Category Archives: The Weekly News

Diamond Bar City Council Recap

By Natalie Kim

DIAMOND BAR-The March 1 Diamond Bar Council meeting began with an award presentation to Charles Fisher. Fisher reported suspicious activity in his neighborhood, which led to the apprehension of two burglars. He received $500 from the Report for Reward program. Planning Commissioner Bob Nishimura and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ted Owens were also presented with a City Tile, in recognition for their years of service to the community.
Lt. Philip Marquez was also introduced as the newest member of the Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Team. Although Marquez is new to the city, he is not new to policing; he served the public for many years before his move to Diamond Bar.
During the public comments, several residents expressed their distaste for the Millennium home development. The lawyer representing the current owners of Millennium refuted several claims, but residents remained disgruntled.
Next, a Diamond Bar resident called for body cameras to be worn by the city police force, as they would help keep policemen accountable for their actions and possibly reduce unnecessary police force. The City Manager acknowledged the advantages of body cameras, and discussed current efforts to make body cameras part of standard police uniforms. A representative from the Diamond Bar Public Library then announced upcoming events, such a workshop regarding the new SAT and ACT tests on March 12 from 12-4 p.m., and a presentation about diabetes on March 14 from 2-3 p.m.
The Council then approved all items on the Consent Calendar, including the minutes from the City Council meeting of February 16; ratification of a check register totaling $762,553.58; the treasurer’s statement for the month of January 2015; an agreement with Exterior Products Corporation for services related to vertical street pole banners; a design and construction administration/inspection services contract for Area 4 residential and collector street rehabilitation to Onward Engineering, Inc; a contract amendment with Fehr & Peers for the development of the adaptive traffic control system request for proposal and travel time data collection; a resolution authorizing participation in the MiCTA Master Services Agreement government purchasing program and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a seven-year agreement with Time Warner Cable to purchase increased internet bandwidth; and a resolution amending the City’s personnel rules and regulations, effective March 2. The Council also approved the first reading of an ordinance amending city code relating to an administrative personnel system.
Following Council reports and comments, the Council adjourned until March 22 at 6:30 p.m. at 21865 Copley Dr.
The schedule of future events includes the Planning Commission meeting on March 8 at 7 p.m.; the Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting on March 10 at 7 p.m.; the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on March 24 at 7 p.m.; and the State of the City by Mayor Lyons on March 30 at 6 p.m. at 1600 Grand Ave. The Planning Commission meeting for March 22 was cancelled, and the next City Council meeting was postponed to March 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Van Donated To HARTT Center

By Kelli Gile

Walnut– The Hockwalt Adult Resource & Transition Training Center (HARTT) Center received the keys to their very own minivan on Tuesday.

When the silver 2014 Lincoln Town and Country minivan was delivered to the school, students immediately gave it the thumbs up.

“These are the kids’ lives you’ve changed today!” exclaimed teacher Cheryl Faren.

The new car was made possible through generous donations from the Walnut Valley Women’s Club, Penske Mercedes-Benz of West Covina, Dedicated 2 Learning (D2L), David Lee, and Davis Lu.

The HARTT Center, which opened in 2014, serves 18-22 year-old students with disabilities who are receiving a Certificate of Completion from high school. The Center teaches important life skills as students transition into adulthood.  Partnerships with local business are helping the young adults develop job and vocational skills.

The 20 students and their job coaches take public transportation to their internships four days a week.

“Our students take public transportation everywhere. It’s a skill that they’ll need as adults to become independent,” said Special Education Director Judi Koorndyk.

But there are some areas the busses don’t go and they have to walk.  And on hot or rainy days, the mile-trek can be very long.

“This new van is going to provide a lot of opportunity for our kids!” she added.

“One of the keys to the HARTT program is for students to get out into the community and have real life experiences to prepare them for life. And that’s hard to do without transportation,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

The HARTT Center’s dedicated staff and parents had a vision to get a van from the very beginning.  When Walnut Valley Women’s Club member Jeannie Stowell read about the opening of the new HARTT Center in the Highlander newspaper, she immediately cut out the article and brought it to friend Dee Chambers.

“We needed to do something for them,” the longtime members shared.

After touring the Center with Faren, they asked a question.   “If you could have anything in the world for the program, what would be your first choice?  She immediately replied ‘A van!’” Chambers explained.

