Category Archives: The Weekly News

Quality Comes First At Peterson Auto Repair

Visit Peterson Auto Repair Center in the Big Valley Industrial Park, located at 3980-A Valley Boulevard, in Walnut. They can be reached at (909) 598-3881.

Visit Peterson Auto Repair Center in the Big Valley Industrial Park, located at 3980-A Valley Boulevard, in Walnut. They can be reached at (909) 598-3881.

By K.P. Sander

Walnut – If you are looking for a local automotive repair center that performs quality work at reasonable prices – and delivers it all with excellent service – look no further than Peterson Auto Repair Center.

Peterson now houses a full mechanic shop to serve all your automotive needs.  They not only specialize in lube and oil changes, but also repair and maintain radiators, alternators, starters, brakes, clutches, shocks and struts, axles,  air conditioning, belts and hoses, and much, much more.

In business for over 15 years, owner Eric Peterson says, “For me, it’s all about providing quality automotive repair for the neighborhood.  I grew up in La Puente and Walnut, and we have so many good customers in this area.  We really appreciate the business and word of mouth referrals.”

Carhelp.com customers agree, consisting giving Peterson high marks for quality workmanship and fair pricing.

Look for Peterson to add quality auto-body services to the business in the future.

Peterson Auto Repair is located in the Big Valley Industrial Park, at 3980-A Valley Boulevard in the City of Walnut.  They are open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at (909) 598-3881.  Mention their ad in the Weekly News and get an oil change for just $21.99 (plus tax and fees).

 

Instincts

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

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

I think we underestimate our instincts. We seem to go to others more than trusting ourselves to make decisions.
I’ve always thought of our instincts as our own personal guide or life coach. Our instincts need to be trusted because they are a gift from God that helps us know what is right or wrong for us. We all have felt our stomachs change when we go against our instincts.
In reality, our instincts guide us. I’ve never understood why people would trust anybody else more than they would trust themselves. I think when people are generally insecure, they struggle trusting themselves and their instincts.
My instincts never fail me. When I was younger, I didn’t always follow them and would end up in trouble. Now that I’m older, and hopefully wiser, I know I can always trust my instincts.
Learn to pay attention to the red flags or warning signs, because they are there to protect us from potential harm. I have found that they generally are trying to tell me something that I need to know. Learn to have faith and start to believe in yourself. Start making decisions that are good for you and learn to trust your gut. The more you follow your instincts and see that they guide you well, the more trust you will develop in yourself.
You wouldn’t throw away a map that would take you to a very sacred destination. By not following your instincts, I think you are throwing away one of the most valuable tools you have for self exploration and finally finding confidence in yourself.
Learning to trust your instincts can also make you a good judge of character when it comes to deciding whether or not to let people into your lives. Once you find that confidence, you will be free to depend on yourself to decide what is right for your life. This confidence is a very empowering tool that can change a 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, including 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, or via email at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  Nancy’s books, “Midnight the Therapy Dog,” and “Live, Heal and Grow,” are available at Amazon.com.

University of California Is For Bears, Bruins And Banana Slugs, Not Cash Cows

Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia
California’s 29th District Senate Republican Leader, Bob Huff

By Senator Bob Huff (R-San Dimas)
The University of California should be a beacon of opportunity for California students; but in recent years, there’s been a clear trend at UC campuses to turn away too many of our own California students in favor of higher paying, out-of-state students and foreign elites. This crowding out of our own high school graduates from UC schools is a trend that can’t be allowed to continue.

The numbers tell the story: UC officials claim state budget cuts have forced them to admit more and more out-of-state students. This makes some fiscal sense, because those out-of-state students pay nearly triple the tuition charged to California residents.  But this year, fully one out of three freshman students admitted to UC campuses are from out-of-state.  And, despite past assurances I’ve gotten from UC officials, some of those out-of-state students are receiving financial aid that’s been paid for with California taxpayer dollars. Not only is that not fair to California families, if this trend continues we could soon see the day when the majority of students entering the University of California aren’t from California.

And while UC officials claim that state budget cuts are forcing them to turn more and more to out-of-state students and the dollars they bring, that’s not the whole story.  After all, there’s more to fiscal management than simply grabbing more dollars. There’s also controlling costs, and that’s where UC officials don’t have a very good story to tell. In the past 20 years, UC has tripled its hiring of non-faculty administrators.  That’s a big increase in spending for some very expensive bean counters and pencil pushers.  And it’s a tough increase to justify.  For comparison’s sake, over the same period UC was busy tripling its administrative staff, the California State University actually cut its administrative staff by a third.
We can do better. Our students deserve better. That’s why I signed on this year as co-author of SCA 4, a proposed Senate Constitutional Amendment which places a ten percent cap on UC out-of-state admissions.   SCA 4 also freezes UC tuition for the next five years, and bars out-of-state students from receiving financial assistance from California families.  SCA 4 protects our students while imposing a little fiscal discipline on UC’s educational bureaucracy.

