a home invasion robbery occurred in Walnut.

On Friday, Feb. 13 at around 4:57 p.m., a male called the Walnut Sheriff’s Station and stated that a man was in his home with a gun demanding money from his mother, according to the LA County Sheriff’s Department. The caller also stated that a black car was parked in front of his residence, which was located near Lemon Avenue and Amar Road.

When Sheriff’s deputies arrived to the Walnut residence, a black vehicle was reported to be driving towards them at a high rate of speed. A pursuit was initiated and police followed the suspect to the parking lot off Nogales Street and La Puente Road in unincorporated West Covina.

The male suspect then ran from the vehicle and into a Bestway Market, where he ran through the back door and into the neighborhood behind the market. The suspect ran through several backyards in the neighborhood in an attempt to evade Sheriff’s deputies, according the Sheriff’s Department.

At around 5:20 p.m., the suspect was located in the 19100 block of Elberland Street, in unincorporated West Covina. A deputy-involved shooting occurred and the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. However, no weapon has been found at or near the scene, according to sheriff officials.

The suspect was later identified as Javier Mendez, 35.

A female adult passenger of the suspect’s vehicle was taken into custody and a young child who was in the vehicle was taken into protective custody.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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

Eastvale Police Department Conducts Safety Oriented Saturation Patrol

Courtesy City of Eastvale
CITY OF EASTVALE – On Wednesday, February 19th the Eastvale Police Department conducted yet another special saturation patrol in the City of Eastvale focused on driver safety.

The officers provided additional education, awareness and enforcement in the area of Limonite Avenue and Hamner Avenue. Visitors to the Eastvale Gateway Shopping Center may have seen four patrol units gathered together conducting a field briefing prior to this special operation.

The safety saturation patrol resulted in 17 citations issued for various moving violations including: driving without a seat belt, driving while using a hand-held wireless telephone devises (Vehicle Code Sections 23123 and 27315) or illegal turning movements.

The goal of the special enforcement measures is to provide an increased education, awareness and traffic enforcement which have proven to be very successful in the city.

For your safety, citizens are encouraged to always obey the posted speed limits, wear your seat belt(s), refrain from using a hand-held wireless telephone devise while driving and follow the traffic signal movements.

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…..

Walnut Valley: WVUSD To Host Parent And Community Meetings

BY KELLI GILE

Walnut – Walnut Valley Unified School District will host three parent meetings in late February to discuss the new Common Core State Standards and the Smarter Balanced Assessment.  Kindergarten through 12th Grade families and community members are invited to attend.

“We want to really get the word out to our parents and community about the shifts taking place and how we’re preparing our students, and answer any questions they may have,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

The District-wide meetings will be held at Walnut and Diamond Bar High Schools and the District Office. The same presentation will be offered at each meeting.

•       Tuesday, Feb. 25:  Walnut High School Performing Arts Center – Presentations in Mandarin, Korean, Spanish, and English.

•       Wednesday, Feb.  26:  Diamond Bar High School Theater – Presentation in English.

•       Thursday, Feb.  27:  WVUSD District Office Board Room – Presentation in English.

In addition, all WVUSD schools will continue to provide information on these new standards and assessments.  Schools across the nation have been transitioning to new standards in language arts and math.  The Common Core standards focus on teaching students not only foundational skills, but how to think critically to be better prepared to succeed in college and the workplace.

To better align with 21st Century skills, nearly all future state testing, beginning this spring, will be computer based.  These new tests are called the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBAC).  The pilot SBACs will be administered this spring in Walnut Valley Schools.  All public schools in California will have the opportunity to pilot the computer-based assessments before the official SBAC assessments begin in 2014-2015.

For further information, please visit the website at http://www.wvusd.k12.ca.us.

Our Life: Remembering To See The Beauty

our life haiti pic color

By Sarah Armijo

Last year, I went on a Missions Trip to Haiti with a team of about 12 people. This was the first time I had ever been out of the country and had ever been on a Missions Trip, so I decided to make it count by going to a 3rd World Country.

If someone mentions Haiti, some think of the earthquake that happened in 2010, some think of poverty, some think of diseases, and some think of the corrupted government. Even though all of this is true about Haiti, now that I have been there, these aspects are not the first things that come to my mind. When I think of Haiti, I think of the beautiful mountains that surround the villages. I think of the clear blue water of the Caribbean Sea that some of my teammates were fortunate enough to get baptized in. I think of the fields of delicious crops that the Haitians grew themselves in order to survive. I think of the Haitian people in the villages waving at us and saying “Bonswa” (meaning hello in Creole) as you walk through the villages. I think of the smiling children who ran after our car just to get a glimpse of an American, as if we were famous.