“And we said, ‘We’ll do our best!’, and that’s how it got started,” she added.  The Women’s Club donated $9,400 towards the van.

“We saw what incredible people at the HARTT Center are doing for kids today,” said Joe Mehanna, President of Penske Mercedes-Benz in West Covina after touring the Center.  “And we want to be a part of this!” He added that Penske donated a portion of the cost of the new car for the HARTT Center.

“The least we can do as a business is give back to the (Walnut Valley) community and the kids!”

“The reason we’re here every day in our school district is to help kids and meet their needs, and we can’t do that alone,” said Taylor. “It takes a village!”

“It’s the whole community working together for them,” added Nancy Hogg, retired WVUSD administrator and D2L co-founder.

Faren is excited about the future with the school’s new wheels.  “This will open up tons of new areas for us, like Brea Mall and Chino Hills.”

She also plans to help educate students about sites available after the HARTT program.

“Normally I’d have to get a school bus. Now, I can load up a couple kids that are aging out and take them around. It will be so nice!”

The Weight Gain-Inflammation Connection

Courtesy of Myfitnesspal.com

 

When we think about inflammation, we often think of it as helping us heal from an obvious injury (like a wound) or fighting harmful bacteria. This is good inflammation, working in our favor to keep us healthy. But on the flip side, when the immune system is too active, it can make us sick.

We know that major chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, are linked to weight gain, but did you ever wonder how those diseases and inflammation are all intertwined?

Understanding inflammation, especially “bad” inflammation, will help explain this connection.

 

The difference between “good” and “bad” inflammation

Inflammation is a process you can’t actually see, so how do you know if it’s “good” or “bad”?

Think about the last time you got a bruise. The blood and fluid that rushed in to create that purplish swollen area is the definition of inflammation. As you heal, inflammation subsides and eventually goes away. This is how “good” inflammation is supposed to happen.

But sometimes inflammation can get us into trouble. An example: an allergy where our immune system overreacts to relatively harmless foods (think: peanut butter, shellfish, eggs) or substances (think: pollen, dust, latex).

Poor habits like eating an unhealthy diet, not exercising enough and consuming too much sugar can contribute to a bad type of inflammation called “chronic” inflammation. These habits turn the immune system “on” and help it stay activated for a long period of time. Along with other factors, chronic inflammation can lead to chronic illness.

 

Inflammation and illness

The way our immune system reacts to smoking and stress increases our risk for heart disease. How? Smoking and stress damage cells and activate your immune system, leading to a low level of chronic inflammation. Over time, chronic inflammation makes your arteries more likely to collect plaque, which stiffens and clogs them, and can lead to heart disease.

Chronic inflammation contributes to type 2 diabetes by worsening “insulin resistance”, a condition where your body produces insulin but your cells don’t respond to it very well so your blood sugar stays abnormally high. How does chronic inflammation do this? Simply put, fat cells are capable of creating chemical signals that lead to chronic inflammation. But they mainly do so when you habitually eat too many calories and sugar. These chemical signals also mess with the way that insulin works in our bodies, aggravating insulin resistance.

 

Chronic Inflammation and weight gain

If fat cells can contribute to chronic inflammation, then it’s reasonable to expect that weight gain, especially in the form of fat tissue, also contributes to chronic inflammation. As we gain weight, some fat cells expand beyond their capacity while trying to do their job storing extra calories as fat. When this happens, they turn on and add to the inflammation already present in our bodies. At this point, these cells aren’t just fat storage warehouses—they’re like little inflammation factories, sending out signals to activate the immune system. Losing weight allows the fat cells to shrink back to a more normal size and turns off the signals that trigger chronic inflammation.

