Category Archives: SGV-IE Community News

Chicken Milanese

Photo Courtesy: Hello Fresh

with Crispy Potatoes, Mixed Greens and Creamy Lemon-Chive Dressing

 

By Hello Fresh

 

Cooking Time: 35 mins

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 531 calories

Ingredients:

 

  • Chicken Breast – 24 oz

 

Yukon Potatoes 24 oz

Sour Cream 1) 6 T

Garlic Powder  2 t

Lemon 2

Chives ½ oz

Panko Breadcrumbs 1 C

Arugula 4 oz

Olive Oil* 2 T + 2t

 

Prep and roast the potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut

the potatoes into ½-inch wedges. Mince the chives. Zest and halve the

lemon. Toss the potatoes on a baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil

and a pinch of salt and pepper. Place in the oven for 25-30 minutes,

tossing halfway through cooking, until golden brown.

 

2 Place the panko in a shallow dish with a pinch of salt and pepper. In a

medium bowl, combine the lemon zest, garlic powder, 2 Tablespoons

sour cream, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

 

3 Prep the chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two pieces

of plastic wrap and pound with a rolling pin, mallet, or a heavy-bottomed

pan until ½-inch thick. Season with salt and pepper, then toss each

breast with the sour cream mixture to coat. Press the chicken into the

panko mixture to adhere on both sides.

 

4 Cook the chicken: Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over mediumhigh

heat. Working in batches, if necessary, add the chicken to the pan

and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.

HINT: If you need to work in batches, you can reheat the cooked chicken in

the oven before serving.

 

5 Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 Tablespoon

sour cream, 1 Tablespoon chives, a squeeze of lemon (about 2

teaspoons) and a large drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

 

6 Plate: Toss the arugula with just enough dressing to coat and serve

alongside the chicken Milanese and crispy potatoes. Sprinkle with the

remaining chives and enjoy!

LaVar Ball pulls LiAngelo from UCLA

By Anthony Saude

 

LaVar Ball is back in the headlines again this week. LaVar has confirmed that will be removing his son LiAngelo from UCLA because he believes the “suspension was unfair” since the “charges were dropped” according to a report by ESPN.

LiAngelo hasn’t officially left the school but it has been reported that he is at his home in Chino Hills and doesn’t plan on returning to the school when the suspension is lifted. ESPN reported that LaVar said “We are exploring other options with Gelo,” “He is out of there.”

LiAngelo has missed eight of the Bruins games since the indefinite suspension was imposed. However, if LiAngelo had intended to play college basketball for a different university, he still would not be eligible to play for any NCAA Division 1 school this year. He might be able to get on to a lower level program like an NAIA school but it doesn’t seem that is something the family will explore. He also has the option to try his hand in the NBA G-League or go overseas to continue his basketball career.

Reports say that UCLA coach Steve Alford confirmed that LiAngelo won’t be coming back to the school when the suspension is lifted and respects the family’s decision. Everybody should wish LiAngelo the best of luck. ESPN also reported that LaVar said “I am going to make LiAngelo way better for the draft then UCLA ever could have.”

LaVar Ball told ESPN that LiAngelo and youngest brother, LaMelo, have both signed on with the same agent representing the eldest Ball brother an Lakers Rookie, Lonzo. Ball has confirmed that the plan is now to have his two youngest sons play on the same overseas team. Last week LaVar said “I don’t care about the money.  I want them to go somewhere where they will play them together on the court at the same time. The priority is for the boys to play on the same team.”

People make mistakes and this shouldn’t be the end of the line for this young man. Everybody deserves a second chance and you people do dumb things all the time. LiAngelo will be heard from again on the basketball court based on his talent is the hope for this young man.

LiAngelo was suspended along with teammates Cody Riley and Jalen Hill for shoplifting during a team trip to China.

 

Norco College Military Recognition

By Anthony Saude

Inland Empire – Norco College has been recognized by two prestigious military organizations for their efforts to include programs centered on their military population. Norco College received recognition from Military Times for the third time in four years as one of the best colleges for veterans to attend. The college doubled up when Military Friendly® notified them that it has been named a bronze-level Military Friendly® School Award recipient for 2018.

Norco College President Bryan Reece reportedly said “We are so proud for these recognitions,” “This is a true testament of the exceptional service Norco College provides to the veteran community in their transition from classrooms to careers.”

