The Weekly News covers community news for Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire.Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: Weekly03.24.2018
Category Archives: SGV-IE Community News
March for Our Lives Event on March 24th
Staff Reports
Diamond Bar—Diamond Bar United Church of Christ, 2335 South Diamond Bar Blvd., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, will hold a march in front of the church campus on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
The DBUCC event is being offered as a local alternative to larger but more distant marches taking place throughout Southern California. The church is responding to the call for nationwide marches made by students from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, after 17 students and staff were killed on February 14, 2018. Earlier this month about fifty church members, neighbors, and members of the community participated in a morning candlelight vigil, to show their support for students and parents driving to Diamond Bar High School on the day of the national school walkouts, March 14th. Participants carried signs and candles while motorists honked and waved their support as they commuted down Diamond Bar Blvd.
Residents of Diamond Bar and surrounding communities are invited to participate in the DBUCC march, which will take place around the church’s memorial display commemorating gun violence victims, including 17 crosses clustered together in memory of the Parkland victims. Pastor Jeanne Favreau-Sorvillo will begin the march with prayer and a call to action against gun violence in schools and in all public places. “We must remember that gun violence impacts us all by threatening our sense of safety for ourselves and for our loved ones. We are obligated not only to pray but to act in tangible ways to bring about meaningful change. We must never again be forced to bring out our memorial display.”
Diamond Bar United Church of Christ is a progressive church that seeks to link its faith to social justice issues. The church believes that God’s love embraces all persons equally, no matter their gender, race, or sexual identity; that the social expression of love is justice, and that God calls us to be peacemakers. We wish for an open and embracing community of faith within which to nurture our spirit and raise our children.
Contact: Diamond Bar United Church of Christ, Diamond Bar, California
Rev. Dr. Jeanne Favreau-Sorvillo, Pastor (909-861-4735)
Jim Hazlett, Coordinator (949-433-5756)
Parent Arrested On School Grounds
By Anthony Saude
Chino – Howard Cattle Elementary School in Chino was placed on lock down for both students and staff when school administrators had to deal with an irate parent. She was later arrested by Chino Police on suspicion of making criminal threats.
Gisele Chiquito was booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on a felony charge of making criminal threats. Jail records show Chiquito was released on $50,000 bail at 10:26 p.m.
Police were called to the school at 8:40 a.m., due to their quick and efficient response the lock down only lasted a few minutes.
“Apparently the parent was not happy with school administrators and a teacher,” police spokeswoman Monica Gutierrez said. “The parent was yelling. Police booked her on criminal threats charges.”
“School staff members called 911 and Chino Police Department were on scene within minutes,” according to a Chino Valley Unified written statement. “Cattle administration immediately worked with law enforcement on site to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff and confirm that the threat did not pose any danger to our students and staff while law enforcement conducted their investigation.”
The school district served her with a “no trespass” notice, a news release said.
“Investigators have concluded that there are no additional threats related to this investigation. The school day instruction was not interrupted by this incident and school followed the normal schedule,” district officials wrote.
Make Your Backyard Extreme
By Michael Armijo
Extreme Backyard Designs is located at 2330 S. Vineyard Ave. They can be reached at 909.930.6111 or online at http://www.extremebackyarddesigns.com.
Companies come and go, so longevity is key when you’re modifying your home, both inside and out. Extreme Backyard Designs is a testimony of longevity as their family run business has been designing outdoor entertainment centers with name brand components for over 20 years.
“A key component to staying in business so long is to treat people the way we would want ourselves to be treated,” said James Deeley, founder of the family business. With so many years in business, you not only get quality products, you also gets years of experience of getting things done correctly and creatively.
Extreme Backyard Designs can provide custom Barbeque islands, outdoor fireplaces, fire pit tables, spas, patio furniture, and many other items all wholesale to the public.
“We are college and trade school educated and enjoy the interaction and satisfaction of transforming backyards into a family’s personal oasis,” Deeley said. “Since we buy at such a large volume, we always have monthly specials on our website.”
The Extreme Backyard Designs staff are the most knowledgeable and friendly people in the area, as they are centrally located on the corner of the 60 Freeway and Vineyard, right across from the newest Kaiser building.