 

6 tips for reducing chronic inflammation

Changing your diet and losing weight are two of the best ways to lower inflammation. Here are some tips:

  1. Eat antioxidants and polyphenols:Eating antioxidant- and polyphenol-rich foods can cut down on inflammation by reducing “free-radical damage.” Free radicals are generated by the body when it’s in a state of stress. If the immune system becomes overwhelmed by free radicals, cells are harmed and inflammation gets worse. Antioxidants and polyphenols are great for fighting that process. To get them, try drinking green tea and eating a rainbow of fruits and veggies; here are some examples of what to reach for: broccoli, kale, collards, rutabaga, turnips, berries.
  2. Consume essential fats: Getting a good ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet is important for reducing inflammation. Most of us consume too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3, so the key to balancing things is to increase omega-3 intake. Omega-6-heavy foods like seeds and nuts and their oils, and refined vegetable oils (used in many snack foods, crackers, cookies, etc.), tend to stir up inflammation, while foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, flax and chia seeds, avocado and walnuts dampen it.
  3. Add spices:Turmeric, garlic, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and ginger have all been shown in studies to have anti-inflammatory properties. You can’t overdo these, so sprinkle them liberally onto your food.
  4. Exercise:Moving around releases a burst of anti-inflammatory proteins from the cells to the rest of the body. However, moderate exercise is key. An example of moderate exercise is 45–60 minutes of cardio, such as walking or jogging, about three times a week.
  5. Stress:Cortisol, the so-called “stress” hormone, wears many other hats, including regulating the immune response. Reducing stress helps to keep hormones like cortisol under control and that, in turn, helps lower inflammation.
  6. Sleep:Lack of sleep makes the body ripe for infection, while more sleep has the opposite effect. A review of several studies published in 2008 found that sleeping less than eight hours a night was linked to weight gain. There is a complex yet harmonious dance occurring in your body during restful sleep; this strengthens your immune system in a good way.

Walnut Hero Nominations Now Being Accepted

Courtesy of the City of Walnut
WALNUT– The City of Walnut is seeking nominations for our “L.A. County Fair Community Hero 2016” who will also serve as the 2016 Family Festival Parade Grand Marshal.
A Community Hero is someone who works determinedly to make a difference in the community without thought of recognition or reward. They volunteer at local hospitals, schools, churches and organizations such as Relay for Life, American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. This is your chance to nominate an individual whom you feel contributes to the quality of life in Walnut.
Selected heroes will be honored at the L.A. County Fair during a special presentation that will take place on Walnut’s Day at the Fair on Thursday, September 15, 2016. The Walnut Family Festival will follow on Saturday, October 8.
Nomination Forms are available at http://www.ci.walnut.ca.us , or you may call (909) 598-5605 to have one mailed to you. Nomination submissions may be mailed to P.O. Box 682, Walnut, CA 91788-0682 or faxed to (909) 598-2160.
The deadline to submit a nomination is Thursday, May 26, 2016. The volunteer Walnut Family Festival committee will review all nominees and their contributions to the Walnut community before making a selection.

Residents Invited to Legal Aid Workshop

Courtesy of the City of Chino Hills

 

CHINO HILLS – Residents are invited to attend a free Legal Aid Workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22 at the Chino Hills Community Center, 14250 Peyton Drive.

The workshop leaders will not be available during a lunch period from 12 to 1 p.m. The Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino provides legal services to low income residents throughout the County of San Bernardino for a variety of civil cases. Qualified residents may receive free legal consultation on a broad spectrum of legal issues as well as affordable access to the legal system. Residents receive document preparation, step-by-step instructions to facilitate requests for court orders, and help navigating the court system.

The judicial system access provided by Legal Aid will allow residents to secure lawful orders in parental rights, child and family support, custody and visitation, freedom from domestic violence and civil harassment, prevention of elder abuse, guardianship to provide care and access to health care for minors of absent parents, or conservatorship to provide care and access to health care for dependent disabled adults.

Note: the workshop leaders will not be available during a lunch period from 12 to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit the Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino website at http://www.legalaidofsb.org, or call toll-free at (866) 889-7328.

DBHS Sophomore Wins Holocaust Art Contest

Photo courtesy of Diamond Bar HS Holocaust Art Contest Winner Hailey Shi

Photo courtesy of Diamond Bar HS
Holocaust Art Contest Winner Hailey Shi

Courtesy of DBHS

 

Diamond Bar– On Friday, March 4, Diamond Bar High School sophomore Hailey Shi won 1st place in the annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest held at Chapman University.

Hailey previously won the Holocaust Art and Writing Contest in the Middle School category when she was in the 8th grade.  Earlier this year, she decided she wanted to submit an entry as a high school student.

In order to prepare for the competition, Hailey listened to hours of tape recorded interviews of Holocaust survivors.  She played the recordings in the car as her parents drove her to school and back.  After listening to the horrific memories of a number of survivors, she chose Mr. Sol Liber as the person to whom she dedicated her painting.  Hailey felt a deep emotional connection to the suffering he endured. His memories evoked visual imagery that she created in response to his life story.

