Category Archives: SGV-IE Community News

Smoky Beef and Poblano Chili

With Kidney Beans, Cheddar Cheese, and Sour Cream

By Hello Fresh  recipe-cropped-bw

Take a quick trip to New Mexico by simmering smoky poblanos with ground beef, tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, and cumin. With a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese to cool things off, this dish is as creamy as it is hearty.

Cooking Time: 30 min.

Servings: 2

Nutrition: Calories: 637 cal, Fat: 26g, Sat. Fat: 11 g, Protein: 46g, Carbs: 50 g, Sugar: 8 g, Sodium: 1243 mg, Fiber: 17 g

Ingredients:

  • Scallions- 2
  • Garlic- 1 clove
  • Poblano Pepper- 1
  • Kidney Beans-1 box
  • Ground Beef- 8 oz.
  • Chili Powder- 1t
  • Cumin- 1t
  • Beef Stock Concentrate- 1
  • Crushed Tomatoes- 1 Box
  • Cheddar Cheese- ½ Cup
  • Sour Cream- 2T
  • Olive Oil- 1t

Preparation:

  1. Prep: Wash and dry all produce. Thinly slice scallions. Mince garlic. Drain and rinse beans. Core, seed, and dice poblano pepper into ½-inch cubes.
  2. Brown the beef: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium–high heat. Add ground beef. Break up into pieces, and cook until browned, 4-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from pan and set aside.
  3. Cook the veggies: Add poblano peppers, scallions, and garlic to the same pan. Toss until softened, 4-5 minutes. Add chili powder and cumin. Toss until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Simmer the chili: Add stock concentrate, beans, tomatoes, ground beef, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. TIP: If you have time, simmer longer. The flavor gets better with time!
  5. Serve: Divide the smoky beef and poblano chili between bowls. Top with cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy!

History 101

First barrel ride down Niagara Falls

By History.com  annie5-bw

On this day in 1901, a 63-year-old schoolteacher named Annie Edson Taylor becomes the first person to take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

After her husband died in the Civil War, the New York-born Taylor moved all over the U. S. before settling in Bay City, Michigan, around 1898. In July 1901, while reading an article about the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, she learned of the growing popularity of two enormous waterfalls located on the border of upstate New York and Canada. Strapped for cash and seeking fame, Taylor came up with the perfect attention-getting stunt: She would go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

Taylor was not the first person to attempt the plunge over the famous falls. In October 1829, Sam Patch, known as the Yankee Leaper, survived jumping down the 175-foot Horseshoe Falls of the Niagara River, on the Canadian side of the border. More than 70 years later, Taylor chose to take the ride on her birthday, October 24. (She claimed she was in her 40s, but genealogical records later showed she was 63.) With the help of two assistants, Taylor strapped herself into a leather harness inside an old wooden pickle barrel five feet high and three feet in diameter. With cushions lining the barrel to break her fall, Taylor was towed by a small boat into the middle of the fast-flowing Niagara River and cut loose.

Knocked violently from side to side by the rapids and then propelled over the edge of Horseshoe Falls, Taylor reached the shore alive, if a bit battered, around 20 minutes after her journey began. After a brief flurry of photo-ops and speaking engagements, Taylor’s fame cooled, and she was unable to make the fortune for which she had hoped. She did, however, inspire a number of copy-cat daredevils. Between 1901 and 1995, 15 people went over the falls; 10 of them survived. Among those who died were Jesse Sharp, who took the plunge in a kayak in 1990, and Robert Overcracker, who used a jet ski in 1995. No matter the method, going over Niagara Falls is illegal, and survivors face charges and stiff fines on either side of the border.

 

Future Chino High students and their parents get help with homework

 

By CVUSD 

Several fifth- and sixth-graders from Walnut Avenue and Cortez elementary schools got help with homework and a look at their future school this week (Oct. 11) during a Homework Partnerships workshop offered at Chino High. Carol Sweat, Chino Valley Unified School District’s (CVUSD) Parent, School, Community Specialist, worked with the elementary students’ parents on strategies they can use at home to assist their children with homework. Among the questions Sweat asked parents were: Do you set a regular time every day for homework? Does your child have the papers, books, pencils, and other things to do assignments? Do you talk to your child about homework assignments? Do you read the teachers’ comments on assignments that are returned? Is television viewing or video game playing cutting into your child’s homework time? Do you meet with the teacher early in the year before any problems arise? She also offered website links to parents on homework and Common Core math. Among those are: http://www.homeworkspot.com and http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/drmath.elem.html. While the parents attended that workshop, Chino High teacher Carol Ingram and Chino High students worked with the fifth- and sixth-graders on math strategies and manipulatives, which are objects such as blocks or colored shapes that allow children to learn mathematical concepts through a hands-on experience. Chino High’s folkloric dancers performed at the beginning of the evening, and Chino High’s Culinary Hospitality Occupations Management Pathway (C.H.O.M.P.) students provided light snacks.