“We believe what makes a business thrive is to provide the best quality components, a superior level of customer service, while providing an affordable price,” Deeley said.
Serving all of Southern California, Extreme Backyard Designs is located at 2330 S. Vineyard Ave in our neighboring city of Ontario. They can be reached at 909.930.6111, or you can view their website at www.extremebackyarddesigns.com.
The Ultimate Healthy Blueberry Crumble
¾ cup (75g) old-fashioned oats (gluten-free if necessary and measured like this)
¼ cup (30g) whole wheat flour or millet* flour (measured like this)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tbsp. (30mL) pure maple syrup, room temperature
1 ½ tbsp. (21g) unsalted butter, melted
6 cups (840g) blueberries
3 tbsp (24g) cornstarch
Preheat the oven to 350°F, and coat an 8”-square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
To prepare the topping, whisk together the oats, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Make a well in the center. Pour in the maple syrup and melted butter. Stir until fully incorporated.
To prepare the filling, toss the blueberries with the cornstarch in a large bowl until completely coated.
Transfer the filling to the prepared pan, and sprinkle evenly with the topping. (The topping tends to clump, so try to break it up into fairly small pieces.) Bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes or until the juice is bubbling at the sides of the pan. Cool completely to room temperature; then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving to allow the juices to fully thicken.
The Amazing Power of Positive Thinking
By Nancy Stoops
I’m always told that I’m a very positive thinker despite all the tragedy my life has brought me. Yes I’ve experienced many horrific things in my life. I don’t focus on all that I have lost and on all of the death that I have experienced in my life. I stay focused on what I have left. I also spend a lot of time thinking about how very blessed I was to have had those amazing beings in my life even though they have left this world. It really comes down to how we think about it. If we stay in a positive mindset and every day we feel gratitude we will experience our lives in a very wonderful manner. With having a positive mindset we are stronger and more able to overcome the many obstacles that we are challenged with during our lives. A positive mindset always makes us believe that “we can” rather than “we can’t” and this is huge difference in how we respond to our lives and all that comes with it. If we stay in the mindset of “we can” then anything is possible and it’s as if we “will” ourselves to get through anything and have a great life no matter what comes our way.
I know life is hard but if you can change your mindset you will literally change your life. There is a lot of power in changing your mindset from negative to positive. I think it’s the closest thing to having superpowers us mere mortals can obtain. You will be amazed how differently your life goes when you embrace the power of the positive mindset. It’s almost as if now you “will” the universe to send you all the good that you have always been so very deserving of. Make today the day you become your very own superhero and adopt the power of positive thinking!!!!!
This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Nancy is now accepting new clients. She also works as a motivational speaker. Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens and can handle many court mandated needs. For more information about any of these services contact Nancy at (909) 229-0727. You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.
Sheriff Golf Tournament Honors Former Mayor
Jack Tanaka
Staff Reports
Walnut, Diamond Bar – The Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club will host a golf tournament in honor of former Diamond Bar Mayor Jack Tanaka on April 2, 2018. Tanaka passed away in August of last year after a battle with cancer. He spent 10 years as a city council member and mayor.
“Jack was always the first to contribute to our annual golf tournaments, always stopping by the booster club booth at the city birthday party, and a fervent supporter of the volunteers who serve at the Sheriff’s station,” said Booster Club President Gil Rivera.
Since 1987, the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club has provided thousands of dollars to the Reserve, Volunteer, Explorer, and Disaster Communication Services (DCS) programs for the Cities of Diamond Bar and Walnut, and the community of Rowland Heights, to finance needs not funded by the County, Cities, or the Sheriff’s Department.
“Each year we hold an annual golf tournament to raise funds for this event among other needs the department needs that are not on the budget from the county,” said Sheriff Booster President Gil Rivera ofwww.SellYourCasa.com. “They give generously of their time to help in many areas including patrol and vacation home checks, in addition to thousands of hours at sobriety check points and school traffic assistance
This cannot be accomplished without participation from local businesses, as well as individual citizens. Membership in the Booster Club helps ensure that needed funding for these auxiliary programs is available to help protect our communities and provide a high degree of safety for our citizens.