The resulting painting is a blend of portraiture, emotional drama, and heart-wrenching imagery.  Hailey is skilled at composition, color, and dramatic lighting.

In partnership with The 1939 Society, one of the largest and most active Holocaust survivor organizations in the United States, and with the support of the Samueli Foundation, Dana and Yossie Hollander and others, the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education annually sponsors an art and writing contest for middle and high school students.
Focusing on themes central both to the Holocaust and to ethical decision making in our world today, the contest gives students from public, private and parochial schools the opportunity to share their creative  works in response to survivors’ oral testimonies.

Representatives and educators from each school attend the awards ceremony, where they meet Holocaust survivors.  First-place student winners, their parents/guardians and teachers are invited to participate in an afternoon conversation, followed by a special event dinner, in Los Angeles with 1939 Society members who are survivors and witnesses to the Holocaust.

 

Ontario City Council Public Hearing on Harvest Power Permit

Courtesy of the guardian

Courtesy of the guardian

By Nicole Leiva

ONTARIO– Harvest Power appealed a conditional-use permit denial at a public hearing on March 1, during the Ontario City Council meeting. Harvest Power, who wants to establish and operate an organic materials facility on 34 acres near the Chino border at Campus and Schaefer, composts green waste, manure, food materials, fats and grease.  Ontario’s zoning administrator turned down the original permit request, and on appeal, the Planning Commission unanimously turned it down as well.  Ontario City Councilman Alan Wapner requested a council review, and Harvest filed an appeal.

Robert Vandenheuvel is the General Manager of the Milk Producers Council, a non-profit trade association representing dairy farmers in Chino, Ontario and Eastvale. He and his members are concerned about the location of the proposed waste processing facility. The designated location for this plant is right next to a newly constructed water treatment facility for the City of Chino. The farmers and residents near the location are concerned about water contamination, increased truck traffic and fire hazards that have become common with green waste processing facilities.

Ten residents and farmers were allotted time to share their concerns about the green waste facility with the council members. The citizens that live and/or work near the designated location spoke of their concerns about the lack of regulations on compost waste facilities, increased traffic, potential water contamination, potential exposure to toxic smells in the air, and potential fires at the waste facility that can spread to the nearby dairies and kill livestock.  There have already been fires at some of the other eight composting facilities in the area.

The Director of Community Development for the City of Chino, Nick Liguori, stated his concern that so far, there have been no environmental studies done regarding the plant. In addition, other representatives from Chino were concerned that the location of the plant will be too close to the newly built water treatment facility. At the very least, the City of Chino said that they would like environmental studies to be conducted before the Ontario City Council approves the contract.

In opposition to those who spoke against the waste processing facility, a representative from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce gave the Chamber’s support for the project. A lawyer for Harvest Power spoke to defend the company and dispute the statements from the residents/farmers.  A representative from Harvest Power spoke during the public hearing and he listed off prestigious awards the company has been awarded, the services they provide and told how the company will develop into a member of the community.

After all the statements, Ontario Mayor Paul Leon was ready to vote to overturn the decision from the Planning Commission, but two council members, Bowman and Avila, were still adamantly against the project, citing concerns about resident and animal safety, increased traffic and potential water contamination.  Councilman Bowman also expressed that because the testimony from the residents/farmers was very compelling, he would be voting against the project. Councilwoman Dorst-Porada also had questions and concerns about the safety of the facility.

Mayor Leon said that although he was inclined to support the project, the council members could not come to an agreement, and because of that, he will request a town hall meeting with Harvest Power, so residents have their questions and concerns addressed.  The council will schedule a vote after the town hall meeting.

 

Pomona Bicycle Rodeo

Courtesy of the Pomona Police Dept.

POMONA– The Pomona Bicycle Rodeo, for kids aged 3-10, will be held on Saturday April 16, 2016, from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., at the Pomona Civic Center at Mission Blvd. and Garey Avenue.

Police officers will inspect bicycles, provide personalized education, and assist children as they ride their bikes through riding patterns.