Artist Corner

Rosemary Tuthill

By Racine Guajardo  artist-corner-rosemary-web

“Try and see all the great art that you can, find your voice, and be sure that this is really what you want to do.” Barbara Ernst Prey, Visual Artist.

As a favorite quote of Rosemary Tuthill, she was born in Orange and now a current resident of Eastvale, California. She has been drawing since she was in kindergarten. Over time, she has explored a range of media from clay, watercolors and acrylics to airbrush as well as oils when she was in high school. In college, she studied art, interior design, and finally electrical engineering. After working in Research and Development for 24 years, she was able to follow her true passion of painting full time. Her work has been shown in galleries; she paints art for print sales, and paints commissioned portraits and landscapes.

Tuthill realized that photos are wonderful way for capturing a moment in time, but oils can memorialize a person or memory and create an heirloom one brushstroke at a time. She is proud to be able to be share her love of art with her oil paintings and being a part of peoples’ lives by sharing her skill with Paint and Sip parties where she leads participants through an acrylic painting step-by-step. Here, she emphasizes art as fun in relaxed social environments including museums, galleries, wineries, and homes.

So many people have influenced Tuthill’s life, but her biggest role model and most proud of is being the daughter of renowned painter and muralist Emigdio Vasquez. He created over 400 oil paintings, works, and more than 32 murals in North Orange County, California. Through her art, she feels a bond with her father. Rosemary grew up in the presence of artists, art shows, exhibits, and events. From the time Rosemary was old enough to help, she served as Emigdio’s model for murals and portraits, and later assisted him in his art career as a liaison to galleries and as his exhibits coordinator. From her father, she gained an appreciation for oil painting and a study of the works of the Old Masters with an eye for lighting effects, layers with degrees of translucence, and layout with expression. She is very meticulous in all of her works including portraits that range from photo-realistic to gritty rendition, to landscapes with amazing detail, still-life works that capture realism, and even pet portraits with amazing detail.

Many artists are able to create paintings in hours. However, Rosemary says, “My portraits take up to a few months because of the multiple layers and I tend to paint three works at a time to enable both drying and planning times.” In the painting community, there is more male Hispanic artist than female, “I have the talent to create art, I need to represent my background and gender,” says Tuthill.

Tuthill has displayed her art in galleries alongside her father’s paintings and as a standalone artist. She currently have three paintings in the Riverside County Administration Center hosted by the Riverside Arts Council where you can see Packinghouse Orange, California Circa 1948, Night of the Altars, and a portrait of Charles Darwin. The exhibition runs until February 2017.

“Look for beauty in all that you see. You cannot appreciate humanity without trying to understand the context of everyday struggles and triumphs,” is Tuthill’s advice if she could give any.

Rosemary Tuthill can be found on two websites, vasquezart.com and paintpartyexperience.com. As well as on two Facebook pages: Amazing Portrait Paintings by Rosemary and Amazing Pet Portraits by Rosemary.

 

SO CAL EDISON PROJECT ON PEYTON DRIVE SET TO START MONDAY, OCTOBER 24TH

By City of Chino Hills

Chino Hills, CA – A Southern California Edison project is set to begin on Monday, October 24th in the northbound lanes (east side) of Peyton Drive between Chino Avenue and Boys Republic Drive. The project includes the installation of underground conduits along Peyton Drive, the digging of a trench within the existing bike lane, and restoration of the pavement. The first phase of the work is scheduled from October 24th to November 18th and will result in lane closures. Work hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lane closures are prohibited before 8:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m. on Mondays), and after 2:00 p.m. from Grand Avenue south to Eucalyptus Avenue. Closures will only occur during work hours unless unforeseen circumstances arise. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times.

What Rain?

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Mark Hopper

Recently my wife and I drove to Arizona to visit some of her family and connect with old some friends.  The skies were clear and the weather was not as hot as we expected.

The day after we arrived, the weather forecaster predicted a 10% chance of rain.  Apparently there was a small hurricane south of Cabo San Lucas that was spinning moisture north toward Arizona.

The weather man predicated heavy rain along the Colorado River with possible flooding near Las Vegas.  But it looked unlikely that we would see any rain in the Phoenix area.

However, as we got into our car to drive across town, we noticed some serious looking clouds in the west.  But, we did not worry since we were going south not west.

Suddenly, the storm reached us and a heavy rain came pouring down.  We actually waited in the parking lot until the heavy rain subsided.   It rained cats and dogs for fifteen minutes.  Crazy!

When the rain finally began to let up, we ventured out toward our destination.  Major intersections were flooded and the traffic on the freeway crept along at a snail’s pace due to the accumulation of water on the roads.