“Thousands of hours are donated annually by our department’s volunteers, explorers, reserves and disaster communication specialists,” Captain Alfred Reyes said in an earlier statement last year. “From vacation checks and traffic control to color guard and keeping disaster communication equipment ready in case of emergency, these are a few of the many services they provide the community.”
If you would like to contribute and/or cannot attend and would like to donate, the Booster Club is looking for 150 minimum promotional product donations to help in honoring the volunteers.
The registration will be at 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and followed by a Shotgun Start of 11:15a.m. on April 2 at the Western Hills Country Club, 1800 Carbon Canyon Rd., in Chino Hills. A luncheon will immediately follow the tournament.
Sponsorship opportunities are available as follows:
Platinum sponsor – $3,000- Includes 16 players/four teams, recognition during the awards luncheon, repeated advertising of your company in Our Weekly newspaper and during the tournament, name placement on event signage and a recognition certificate from the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club.
Gold sponsor – $2,000- Includes 8 players/two teams, recognition in Our Weekly newspaper, recognition during the awards luncheon, name placement on event signage and a recognition certificate from the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club.
Silver sponsor – $1,000-Includes one team of four players and a recognition certificate from the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club.
Other sponsorship opportunities include- Soft drink/Beer Cart Sponsors for $1,000, Hole-In-One sponsor for $500, Goodie Bag Sponsor for $500, Closest-to-the-Pin Sponsor for $400, and Tee Sign Sponsorship for $100.
Captain Reyes encourages community members to join this fun and meaningful tournament to continue to help provide the needed uniforms and equipment to the people who volunteer their time to improve the service and security to the cities of Walnut and Diamond Bar, and the unincorporated communities of Rowland Heights, Covina Hills and West Covina.
Tanaka stated that the city council, staff and residents made his 10 years of service memorable and a great learning experience. His last day in office was December 1, 2016.
Tanaka, was first elected in 2005, served twice as the city’s mayor and served on the City’s Planning Commission for more than three years. He said he wanted to spend more time with family, but will still remain active in the community who he considers family.
A retired U.S. Army Sergeant and former peace officer with the California Youth Authority and State Department of Corrections, Tanaka was first elected to the Diamond Bar City Council in 2005.
A constant fixture in the community, Tanaka and his wife Wanda devoted much of their time to helping out in the community especially youth. From the Miss Diamond Bar Pageant and the local Humane Society to community birthday parties and city concerts, the Tanaka’s were always there to lend a helping hand.
The Tanakas moved to Diamond Bar in 1976 and have since remained actively involved in community matters. In 2012, the couple was honored with Lions Clubs International’s Lion of the Year Award, the organization’s highest honor and usually given to only one person in the world. This is one of many reasons he has earned the honor of being recognized by the Sheriff’s annual event.
For information and reservations, contact Sgt. Mark Saldecke, volunteer coordinator, at (909) 595-2264, mcsaldec@lasd.org or Gil Rivera, booster club member at (909) 967-4525, GRiveraEmail@gmail.com.
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Two Local Wrestlers Take State Title
Courtesy: Kathleen Ray
By Chris Helsinger-Pate
Corona – A highly competitive wrestling team from Santiago High School sent three wrestlers to the CIF State Boys’ Wrestling tournament. Brayden Ray, Joshua Kim, and Jesse Vasquez traveled to Bakersfield to represent their team.
Senior Brayden Ray, a competitor in the 220-pound weight class, notes that he has “…had to train hard and stay focused on the right path” to reach the state level. He used the disappointment from last season (falling just short of the CIF title) to catapult him to this season’s success.
Joshua Kim and Jesse Vasquez experienced tremendous hard fought success at the CIF State Championship. Both wrestlers advanced to the finals in their weight classes and came out victorious making them state champs. Sophomore Jesse Vasquez says that “Wrestling continually provides me opportunities to grow and achieve my goals.” Vasquez should be a strong candidate to come out on top in the 132-pound weight class considering his first place finish in the CIF Regional round.