Norco College was one of only three Community College’s in California to be recognized by Military Times, ranking them 16th overall. In 2015, NC ranked 20th on the Military Times list and 16th in 2017. The rankings were the most competitive they have ever been for 2018 with 218 colleges submitting an extensive, 150 question survey to be considered. Less than half of the schools that participated made the cut at all.

According to the Military Times, the rankings were more competitive than ever, a record number of schools participated in the annual survey, and less than half made the cut. The rankings were based on the college’s survey responses and data from the Federal Education, Defense and Veterans Affairs departments. The recognition was based on five categories: culture, academic quality and outcomes, policies, student support, cost and financial aid. You can view the whole list of rankings at MilitaryTimes.com, as well as ArmyTimes.com, NavyTimes.com, AirForceTimes.com and MarineCorpsTimes.com.

Military Friendly® recognized Norco College by awarding them with the Military Friendly school award for 2018. Over 1200 post secondary schools were designate as Military Friendly in November of this year. Only 541 of those schools were recognized for excellence in the categories of: academic policies and compliance, admissions and orientation, culture and commitment, financial aid and assistance, graduation and career, and military student support and retention.

The names of awardees are published online at https://militaryfriendly.com/ and will be printed in G.I. Jobs® and Guide to Military Friendly® Schools.

Find out more about Norco College’s award winning Veterans Resource Center at:

http://www.norcocollege.edu/services/admissions/veterans

Walnut High Athletes Take Part in Fall Signing Day

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile

By Kelli Gile

WALNUT—Six standout athletes made their college choices official during a lunchtime signing ceremony at Walnut High School.

Congratulations to the following students who received scholarships to play their sports in college: James Arakawa, University of the Pacific – Baseball; Trussi Li, University of Denver –  Golf; Cara Le, Fresno Pacific – Swimming; Stephanie Dye, York College – Soccer; Tyiona Watkins, University of Washington – Basketball; and Katherine Muzi, University of Southern California – Golf.

Families, friends, teammates and coaches gathered on November 15 as the seniors made their commitments final.

“What a great accomplishment!” said principal Brandon Dade while addressing the crowd gathered to honor the Mustang athletes.

“I want to congratulate each of you. This is something that doesn’t happen very often,” he said.

After introducing the elite group, athlete director Jerry Person gave the signal for the athletes to sign National Letters of Intent to join their choice colleges for the 2018-19 academic year.

“Go ahead, get your pens, and sign your letters!” he announced.

Star guard/forward Tyiona Watkins committed to play basketball at the University of Washington.

She is currently ranked as the No. 14 wing player in the class of 2018 by ESPN and No. 20 by Prospects Nation.

“Tyiona is an outstanding athlete and leader,” said Walnut High coach Lori Huckler.

“She works hard on and off the court to always improve as a player and a student.”

The 17-year-old said she was having a “tough choice” selecting a team, but once she stepped foot on the Huskies campus, the decision became easy.

“When I went up there, I just felt like it was home,” she said.

Her father, Charles, shared that the family has been working toward a signing day since Tyiona was just six-years-old.

“It was our dream and today is a total milestone. We have a lot to be thankful for!”

Shortstop James Arakawa will be heading to University of the Pacific in the fall.

“This means a whole lot,” the 18-year-old said after the signing ceremony.

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile

Arakawa, who first picked up a baseball bat at age six, said playing with a chip on his shoulder has given him more motivation to succeed.

“My job is proving myself every day on the field,” he explained.

Arakawa’s parents, Sandra and Jamie, were also among the happy families present at the signing ceremony.

His mother attributes the prized athletic scholarship to hard work and dedication.

“We’re just so grateful!” she said. “He has passion and heart – and he’s good at it!”

Arakawa experienced the pinnacle of success when the Mustang baseball team captured the Division 3 CIF title last spring.

“All the practice and hard work definitely paid off,” he said.

“I guess I’m going to keep having that chip on my shoulder – it’s working for me!”

 

Dress For Success

By Mark Hopper

In a recent article, I shared about some of my experiences as a pastor when I visit people in hospitals. Thousands of people work in hospitals, Technicians, clerks, nurses, surgeons, security officers and janitors all work in hospitals.       Different employees wear different clothes and uniforms. The security people wear warm jackets. The doctor’s will usually wear lab coats. The custodial crew wears another kind of uniform. Nurses often wear bright, attractive medical outfits. The people in food service may wear hair nets and aprons if they handle food in the commissary or cafeteria.

I always enjoy speaking to the employees and volunteers at the information desk. Their help is invaluable when looking for a patient in a hospital.  The people at the front desk have access to the hospital data base and they can usually find the room number of a patient quickly.