SCA 4 likely won’t make it through the Legislature this year, and that’s a shame, because now the people will be denied a chance to vote for its important student protections.
Education is the great equalizer, because education is what turns opportunity into real world success. If we truly want to battle income inequality and increase opportunity for Californians, it’s time to protect UC’s educational opportunities for California students.

Senator Bob Huff serves as the Senate Minority Leader and represents the 29th Senate District covering portions of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. Follow Senator Huff on Twitter @bobhuff99.

Diamond Bar Day At The Fair

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – L.A. County Fair season is just around the corner, and Thurs., Sept. 24 has been officially designated as Diamond Bar Day at the Fair.  Diamond Bar residents who visit on this day pay only $5 for admission, and get to take part in a bevy of festivities to honor the City, including a Community and Business Expo, parade, high school marching band competition, Community Hero awards ceremony, and evening entertainment.

If you have a knack for drawing, gardening or creating, the Los Angeles County Fair (LACF) has a special contest as part of the Community Showcase program.  The “Design Your Own Crate Label Contest” is open to Diamond Bar students, pre-kindergarten through 12th Grade.  To enter, design a fruit crate label that creatively depicts a part of Diamond Bar history. There is no cost to enter, and winners will have their artwork prominently displayed for public viewing, receive four free LACF tickets for Sept. 24, and get to ride in a festive parade through the fairgrounds. The deadline to enter is Sept. 4.

Goods purchased under the Diamond Bar Day promotion, benefit the Big Yellow Bus Program, which subsidizes the cost of bus services for local students to participate in FairKids Field Trips and take part in fun and educational activities related to agriculture, art, science and literature, California heritage, and life on a farm.

For more information or to download a coupon for $5 Fair admission, good for Diamond Bar Day only, visit http://www.diamondbarca.gov/fair.

Helping Hands

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently I had the opportunity to travel with a team from our church to New Orleans. Many groups from around the country continue to send volunteers to help rebuild neighborhoods that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina ten years ago.

Our team worked on three different building projects.  One group put new exterior siding on a damaged home.  A second group put new shingles on the roof of another house in the neighborhood.  I was with the third group putting new flooring in another house.

The home my wife and I live in is built on a concrete foundation and cement floor.  The homes that we worked on in New Orleans are built up off the ground.  Pillars of wood or concrete blocks elevate these older houses two to three feet off the ground.  We actually saw some new homes in the area that were six to eight feet above ground!

Elevating homes off the ground probably helped prevent damage from minor flooding due to heavy rains and probably kept the bugs and critters out, too.  But the flood waters from Hurricane Katrina and the broken levies brought flood waters up ten to 15 feet, and higher, in some areas.  Even the newer homes were not able to withstand the devastation

I learned a lot about flooring during the week I was in New Orleans.  First we had to scrape and clean the original hard wood floor.  Then, we put down a cushioned, moisture barrier underlay before we put down the new wood laminate flooring.

One thing I learned about flooring work is that you spend a lot of time on your knees!  As volunteers, we wore cushioned knee pads. These gave us some protection and relief as we literally worked on our hands and knees all day long.

I have gained a lot of respect for men and women who work in the various building trades.  They work hard – very hard.  We worked hard in the hot, humid summer weather in New Orleans.  I can’t imagine what it would be like to do this kind of work day after day, week after week, year after year.

The Bible says a lot about work.  Everyone needs to be productive with their hands and mind.  God intended us to work while we live on the earth.  And He commands workers to do their jobs well.  In Ephesians 6:6, the Apostle Paul tells workers, “Don’t work just to please men, but do your work to please God.”

Whether you are a volunteer or an employee, each of us needs to do our work in a way that is pleasing to God.  Our goal should not be to simply pass “inspection” by the county building inspector, but to please God with the work of our hands and hearts.

If you are one of those in the construction trades, let me say, “Thanks,” for all your hard work.  And, if you have a worker fixing your plumbing or repairing your roof, I hope you will express your thanks to them for their hard work.

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

Back-To-School Tips

Help Keep Kids Healthy and Safe

Photo Courtesy: Google

Photo Courtesy: Google

By StatePoint

Back-to-school prep means more than a trip to the office supply store. Help kids stay strong, healthy and safe this school year by putting wellness front and center.