Courtesy: Kathleen Ray
All three wrestlers referenced their faith in God as one of the driving forces behind their success. Joshua Kim, a senior at Santiago, “…believe[s] that my success and failures as a student-athlete are God’s plan.”
While Brayden Ray, Jesse Vasquez, and Joshua Kim have been driving forces behind Santiago’s success it is Jesse Vasquez now a two time state champ, that is likely to have the longest lasting impact. Just a sophomore, he’ll have two more seasons to compete at the high school level. Another offseason of training will leave him a favorite to accomplish more accolades at the CIF level.
Impossible (Part 2)
By Mark Hopper
A few weeks ago, I shared that the foundation of the Christian faith is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Easter Sunday is the day that Christians around the world celebrate this important and remarkable event.
For many people it just seems impossible. Why would anyone believe that a dead person could come back to life three days after his public execution and death?
But, the Bible is very clear and specific. Numerous biblical authors provide specific details that describe Jesus’ resurrection.
For me, the most convincing evidence is the testimony of the eyewitnesses who claim to have seen Jesus alive after his public execution. They claim to have seen and talked with him. They claim that he ate food and drank in front of their eyes. They touched him and spent time with him.
You can read many of the details in New Testament books like Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the book of Acts. The Apostle Paul provides a list of specific times when people saw Jesus alive (First Corinthians 15). Both Peter and John refer to eyewitness accounts in their letters near the end of the New Testament.
These authors claim to have personally seen Jesus alive after his crucifixion and burial. When they were warned by local authorities not to speak about Jesus’ resurrection, Peter and John said that they could not stop speaking about what they had personally seen and heard (Acts 5). They were convinced that Jesus was alive. They wrote down what they saw and boldly told others what they had seen and heard.
Shortly after my wife and I bought our first new car, we went to dinner with some friends to a new restaurant in Claremont.
Parking was scarce, but we found an empty spot and carefully parked parallel to the curb. After dinner, we walked back to our car and started for home. My friend saw a piece of paper on the wind shield. It looked like a parking ticket.
However, after we pulled over, my friend got out and retrieved the paper that was under the wind shield wiper. It wasn’t a ticket at all. It was a hand written note that informed us that my new car had been hit and damaged by a Foothill transit bus! A worker in a local bike shop had heard the crash and ran out of his shop to see what had happened. He wrote down the name and license plate number of the bus and left a note on my car window.
We called the police and they investigated the matter. They were able to confirm that the back bumper of the bus hit the front finder of my car. There were scratches on the bus and extensive damage to my car. We had not noticed the damage because it was so dark.
We would have never known what had happened to my new car on that dark winter night if the bicycle repairman had not seen the accident and left a written note on my wind shield. This eyewitness was the key to solving this mystery. If someone had not seen it and written down the name and license number, we would probably never know what had really happened.
I am convinced that Jesus literally rose from the dead because many eyewitnesses saw him alive after his death on the cross. Individuals saw him. Small groups of people saw him. At one time over 500 people saw Jesus alive at the same time. All of them were convinced that he really was alive. He wasn’t just a ghostly image or a shadowy figure. He was real, physical and tangible. They talked with him, ate with him and literally touched him after he rose from the dead.
This may seem impossible to many people, but I believe it is true. I hope you will dust off your Bible and carefully read the final chapters in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Read the testimonies and personal accounts in the book of Acts. Examine the evidence for yourself.
I hope you will attend a church near you on Easter Sunday, April 1st. Come and celebrate the most important event in history – the resurrection of Jesus. I believe you will be glad you did! Happy Easter!
Pastor Mark Hopper
Efree Church of Diamond Bar
3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd
909-594-7604
Easter Sunday Services: 8:30 / 10:00 / 11:30 AM
Efreedb.org
Debris Flies Through Windshield, Kills Eastvale Man
By Anthony Saude
Eastvale – A 24-year-old man from Eastvale was killed Wednesday afternoon when metal debris was launched in the air by a vehicle and crashed through the windshield of the vehicle the victim was driving on the westbound Foothill (210) Freeway in Duarte.
The man died at the scene about 12:45 p.m. at Buena Vista Street, the California Highway Patrol reported. His name is being withheld until relatives can be properly notified.