However, as we drove south toward Tempe and Chandler, we noticed that the rain began to let up and patches of blue sky peeked through the clouds.

By the time we got to our destination 20 minutes later,  there wasn’t a drop of water anywhere.  The roads were completely dry.

We had called our hosts to warn them that we expected to be late, but they did not have one drop of rain at their house.

Our hosts were glad to see us, but they asked us one question, “What rain”?  They didn’t see a drop on their side of town.

There is a story in the Bible about a man named Elijah in First Kings chapter 18.  There had been a severe drought in Israel and no rain for three years.  But, in this passage, Elijah warns the King that heavy rains are coming.

This prediction seemed impossible.  The skies were clear.  The drought had crippled their economy and exhausted the people.

I’m sure the King and his people thought to themselves, “What rain”?

The passage records that only hours later, there was a major rain storm that swept across the land of Israel.  The prophet’s prediction had come true.

Let me encourage you to keep you eyes open when you are traveling through Arizona.  As you drive across the desert, rain seems pretty unlikely.  Maybe only 10%.  But, don’t get caught by surprise.  Desert thunderstorms can come quickly and unexpectedly.

I hope we’ll soon see some of that wet stuff in California, too!

 

San Antonio Regional Hospital is having a Huge Open House event and is inviting all local residents to attend! See the Ad below and get details on the scheduled activities and special guests!


updated-tower-open-house-eastvale-ad-09232016

Identity Theft Ring In Custody

Staff Reports

San Bernardino – Six suspects from San Bernardino were arrested and charged in relation to a string of mail thefts in the City of Loma Linda and other surrounding areas.

On September 13, 2016, the first suspect was stopped during a routine traffic stop by Deputy B. Ortiz of the Loma Linda Police Department. Daniel Bustos, the driver, was searched and in possession of pry tools as well as a vast amount of stolen checks, mail and ID cards. Deputies believed Bustos used the pry tools to break into residents’ mail boxes in Loma Linda. Bustos was then arrested and booked, facing felony of identity theft and check fraud.

Deputy Ortiz continued to investigate and issued a search warrant for 2301 N. Sepulveda Ave. #22 which was believed to be the location of where more stolen mail and other illegal items were being stored. The search warrant was officially served on September 27, 2016 where Deputies discovered even more stolen mail, checks and ID information. Deputies were also able to successfully arrest three more suspects, Tina Nolan, Linda Crume and Juan Herrera, and charge them with ID theft, check and credit card fraud.

The remaining suspects, Eduardo Guzman and Nicholas Costello, had already fled the area before police had arrived but were later found and arrested.

Evidence suggests that dozens of victims were affected in the following areas: Loma Linda, Cooley Ranch Area of San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, North Fontana, and Adelanto. Of the dozens affected, over 25 have been notified with the rest to be contacted shortly.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Central station at 909-387-3545. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-782-7463 or visit their website at http://www.wetip.com.

Why Remember?

By Michael Armijo

I once read a story about a 9-year old boy named Travis, whose mother died at home one day. Without telling a soul, little Travis covered her body with a coat and he placed sheets of notebook paper over her face. He learned to fix his own meals – mostly frozen pizza, cereal, and soup – cut his own hair, and attended school without fail. He did this for over a month because he was afraid he’d be placed into foster care if anyone found out his mother passed away. The mother’s body was eventually discovered by family friends. Travis begged them not to call the police.

When I read this story I was moved to write about it from my perspective. A friend asked me why I sought out areas in life that are so traumatic, so emotional, and so powerful. He asked me why I seemed to focus on elements of life that are painful, emotional and disturbing. He asked me “why remember?”

It amazes me what life brings you. It’s like an old, enormous tree that sits in your neighborhood. One day it catches your eye and you tell yourself, “I’ve never noticed that huge obstacle in front of me before.”

Although that tree has been there and developed throughout your life, you never realized that you’ve had to go around it every day. You’re so busy trying to survive that the small detour has become a part of your daily routine.

I kind of feel that my emotions are like that tree. I’ve driven past them for so many years without really paying attention. I kept wondering why it took so long to get anywhere productive; why life was such a hassle for me. And then one day, for a reason only God may know, I noticed this tremendous obstruction in my life that I was going around and avoiding over and over again. I finally became fed up and decided I wasn’t going to go around it anymore – I was going to drive right through that humongous tree.

It was never my plan to have to go and examine the landscaping of my life. I thought I was supposed to follow the path that was laid out before me. But somewhere along the way, I developed a source of confidence that somehow convinced me that the path laid out before me was vulnerable to manipulation. I realized that I could change where I was going and how I was getting there.

