Category Archives: SGV-IE Community News

Artists Sought For California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest

By CDFW

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is conducting an art contest to select the design for the state’s 2018-2019 upland game bird stamp.

The California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 18 and over. Entries will be accepted from Nov. 20 through Dec.7.

This year’s stamp will feature the white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucuraI). This smallest of North American grouse species exhibits a dramatic change in plumage from a mottled or a barred brown-yellow during breeding in spring to a pure white during the winter months, allowing this chameleon of the bird world excellent camouflage on the ground year-round in its alpine habitat. In California, ptarmigan occupy the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada from Alpine County south to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

Entries must include at least one white-tailed ptarmigan, preferably in a habitat or setting representative of California. Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and a print.

The contest will be judged by a panel of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. The winning artist will be selected during a public judging event, with the date and location to be announced later.

An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The money generated from stamp sales must be spent on upland game bird-related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach. CDFW sells about 175,000 upland game bird validations annually. Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectable stamp by visiting www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps. For collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps, an order form is also available on the website.

For contest information and entry forms, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp.

Annual “GREAT SHAKEOUT” Set for October 18th

All citizens, businesses, and communities in the Inland Empire encouraged participate

 

California — Following FEMA’s “National Preparedness Month” in September, individuals and communities throughout the Inland Empire and California will participate in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill.

Held annually on the third Thursday of October, the International ShakeOut Day is set for Thursday, October 18, 2018.  During the self-led drill, participants practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”.  Endorsed by emergency officials and first responders, the safe response to an earthquake is to:

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.

COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand

  • If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter
  • If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)
  • Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs

HOLD ON until shaking stops

  • Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
  • No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

The April 2015 M7.8 Nepal earthquake and M8.3 September 16, 2015 earthquake near Illapel, Chile serve as reminders that large earthquakes can occur with little to no warning.  Citizens in the central U.S. are not immune to earthquakes—the region is home to several active seismic zones capable of producing damaging earthquakes, including the New Madrid and Wabash Valley Seismic Zones.

According to a FEMA Spokesperson, “While damaging earthquakes here may be fewer in number when compared to other areas, they can occur at any time wherever we work, live, or travel within the region and beyond.  Everyone, everywhere should know how to protect themselves from an earthquake.”

The ShakeOut is free and open-to-the-public, and participants include individuals, schools, businesses, local and state government agencies, and many other groups.  To take part in the ShakeOut, individuals and organizations are asked to join the drill by registering to participate http://www.shakeout.org. Once registered, participants receive regular information on how to plan their drill and become better prepared for earthquakes and other disasters.

To date, 2.4 million people are registered to participate in this regional event, however Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills will also occur throughout the nation and in several countries worldwide.  More than 35 million people around the globe are expected to participate; and in addition to safety drills, many participants take extra steps to become more prepared for earthquakes or other disasters.

Diamond Bar Housing Market Falters Too!

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

I wrote last week on the California housing market as reported by the California Association of Realtors’ (C.A.R.) on the subject of the statewide faltering housing market in California.  The data showed that for first time in nearly two years, the rate of home sales in California fell below the 400,000 level for the fourth straight month to 399,600.  The sales rate declined 1.8 % from July, and down 6.6% from August 2017.

The Diamond Bar housing market reflected similarities to that of the State, with the sales number falling in the 2nd quarter by 24 units, going down to 101 units sold from 125 for the same period in 2017. (This number only includes the Single Family Detached homes transferred in the City of Diamond Bar within this period of time.) This drop represents a decline of 19.2%, a substantial number for Diamond Bar sales.

According to data extracted from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), the housing market in Diamond Bar also reflected an increase in the Median Sales Price (MSP) of $30,000, going up from $720,000 in the 2nd Quarter 2017 to $750,000 for the same period in 2018.  This mirrored the State’s rate of price appreciation, and in Diamond Bar it represents an increase in the MSP of 4.2%. For comparison’s sake, the previous period reflected an increase in the MSP of $50,000, an annual appreciation of 7.4%.

The Diamond Bar housing market has seen a greater deceleration of price appreciation than the statewide level.  Diamond Bar’s numbers reflected a deceleration rate of nearly 44%, quite a bit more than the 24% number reflected statewide, which dropped from an annual increase of 7.2% down to the 5.5 % rate reported this last month.

The key to these numbers is that the affordability of homes is reaching a point where less than 1/3 of the households can afford to purchase the median sale priced home in California. What percent of current homeowners do you think would be able to qualify for the Median Sales Priced home in Diamond Bar, which now stands at $750,000.  (Write to me and give me your opinion or give me your estimate at my e-mail address below)

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website http://www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

 

 

Breaking Ground

By Mark Hopper

 

Recently, my wife and I were able to attend the Ground Breaking service for Vantage Point Church in Eastvale, California.  Our effort to launch a new church in this new community actually started 15 years ago in January, 2003.