When I think of Haiti, I can’t help but to think of the beauty of the country, mainly because of how welcoming the people were. We were strangers to these people. They didn’t know what we were doing there or what we were even saying, but they welcomed us into their homes, they let us hold their children, they let us pray with them, they smiled at us as we walked by, and they said hi to us as if we were another Haitian in their everyday lives. Even the Haitians (both children and adults) who could speak a little bit of English would try so hard to just have a simple “Hi, how are you?” or “What’s your name?” conversation with us…those small talk conversations we all dread in the United States.

You see, Haiti IS filled with poverty. It is filled with houses that are made of tree branches and tarps. It is filled with people who barely have food, clothes, and water. It is filled with people who shower once a week in a river in the middle of the day. It is filled with people who walk miles just to get a jug of water for their families. It is filled with people who rely on the sun to know what time it is or when it’s time to go to sleep, because they don’t have electricity. And it is filled with thousands of children who don’t have parents or families.

Knowing this, the first thing that probably comes to our minds is: how sad. How sad it is to live in this kind of environment. How sad it must be to have a child run up to you and hold your hand as you are walking through the village, just because they are seeking for affection. How sad that children are running around without clothes or diapers on, because their parents can’t afford it. How sad that some of the people survive on a meal of rice once a day. How sad.

But you see, despite all this, I think the real statement is how sad we are. How sad it is that we have so much in our lives, have so much food, shelter, clothes, family, water… and we take it all for granted. We waste it. And worse, we strive for more.

The Haitians are the complete opposite. They are praising God every second of every day for the little they have. They are appreciating every second of life and every scrap of food they can provide for themselves and for their families. They even appreciate something as simple as a picture we printed out for them, because they had never even seen their own face, let alone have ever had a picture of themselves.

There are so many little things we take advantage of because we tend to forget how fortunate we really are. So my challenge to you is to start noticing the beauty in your lives, and to appreciate everything you have. Start appreciating your family, friends, food, water, electricity, clothes, jobs, and for the amazing country we live in. Because as one of my teammates brought to our attention while we were in Haiti: we didn’t earn this lifestyle. Almost all of us didn’t work hard to be here in America. We were just born into a fortunate country, while others around the world were born into poverty. There was no difference or special task we did to be here. But as our team leader said, with that great fortune is a responsibility. We have a responsibility to appreciate every little thing we have, and a responsibility to help the ones that don’t have much.

I hope you will take the challenge to start appreciating the wonderful country we are fortunate to live in. I hope you will take the time to tell your loved ones how much you are thankful to have them. I hope you will stop striving for more, and start giving more instead. And I hope you will always remember to see the beauty in everything.

Pomona: Black History Month Living Museum At Armstrong Elementary

BY PUSD

Pomona – Students from Neil Armstrong Elementary School will portray the heroes of the Civil Rights Movement as part of a living history museum event being held at the school on Friday, Feb. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Students will dress, act and speak like their historical counterparts as they educate visitors about Black History Month and the Civil Rights Movement. Neil Armstrong Elementary School is located at 22750 Beaverhead Drive, Pomona CA, 91766.

Diamond Bar: Library Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

BY DIAMOND BAR LIBRARY FRIENDS

Diamond Bar Library Volunteers

: (L to R) Council Members Jack Tanaka and Nancy Lyons; Volunteers of the Year Mary and Jim Hackett; Council Members Steve Tye and Carol Herrera; Basically BOOKS Volunteer of the Year, Peggy Murphy; Business of the Year Emma and George Yu; Councilmember Ling Ling Chang and Friends’ President, Ruth Low.

Diamond Bar – The 14th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was held at Diamond Palace Restaurant on Jan. 10.  This was an opportunity for the Friends of the Diamond Bar Library to thank all of the Basically BOOKS fifty-plus volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the Diamond Bar Library.

Basically BOOKS raised over $40,000 to support the local community library in 2013.  There are two locations, one inside the Diamond Bar Library at 21800 Copley Drive, and the other at 21447 Golden Springs Drive, both in Diamond Bar.  Please stop by and thank these dedicated volunteers in person and pick up some great values.