There is one individual at the front desk of a large hospital in the area that stands out in my mind. Not only is he helpful and knowledgeable, but he is dressed for success! Unlike most of the people I meet at the info desk, this man is dressed up with a suit and tie.  He looks like he could be the CEO of the hospital, not one of the regular employees at the front door.

I don’t know his name, but he is both helpful and professional as he assists people walking through the front door. I have observed him helping patients who are checking-in to the hospital and he seems to put people at ease as he directs them to the hallway or elevator they are looking for.

His professional appearance gives you the sense that he knows what he is talking about and that the information he provides is accurate. He is the best dressed front desk hospital employee I know.

The Bible cautions us to not judge people by the clothes they wear.  James warned us to not show favoritism to people who wear fine clothes and warns us to not ignore those who are dressed poorly (James 2:1-9). There are times when my wife advises me on what shirt or tie I should or should not wear.  My friends and co-workers will tell you that I am challenged when it comes to fashion and style.

However, we should give attention to the way we dress for work. Teachers usually maintain a professional appearance. Coaches and PE teachers often wear shorts and dress more casually. But, one college coach told me that he never wears a pair of shorts to a meeting with his Dean. He always puts on a pair of long pants and a collared shirt when going to a meeting in the administration building.

Let me encourage you to dress for success. We live in a generation where casual is becoming more common.  Maybe you should consider dressing up a little more for work or take time to add a new shirt or blouse to your wardrobe. You will be glad you did and others will too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

Jurupa Valley Deputy Involved Shooting

By Anthony Saude

Jurupa Valley – On Monday, December 4 a deputy from the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s station identified a vehicle that had been reported stolen earlier in the day. The deputy pulled the vehicle over to on a traffic stop near the area of Bellegrave Avenue and Van Buren to verify it was indeed the stolen vehicle.

During the traffic stop the suspect in the vehicle put the car in reverse and rammed into the the patrol unit several times and a deputy involved shooting occurred. The suspect took off and the deputy sped after the vehicle in pursuit. A short time after the pursuit began the suspect stopped and got out of the vehicle. He fled to the river bottom and ignited the car as well as the vegetation near Riverdale Place. Cal-Fire and Riverside County Fire responded to the report  of the fire to assist the Riverside City fire with the vegetation Fire.

It was reported that the Riverside Police Department assisted in locating the suspect, and after a brief struggle the suspect was arrested. Two Riverside Police Department officers sustained minor injuries during the struggle. The suspect, Clinton Althizer, 40 of Jurupa Valley was transported to a local hospital for a medical evaluation. The deputy whose car was rammed into by the suspect was taken to a local hospital as a precaution for observation. The Riverside County Sheriff’s department sent the Central Homicide Unit out to assume the investigation.

Althizer was released from the hospital as was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center located in the City of Riverside. He was booked for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace office, vehicle theft, and possession of stolen property, attempted assault on a peace officer, evading, and arson.

The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative as per Department policy. The deputy’s name won’t be released at this time. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Stoyer at (951) 955-2777

Stop The Cycle

By Sarah Sanchez 

A young girl walked down the stairs of her house on a Monday morning before school. Everyone had gone to work already except her dad.

She walked by the living room to find her dad passed out on the couch.  This was a normal view lately; he would become depressed and drink to numb the pain.  No matter what she said or what she did, he ended up drinking and laying on the couch.  So she proceeded to walk passed him as she did every morning during these episodes.

As she walked to the kitchen, she noticed her unconscious dad was holding his phone in his hand.  Then his hand moved up slowly and he grunted as if he was trying to tell her something.

She walked over to the phone and 911 was typed on the screen.  She looked up at her dad in panic and asked, “Dad, why were you calling 911?”  He didn’t answer.  She shook him and shouted the question this time.  “Dad?! Dad!” she added.  No response.

She grabbed the phone and pressed send.  The operator answered and the girl started crying on the phone.  “My dad has been drinking and he’s not responding.  He tried to call 911 on his phone so something’s wrong,” she said in between cries.

The operator told her that they would send a paramedic out, and asked if her dad was breathing.  The young girl stared at her dad’s chest in hope and watched it go up and down slightly.  She heard his breath faintly.  She told the operator he was breathing and laying on a recliner.  The operator then asked her to try to get him off the couch and lay him flat on the floor before the paramedics got there.

The girl put the phone down and as she was crying, she began to pull her dad’s limp body off the recliner. “Please don’t die,” she whispered in fear. “Please God help him,” she said as she pulled his legs as hard as she could to get him on the floor.