 

Several families from our church had moved to this new community in 2000-2002.  It was called Corona Valley at that time.  Developers were buying up the Dairy Farms in area from Archibald to the 15 Freeway along Lymonite Road. Hundreds of homes were being built at attractive prices.  I often said that you could buy twice the house for half the price in Eastvale.

 

In early 2003, a family from our church asked me if I would help them start a Bible study in their new neighborhood.  Their names were Greg and Carol Crawford.  They invited neighbors and we launched a Bible study in Eastvale in their new home.

 

However, we quickly sensed that we should do more than have a Bible study – we should start a new church in this rapidly growing community.  There were three things we began to pray for – a leader, a location to meet and land for a future church site.

In 2007, God provided two leaders – Mark Lee and Tom Lanning from our church staff in Diamond Bar.  They offered to enlist the people from the Bible study and recruit people from Diamond Bar to launch a new church in Eastvale.   About 40 people banded together to launch this new church.

 

Throughout the summer of 2007, these people worked hard to promote the new church.  They handed out free bottles of cold water to people driving their cars near Hamner and Lymonite.  They gave away free gas and did free car washes to meet people in the community.  In September, they launched preview services once-a-month in a local Middle School.  And, in February 2008, they launched weekly church services with 200 people coming the first Sunday.  As the church grew, they were able to move to the auditorium at Roosevelt High School.  They now have four church services at the high school with about 2,000 people attending each week.

 

The church was able to purchase ten acres of land on Archibald Road just north of the Santa Ana River in Eastvale.  Our church in Diamond Bar gave a generous gift to help with the down payment.  The land had been a dairy farm.  On Sunday, September 29, 2018, church leaders broke ground to begin construction on their new facility.  It was a historic moment with about 1500 people on the property to celebrate and dedicate this land for the future site of Vantage Point Church.

 

It will take time to construct and complete this new facility.  I am sure their will be roadblocks and unforeseen challenges ahead.  This has been a remarkable journey.  We prayed for a leader and God provided two.  We prayed for a location for them to meet in and God provided a Middle School and eventually a High School.  We prayed for land and God provided 10 acres in the middle of this beautiful new community.  We are very thankful.

 

If live near Eastvale and don’t have a church home, I hope you will visit Vantage Point.  You can find information on their services and ministries on their website.  If you live near Diamond Bar, I hope you will visit our church on a Sunday morning.  I think you will be glad you did and we will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

Efreedb.org

 

Dinner 2 Lunch: Cook it once, eat it twice!

Dinner- Sriracha Pork Chops

                Lunch- Banh Mi Sandwiches

 

By Hello Fresh

 

Servings: 4

DINNER-

Cooking Time: 40 mins, Nutrition: 610 Calories

LUNCH-

Cooking Time: 5 mins, Nutrition: 500 Calories

Ingredients:

 

  • Scallions- 4
  • Carrots- 2
  • Pork Chops- 36 oz
  • Soy Sauce- 4 tbsp
  • Sriracha- 10 tsp
  • Sugar Snap Peas- 12 oz
  • Sour Cream- 4 tbsp
  • Basmati Rice- 1 cup
  • White Wine Vinegar- 5 tsp
  • Thai Seasoning- 2 tbsp
  • Honey- 3 oz
  • Sesame Oil- 2 tbsp
  • Demi Baguettes- 2
  • Cilantro- 1/4 oz

 

DINNER:

 

1  PREHEAT, PREP AND COOK RICE    Wash and dry all produce. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating greens and whites. Melt 2 TBSP butter in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add ¾ cup water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then add rice. Cover, lower heat, and reduce to a simmer. Cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, peel carrots. Using your peeler, shave carrots lengthwise into ribbons over a medium bowl, rotating until you get to the cores; discard cores.

 

2  TOSS CARROTS AND SEAR PORK     Add vinegar and 1 tsp sugar to bowl with carrots, then season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat, cover with plastic wrap, and keep refrigerated until you prep lunch in the morning. In the meantime, heat a large drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Pat pork dry with a paper towel; season all over with salt, pepper, and Thai seasoning. Add to pan and cook until just browned, 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to one side of a foil-lined baking sheet.

 

3 MAKE GLAZE      Add scallion whites to pan used for pork over medium-high heat. Cook until softened, about 30 seconds. Stir in soy sauce, honey, 1 TBSP water, and up to 4 tsp sriracha (to taste; save remainder for lunch). Scrape up any browned bits on bottom of pan. Let simmer until thick and sticky, about 2 minutes.

(TIP: If sauce gets too thick, stir in another 1-2 TBSP.) Remove pan from heat, then stir in sesame oil.