The dinner was also the perfect time for the Friends to thank outstanding people dedicated to the Diamond Bar Library.  President Ruth Low announced the Jack and Kathleen Newe Volunteer of the Year Award as Mary and Jim Hackett.  Mary and Jim have dedicated themselves over the past nine years to making Basically BOOKS such a successful non-profit bookstore.  Kathleen Newe presented them with the plaque and praised their outstanding dedication.  Peggy Murphy, who is taking over as the manager of Basically BOOKS as Mary retires, also received the Volunteer of the Year award.

Past President Rick Rogers announced the winner of the Jack and Eileen Tillery Business of the Year Award as George and Emma Yu, of Printing Dynamics in Walnut.  Printing Dynamics has been the printer for the Friends and the Wine Soirée for over 20 years, and has been invaluable in its success.  George has always been ready to advise and produce high-quality printing for the Friends.

Walnut: Abductee Escapes Kidnapper

STAFF REPORTS

Walnut – The T.J. Maxx parking lot at Grand Avenue and Valley Boulevard beheld a frightening scene as a Walnut woman was kidnapped in a carjacking on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 6.

The Walnut resident in her late 30s was confronted by a strange man as she was getting into her car at around 2 p.m.  L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies report that the man prevented her from closing her door at gunpoint, and forced himself into her car.

The suspect made the woman drive around for over an hour, and headed into south Los Angeles.  At that point she noticed a police car, stopped her vehicle, and bravely ran toward safety.

The Los Angeles Police were able to confront the suspect without incident and seized the BB gun (which looked like a Beretta 9mm handgun) used in the kidnapping.  He was subsequently turned over to Sheriff’s deputies.

Witnesses in the T.J. Maxx parking lot reported the incident, and deputies first responded to that location.  They are still looking for additional witnesses and other possible crimes committed by the suspect, reported only as a parolee from San Gabriel Valley in his 30s.  The suspect has not given any indication to his motives for committing this crime.

Walnut: Council Corner-Conserve Water

Walnut City Council Feb12, 2014

The Walnut City Council discussed a variety of items at their recent meeting, including the possibility of adopting a program to reward citizens for providing information leading to arrests. (Photo Courtesy: Raymond Mendoza)

BY RAYMOND MENDOZA

Walnut – The Walnut City Council met for its regular meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12, with major concerns from the Walnut Valley Water District for water conservation in the City.

Walnut Valley Water District Manager of Administration, Jose Martinez, gave a presentation urging residents to reduce water usage after a state of water emergency was declared this month.

“We encourage all citizens to reduce water use and to save every drop that they can,” Allen Wu, director of the Walnut Valley Water District director, said.

Martinez and Wu were also joined by Walnut Valley Water District Director of Administrative Services, Sandra Olson, and Director for the Board of Directors, Scarlett Kwong, who each took turns answering questions from City Council members.  Martinez mentioned that the Walnut Valley Water District offers rebates for water efficient toilets, washing machines, and rain barrels for collecting rain water. He asked interested residents to visit the water district’s website at wvwd.com for more information.

After the presentation, City Council members approved the minutes for the Jan. 22 City Council meeting and adopted Resolution No. 14-04 for amending the housing element of the City of Walnut General Plan.

City Council members then approved all items on the consent calendar, which included: resolution for claims and demands in the amount of $783,377.47; Resolution No. 14-06 for changes in position classifications; authorization for the City Manager to enter into contract with the Planning Center Consultants to prepare environmental and technical analyses for the She Homes Mixed-Use Project on Valley Boulevard; mid-year request for additional appropriation of funds; and plans and authorization to receive formal bids for the Amar Road Street Rehabilitation Project.

City Council members then discussed the possibility of adopting a crime tip reward program to reward citizens for providing information leading to arrests.  Council Member Nancy Tragarz argued that citizens should be willing to provide information to police without the possibility of money.  The Council then agreed to look into the program further at a later meeting and would not vote on approval of the item.

The City Council then approved both items on the successor agency consent calendar, for Resolution No.14-07 for approving the administration budget for July through December 2014, and Resolution No. 14-08 for approving ROPS for July through December 2014.

After council member announcements, the Walnut City Council returned to closed session and scheduled its next regular meeting for Wednesday, Feb. 26.