I believe there are experiences in life that give you freedom and confidence, but sometimes you end up in a stagnant period where you have to take a moment to sit back and reflect. And during this reflection, you sometimes feel resentful of the circumstances that are before you. You realize that someone in your life planted seeds that grew into this enormous tree that distanced you from the success you feel you deserve. Somehow along the way, you’ve subconsciously watered those seeds and allowed them to grow into this enormous tree.

When you realize this, you get angry and resentful of your own carelessness and then you remember the selfish acts of irresponsible adults. You can’t change what has happened in your life, you can’t change these obstacles, those that have prevented you from going on with your life. It’s puzzling why we remember those horrid demons that have scarred our lives with darkness and pain. But, I have to ask myself: Why do I remember?

After asking myself that question I realized I had no answer. I then felt compelled to just let the darkness go and try to remember how great life really is. And although that huge and longstanding tree has strong roots that grow deep below the surface, the momentum I carry can uproot these life altering emotions and I can grow and love like many others.

And just like Travis, who used a few pieces of notebook paper to cover a painful sight, hoping that no one would discover it, we can ignore those chapters of our lives. This is why we must ask ourselves: “Why Remember?”

 

WVUSD is Sailing to Success!

By WVUSD

Kids First! WVUSD officials and students wave to residents during the Walnut Family Festival Parade on October 8. Photo courtesy: WVUSD

Kids First! WVUSD officials and students wave to residents during the Walnut Family Festival Parade on October 8.
Photo courtesy: WVUSD

Walnut – Walnut Valley USD joined the 40th annual Walnut Family Festival and Parade on October 8. This year, Board Members Tony Torng, Cindy Ruiz, and Larry Redinger, Human Resources Director Sergio Canal, and several students sailed down the parade route in a beautiful 30-foot boat courtesy of parents Sam and Nancy Castorena. The District also hosted a community awareness booth with brochures and give-a-ways during the popular community event held at Suzanne Park in Walnut. Walnut Valley USD proudly continues its rich tradition as a top school district in the state and nation garnering prestigious 2016 awards for elementary, middle, and high schools.

 

Ask Clark’s

Danny from Lake Arrowhead asks Clark’s: "ask clarks" header

What is the difference between organic and conventional produce? And how do I know if my fruits and vegetables are organic, conventional (non-organic) or genetically modified (GMO)?

 

Organic produce is regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the 2002 National Organics Program (NOP). This program defines the term ‘organic’ and provides the certification, labeling and growing standards for organic foods. Organic foods are produced without using conventional pesticides and fertilizers. These standards also state that organic foods shall not be processed using synthetic ingredients, sewage, sludge, bioengineering, or ionizing radiation. Before labeling with the USDA organic seal a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules and guidelines set by the USDA-Organics Program. When this is completed the use of the USDA ORGANIC seal is allowed for use on packaging.

A big concern for non-organic foods is the use of pesticides. The connection for pesticides and the long term health concerns for diseases like cancer have brought much attention to the use and overuse of pesticides. The USDA Pesticide Data Program (PDP) and Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) test foods for pesticide residues. The EPA suggests that 99% of all foods tested meet’s their criteria for safety. Foods are also tested on a random basis as well.

GMO foods are foods that have been genetically modified. Simply put this means an apple’s genes or DNA have been manipulated with another plant or animal DNA, by piecing together strands to make a product with certain outcomes. A great illustration of this is found in Monsanto’s (now owned by Bayer Aspirin Co.) golden rice which has been manipulated to include vitamin A content, this being an advantage for vegetarian individuals. The biggest argument for GMO’s is less pesticide use and greater yield of foods for a growing world population. This argument has been greatly subdued since the New York Academy of Sciences (2016) reported that GMO foods offer no greater yield. Additionally lower pesticide use was prevalent in the beginning but now is comparable to before GMO use according to the New York Academy of Sciences.  GMO grown foods, seeds, or farming practices are not allowed in the NOP.

GMO foods are foods that have been genetically modified. Simply put this means an apple’s genes or DNA have been manipulated with another plant or animals DNA, by piecing together strands to make a product with certain outcomes. A great illustration of this is found in Monsanto’s (now owned by Bayer Aspirin co.) golden rice which has been manipulated to include vitamin A content, this being and advantage for vegetarian individuals. The biggest argument for GMO’s is less pesticide use and greater yield of foods for a growing world. This argument has been greatly subdued since the New York Academy of Sciences (2016) reported that GMO foods offer no greater yield. Additionally lower pesticide use was prevalent in the beginning but now is comparable to before GMO use according to the New York Academy of Sciences.  GMO grown foods, seeds, or farming practices are not allowed in the NOP (National Organic Program)