Kids who live in Pomona and bring their own bicycle will be provided a free helmet, while supplies last. Police officers will get behind the grill to prepare hot dogs, and chips and drinks will also be served. Several displays will be set up, including the opportunity for kids to take pictures wearing police gear and on a police motorcycle or in a police car.

A brand new bicycle will be raffled off free during the event.

Chino Hills Hosts 24th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Courtesy of the City of Chino Hills

 

Hop on down the bunny trail and join us for an “Eggstra-Special” day filled with adventures and surprises. Spend time with family and friends and create wonderful spring memories. Participate in a variety of activities including egg hunts, pictures with the Easter Bunny, crafts, musical entertainment, a craft fair, and refreshments to purchase. No outside baskets or bags allowed. The City will provide bags for egg hunts.

When
Saturday, March 26
11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Where
Chino Hills Community Park
3280 Eucalyptus Avenue

Egg Hunt Schedule
11:15 am Infant to 2 years old*
11:45 am 3 to 4 years old*
12:15 pm 5 to 6 years old
12:45 pm 7 to 8 years old
1:15 pm 9 to 12 years old
* Adult assistance, if needed

Straight Talk With Danice

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

“Spoiled Sister”

By Danice Akiyoshi, N.D.

 

Dear Dr. Akiyoshi:

Both of my parents passed away two years ago.  My sister was very dependent on both of them.  Now that they’re gone, she looks to me to entertain her at every holiday and birthday, as if she were still a child, and bail her out financially when she makes stupid mistakes.  She never pitches in for anything that doesn’t directly affect her.  She makes comments like “mom and dad would want you to take care of me.  I’m the baby of the family and you make more money than me,” (she is 47).  Neither of us is married, but I don’t want her to think that she can lean on me for the rest of her life.

-Fed Up

 

Dear Fed Up:

Your sister has a sense of entitlement.  Make it clear that you have no interest in acting out the role of her parent or spouse.  I’m guessing that your parents did her a major disservice by allowing her to arrive into middle age with this degree of emotional immaturity.  Make it clear that your role is that of a sibling and not a caretaker.   Be honest about the fact that you no longer even see her as enjoyable company because of the way she takes you for granted.  If you have feelings of guilt, or have trouble standing up to her manipulation tactics, I would be happy to assist you.

Danice Akiyoshi is a Naturopathic Doctor and the head of Candid Coaching Service. She offers personal coaching services relating to all types of issues and concerns. This is a letter she received from an anonymous reader. To send a question to Danice, email her at straighttalk@candidcoachingservices.com. You can also visit her website at http://www.candidcoachingservices.com.

 

So Many CIF Championships!

Photo by Jennifer Heyen

Photo by Jennifer Heyen
Over 12,000 people packed the Honda Center on March 5 to watch the Chino Hills Huskies win the CIF-SS Open Division Championship.

By Carol Heyen

Chino Hills – What a great year for basketball!

The Chino Hills Huskies, the Ayala Bulldogs and the Diamond Ranch Panthers boys’ basketball teams all won their respective CIF Southern Section championships.

In front of a Honda Center crowd estimated at 12,000, the #1 team in the nation, the Chino Hills Huskies, took an early and decisive lead against Chatsworth’s Sierra Canyon in the Open Division Championship.  With a first quarter score of 26-8, and a halftime score of 49-26, the Huskies were on their way to their 17th 100-point game, one shy of the state record of 18.   Mc Donald’s All-American Lonzo Ball finished with another triple-double, scoring 20 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, four blocked shots and two steals. Younger brother LiAngelo was the Huskies’ high scorer with 31 points and 7 rebounds.  All five starters finished the game in the double digits.

“We’re glad we got the win, but at the end of the day, we still got to get one more,” Lonzo said. “It’s another step. We took that step and now we have to get to the top.”

Chino Hills now advances to the State Championships with a 31-0 record after their 105-83 win.

Ayala’s #1 seeded Bulldogs dominated Edison on Saturday night to win their Division 2A Championship 63-29. The Bulldogs took the lead late in the first quarter and were never threatened again by #2 seed Edison.    John Edgar and Austen Awosika scored 19 points each, and Edgar led the rebound count with nine. Fellow senior Miles President added 13 points.

“I’ve been doing this (coaching) 25 years,” Ayala coach John Mounce said. “It means a lot to me, it means a lot to our school and it means a lot to these kids who have worked so hard.”