The young man was driving a 2014 Volkswagen in the number four lane when a tan pickup truck or SUV ahead of him in the number three lane ran over metal debris that got launched into the air.
The metal debris entered the crashed through the Volkswagen windshield, striking (the victim) according to reports. A 25-year-old Upland man traveling in the vehicle as a passenger miraculously was not injured.
The passenger was able to gain control of the moving vehicle, possibly preventing serious injury to himself or others. He was able to safely bring the Volkswagen to a stop near the Buena Vista Street off-ramp.
The passenger performed first aid until the Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived.
The number one lane of the Buena Vista Street off-ramp was blocked until about 3:45 p.m. while the fatal crash was investigated and cleanup crews worked.
If there is anyone out there with any information that could help investigators identify and locate the driver of the vehicle that struck the debris you are urged to call the CHP’s Baldwin Park Area Office at 636-338-1164 to speak with Officer Kyle Croxford.
Upcoming Road Closures for “Every Fifteen Minutes” Program at Ayala HS
Staff Reports
Chino Hills – Ruben S. Ayala High School students will safely experience the devastation caused by a drunk driving accident as part of the “Every 15 Minutes” program on Thursday, March 22nd. Peyton Drive will be closed for part of the morning. The simulated “accident scene” will be set up on Peyton Drive and will feature students portraying crash victims whose vehicle was hit by a drunk driver on Prom night. Emergency response will be conducted as if it were a real accident. From 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. two northbound lanes will be closed leaving just one northbound lane open in front of the school. From 9:30-10:30 a.m. Peyton Drive will be completely closed from Bulldog Way to Boys Republic Drive. At approximately 10:30 a.m. southbound lanes will open, and at 11:00 a.m. northbound lanes will open. Motorists may wish to avoid the area.
“Every 15 Minutes” is a two-day program focusing on high school juniors and seniors, which challenges them to think about drinking, driving, personal safety, the responsibility of making mature decisions and the impact their decisions have on family, friends, their community, and many others.
The two-day program is very dramatic and emotional and purposely so. Teenagers are constantly reminded about the choices they have in front of the involving alcohol and how others in their lives are affected.
Teens know the intellectual statistics they just share the belief it will never happen to them.
The program brings together a broad coalition of interested local agencies with the goal of reducing alcohol-related incidents among youth. The partnering of the California Highway Patrol, local law enforcement, local hospitals, emergency medical responders, schools, businesses, and service clubs validates the importance of working together to ensure a healthy community.
St. Jude Medical Center to Hold Free Class for Kidney Stone Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment
Staff Reports
Fullerton – Join us at St. Jude Medical Center for a FREE class on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones on March 20 at 6:30 pm. Eric Tygenhof M.D. a board certified urologist will be discussing steps you can take to prevent kidney stones and the latest treatment options available. Please RSVP by calling (877)459-3627 or visit stjudemedicalcenter.org/healthclasses
While kidney stones have long been considered one of the most painful conditions, they are quickly also becoming one of the most common. One in 10 Americans will develop these solid concentrations of minerals in the kidneys—a number that continues to rise, especially among women and children.
Fortunately, advances in diagnosis, treatment and prevention are more than keeping pace, all of which can be found at the newly created St. Jude Kidney Stone Center.
Kidney stones are small “pebbles” of salt and minerals that build up in the urine and can range in size from a small grain to a golf ball. Urine normally contains chemicals that prevent these hard mineral deposits from forming and most remain small enough to travel through the urinary tract unnoticed. But if they continue to grow, the result can be an excruciatingly painful blockage in the urinary tract, the ureter (the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder), or in the kidney itself.
Medications can help speed the passage of smaller stones while high-energy sound waves or lasers are used to safely and painlessly break apart larger stones. Although most kidney stones are treated non-surgically or minimally-invasively at the Kidney Stone Center—often as a simple outpatient procedure—the center also brings a unique expertise to complex cases, including robotic-assisted stone removal and reconstruction.
Severe back or abdominal pain, the hallmark symptom of stone disease, accounts for over one million emergency room visits by patients in the U.S. each year. Other symptoms can include blood in the urine; nausea or vomiting; cloudy, foul-smelling urine; and infection, often causing fever, chills and weakness.