His body began sliding off the couch and his head slammed on the bottom cushion.  Her dad’s eyes suddenly opened and the girl shouted, “Dad!” in relief. “Are you ok? Why’d you call 911?”  A blank stare fell on her dad’s face and he didn’t say a word.

The girl picked up the phone and told the operator that his eyes were open, then she heard a knock at the door.  The paramedics rushed in to check her dad’s vitals.

Fifteen minutes went by as they checked to make sure he was ok.  Her dad was visibly drunk, but his eyes were still open and he slowly responded to the paramedics’ requests.

The young girl stood against the living room wall staring at the ground, trying to process what just happened.  She really thought he was going to die this time.

A paramedic came up to her and asked if that was her dad. “Yes,” she said, still staring at the ground.  “Does he drink a lot?” he asked.  “A week straight this time,” she responded.

Then the paramedic said three words that she’ll never forget: “Stop the cycle,” he replied.  She looked up at him with curiosity.  She saw the sincerity in his eyes, as if he knew exactly what she was feeling at that moment; as if he had an alcoholic father too.  Looking straight in her eyes he repeated, “Make sure you stop the cycle.”  She cracked a slight smile in appreciation for the advice.  “I will,” she said with confidence.

Alcoholism, addiction, abuse, dysfunction, depression; the list of pain we can endure goes on.  We cannot change our parents’ behavior or what has happened in the past.  But our parents’ habits and dysfunctions aren’t ours.  So maybe it’s time for us to: stop the cycle.

 

Depression and the Holidays

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

Did you know that suicide rates are among the highest during the holidays?  This may sound very strange to some of you, but it is true.  Believe it or not this isn’t a wonderful time of year for everybody.  I remember, as a little girl thinking how anybody could be sad this time of year.  Now that I’m grown up and work as a therapist, I understand this concept much better.

The holidays seem to make us vulnerable and open our eyes to things that are painful for us.  This time of year, we seem to become very sentimental and want to be close to our family and friends.  This is a great idea in theory, but what if you have alienated them or maybe they have passed away.  This could make your holiday feel like a very lonely time.  It makes it worse when you see other families and friends gather together.

Are you feeling without purpose this holiday season?   This may be the cause of your depression this time of year.  There are so very many places you could go and donate some time.  There are many people that are sick or just plain less fortunate than we are.  You could really make a difference for an individual, a family, or an animal and fight off the depression as well.

Whatever may be causing your depression during this holiday season, decide to do something about it. Don’t sit around and feel sorry for yourself this year, life is just too short.  Call an old friend, make up with a family member, help the less fortunate, or whatever else it takes to get through this holiday.  My point is, this year learn to help yourself, and you will give you, the greatest gift you have ever received!

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 stoopsshecter@earthlinknet.  You may purchase Nancy’s latest books Live, Heal and Grow and Midnight the therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

Burglary, Vandalism at Pomona H.S,

By Anthony Saude

Pomona – On Monday December 4 at approximately 9:30 p.m. the Pomona Unified School district security office were monitoring 3 young me via surveillance camera inside the main office at Pomona High School. They called the Pomona Police Department to advise them about the break in and the suspects were still on sight.

The suspects broke into the office and it appeared they were removing items as well as destroying school property. When the officers arrived the suspects were still on the scene when they noticed the officers took off running. The officers took off after them on foot, the pursuit didn’t last long and all 3 suspects were apprehended and taken into custody.

Isiah Gonzalez 18 years old and two male juveniles 16 and 17 years old were taken into custody after they had allegedly damaged several computers, desks and other fixtures The entire area had also been tagged. They were booked for burglary and felony vandalism at the Pomona Police Station.

None of the suspects were students at Pomona High School.

If you have any information in reference to the incident please contact:

Pomona Police Department at (909) 622-1241

If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website: http://lacrimestoppers.org

I Can Fix It (Part II)

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

A few weeks ago I shared that my lawn mower was broken.  I tried to fix it myself, but was unsuccessful.  Then I called my faithful lawn mower repairman but his phone was no longer in service. What a Bummer.

In desperation, I looked on the internet to try and find another repairman in the area. Several repair shops were listed in Pomona, San Dimas and Glendora. I decided to try the repair shop in Pomona. They came and picked up my mower. I waited to get their estimate on what it would cost to get my McLane, seven-blade front throw gas mower going again.

I sat by the phone, waiting for their call. What was their diagnosis? How much would it cost? Would it be worth repairing my old lawn mower?