Finally how will you know if you are getting organic, conventional, or GMO fruits and vegetables when shopping?  For fruits and vegetables a there is a standard coding system in the grocery industry. This standard is based on what is called a Program Look Up (PLU) code (which has been in place since 1990). Although this is a voluntary program, almost all grocery and produce companies use this system. This is denoted on the little sticker that is on individual pieces of fruits or vegetables. Of note, there are a few cool things about this system: These codes can be 4 or 5 digits. Four digits are for conventional and often start with the number 4. Organic codes are 5 digits and start with the number 9, while GMO foods have an 8 prefix number and a 5 digit system as well. There is also one other system that is in place to help in identifying where your produce came from. This system is called Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) which was enacted in the United States around 2004. You will notice that there are stickers or signs on either your produce itself, (this also includes meat, poultry, fish and some nuts etc.) or the price sticker on the grocery shelf. A product that comes from outside of the United States can be organically grown but obviously the USDA NOP would not be able to completely certify farms outside of United States. So when shopping for your fruits and vegetables, please keep in mind all of these factors when making your decisions.

By Starkie Sowers

Edited By Sean Obannon

 

 

 

Have a health related question?

Send us your question, your first and last name, and the city you live in to: askclarks@clarksnutrition.com

Due to the number of responses, we will only be able to answer published questions.

 

Reference

  1. http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/06p0094/06p-0094-cp00001-05-Tab-04-Food-Marketing-Institute-vol1.pdf
  2. https://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/can-gmos-be-used-organic-products
  3. https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/PDP%20factsheet.pdf
  4. http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2012/11/know-your-gmo-bar-codes-2500740.html

 

  1. https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Pesticide%20Residue%20Testing_Org%20Produce_2010-11PilotStudy.pdf
  2. Murray, Healing Foods, Atria Books New York, NY. 2005, PG 40-61
  1. UL.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016 Sep 13;16:358. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1343-2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27577177
  2. Pomegranate juice causes a partial improvement through lowering oxidative stress for erectile dysfunction in streptozotocin-diabetic rat.Onal E, Yilmaz D, Kaya E, Bastaskın T, Bayatlı N, Gur S.Int J Impot Res. 2016 Sep 1. doi: 10.1038/ijir.2016.34. [Epub ahead of print] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27581707
  3. Memory boosting effect of Citrus limon, Pomegranate and their combinations.Riaz A, Khan RA, Algahtani HA. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2014 Nov;27(6):1837-40 PMID:25362607http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25362607

 

 

SoCalGas Conducts full-scale demonstration

20161013_091658-web

Photo courtesy: SoCalGas SoCalGas crews from Fontana Operating Base joined first responders, excavators, contractors and utility owners to demonstrate what can happen when individuals or contractors do not dig safely in their backyards or work sites.

By SoCalGas  

San Bernardino- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) joined first responders, excavators, contractors, utility owners and operators in a full-scale demonstration of what can happen when individuals or contractors do not dig safely in their backyards or work sites.

The event took place at the San Bernardino Regional Emergency Training Center (SBRETC) in San Bernardino. The SBRETC provides comprehensive emergency training for Aircraft Crash Rescue Firefighters worldwide.

“Hitting an active gas line while digging, planting or doing demolition work can cause serious injury, property damage, outages and costly repairs,” said Sergio Jimenez, SoCalGas spokesperson.

The event was hosted by the San Bernardino County Fire Department the California Regional Common Ground Alliance (CARCGA).

The CACGA is an association of utility operators, professional excavators and other stakeholders, dedicated to ensuring public safety, environmental protection, and integrity of underground services since 2004, according to the organization’s website.

Utility line facts:

  • SoCalGas reminds the public to dig safely by dialing 811 two working days prior to shoveling to know the location of underground utility lines so that you’ll avoid hitting them.
  • Every six minutes an underground utility line somewhere in the country is damaged because someone did not call 811, the national “Call Before You Dig” phone number.
  • You could find utility lines, anywhere, including under streets, sidewalks and private property – sometimes you’ll see them just inches below the surface.
  • More than 100 billion feet of utility lines lay buried underground in communities throughout the United States and those lines bring us our Internet, cable TV, natural gas, electricity and water.
  • Hitting one of these pipelines while digging, planting or doing demolition work can cause serious injury, property damage, outages and costly repairs.
  • That’s why it’s important to know the location of underground utility lines before you dig, regardless if you’re planning a big construction project or just landscaping your yard.
  • After you call 811, Underground Service Alert will contact SoCalGas and other utilities so that representatives from these utilities can visit the proposed dig site to mark the locations of buried utility lines at no charge.

Did You Know?

Tips to Overcome Personal Struggles and Achieve Goals

By StatePoint

When faced with tough challenges, it can be tempting to throw in the towel. But experts say the power of goal-setting is fierce and the discipline behind it can help anyone overcome obstacles.

“Failure has the power to break you or it has the power to push you forward,” says Scout Bassett, a U.S. Paralympian in track and field. “Use your experiences as an opportunity to reevaluate your goals and move forward from there.”