 

4  ROAST PORK AND SNAP PEAS      Trim any tough ends from snap peas, then place on empty side of baking sheet with pork. Toss with a large drizzle of oil and season with plenty of salt and pepper. Set aside ⅓ of the glaze in a small bowl and save for lunch. Brush top of pork with half the remaining glaze. Roast in oven on middle rack until snap peas are tender and pork reaches desired doneness, 7-10 minutes.

 

5  FINISH DINNER     Fluff rice with a fork, then stir in half the scallion greens. Season with salt and pepper. Divide between plates, then arrange 2 pork chops on top (save the others for lunch). Add snap peas to the side. Spoon remaining glaze over everything. Garnish with remaining scallion greens. Store remaining ingredients until you’re ready to prep lunch in the morning.

 

LUNCH:

6  MAKE LUNCH The next morning, split baguettes lengthwise. Thinly slice reserved pork. Spread reserved glaze in bowl onto baguette bottoms, then arrange pork on top. Tear cilantro leaves from stems and lay carrots on top. Spread baguette tops with sour cream

and remaining sriracha and place on top to create sandwiches. Wrap up and keep refrigerated until ready to eat.

Parents: How to Build Empathy and Prevent Bullying

By StatePoint

Sixty-two percent of 9 to 11-year-olds say they have been bullied at least “once or twice,” according to a recent national survey.

The survey, commissioned by the Cartoon Network and designed by VJR Consulting in consultation with the Making Caring Common project (MCC) at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, found that the vast majority of young children in this country have experienced bullying and that they look to adults to set an example about how to treat others.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and an excellent time to focus on creating more inclusion in your school and community by re-enforcing kindness and empathy.

• Values matter: The values kids are taught really do matter. Those who consider “caring about others” to be “very” important (74 percent) are far more likely to do kind things for other kids, and far less likely to be bullies.

• Help kids speak up: Over half of kids who have seen someone getting picked on or being left out say one of the reasons they don’t help is they don’t know what to do or say. But there are resources which can help kids learn how to handle these tough situations. For example, Cartoon Network animated children’s stories from their survey into new PSAs, including one featuring Beastboy from “Teen Titans GO!” in a similar situation speaking up, saying “That’s Not Ok.”

Additional PSAs from Cartoon Network and Committee for Children showcasing more stories told by children about their personal experiences being bullied can be found at cartoonnetwork.com/stop-bullying/video.html.

• Resources on kindness and empathy: Cartoon Network and 826 National partnered on the Inclusion Storytelling Project to provide tools and encouragement for kids to share their own stories. Easy-to-use digital resources for educators and parents offer tips to help kids speak up against bullying and develop greater caring and empathy skills. More information can be found at 826digital.com.

• Be engaged: Communication is key to learning what is really going on in your child’s life. The vast majority of 9-to-11-year-olds (83 percent) said it would help kids their age be kinder to one another if every kid had someone who really cared about and listened to them. Check in with kids often to make sure they’re safe and happy at school, on the playground and online.

Everyone can set a good example, and help prevent bullying in the process, by leading with compassion and encouraging kindness.

Unhappy Gut? Some People Suffer for Years Before Seeing a Doctor

By StatePoint

Abdominal pain? Diarrhea? An estimated 16 million Americans live with a type of irritable bowel syndrome called IBS-D (the D stands for diarrhea), and it affects both men and women almost equally. However, only 30 percent of individuals consult a physician about their symptoms.

Why is that?

“People who experience symptoms of IBS-D can feel like their symptoms are not severe enough to seek medical attention or that there isn’t anything doctors can do to help,” says Dr. Howard Franklin, vice president of medical affairs and strategy at Salix Pharmaceuticals. “But doctors want to hear about everything you are feeling so they can determine the underlying cause of your discomfort and help you find a treatment plan that is right for you.”

A closer look at IBS-D

Symptoms of IBS-D, which are different in everyone, include stomach pain and cramping, frequent diarrhea, gas, bloating and an urgency to use the bathroom. Many people experience feeling frustrated, missing out on activities because of symptoms and avoiding situations where there is no bathroom nearby.

IBS-D can be diagnosed based on symptom history, including:

• Abdominal pain at least one day a week during the last three months

• More than 25 percent of bowel movements are loose or watery (diarrhea), and less than 25 percent are hard or lumpy (constipation)

• Symptoms started at least six months ago

What could be the cause?

While the exact cause of IBS-D is unknown, and people may have IBS for more than one reason, an imbalance in the usual numbers and proportions of normally healthy bacteria in the digestive system (the gut microbiota) has been found in many people with IBS-D. The microbiota help digest and absorb food and work with the immune system as a barrier against other microorganisms that can cause disease.