When the call finally came, there was both good news and bad news. The good news was that it could be fixed.  The bad news was how much it would cost.

Actually, the basic repair was under $100. The mower needed a new pulley and a new belt. I was encouraged to hear that it could be fixed for under $100.  However, they also recommended a “tune up” – changing the oil, replacing the air filter and installing a new spark plug. The cost for that was about $50.  In addition, the repairman offered to sharpen the blades.  My McLane seven-blade mower has a lot of blades! How much would this cost? It would be around $100 more.

This was the moment of truth. Do I trust the repairman? Does the mower really need all of these fixes? Is it worth spending that much money on an old lawn mower? Should I just go for the basic repair and get the mower running again or should I spend more money hoping that it will work better and last longer?

Should I go for option number one, option number two or option number three? It sounded like the old TV game show”Let’s make A Deal”! What would you do?

Most of you who know me very well would assume I would go for option number one – settle for the band aide fix and save money. But, I actually chose option number three – spend the money and do all the repairs that the repairman recommended.

When they delivered my McLane, seven-blade front throw power mower to my house, it looked like a new mower! They had cleaned off the old grass. The new spark plug sparkled and the sharpened blades glistened in the sunlight. When the repairman fired up the engine, it purred like a kitten. When he invited me to try it out, I couldn’t believe how well it cut the grass. I was impressed!

I feel like my mower has been given a second chance in life. It has been saved from the junk pile and is cutting grass better than it has in years. I don’t know how long it will keep going, but my repairman deserves “five stars” on his Yelp review!

I suppose there are a lot of life lessons we can learn from my lawn mower adventure. There are some things in our lives that we cannot fix ourselves. We need to call on God to be the “repairman” in our lives. He can fix and He can forgive the mistakes and struggles that we cannot fix ourselves. He can restore broken relationships and repair broken hearts. The Bible says that God loves to take broken people and give us new life. One verse says that when we become a follower of Jesus, our old life is set aside and all things become new (II Corinthians 5:17).

Let me encourage you to call on God today in prayer. Confess your mistakes. Admit you can’t fix everything yourself. Ask Him for His help and forgiveness. Allow our heavenly repairman to do His work in your heart and give you a new start through faith in Jesus. You will be glad you did and He will too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

 

When Are You Having A Baby?

By Sarah Sanchez 

 

The common question asked is:

“When are you having a baby?”

Our response is usually vague:

“Soon”, “not now”, “one day maybe”

 

Or you may hear an excuse,

Of what is now priority:

Careers, traveling, finances,

These “excuses” have seniority

 

The truth? We think about babies

More than you really know

We’ve discussed names, hobbies, features

And can’t wait to watch them grow

 

We know that time is ticking,

Complications will keep rising

Longer we wait, the more the risks,

And the more eggs are dying

 

But it may not be that easy,

Conceiving may take years

Then what about a miscarriage?

See these are all our fears

 

And family are getting older,

We hope our kids meet them too

But it’s just not the time now;

There are still many things to do

 

I do admit holding a baby

Make our hearts begin debating,

If a baby came, we’d be excited

To see the blessing God’s creating

 

Announcing a baby would be great:

Having showers with all of you there

We know IF one was on the way,

You all will show you care

 

But when the baby would arrive,

Truthfully, that’s what terrifies me

The crying, changing, and sleepless nights;

Oh how different life will be

 

You see, this is what we think about,

When the subject comes up each day

We’ve talked, cried and even argued,

Asking if one should be on the way

 

So when you ask a simple question,

Like “when are you having a baby?”

Know that there’s so much more to say

Than “soon”, “not now” or “someday maybe”

Christmas Tree Prices are Up

By Anthony Saude

The price of Christmas trees is higher this year due to the recession of 2008. Some Oregon tree farmers simply couldn’t afford to plant trees during the recession and the effects are still being felt. That doesn’t mean that the demand for trees in Chino Valley is down. It takes about 6-7 years to for a Douglas fir to grow and about 10 years for a Noble fir to get to a height to about 7-8 feet.

The shortage was largely unanticipated by both the growers and the sellers, not to mention the buyers. You may have some sticker shock when you are shopping for your tree this year. A five foot tree is selling for about $45 this year and on the whole smaller trees are what are available. Some of that has to do with the amount of money it costs to rent the lots that the sellers need to sell their trees. A lot in Chino Hills is about 3 times more expensive to rent than the same size lot in the city of Ventura. Unfortunately that cost has to be passed down to the buyer.