The St. Jude Kidney Stone Center can be reached at (714) 992-3000 ext. 2055.
OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 3.17.18
The Weekly News covers community news for Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire.Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: ALL.Weekly03.17.2018
Best Seat in the Class
By Kelli Gile
Classrooms transform with flexible seating options
DIAMOND BAR—Several Walnut Valley educators are discovering that flexible seating classrooms are providing learning environments that kids need.
Flexible classrooms give students a choice in what kind of learning space works best for them, and helps them work collaboratively, communicate, and engage in critical thinking.
At Quail Summit Elementary, first grade teacher Jessica Cabral replaced rows and rows of traditional desks with a variety of innovative seating options this year.
Learning areas are now filled with stability disks, stadium chairs, yoga balls, camp chairs, hooki stools, stack stools, lap desks, standing tables, and even a few “old school” desks.
When her 26 students enter the classroom, they decide which type of chair or desk to occupy for the day.
“They enjoy having the ability to choose where they sit,” Cabral said.
The new education space was intentionally designed to foster the five C’s (critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and citizenship), the educator said.
“They need to be given the opportunity to collaborate and solve problems with different students in the classroom. They couldn’t do that sitting in the same old spot every day,” Cabral said.
“I feel that flexible seating absolutely impacts student learning. Statistics have shown that movement increases memory,” she added.
Her goal is to provide students the opportunity to move while learning, in order to increase their attention, focus, engagement, and overall, their learning experience.
“The Hokki stools are an absolute hit. We can’t get enough of them!” she shared.
Logan Shih, age 7, didn’t hesitate when asked about choosing his favorite mobile seat in class.
“Oh, that’s simple,” he proudly announced.
“The yoga ball – because I like to bounce around!”
“All the kids like the yoga ball!”
A few feet away, classmate Clovis Hung was settled on a red stadium chair while writing at a low table.
“I like it because I can adjust it,” he said.
How did she do it?
Most recently, Cabral was able to purchase eight swivel Hokki stools, at $96 each, with funds raised through the online classroom project site, Donor’s Choose.
After experimenting with choice seating options for years, Kathy McLean “dove in all the way” three years ago.
The second-grade teacher began with Goodwill tables repurposed with a fresh coat of paint and whiteboard tops.
Next, McLean brought in few Wobble and Hokki stools, and two double standing tables.
McLean received a grant for the standing tables, that run about $200 each.
“Some of my students prefer to stretch out on the floor with lap desks,” she reported.
The savvy educator discovered that doing away with assigned seating has empowered her students to make positive decisions for their own learning.
“By being able to change seats each day, students also have the opportunity to collaborate with different classmates while working on self-discipline. After all, to sit by your best buddy, you have to abide by classroom expectations!” she said.
McLean said trusting her students to make the best choice for themselves has been an important factor in the success of innovative classroom.
“Flexible seating has been a game changer for me!”
Cabral advices teacgers contemplating the classroom seating switch to “start small.”
“Change a few chairs and tables. Expect chaos, it’s not as easy to manage at first, but you will see the benefits as the year progresses!”
Diamond Bar “Fix and Flip”
Nef Cortez
By Nef Cortez
Are there fix and flip opportunities in Diamond Bar? It appears there are.
Generally, fix and flip opportunities are more common in communities that are long established, where the housing stock is older, and the combination of time and deferred maintenance intersect to provide the “perfect storm” that allows for the fix and flip opportunity.
The search for these kinds of opportunities are more likely to result in a larger and more established city like Los Angeles, or San Bernardino, or Riverside. Diamond Bar is a more limited and very competitive environment. Diamond Bar, where the median sales price of a single family detached home reached $745,000 in the fourth quarter of 2017, requires an investor that has a higher level of resources and cash liquidity in order to compete for these opportunities.
The most recent case that I am aware of that was clearly a “fix and flip” in Diamond Bar occurred in the south part of the city. The home, located walking distance to Diamond Bar High School and H-Mart, was listed as a 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a little over 1500 square feet. Los Angeles County Public records show that that investor was able to purchase the property at $515,000, although the California Regional Multiple Listing Service has it at $525,000. Within 6 months, the property was completely rehabbed and resold for slightly over $700,000. This generated a gross profit of $175,000 to the investor/flipper. Not bad for a few months’ worth of work!