Having lost a leg early in her life in China, Bassett spent her early childhood in an orphanage before being adopted by an American family. She came to the United States at the age of seven just wanting to fit in. As a child she discovered a love of running and set off on a path to qualify for the Paralympic Games. In her first attempt in 2012, she came in dead last and did not qualify for the team. She briefly considered giving up her dream.

This year, she is relishing the progress she has made. As a member of Team USA who competed in Rio, she’s showing off her skills on a global stage and participating in Citi’s “#StandForProgress” program to inspire all Americans to think about the progress they want to achieve in their lives.

Bassett offers the following insights into goal-setting.

  • “Progress” doesn’t always come in the form of a medal or an award. Sometimes progress means you have to take a few steps back, go back to the drawing board, see what worked and what didn’t, and find a way forward from there. Most of us experience setbacks, disappointments and even failures sometimes, but ultimately those moments can be the greatest motivators.
  • The biggest struggles you face may not be the ones handed to you by fate or outside forces. They may be the battles you fight within. Look past your own inner voice discouraging you from your hopes and dreams. Developing mental fortitude is a continuous process.
  • You can’t change the past but you can help write the future. Embrace and focus on what you have gained, not what you have lost.
  • Don’t let naysayers hinder your progress or cause you to lose faith in yourself. The beauty of being underestimated is you have an opportunity to defy the odds. Use pessimism to motivate you.
  • No one can do it alone, so don’t be afraid to rely on the help of others. Even at times when you don’t believe in yourself, there may be others who do.

Citi’s Stand for Progress program explores how all of us define progress, set goals, overcome obstacles and support and inspire others to do the same. Americans can share how they stand for progress by using #StandForProgress and posting their own goals on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Whether it’s eating healthier, saving money for a house, or spending more time with loved ones, it helps to clarify your goals by writing them down.

DB City Council Meeting

By Natalie Kim

Diamond Bar – The October 4 Diamond Bar Council meeting began with several presentations. First, the Council presented Captain Jeff Scroggin with a City Tile, thanking him for his years of service at the Diamond Bar/Walnut Sheriff station. Although the Council was disappointed to bid farewell to the Captain, they wished him well in his future. Captain Scroggin introduced his replacement, Captain Al Reyes. Captain Scroggin praised the new Captain’s devotion, hard work, and ability. Captain Scroggin also assured residents that, as Captain Reyes lives very nearby, his ideals and the ideals of residents will be very much in line. The Council also presented See’s Candies with a City Tile, recognizing the store as the City’s Business of the Month for the month of October, 2016.

Next, the City Manager introduced Deputy German Perez, also a new addition to the Diamond Bar/Walnut Sheriff’s station. The City Manager also updated the Council on Diamond Bar’s Restaurant Week. Twenty restaurants are participating in the City’s Restaurant Week, featuring a wide variety of cuisines and special deals only available from the week of October 8-24.

Following the public comments, the City Manager read the schedule of future events, which consisted of Diamond Bar’s Restaurant Week from October 8-24; a Planning Commission meeting on October 11; the first meeting of the General Plan Advisory Committee on October 12; a Traffic and Transportation meeting on October 13; Barktoberfest on October 15; and a City Council meeting on October 18.

The Council then approved most items on the consent calendar, which included the minutes from the City Council meeting of September 29; minutes from the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of July 28; minutes from the Planning Commission meeting of July 26; ratification of a check register totaling $1,548,966.28; the Treasurer’s statement for the month of August, 2016; a joint resolution with the board of supervisors of the county of los Angeles, the City Council of the city of Pomona and the city of Diamond Bar, approving and accepting the negotiated exchange of property tax revenue resulting from  the reorganization of territory known as City of Pomona Reorganization 2015-14, consisting of detachment of territory of from the city of Diamond Bar and annexation to the city of Pomona and withdrawal from the County Public Library System; a professional engineering services contract for on-call soils and geotechnical engineering services with Leighton and Associates, Inc., Ninyo and Moore, and Willdan Geotechnical for a period of three years; and a on-call traffic and transportation engineering services contract with DKS Associates, Fehr & Peers, Iteris, Kimley Horn, Sasaki Transportation Services, and Stantec for a period of three years. The Council tabled the an item to appropriate traffic impact mitigation funds in the amount of $20,000 to the fiscal year capital improvement program budget, adopting a resolution approving plans and specifications for the construction of the Grand Ave./Diamond Bar Blvd. street clock and median improvements project  to CEM Construction Corp., to be resumed upon completion of the general plan update. Following a brief public hearing, the Council also adopted a resolution amending the City’s Community Development Block Grant Program for the fiscal year of 2016-17 to reprogram funds to the Morning Canyon ADA Parkway Improvements Project from the CDBG Unallocated Balance in the amount of $225,000.