“One study of 109 patients with IBS showed that 73 percent had an imbalance in their gut microbiota, compared with only 16 percent of healthy people,” says Dr. Franklin. “Other potential reasons may include previous gastrointestinal infection or food poisoning, communication problems between the brain and digestive system, a family history of IBS and other causes.”

Treatment options

There is currently no cure, but there are treatments that can help with the symptoms of IBS-D. Lifestyle changes, such as eliminating certain foods and increasing exercise, could help.

“Studies have shown that between 50 and 70 percent of patients failed to respond to either fiber or antispasmodics as a treatment therapy,” says Dr. Franklin. “There are different types of prescription treatments for IBS-D. If one isn’t working, it’s important that patients ask their healthcare professional about trying a different medicine to find what treatment is right for them.”

For more information, visit IBSDUpClose.com.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of IBS-D, don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about all of them. This is the first step toward helping find a treatment plan and getting relief.

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 10/06/18

The Weekly News covers community news for Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire.Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: 2018.06.10-.WeeklyNews

City of Walnut to Host 42nd Annual Walnut Family Festival

This year’s highlight will feature FREE attractions for children at the Festival’s Fun Zone

City of Walnut

WALNUT – The 42nd Annual Walnut Family Festival will be held on Saturday, October 13 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Suzanne Park (625 Suzanne Road, Walnut). The Family Festival Opening Procession steps off at 9:00 am from the Walnut Gymnasium and will walk up Gartel Road to Marcon Raod and then into the Festival Grounds at Suzanne Park.

There will be plenty of fun for children at the Festival’s Fun Zone, which will feature FREE attractions including: a rock climbing wall, an inflatable giant maze, a petting zoo, kiddy train ride, games, hands-on art demonstrations, face painting, and other fun inflatables.

The food court will feature booths run by local non-profit groups cooking up delicious food items, while earning money for their worthy causes. In addition, the Walnut Lions Club will be hosting a pancake breakfast from 8:00 am to 10:00 am for early risers.

There will be over 100 booths to visit featuring local businesses, community groups, arts and crafts vendors, City services, environmental information and more.

Parking

  • Walnut High School (400 N. Pierre Rd.)
  • Suzanne Middle School (525 Suzanne Rd.)
  • Walnut Senior Center (21215 La Puente Rd.)
  • LA County Library (21155 La Puente Rd.) – Open to the Public after 11:00 am
  • Walnut Gymnasium (21003 La Puente Rd.) – Open to the Public after 11:00 am
  • Walnut Parking Lot A (20983 La Puente Rd.)

Local Road Closures

  • On Saturday, October 13, due to the Opening Procession, Gartel Road will be closed from La Puente Road to Marcon Road from approximately 8:30 am to 10:30 am.
  • In addition, due to the Festival, Suzanne Rd. will be closed from Macron Road. to Fuerte Dr. from approximately 3:00 pm on Friday, October 12 through 11:00 pm Saturday, October 13.

There’s plenty to see and do at this year’s Festival. For more information, please call Walnut Community Services at (909) 598-5605

 

Ginger Beef Stir-Fry

with Snappy Asparagus

 

By Hello Fresh

 

Cooking Time: 30 mins

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 610 Calories

Ingredients:

 

  • Asparagus- 12 oz
  • Garlic- 4 cloves
  • Scallions- 4
  • Ginger- 2 thumbs
  • Basmati Rice- 1 1/2 cups
  • Soy Sauce- 2 tbsp
  • Hoisin Sauce- 4 tbsp
  • Sirloin Steak Tips- 24 oz
  • White Sesame Seeds- 2 tbsp

 

 

1  PREP.    Wash and dry all produce. Bring 1½ cups water and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small pot. Trim and discard bottom inch from asparagus, then cut stalks into 2-inch pieces. Mince or grate garlic. Trim and thinly slice scallions. Peel and mince ginger.

 

2  COOK RICE.     Once water is boiling, add rice to pot, cover, and reduce to a simmer. Cook until tender, 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered.

 

3 MAKE SAUCE.       Meanwhile, whisk together garlic, ginger, soy sauce, 1 TBSP water, and 2 TBSP hoisin sauce in a small bowl.

 

4  SEAR STEAK.       Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Pat steak tips dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper. Add to pan and toss until nearly cooked to desired doneness, 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.

 

5  MAKE STIR-FRY.     Add asparagus and scallions to same pan over medium heat. (TIP: If veggies seem dry, add a drizzle of oil.) Cook until tender but still crunchy, 3-4 minutes, tossing occasionally. Add steak tips and sauce to pan and cook until sauce is thickened and meat reaches desired doneness, 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

 

6  FINISH AND PLATE.     Fluff rice with a fork. Divide between plates, then top with stir-fry and garnish with sesame seeds.