Diamond Ranch’s Panthers won their first 3A CIF-SS Championship under the skilled guidance of Head Coach Eric Cooper.  Cooper, who led La Verne Lutheran to two CIF championships and two state titles, was delighted to see his Panthers beat the Chaminade Eagles at Azusa Pacific University on Friday. Diamond Ranch’s constant pressure, and Roman Silva’s 22 points and 12 rebounds helped defeat the Eagles 53-48.

“I thought our guards outplayed their guards,” Cooper said. “When they made a run, we really clamped down and got stops when we needed them.”

The Huskies will take on Immanuel High from Reedly, the Bulldogs will play Bakersfield’s West High School and Diamond Ranch will take on Kern Valley in the first round of the state playoffs.

WHO Will Take Care of Your Eyes

Walnut Hills Optometry is conveniently located at 18736 Amar Road. You can reach them at (626) 965-3878 or (909) 594-1153. For more information, visit their website at www.walnuthillsoptometry.com

Walnut Hills Optometry is conveniently located at 18736 Amar Road. You can reach them at (626) 965-3878 or (909) 594-1153. For more information, visit their website at http://www.walnuthillsoptometry.com

Staff Reports

WALNUT–Do you know WHO will care for your eyes?

For many years, WALNUT HILLS OPTOMETRY (WHO) has taken excellent care of the vision needs of the community, serving patients from Walnut/West Covina/Diamond Bar/Chino Hills to patients from La Puente/Rowland Heights/Hacienda Heights/Whittier. Because of the quality of service provided, as well as the trusting care given by the doctor, patients travel from the Los Angeles and Inland Empire areas as well.

WHO considers vision to be a precious gift, and their office takes pride in providing comprehensive eye exams.

WHO believes that quality eye care involves consistent care by a professional.  Carmela Larino, O.D., and her loyal staff, will give your eyes the personalized care and attention they deserve.

Dr. Larino is proud to serve the community she grew up in.  She attended Rowland Unified schools from elementary through high school, and then attended U.C. Irvine before receiving her doctorate degree from the Southern California College of Optometry.  In 2003, Dr. Larino was honored at her alma mater – Nogales High School – when she was inducted onto their Wall of Fame.  She is a member of the American Optometric Association, the California Optometric Association, and the Rio Hondo Optometric Society, where she stays current on the latest in eye care.  As a local resident, you might find Dr. Larino eating at your favorite restaurant, shopping in a local store, or attending a community event.

WHO offers personalized eye examinations, diabetic and eye health exams, and the management and care of a multitude of eye and vision concerns.  A wide variety of eyewear is also available, from progressive and polarized lenses to silicone high-oxygen contacts, and even designer frames. They also offer Lasik Surgery co-management. If you have used eyeglass frames scattered around the house, bring them to the WHO offices and they will donate them to those in need of frames.

WHO is conveniently located near the 10, 60 and 57 freeways, on the border of Walnut and West Covina, at 18736 East Amar Road (at the corner of Nogales Street and Amar Road, next to Papa John’s Pizza.)  Their hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  You can reach them at (626) 965-3878 or (909) 594-1153.  For more information visit their website at http://www.walnuthillsoptometry.com.

Are You Dying To Live Or Living To Die?

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops, M.A.M.F.T.

Sometimes I ask people if they are dying to live or living to die.  They are two very different ways to live life.  These two ways of living involve having two very different attitudes.  If you are living to die, you are probably a negative person and always see the glass as half-empty.  I also think these people are fearful and always looking for what is wrong.  I never want to be part of this group.  On the other hand, if you are dying to live, you are probably a positive person and look at the glass as being half-full.  I know, because I am part of this group. We love life and want to experience all of it.  Instead of being fearful, we are adventurous and excited about the possibilities that each day brings.

So, take a moment and think about how you live and which one of these two groups you belong to.  Now that you have your answer, are you happy or do you wish you could change?  The truth is that we are really the only ones that can change how we live and how we think about out life.  I know from experience that life can be hard and it can throw us many curveballs.  We have power in how we choose to deal with those curveballs.  It’s sort of like the idea of making lemonade out of lemons.  We have power in choosing how we will react.  I’ve heard time and time again, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.  Boy, is this the truth!

You can start changing your life by looking at what is right with your life each and every day.  Work on being grateful for all that you are blessed with.  Decide today to be happy!