After individual reports and comments, the Council adjourned until October 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the Government Center Auditorium.

Recent Recalls

Staff Reports

 

  1. Kraft Heinz Company, a Fullerton, California establishment, is recalling approximately 959 pounds of ready-to-eat “Lunchables Ham and American Cracker Stackers” packaged lunch products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens.
  2. Kiwi Care Package Company, a South Tahoe, California establishment is recalling approximately 90 pounds of Wattie canned spaghetti with sausage that was not presented at the U.S. point of entry for inspection and was received from a New Zealand establishment that was not eligible to export product to the U.S.
  3. Nestlé USA, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall of its Nestlé Drumstick Club 16 count Variety Pack and 24 count Vanilla Pack due to a possible health risk. The two pack sizes contain 4.6 fl.oz. cones and were manufactured in Bakersfield, California and distributed nationally. No other production codes, sizes or varieties of Nestlé Drumstick products are affected by this recall.
  4. Vascular Solutions, Inc., initiated a nationwide recall of Twin-Pass Dual Access catheters used in catheterization procedures. All unexpired lots of the product have been recalled because there is a potential for excess manufacturing material to remain at the tip of the catheter or within the distal portion of the rapid exchange lumen. It is possible that the excess material may separate from the catheter during use and pose a potential risk of embolism, which could result in serious injury or death. No injuries have been reported in association with this issue to date.
  5. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (Goodyear) is recalling certain G399A LHS tires, size 295/75R22.5 LRG, manufactured January 24, 2016, to May 28, 2016. Due to an anomaly during the curing press set-up operation, incomplete adhesion between the tread and the top belt may have occurred.
  6. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Express manufactured September 25, 2015, to August 22, 2016, and 2016 GMC Savana cargo and cutaway vans manufactured January 28, 2016, to May 18, 2016. The affected vehicles were manufactured without an inside rearview mirror and with a right-hand convex exterior review mirror. These vehicles are required to have either an inside rearview mirror or both left and right-hand flat exterior rearview mirrors. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, “Rearview Mirrors.”

University professor gives Chino High students advice on applying to college

Chino High students with questions about the college application

Dr. Begona Echeverria of the University of California, Riverside, speaks to Chino High students on Oct. 3 about college admission requirements.

Dr. Begona Echeverria of the University of California, Riverside, speaks to Chino High students on Oct. 3 about college admission requirements.

process recently received advice from Dr. Begona Echeverria, a University of California, Riverside professor.

Dr. Echeverria met in the school library on Oct. 3 with about 75 students from Diana Murillo’s Advanced Placement math classes. Dr. Echeverria gave advice on college essays and offered to give free feedback to students who emailed their essay drafts to her.

“She provided valuable insights into the admissions process and how (student) essays can make a difference in getting into our top colleges and universities,” Murillo said.

Dr. Echeverria also talked about misconceptions some students have about top colleges, and reminded students not to rule those schools out when applying for higher education.

“She attended Stanford University and spoke highly of the experience she had,” Murillo said. “She was not thinking of applying there until one of her teachers encouraged her. It changed her life.”

Dr. Echeverria volunteers every year to talk to Murillo’s students, the Chino High math teacher said.

Straight Talk

I just found out that my wife hates camping! –A letter from S.P.

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

By Danice Akiyoshi N.D.

Q: I knew it wasn’t her favorite thing to do, but the kids and I love it so I bought a toy hauler that can sleep 6 people. It has a full kitchen with a sink, range and microwave so she would be more comfortable than she was in a tent with regular camping and cooking gear.  I bought it to surprise her so we could go camping more often.  This is a good way for the kids to see different places without paying high prices for a hotel.  I thought she’d be happy and surprised, but she was mad and hasn’t been very nice to me in many days. I’m at a loss.  Since when do women hate surprise gifts?

A: Sorry, but you’ll have to sell your story to someone who hasn’t been working with married couples for over 20 years.  Let’s take inventory here.  First of all, I doubt you bought this toy hauler with a full kitchen and lodging to please your wife.  It sounds more like it’s something you really wanted.  The “surprise gift for your wife” idea is just the story you tell yourself so you don’t have to feel guilty or selfish for buying something to mainly just please yourself.  Sounds like you’ve got her signed up to be pretty busy doing chores like cooking on these fabulous getaways that you have in mind. Pitching it as a surprise for her probably feels insulting to her intelligence and caused her to react negatively toward you. Not all people feel camping is a fun experience or a relaxing way to spend their time off from work.  My question to you is this…  If you were considering such a large purchase that was supposedly for the happiness and enjoyment for the whole family, why in the world would you not discuss this with your wife beforehand?  Sounds like a passive aggressive, inconsiderate move in my book.  I’ll bet she’s feeling insignificant and has no interest in being your favorite gal pal at the moment.  An honest sincere apology is in order.  You did not treat her as your partner in this decision.  This is a mistake.  Here’s a helpful hint…  When you want to surprise a woman with a gift, give her something that you know for an absolute fact that she will love.  In other words, please listen to her when she talks.  I totally understand why she’s unhappy with you.  If you have no clue how to deliver a proper apology that will restore harmony, (and I believe that might be a huge possibility) feel free to contact me again.  There are very distinct steps in making a sincere apology. I will be happy to teach you.  Good Luck.