As Good As It Gets

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

 

Have you ever had a moment that just feels totally perfect?  Do you ever go through chunks of time feeling so in sink with the world?  Isn’t it just wonderful when you feel that blissful momentum just carrying though.  These are the times I believe that things feel as good as they can possible get.  This is the mode I strive to live my life in.  To me there is nothing quit as wonderful as feeling that just for a moment or a day that life is a good as it could possibly be? I think these are the times that we truly are so blessed to feel a little bit of heaven on earth.

It seems to me the more I live my life the way I’m intended to I’m honored with more and more of these as good as it gets moments.  For me they come at different times and during various activities.  I can be with a client in session and they finally see what they have been needing to see to heal and that is as good as it gets.  Just recently I took my ten year old grandson and my son to Knott’s Berry Farm and I watched my grandson light up as he experienced all the rides and our time together there.  To me, that’s as good as it gets.  My mother is still alive at ninety-two and hanging out with her, well that’s as good as it gets.  Every morning my dog Midnight and I go walking for miles and we start our day together out in nature and that is as good as it gets.  Every time I hear music or see something that ignites my spirit, I just know instinctually it’s a good as it gets.

I hope all of you get to experience this wonderful feeling.  It’s about striving to live the best life that seems to bring these perfect moments or chunks of time to us!!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Nancy is now accepting new clients.  She also works as a motivational speaker.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens and can handle many court mandated needs.  For more information about any of these services contact Nancy at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

 

5 Tips to Soothe a Fussy Baby

By StatePoint

If you’ve ever gone to great lengths to sooth a fussy baby, you may feel like you’ve tried every trick in the book. As most new parents learn quickly, this can be one of the most challenging aspects of caring for a little one.

Keep in mind, some of the most effective methods to get a baby to relax, stop crying and get some sleep, are the safest and the simplest.

• “Shush, shush, shush.” A “shhh” mimics the sounds of a cozy, comfy womb, which can have a calming effect on fussy babies. Try this simple tip in a rocking chair.

• Togetherness. A baby carrier or wrap creates close comfort between parent and child, soothing your baby while giving you an endorphin boost. This is a great technique when you need two hands to move about the house, or want a comfortable way to breastfeed. For added convenience, check out innovative baby carriers that slip on like t-shirts, such as the Baby K’tan wrap, which has a unique, double-loop design and is available in soft, natural and breathable fabrics.

• Make some noise. Making noise may sound counterintuitive when it comes to creating an ideal sleep environment, but the reality is that consistent background noise helps recreate the comfort of the womb. Whether it’s white noise or soft music, find what works best for your baby. Check out versatile baby sleep apps that feature a variety of sound settings, such as fans, chimes and car rides, or classical music and lullabies, set on loops for consistent sleep.

• Wrap up. Celebrated for its role in fostering healthy sleep, swaddling provides a secure, soothing feeling for newborns, along with many other benefits. Talk to your pediatrician about the safe, proper way to swaddle, and be sure to use a fabric that allows for continuous airflow to avoid overheating. For a versatile choice, the Baby K’tan Newborn Swaddle is a good bet. Made from a breathable stretch cotton, it can be used to swaddle now, and can be easily repurposed into a blanket or nursing cover as your baby grows.

• Stick to the program. It will take some getting used to, but putting your baby on a consistent schedule will mean less fuss when it’s time to put your baby down for naps and at bedtime. Whether it’s singing your baby a song or snuggling and reading, creating a parent-child routine will help signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep.

Soothing a crying baby can feel like an uphill battle. Luckily, there are plenty of natural, effective ways to calm a fussy little one, from old tricks to new tools.

Caltrans Releases 2018 California State Rail Plan

By Caltrans

District: Headquarters – Sacramento
Contact: Thomas Lawrence
Phone: (916) 654-3633
Contact: Tamie McGowen
Phone: (916) 657-5060

SACRAMENTO — Today, Caltrans released the 2018 State Rail Plan – a bold vision for state rail that aims to boost the economy, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve safety statewide over the next 20 years.

“Rail is a key part of the solution for addressing California’s transportation challenges. In this Rail Plan, we lay out the goals and investment strategies necessary in both the short and long-term for improving access, mobility and efficiency for both our passenger and freight rail systems, while also making a major contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to the transportation sector.”

Laurie Berman, Director, Caltrans

With a vision to increase passenger rail travel by 92 million passenger miles per day, the 2018 Rail Plan presents a plan for an integrated system that will allow passengers to easily and efficiently transfer from local transit services to regional, intercity and future high-speed rail. The outcomes described in the Rail Plan will help California achieve its ambitious GHG emission reduction targets, boost the state economy, and potentially eliminate 250 fatalities and 19,000 transportation related injuries per year by 2040.