 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)229-072.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  You may ask Purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

Chino Hills Resident Arrested For Vehicle Burglaries

Staff Reports

Chino Hills– On March 5, 2016, Noel Serna, a 19-year-old resident of Chino Hills, was observed trying to break into vehicles parked on the street and in driveways in the 15800 block of Zenobia Lane in Chino Hills.  When officers arrived, Serna provided false identifying information and was detained. He was found to be in possession of a black bag, which contained stolen property from the vehicles.  Serna is believed to be responsible for approximately 10 other vehicle burglaries and thefts from vehicles in the city of Chino Hills over the last several weeks. Detectives served a search warrant at his residence in Chino Hills, and are still trying to locate additional stolen property.
Serna was arrested and booked at West Valley Detention Center on charges of Vehicle Burglary, Attempted Vehicle Burglary, and giving false ID to a Peace Officer.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective D. Popa, from the Chino Hills Police Department at (909) 364-2000.

History 101

Photo courtesy of History.com FDR gives one of his historic fireside chats

Photo courtesy of History.com
FDR gives one of his historic fireside chats

FDR gives first fireside chat

Courtesy of History.com

On March 12, 1933, eight days after his inauguration, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his first national radio address or “fireside chat,” broadcast directly from the White House.

Roosevelt began that first address simply: “I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking.” He went on to explain his recent decision to close the nation’s banks in order to stop a surge in mass withdrawals by panicked investors worried about possible bank failures. The banks would be reopening the next day, Roosevelt said, and he thanked the public for their “fortitude and good temper” during the “banking holiday.”

At the time, the U.S. was at the lowest point of the Great Depression, with between 25 and 33 percent of the work force unemployed. The nation was worried, and Roosevelt’s address was designed to ease fears and to inspire confidence in his leadership. Roosevelt went on to deliver 30 more of these broadcasts between March 1933 and June 1944. They reached an astonishing number of American households, with 90 percent of owning radios on which they were able to listen.

Journalist Robert Trout coined the phrase “fireside chat” to describe Roosevelt’s radio addresses, invoking an image of the president sitting by a fire in a living room, speaking earnestly to the American people about his hopes and dreams for the nation. In fact, Roosevelt took great care to make sure each address was accessible and understandable to ordinary Americans, regardless of their level of education. He used simple vocabulary and relied on folksy anecdotes or analogies to explain the often complex issues facing the country.

Over the course of his historic 12-year presidency, Roosevelt used the chats to build popular support for his groundbreaking New Deal policies. After World War II began, he used them to explain his administration’s wartime policies to the American people.

The success of Roosevelt’s chats was evident not only in his three re-elections, but also in the millions of letters that flooded the White House. Farmers, business owners, men, women, rich, poor–most of them expressed the feeling that the president had entered their home and spoken directly to them. In an era when presidents had previously communicated with their citizens almost exclusively through spokespeople and journalists, it was an unprecedented step.

Outstanding Service

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently my wife and I had the opportunity to spend a day with some of our grandchildren and their parents at Disneyland.  It was a warm, sunny day at the Happiest Place on Earth.

This was the first time that some of the grand kids had been to Disneyland.  They were very excited to visit both Disneyland and California Adventure.  They enjoyed a number of the rides and attractions in both parks.
One of their favorites was the new “Cars” ride in California Adventure.  This attraction is based on the Disney movie “Cars” and has two cars racing side-by-side down a curving road course.
I waited at the finish line with the youngest grandchild while my wife and the other adults and kids went on the “Cars” ride.  I did not see what happened on the race course, but as the cars raced along, my wife lost the baseball cap she was wearing.  It just flew off as her car rounded a sharp curve.
The reason she was wearing a baseball cap is that she doesn’t have any hair right now.  She has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer and has lost all of her hair.
There was nothing she could do.  The hat was gone and her bald head was exposed to the world.  They operators could not stop the ride.  Her hat was gone.
But then, something unexpected happened.  As soon as the ride came to a complete stop, one of the Disney employees saw my wife’s predicament and stepped in to help.
The female employee quickly ushered my wife off the ride and led her into a souvenir shop nearby.  She instructed my wife to select a new hat at no cost.  It was a timely and thoughtful gift.
The employee said that she did not want my wife to have to spend the rest of the day at Disneyland without a hat to cover her head.  We were surprised and impressed with the Disney employee’s quick and compassionate action.
Our trip to Disneyland with our grandchildren is a day that we will remember for a long time.  We had such a nice time together.  And, it is a day we will remember the outstanding customer service of a thoughtful Disney employee, too.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd.  Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.  For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visithttp://www.efreedb.org