Elderly Couple Involved in Murder-Suicide

Staff Reports

WALNUT-On September 30, Two bodies were discovered at a Walnut home after an apparent murder-suicide, according to The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The two were identified as a couple, the husband, Yasheng Zhuang, 68, and the wife, as Guizhi Zhang, 50  in a home near N. Avenida Alipaz and N. La Tortola Drive in Walnut.
Authorities initially said an hourslong standoff ensued after reports of a domestic dispute at the home, and that a barricaded man was possibly armed with an AK-47. Officials later stated the shootings were believed to have occurred before deputies and a SWAT team arrived at the scene, according to ABC7.

Also according to Diamond Bar/Walnut Patch, “Coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter identified the man as husband and wife. Investigators believe the husband shot his wife and then shot himself, Winter said.”

 

“I’m shocked,” said Valerie Guitron, who has lived in the neighborhood for 13 years. “I mean, that just doesn’t happen here. “She said she did not know the man and woman but was heartbroken for their relatives. “I’ve never seen this,” she added. “Our neighborhood is very, very quiet, so when I saw this I knew that something serious must have happened. It’s just sad with everything that’s going on in the world,” according to an interview conducted by ABC7.

 

The Walnut Sheriff’s Department watch commander announced over its Twitter account that law enforcement activity was near Lemon Creek Park. However, there was no danger to the public and to avoid the area.

The couple was both pronounced dead at the scene. Further investigation is being done at this time.

 

 

One-Stop Shopping At Walnut Hills Village

Staff Reports

Walnut Hills Village is located at 20747 Amar Road, just ½ block west of Grand Avenue, with easy access from the 60 and 57 freeways.

Walnut Hills Village is located at 20747 Amar Road, just ½ block west of Grand Avenue, with easy access from the 60 and 57 freeways.

Walnut –Walnut Hills Village can help you be more productive and efficient while doing your daily errands. With more than 30 stores in one location, and anchored by Stater Bros., this is one-stop shopping at its finest. There is something for everyone. And with so many independent merchants, this is the perfect opportunity to shop small by shopping local.

Drop your pet off at Sophie’s Wags to Whiskers boutique for some grooming, while you relax at Newen’s Beauty Salon or Art Nails. You can run errands at several retailers, and then grab a quick lunch at Baby Elephant Thai Cuisine. There is even time to schedule that dental or vision appointment that you’ve been putting off, get your banking done, and run into Dollar Tree for discounted items.

Asian Kitchen Express will set you up with delicious Pho-Thai party trays for your next celebration, while Royal Florist takes care of your table centerpiece. And, the UPS Store is right there to help mail out a birthday card.
With so many options in one place at Walnut Village, now you can tackle those daily errands.

The Walnut Hills Village is located at 20747 Amar Road, just a ½ block west of Grand Avenue in Walnut.  See the full page ad on page 4 of this publication for coupons and a full listing of all of the retail establishments you can find there.

 

 

 

Depression

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

Do you seem to be always sleeping or not able to sleep at all?  Are you eating everything in sight or suffer from no appetite at all.  Have you lost pleasure in doing the things that once made you so happy?  Are you unable to focus and concentrate?  If you are able to answer yes to the questions above, you may be suffering from some form of depression.

Depression comes in many forms. Dysthymic Disorder is a very mild form of depression.  People suffering from this are very functional but just don’t feel happy.  People suffering from severe depression aren’t very functional and need to be treated.  Severe depression can lead to suicide and must be taken seriously.  Bipolar Disorder involves a cycle of a very manic mood and then a fall into a very severe depression.  Many times the mania is accompanied by severe spending or some other risk taking behavior.  People suffering from Bipolar Disorder need to be on medication.  There are subtypes within these main categories that I won’t be expanding upon.

Depression comes from a lack of serotonins, a chemical produced in the brain.  Many people chose to take a pill that will put the serotonins you are lacking back into your body.  Exercise is also a great way to increase your body’s serotonins and to do it in a natural way.  Many of my clients are asked to keep a daily feelings journal as a way to help combat their depression as well.

Don’t let your depression or the depression of a loved one become a way of life.  Everybody should be able to feel the joy and depression stops us from doing that.  Take the time to journal, exercise and possible get some professional help you need to feel the joy in your life.

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 books, Live, Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.