The passenger vision will create a coordinated, statewide travel system to enhance multimodal access for residents across the state. The vision will allow people to:

  • Travel seamlessly across urban, suburban, and rural areas of the state withmore trains to more places more often;
  • Save time with significantlyfaster trips;
  • Enjoy the journey onmodern, safe, clean, and comfortable trains;
  • Transfer quickly and easilyat hub stations with coordinated arrivals and departures that significantly reduce wait times;
  • And plan an entire door-to-door trip and purchase asingle ticket using a streamlined trip-planning portal.

The freight vision provides a customer-focused system that will eliminate rail freight bottlenecks on transcontinental trade corridors by investing in dedicated rail freight capacity and passenger improvements that support rail freight movement. The freight component also supports short line improvements, grade-crossing improvements at a corridor-level to address community safety needs, and integrating as much service as possible.

Caltrans worked extensively with state, regional, and local partners to develop a consensus vision that supports increased efficiencies and connectivity across the state.

The Rail Plan is available at www.californiastaterailplan.com

 

History 101

By History.com

October 6, 1926: Babe Ruth sets a World Series Record

On October 6, 1926, Yankee slugger Babe Ruth hits a record three homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth game of the World Series. The Yanks won the game 10-5, but despite Ruth’s unprecedented performance, they lost the championship in the seventh game. In 1928, in the fourth game of another Yanks-Cards World Series, Ruth tied his own record, knocking three more pitches out of the same park.

The 1926 championship promised to be an exciting one. The AL champs had a powerful lineup, later called the “Murderer’s Row,” that included the great Babe, the young “Columbia Lou” Gehrig, and the leadoff man Earle Combs. For their part, the Cardinals had the intimidating Rogers Hornsby along with ace pitchers Flint Rhem and Bill Sherdel.

But the Yanks were heavily favored, and they won the first game easily. They lost the second, though, thanks to an outstanding full-game performance from St. Louis pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander. The next day, Cardinal Jessie Haines pitched the whole game–and hit the only home run–in his team’s 4-0 Game 3 victory.

By the fourth game in the series, the underdog Cards were up two games to one. The Yanks needed to pull it together, and for one game, they did. Veteran Waite Hoyt pitched all nine innings while St. Louis shuffled through its entire bullpen. And the Babe–the Sultan of Swat, the Caliph of Clout, the Wali of Wallop–hit his three homers and led the Yanks to a 10-5 victory. Unfortunately for the Bombers, that game didn’t decide the series. Though they won the next game in 10 innings, they lost the next one by eight runs. And they were losing the seventh game by one run in the ninth inning when the Bambino stepped to the plate again. With a 3-2 count, Ruth drew his eleventh walk of the series and trotted off to first base. The Yanks’ hopes plummeted as quickly as they’d risen, though, when second baseman Hornsby nabbed him as he tried somewhat ploddingly to steal second. The game was over. Thanks to the magical Bambino, the Bombers had lost. On October 18, 1977, Yankee Reggie Jackson became only the second player to hit three homers in a single Series game.

 

How to Recognize and Avoid College Scholarship Scams

(StatePoint) Average college costs have doubled in the last two decades, and this financial pressure along with new technologies makes today’s students particularly vulnerable to financial aid and scholarship scams.

“Scammers know to take advantage of those who are stressed,” says Robert C. Ballard, president and CEO of Scholarship America, the nation’s largest nonprofit scholarship and education support organization. “Fortunately, there are some ways you can avoid getting duped.”

To help you spot scams, Scholarship America offers the following insights.

Fees and Other Red Flags

Scholarship programs charging a fee to apply often look legitimate. But look at the bigger picture: if the provider is awarding $500 in scholarships and collecting fees from thousands of applicants, it’s not funding education so much as making money. Your chances of earning a scholarship are slight if not impossible — sham providers often collect fees and disappear.

Some providers claim to have a no-strings-attached grant or an incredibly low-interest loan to offer, as long as you pay a tax or “redemption” fee in advance. Others offer to match you with guaranteed scholarships — if you pay for a premium search service. Keep in mind, there’s no such thing as a “guaranteed scholarship.”

Free, comprehensive scholarship searching and matching services like Fastweb and Cappex will connect you to legitimate, competitive scholarships that don’t charge application fees.

Too Good to Be True

Be wary of the “too-good-to-be-true” scam model: an official-sounding organization tells you about an incredible opportunity, offers you a coveted spot at a scholarship seminar, or just sends you a check with a note of congratulations, using messaging designed to get your adrenaline pumping and make you act fast.