Smaller lots can’t compete, price wise with some of the big box lots but the trees will get watered more often so they will be fresher when you pick them up. Supply will catch up with demand at some point but for the next few years it looks like the price of Christmas trees will be going up until that happens.

The Chino Hills Christmas Tree Company has been selling trees at the Chino Fairgrounds for the last 10 years and is a staple of the community. Their prices have pretty much stayed the same as they were last year starting at $20 for a table top sized tree and going up to several hundred dollars.

The trees are “selling like crazy” said one tree lot owner even though the prices are up. There is a nursery in Chino Hills, Moon Nursery that sells Christmas as well and their selection is good. If you want to cut your own tree down you will have to travel a little to do so but it might save you some money.

All the lots in Chino Valley offer full service for you if you want to have your tree flocked, need a tree stand with or without water, all at an extra fee of course. They take credit cards and will wrap your tree and help you strap it to your car if you need. A lot of the workers that are employed at these lots are making minimum wage or are the seller themselves so make sure you tip them for their service.

The smell of the holidays is in the air and it smells like pine.

In the city of Chino Hills 

Winter Springs Christmas Trees is at 3295 Grand Ave., at the corner of Grand and Peyton avenues in the Albertson’s shopping center.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Information, 503-339-5410.

They have a Facebook page called Chino Hills Christmas Trees.

A Gift from the Heart is Priceless

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

Times are tough for so many right now.  I know the media makes us feel like we show our love by spending lots of money.  It shows people giving diamonds and luxury cars and the message is that if you really love somebody you’ll give them this type of gift.  The truth is the most people don’t have that kind of money to spend on themselves much less somebody else.

Many people tell me they feel bad because they wish they had more money to spend this holiday season.  Maybe I’m wrong but the true meaning of the holiday is to spread love and kindness and those things are free.  There are many ways to show love and kindness.  This time of year is about reminding all the special people in our lives how very much we appreciate them.  I have many people every year besides my family and friends that I get a tiny gift for.  I don’t spend too much but they sure do appreciate my gesture.

Photo courtesy: Google Images

I always love spending time with my family and friends but this time of year is special because we all have time off and we have more time to be together.  We love sharing meals together, singing songs, baking cookies, laughing, creating memories, taking pictures and getting all of the generations together.  For us the holidays are about having fun and just having more time to express our love for each other.  We make sure to always make time for lots of hugs and kisses as well.  Over the years I have made many gifts for friends and family.  We are all very sentimental so a gift from the heart is priceless in my family and doesn’t have to cost you a cent.  Just enjoy the holiday season!!!!

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 feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s book’s Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 12.16.17

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: Weekly12.16.2017

Did You Know?

5 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for the Holidays

By Statepoint

 

Whether you’re hosting or just trying to get into the holiday spirit, preparing your home doesn’t have to be daunting or expensive.

Check out these five tips for getting your home in tip-top holiday shape on any budget from the experts at Dollar General:

 

Deck the Dining Table

Get your dining table holiday-ready by purchasing staple décor pieces that can be rotated throughout the year. Fill glass vases with seasonal items such as ornaments, holly, faux snow or pinecones. Add extra light and warmth to the table with a flameless LED pillar candle. Place tea lights in small vases filled with cranberries, holly and water for an inexpensive and festive way to decorate the table.

 

Decorate the Tree

If you’re looking for a fun way to get kids involved in holiday decorating, purchase plain ornaments for them to design with paint or pens. Clear ornaments can be filled with glitter or tinsel to create a unique look for your tree. Decorated ornaments also make great and thoughtful gifts.

 

Embellish your tree by adding red or burlap ribbon from the top of each side and adding a topper. Then, consider coordinating the color scheme of your tree with gifts, using those that were wrapped early as decor throughout your house.

 

Deck the Front Door

Make a DIY wreath by gluing bows or pinning ornaments to a foam wreath. Designing your own door decor doesn’t have to be expensive, and it will allow you to add your own personal touch to your home’s entryway. Complete the look with festive outdoor lighting. Affordable options are available at such variety stores as Dollar General.

 

Design a Festive Mantle

Decorate your fireplace mantle for the holidays without spending much time or money. Wrap a garland in mini string lights and hang leftover ornaments to continue the theme from your tree. Create handmade bows to place at each end of the mantle using your choice of ribbon. If you don’t have a mantle, you can create a fireplace-like space with a cluster of string lights or LED candles in a nook of your home. Then, remember to hang the stockings!