There are always opportunities that may come up, some better than this one, and some not. It does require constant vigilance, a constant search, and being prepared financially when the opportunity does show up. These opportunities do not wait for one to get ready…one has to be ready ahead of time. Best advise is, if you are interested in fixing and flipping, be ready!
This article was written by Nef Cortez, a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.
One-Pan Orzo italiano
with Chicken Sausage, Tomatoes, and Spinach
By Hello Fresh
Cooking Time: 30 mins
Servings: 2
Nutrition: 550 Calories
Ingredients:
- Garlic- 2 cloves
- Baby Spinach- 5 oz
- Lemon- 1
- Grape Tomatoes- 4 oz
- Parsley- 1/4 oz
- Italian Chicken Sausage- 6 oz
- Orzo Pasta- 2/3 cup
- Italian Seasoning- 1/2 tbsp
- Chicken Stock Concentrate- 1
- Mozzarella Cheese- 1/4 cup
- Panko Breadcrumbs- 1/2 cup
- Parmesan Cheese- 1/4 cup
1 PREHEAT AND PREP. Wash and dry all produce. Preheat broiler to high. Mince garlic. Finely chop spinach until you have 1 cup very packed spinach. Halve lemon; cut one half into wedges. Halve tomatoes. Pick parsley leaves from stems and finely chop; discard stems. Remove 2 links sausage from casings (use other link as you like).
2 COOK SAUSAGE. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large tall-sided pan over medium-high heat (use an ovenproof pan if you have one). Add sausage, breaking up meat into pieces. Cook until just browned, about 3 minutes.
3 START ORZOTTO. Add tomatoes and garlic to pan with sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes start to wilt, 2-3 minutes. Add ⅔ cup orzo and ½ TBSP Italian seasoning (we sent more of both). Cook, stirring, until orzo is coated in juices, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
4 FINISH ORZOTTO. Add 2 cups water, stock concentrate, and a pinch of salt to same pan. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium. Let simmer, stirring occasionally, until orzo is almost al dente, 7-9 minutes. Stir in chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes more. TIP: If mixture seems dry, add water ¼ cup at a time until loose.
5 BROIL ORZOTTO. Stir ¼ cup mozzarella (we sent more) and a squeeze of lemon into pan. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon to taste. (TIP: If your pan is not ovenproof, transfer mixture to a baking dish at this point.) Sprinkle panko and Parmesan over top of orzotto. Broil until panko is golden brown, 1-3 minutes.
6 PLATE AND SERVE. Divide orzotto between plates. Sprinkle parsley over top. Serve with
lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.
Neighborhood Watch Program
By Anthony Saude
Walnut – In case you were unaware, the City of Walnut has an ongoing Neighborhood Watch Program that is always interested in recruiting volunteers. Over the years it has been proven over and over again, that Neighborhood Watch Programs lower crime rates within the neighborhoods they patrol. If there is one thing that criminals hate but the police love more than anything, it’s nosy neighbors. The purpose of the program is to have neighbors look out for one another and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and best-known crime prevention concepts in North America. In the late 1960s, an increase in crime heightened the need for a crime prevention initiative focused on residential areas and involving local citizens. The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) responded, creating the National Neighborhood Watch Program in 1972 to assist citizens and law enforcement. If you live in the City of Walnut and are already a Neighborhood Watch Block Captain, but you have not had a meeting in a couple of years call for the latest and greatest programs. If you are motivated and want to get involved in the program, please contact Deputy McDonald at (909) 595-2264 for information on how to start a group in your area.
Diet vs. Exercise: Which is Better for Weight Loss?
By StatePoint
What’s more important: diet or exercise? Anyone who’s tried to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle has likely asked this question.
Sixty-eight percent of people want to lose 10 pounds or more, according to a recent Harris Poll on behalf of Nutrisystem. March is National Nutrition Month, and a good time to get started on your goals. So, should you focus on diet, exercise or both?