Remember, scholarship providers aren’t in the practice of sending funds out randomly; it’s likely the check will bounce, or you’ll be asked to send money back for “processing” or an “accidental” overpayment. Your safest bet? Tearing up the check and, if you have time, filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

Often unexpected “opportunities” are attempts to get you to divulge personal information. Even clicking on links can expose your data to scammers.

Be cautious: Google the name of the scholarship or organization. Scams have often been flagged by the FTC or Better Business Bureau.

Social Scammers

A new scam making the rounds starts with a random friend request on Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat. Accept, and your new friend will start messaging you about a foolproof way to make money for college: they work for a scholarship provider and have found a loophole. They just need to enter you as a winner and you can split the money.

If this was real, it’d be incredibly unethical. However, in the midst of stress, you may be tempted — and that could cost more than money. While you may be asked to send cash as an advance, most such scammers are phishing. Give them enough info, and you’ll be worrying about getting your identity back.

For more scholarship tools, resources and opportunities, including the annual Scholarship America Dream Award, please visit scholarshipamerica.org.

“Scholarship scams seem to work just enough for people to keep trying it,” says Ballard. “However, two main rules will help you avoid them: never pay to apply and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Walnut High Teacher Goes Above And Beyond To Support Special Needs Student

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile
Walnut High School junior Bradley Conrad gives his teacher Kirsten Thibeault a thumbs up for a special Lego birthday gift.

Teachers are long known for dipping into their own pockets to provide classroom supplies. This Walnut High educator went a step further for one of her students.

By Kelli Gile

Walnut–Walnut High School teacher, Kirsten Thibeault, usually spends time in the evenings correcting homework and creating lesson plans for her six English courses. On Tuesday night, however, she put aside the schoolwork to sort through boxes and boxes of Lego building blocks, platforms, and characters. Thibeault was motivated to comb through her son’s long outgrown collection to offer a personalized birthday gift to one of her students. “I have this amazing special-needs student named Bradley Conrad who is in my general education College Prep English class,” she said. This is his first time in his high school career the senior has been in this type of English class. “Bradley makes everyone smile, he volunteers for everything, and his optimism is contagious,” she described.

The teen had recently written an essay about how the Thomas the Tank television show along with Lego “guys” help him, and other kids with autism, learn to navigate the world. Conrad also shared with his teacher that his 17th birthday was coming up and he wanted to start a YouTube channel about the railway series. Thibeault mentioned that her son had a ton of unused toys and would he want them? “That would be the greatest birthday present ever!” he replied. After two hours of sorting, the giving educator ended up with a huge plastic box of pirates and knights and dragons and boats along with about 200 additional tiny Lego figurines.

Thibeault made true on her promise and presented the wrapped gift on September 21. She even created a huge birthday card with Lego stickers that all his classmates signed. “I was very surprised!” Conrad said after receiving the thoughtful present. “No other teacher has ever remembered my birthday,” he commented. Conrad came up with the idea to use Lego figurines to create custom characters because they are small enough to fit inside Thomas’ cab and on the wooden train track. “One of the first customs I did was Mr. Fergus Duncan, the railway controller, and his arch nemesias, Mr. Peregrine Percival,” he proudly recalled. “I have a lot of ideas for these new pieces,” he offered.

Conrad is excited because the first period class is already helping him stay on course for plans after graduation. “It’s not just English, Ms. Thibeault is giving life lessons and helping me prep for college!” he said.

 

WVUSD Trustees Appoint Matthew Torres as Assistant Superintendent

By Kelli Gile

Walnut- The Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Dr. Matthew Torres as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services during the September 19 meeting. The veteran educator brings over 20 years of experience and expertise to his new post. Torres has a strong background in the Business Services Division, serving the past 13 years in the Fruitvale School District in Kern County. Since 2011, Torres successfully led the team as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services and Chief Business Officer (CBO). He has previous administrative experience as Director of BusinessServices, Director of Specially Funded Programs and Evaluation, and Coordinator of Specially Funded Programs.

Torres offers expertise in budget development, position control, categorical program monitoring, municipal bonds, and collective bargaining. “He possesses leadership qualities, technical knowledge of the position, and proven ability to perform effectively in this administrative role,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor. Torres has also served as adjunct professor in a variety of areas in fiscal analysis at California State University, Fresno, California State University, Bakersfield, and Point Loma Nazarene University. Prior to joining the Fiscal Division, he was a fifth-grade teacher at Columbia Elementary in the Fruitvale School District for eight years.

Torres holds a bachelor of arts from Pepperdine University, master’s degree in education leadership from University of La Verne, and doctoral degree in educational leadership at University of Southern California (USC). Additionally, he completed the School Business Management Certificate Program at USC. “This is a chance of a lifetime,” Torres said during the meeting.