 

Create a Cleaning Game Plan

The holidays can be fun, festive and messy. Create a day-by-day cleaning game plan, focusing on one area of your house at a time. This will save you stress and allow you more time to get organized. Be sure you’re stocked up on all your holiday prep cleaning supplies, including sponges, microfiber cloths and wet mop refills.

 

For holiday savings, you can sign up for Dollar General digital coupons, which offers a $1 off coupon when you sign up. Create an account by visiting dollargeneral.com/coupons or through the DG mobile app.

 

Remember, getting into the holiday spirit doesn’t have to break the bank. Save time and money decorating your home, so you can spend more stress-free moments with friends and family.

Updated Info On Olympic Trials In Walnut

Staff Reports

The Walnut City Council will be having a council meeting on Wednesday, December 13 at 7 p.m.  The question many are asking is: “Will the Olympic trials be on the agenda for open discussion this time?”

Earlier this year, Mt. San Antonio College (SAC) won the bid to have the Track and Field Olympic Trials at the campus. Whether or not they are able to get the school ready for the trials is still up in the air at this time. A stadium still needs to be built and the deadline to build in time for the trials is quickly approaching. It has been reported that the City of Walnut may not be in favor of the trials being held in their city. The reasons to date have been unclear and it has not been open for discussion as to why it hasn’t been on the agenda at past City Council meetings. Rumors are that it mostly likely won’t be approved by the council, which could cost Walnut and the cities in the surrounding areas an estimated $40 million dollars. That number is conservatively based on what Oregon claims they will lose because they didn’t win the bid.

The lack of information that has been released on the subject led to a misunderstanding that a final vote would take place at the Council Meeting on December 13. We were informed that there will not be a final vote and at this time, it is unclear if an open forum discussion will even be on the agenda. We also recently received information that the city may be seeking an injunction to stop construction of the stadium, which is needed to support the trials. It seems as though driving a truck loaded with dirt on a Walnut city street has been deemed unsafe and permits have not been issued to do so at this time.

Reports indicate that the entire estimated amount of $40 million in revenue won’t be given solely to the City of Walnut. It leaves us to wonder if that played into the decision to stall the construction until the point of no return? That is a question that we hope will be addressed at a city council meeting at some point. The estimated $40 million in revenue could benefit Walnut and the surrounding communities since Walnut doesn’t have hotels in the city. But unfortunately, the surrounding communities are not involved in the decision process.

So local business owners, sports fans and anyone that supports the building of the Mt. SAC stadium, mark December 13 at 7pm on your calendars so you can attend the City Council Meeting.  If the city does decide to have an open discussion about the project, let your voice be heard.

 

 

History 101

December 9 1992: U.S Marines storm Mogadishu, Somalia

History.com

In 1992, 1,800 United States Marines arrive in Mogadishu, Somalia, to spearhead a multinational force aimed at restoring order in the conflict-ridden country.

Following centuries of colonial rule by countries including Portugal, Britain and Italy, Mogadishu became the capital of an independent Somalia in 1960. Less than 10 years later, a military group led by Major General Muhammad Siad Barre seized power and declared Somalia a socialist state. A drought in the mid-1970s combined with an unsuccessful rebellion by ethnic Somalis in a neighboring province of Ethiopia to deprive many of food and shelter. By 1981, close to 2 million of the country’s inhabitants were homeless. Though a peace accord was signed with Ethiopia in 1988, fighting increased between rival clans within Somalia, and in January 1991 Barre was forced to flee the capital. Over the next 23 months, Somalia’s civil war killed some 50,000 people; another 300,000 died of starvation as United Nations peacekeeping forces struggled in vain to restore order and provide relief amid the chaos of war.

In early December 1992, outgoing U.S. President George H.W. Bush sent the contingent of Marines to Mogadishu as part of a mission dubbed Operation Restore Hope. Backed by the U.S. troops, international aid workers were soon able to restore food distribution and other humanitarian aid operations. Sporadic violence continued, including the murder of 24 U.N. soldiers from Pakistan in 1993. As a result, the U.N. authorized the arrest of General Mohammed Farah Aidid, leader of one of the rebel clans. On October 3, 1993, during an attempt to make the arrest, rebels shot down two of the U.S. Army’s Black Hawk helicopters and killed 18 American soldiers.

As horrified TV viewers watched images of the bloodshed—-including footage of Aidid’s supporters dragging the body of one dead soldier through the streets of Mogadishu, cheering—-President immediately gave the order for all American soldiers to withdraw from Somalia by March 31, 1994. Other Western nations followed suit. When the last U.N. peacekeepers left in 1995, ending a mission that had cost more than $2 billion, Mogadishu still lacked a functioning government. A ceasefire accord signed in Kenya in 2002 failed to put a stop to the violence, and though a new parliament was convened in 2004, rival factions in various regions of Somalia continue to struggle for control of the troubled nation.