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 3.12.16

2016-Mar12-Weekly-COVERThe 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:2016-Mar12-Weekly-WEB

Walnut City Council Recap

By Natalie Kim

WALNUT -The February 24 Walnut City Council meeting began with two commendations for city staff. First, Marie Santos was recognized for her ten years of service. Santos is retiring in order to spend more time with her family. Fabiola Huerta was also recognized for her nine years of service.  She is moving away to accept an offer from another city.

Following the commendations, the Walnut Valley Robotics team presented the robot they built for last year’s robotics contest. The team requested assistance in continuing their work, such as city help with robotics contests and outreach programs, in order to increase awareness and interest of STEM fields. More information can be found on their Facebook page, Walnut Valley Robotics, and their website, www.team5857.com.

After the public comment session, the Council approved all items on the agenda, including the minutes from the February 10 City Council meeting; a resolution allowing claims and demands in the amount of $849,997.46; a resolution allowing a change in positions; the new City Attorney services contract; a contract with RKA Consulting Group to prepare the preliminary engineering and alternative analysis for the proposed Walnut Ranch Park expansion; the award of the 2015-16 Maintenance Area 5 slurry seal program bid; final acceptance of the Suzanne Park parking lot project; and the mid-year request for additional appropriation.

Following Council comments and updates, the Council adjourned with plans to meet again on March 9 at 7 p.m. at 21201 La Puente Rd.

Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries

Staff Reports

 

One of the best ways to ensure your family’s safety year-round is to always have working smoke detectors in your home.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or in homes with smoke alarms that failed to operate properly.  The NFPA reported that dead or missing batteries are the most common reasons for smoke alarms to fail.

Half of fire-related deaths occur in the hours between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are likely to be asleep.  Having a working smoke detector can save your life.  There should be alarms in every bedroom, outside every separate sleeping area and on each level of the home.  Larger homes may need more alarms.  For the greatest protection, interconnected alarms are best.  When one sounds, they all sound.

A smoke detector is useless without fresh batteries to ensure that it works properly in the event of a fire. An easy way to remember to change your smoke detector’s batteries is to replace them twice a year, when you change your clocks.  You may also want to consider installing 10-year lithium battery-operated smoke alarms.  These smoke alarms are powered for 10 years by sealed, long-life lithium batteries. After 10 years of use, residents can simply discard the smoke alarm and replace it with a new one.

The Chino Valley Fire District offers residents the following tips to help keep smoke alarms in good working order:

  • Test smoke alarms once a month by pushing the test button;
  • Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least twice a year;
  • Replace your smoke alarms every 10 years or in accordance with manufacturer guidelines;
  • Do not disable smoke alarms, even temporarily;
  • Vacuum regularly or dust your smoke alarms to keep them working properly;
  • Develop and practice a family escape plan so that everyone in your home knows what to do if the smoke alarm rings.

To learn more about fire and life safety, visit www.chinovalleyfire.org or follow the Chino Valley Fire District on social media @cvifd.

 

Volunteen Summer Program

Courtesy of the City of Diamond Bar

Are you between the ages of 13 and 15 and looking for a fun way to earn community service hours while gaining job skills in the City recreation services field?  The City of Diamond Bar is currently seeking interested teens to be part of its 2016 Summer Volunteen Program.

To be eligible to participate, you must be available to work starting May 16 and until August 12 for a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 20 hours per week. Hours are mutually arranged between the Volunteen program coordinator and the participant.

Volunteens help with popular City programs such as Summer Day Camp, Youth Baseball and Tiny Tots, and also assist with the City’s popular Concerts and Movies in the Park series.

The last day to apply to be considered for the 2016 Volunteen Program is Thursday, April 14. Only online applications submitted through the NeoGov system, available through the City website at http://www.DiamondBarCa.gov/ employment will be considered. No paper applications or emailed resumes will be accepted.

For more information, contact the City’s Recreation Services Division at 909.839.7070.