“The opportunity to join a District such as Walnut Valley Unified which has proven leadership, a collaborative culture, a rich history of excellence, and a deep commitment to the students, staff and community, is what every educator hopes for,” he added. He and his wife, Tina, will be relocating from Central California. “We’re excited to move to the community!” This appointment fills a vacancy in the department.

 

The City of Chino Names New Public Works Director

Staff Reports 

CHINO – After a competitive process, Amer Jakher has been selected to fill the position of Public Works Director. Mr. Jakher will serve as a key member of the City Manager’s Executive Management Team and will be responsible for the City’s capital improvement projects, traffic operations, fleet management and water distribution.

Mr. Jakher comes to the City of Chino following a 24-year career in public works. He most recently served as the Director of Public Works for the City of Beaumont also in San Bernardino County. Mr. Jakher comes with extensive experience in project and utility management, municipal engineering and public works operations.

Mr. Jakher says “I am honored to join the City of Chino and continue to help drive the city’s efforts in maintaining Chino as a vibrant and welcoming community. I look forward to working with staff and advancing the goals of the City Council in serving the community.”

City Manager Matt Ballantyne added, “Amer’s leadership and extensive public works experience impressed each of our interview panelists and Executive Management Team. I look forward to his assistance in delivering infrastructure projects and serving the needs of our community.”

Mr. Jakher is a graduate of California State University, San Bernardino where he earned a Master of Public Administration. He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from San Diego State University.

Mr. Jakher replaces former Director of Public Works and Assistant City Manager, Jose Alire who retires October 23 after 15 years of service with the City of Chino.

 

Housing Market Falters

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) reported that for the first time in nearly two years, the rate of home sales in California fell below the 400,000 level, with the annualized number of sales falling for the fourth straight month to 399,600.  The sales rate declined 1.8 % from July, and down 6.6% from August 2017.

C.A.R. reported also that the statewide median home price was $596,410, up 0.8% from July, and up 5.5% from August 2017. This reflected a drop of nearly 24% from the previous year’s increase, dropping from 7.2% down to the 5.5% rate. In addition to that, the association reported that the statewide active listings rose for the fifth straight month, increasing by 17.2% over the previous year.

The key to these numbers is that the affordability of homes is reaching a point where less than 1/3 of the households can afford to purchase the median sale priced home in California.

“While home prices continued to rise modestly in August, the deceleration in price growth and the surge in housing supply suggest that a market shift is underway,” said C.A.R. Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. “We are seeing active listings increasing and more price reductions in the market, and as such, the question remains, ‘How long will it take for the market to close the price expectation gap between buyers and sellers?’”

C.A.R.’s August 2018 resale housing report also concluded that the Southern California region led the state’s sales decline, falling 8% from a year ago, with Orange and Los Angeles counties posting declines of 9.7percent and 8.9 percent, respectively. With more homes to select from, represented by the 17.2 percent increase in active listings on the market in August as compared to the previous year, buyers are taking longer to make a decision on which one to purchase. The number of days a listing is on the market also increased.

“Homes sales activity remained on a downward trend for the fourth straight month as uncertainty about the housing market continues to mount,” said C.A.R. President Steve White. “Buyers are being cautious and reluctant to make a commitment as they are concerned that home prices may have peaked and instead are waiting until there’s more clarity in the market”

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website http://www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

 

 

See the Miracles

By Melody Kraemer

Do you ever wish for a miracle? Do you ever hope things would change? Do you dream about how things could be better? I use to. Every day I would pray for a miracle that my child with autism would understand and have a full conversation with me. When I asked about his day he just repeats my words back. I have an idea how his days go at school yet I have no clue if he was happy, sad or even cried during the day.

Some days I wish, with every ounce of my being, he would express something to me. I have hoped for a miracle on many occasions for him to please share with me and talk to me. When he cries, I hurt because I know he can’t express himself fully and tell me why. I kept thinking one day a miracle will happen and he will walk up to me and say, hey mommy, guess what we did at school today or mommy I made a friend today.

Sometimes it makes me cry to think about him locked in his world. I hold onto that miracle that one day he will converse with me. The only conversation we do have is, first that then this. “Yes honey, I find myself saying every morning as he repeats himself, first school then home.”

Every day I search for that miracle and hold onto that glimmer of hope. Then one day as I was looking into his little face, seeing those beautiful little eyes it dawned on me. I shouldn’t be looking for a miracle when one was standing right in front of me. I have my miracle, in fact, I have four miracles.

Melody Kraemer is the Editor and Publisher of Macaroni Kid- Jurupa Valley- Eastvale as well as Macaroni Kid- Riverside. Visit her on the web at https://jurupavalley.macaronikid.com/ or https://riversideca.macaronikid.com/. For information or general encouragement feel free to email her at: autismmomofboys@gmail.com.