When it comes to weight loss, the split should be roughly 80 percent focus on what you eat and 20 percent on exercise. The logic is simple, say experts.
“It’s all about calories in and calories out. If you’re eating less and exercising, you’re going to burn more calories,” says Courtney McCormick, corporate dietitian at Nutrisystem. “However, exercise often makes us hungrier, which is why many people who only change their exercise habits don’t see the scale move.”
To achieve a healthier lifestyle and shed weight, consider these quick tips that combine both diet and exercise.
• Eat more often: A 2015 study from the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that on average, people who ate six times or more daily consumed fewer calories, had a lower body mass index, and ate more nutrient-rich foods than those who didn’t eat at least six times a day. Eating smaller meals every three hours keeps you feeling full, controls blood sugar and helps boost metabolism.
• Watch portions: American portions have become too big; and those used to dining out may consider restaurant portions to be correct, when they’re often four times as large as what’s recommended. Learning portion control is key to losing weight. When eating out, ask for a to-go box and save half for later. You can also turn to plans, like Nutrisystem, which deliver portion-controlled meals to your home.
• Veg out: Vegetables are low in calories, high in filling fiber and loaded with nutrients. For breakfast, add spinach to an omelet; at lunch, pile your sandwich high with fixings like tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, or use lettuce as a wrap instead of bread. During snack time, munch on carrots dipped in hummus or blend kale into a fruit smoothie.
• Drink more water: A study found that when people drank six cups (48 ounces) of cold water, they increased their resting calorie burn by up to 50 calories each day. Another study found that dieters who drank two eight-ounce glasses of water before meals lost 36 percent more weight over three months than those who didn’t sip before sitting down to eat. So, fill up that water bottle!
• Get moving: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend 150 minutes of aerobic activity weekly, but research suggests that it doesn’t matter if you exercise for two-and-a-half hours straight or break it up into 10-minute chunks. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise per day then build up to 60 minutes when you’re ready.
More diet and exercise tips can be found at leaf.nutrisystem.com.
Remember the key to meeting your weight loss and health goals is to make sustainable lifestyle changes. Focus on eating better and moving more and you’ll be on the right track.
Purse Snatch Suspect Arrested
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Courtesy of Pomona PD
Pomona – On March 6, 2018, Suspect Joseph approached the female adult victim on Holt Bl at Eleanor St. and forcefully took a bag filled with personal items from her. The victim was able to flag down a passing neighborhood. The suspect was able to hide in a nearby backyard officer.
While making contact with the suspect, he fled on foot into a nearby under trees and a patio cover. While air support was available, we could not see his exact location.
An extensive search with additional officers and a canine team was made throughout the neighborhood. The suspect ignored the officers and the audio announcements. The suspect was eventually taken into custody by the canine unit in the 400 Blk of Center St. The stolen property was eventually recovered.
Suspect Info:
Joseph, David Age- 51 Ontario resident
Contact Information:
Lt. Eddie Vazquez
eddie_vazquez@ci.pomona.ca.us
Evergreen Odyssey Of The Mind Team Qualifies For State Tourney
Courtesy: WVUSD
By Kelli Gile
DIAMOND BAR—Evergreen Elementary STEAM Odyssey of the Mind team won first place in the Los Angeles County regional competition held on February 24.
The champions will now go on to compete at the state level March 24 at University of California, Riverside.
The Odyssey of the Mind program promotes creativity and problem solving skills.
The two parts of competition are the long-term and spontaneous problems.
The spontaneous problem is private and cannot be spectated, however the long-term problem comes in the form of a skit that anyone can watch.
The plot, props, and actions in the 8-minute skit are all created from scratch by the students.
This year team’s long term problem is “Emoji, Speak for Yourself”.
Teams build several devices as the communication tools to perform a detective investigation story by operating different mechanic functions without any human verbal voice at all during the skit.
Evergreen team members are Evan Auyeung, Ianna Lin, Reese Chen, Sarah Teng, Andrew Tsai, Audrey Doraton, and Rohan Chakrabortyguf. They are coached by Sam Lin, Rajesh Gupta and Sean Lin.
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