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 12.09.17

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.Weekly12.9.2017

Walnut Valley Trustees Celebrate Star Students, Community Partners

By Kelli Gile

 WALNUT– In keeping with tradition, the Walnut Valley USD Board of Trustees honored outstanding students and community partners during the November 15 meeting.

C.J. Morris Elementary fourth graders Kailyn Park and Nyla Rivera authored “Everyone Has A Right”, a friendship book they wrote to raise awareness about students with special needs.

The caring students were commended with the Super Star Student Award.

Kailyn and Nyla spend time at recess getting to know students in the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) class.  They model how to care about others and value differences.

Their advocacy work has created a more inclusive environment on campus. To date, they have donated nearly $200 to the ASD class from the book’s proceeds.

“They truly embody what it means to be I.B. students by showing that they not only care, but dare to act to make a difference,” said Principal Shehzad Bhojani.

Longtime parent volunteer Sheila Wright received the Partner in Education Award.

Sheila has been president of the C.J. Morris Community Club for the past four years.  Under her leadership, fundraising efforts, parental involvement and school spirt have steadily increased.

“She embraces an inclusive philosophy to address the needs of our culturally, ethnically and socio-economically diverse parent community,” Bhojani said.

Sheila has strong interpersonal skills and utilizes multiple platforms to communicate with the parent community.  She is a good listener who validates the ideas brought up by her team, and is open to suggestions in improving the effectiveness of the programs that are offered.

“Sheila is fully committed to improving the educational experience of our C.J. Morris students,” he added.

Parent volunteer Tom Jordan received the Partner in Education Award for South Pointe Middle School.

For the past three years, Tom has been an active member of the school’s Community Club and currently serves as president. He is also a School Site Council and District LCAP Committee representative.

If Tom isn’t providing the parent voice at a meeting, he is selling snacks at home games and performances, or organizing fundraisers.

“His innovation, enthusiasm, and infectious positive energy inspire parents, teachers, and students alike,” said Principal Susan Arzola.

South Pointe 8th grader Yssael Gutierrez, a.k.a. Ironman, was unanimously voted by staff, out of over 900 candidates, to receive the Super Star Student Award.

“He has inspired all of us to embrace life’s challenges and tackle them head on,” Arzola said.

Last year was probably the toughest of this young man’s life and yet he was able to overcome a huge challenge, she said.

“Yssael came back this year with a strong, positive “can do” attitude. We know nothing can hold him back!”

He is proud to be a Panther and cheers on his peers every chance he gets.  He puts his whole heart into all that he does from fundraisers to athletics.

“Yssael exemplifies the strength of character and community we can all only aspire to,” Arzola added.

Additionally, the Walnut High School boys baseball and girls swim teams received special recognition for reaching the highest level of success as Division 3 CIF Champions.

 

You Choose

Photo courtesy: Google Images

By Anthony Saude

My wife and kids are not only the most important people in my life, they are also the most frustrating. You can ask them for yourselves about the important part but I would request you don’t mention the frustrating side. That might not go well for me.

I love them so much that I even enjoy getting up in the morning when it is still dark outside to go to work. Even when I know that it is that time of the year when I know it will be dark by the time I get home. And although I don’t like being away from them for so long, I do love the joy that I feel when I finally get home and see them.

I coached my daughter’s travel basketball team for several years. Work all week, tourney all weekend. That was my life and I loved every second of it. On occasion she would ask me “Aren’t you tired?”. My answer was always “I don’t have time to be tired until bedtime. Tired is a state of mind”. She didn’t get it then but she is starting to now that she is an adult.

Life is about choices and we can choose to have a bad day or a good day. I promise that you will have the type of day that you choose to have. We can wake up and think about everything in our life that is bad or everything that is good. We can choose to be happy or sad or mad. All are choices. We can choose to think of what we don’t have or what we do have; it is all a state of mind.

What we fill our heads with is what our actions and behavior will reflect for that day. I try to choose to be positive every day. When I feel sad I think about my kids and laugh. When I feel anger I think about my wife and feel loved. When I feel frustrated I think about starving children in this world and feel grateful for what I have. When I feel all of these emotions at the same time I think about all that the Lord has blessed me with in my life with and feel Joy.

I CHOOSE.