“Thinking about back-to-school now can help parents keep kids on track for a healthy summer and start to school,” says Dr. Sandra Hassink, MD, FAAP, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

With that in mind, Hassink recommends taking the following steps:

Ease into the School Schedule:  Ease the back-to-school transition by keeping bedtime and meals scheduled during the summer and adjusting timing as school approaches. If your child has been going to bed later than usual, begin adjusting his or her bedtime earlier toward the end of summer. Depending on age, children and teens need between 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep nightly.

For young children, arranging to see their new classroom and meet their new teacher before school starts can calm first day jitters. Go over the school schedule with your child, including how she will get to school and what the plans are for after school time.

Schedule a Pediatric Visit:  The back-to-school season is a good time for scheduling a pediatric exam. Create a list of items you want to discuss with your child’s pediatrician. This list should include ensuring your child is up-to-date on vaccinations, a crucial part of preventive care.

It’s a good idea to build a medical home with a pediatrician by sticking with one doctor or medical practice throughout childhood and adolescence. The doctor will be better informed of your child’s medical history and aware of any emerging problems.

Beyond medical testing, pediatricians are well-equipped to counsel patients and parents on emotional and social issues, as well as issues that often crop up during adolescence, such as smoking, drugs, drinking, sexual activity and depression.

“Parents can ask a pediatrician about anything related to the care of their child or teen, medical or not,” says Hassink. “The visit can be a good way to bring up these issues.”

Consider Sports:  Sports can foster confidence, cooperation and healthy habits, and the start of the school year brings many opportunities to join various programs.

Hydration, nutrition and proper conditioning are important for any sport, especially those with intense training in warm weather. Schedule a sports physical with your pediatrician to discuss your child’s overall health and how to prevent injuries.

Talk Safety:  If your child will be walking to school, travel the route with him to assess its safety. Find out about traffic patterns and crossing guards. Teach your child safety rules like looking both ways. If possible, have your child commute with an older sibling or neighbor. If your child will be riding a bike or skateboard, be sure he wears a helmet. Review basic rules for safer riding. Bus riders should also be mindful of safety rules, like remaining in one’s seat and listening to the driver.

As a parent, you can take steps to help ensure your children are prepared for a happy, healthy school year. More back-to-school tips can be found at http://www.healthychildren.org.

Pomona Students Sample College Life

Nearly 100 percent of students who attend the program go on to pursue a college degree.

Photo Courtesy: La Verne Media Relations

Photo Courtesy: La Verne Media Relations
More than 60 college-hopeful high school students, including 21 from the Pomona Unified School District, participated in the 10th Annual REACH Business Summer Camp, hosted June 8-28 by the University of La Verne.

By Juliette Funes

Pomona – 21 Pomona Unified School District students spent three weeks getting a glimpse of college life during the University of La Verne’s annual REACH Summer Business Camp, where they experienced a stimulating and enriching academic environment as they explored the world of business.

As a way to help students “Reach” their potential, the camp – which is celebrating its 10th anniversary – provides high school juniors from underserved communities with an introduction to the business field. Nearly 100 percent of students who attend the program go on to pursue a college degree.

“Working with the REACH program is just one of the ways Pomona Unified encourages students to pursue higher education,” Board President Andrew Wong said. “They learn that attending a university or college is attainable and feasible for them, and by getting an idea of what the academic standards are like, they are able to better prepare themselves for college.”

The University of La Verne’s College of Business and Public Management hosted the annual camp
June 8-28 for more than 60 college-hopeful students who took classes in accounting and finance, business ethics, economics, management and organization, marketing and website development.

Students also received valuable insight from local business owners who explained the key role leadership plays in entrepreneurship. They were also challenged to come up with their own ideas for a business and complete a thorough business plan.

“It was an amazing opportunity and unforgettable time for all of the students who gained confidence knowing that they can attend college,” said Monique Cardenas, a business teacher at Garey and Village Academy high schools, who assisted La Verne professors with lesson plans and helped students with their research projects.

“Students gained a unique understanding of the role of business in the economy and the importance of obtaining a post-secondary education,” Cardenas said. “It was exciting to see the sparkle in their eyes.”

The camp is held at no cost to students, who live in campus dorms, eat in dining halls and sit in on classroom lectures for the duration of the program. Those who complete the camp earn five elective credits through the Pomona Unified Regional Occupation Program and one unit from the University of La Verne.

“Our students have taken a significant step toward their college degrees and now have a better understanding of the business field thanks to the REACH Summer Business Camp,” Superintendent Richard Martinez said. “I want to thank the University of La Verne and our other community partners for encouraging our students to explore their career aspirations and giving them the hands-on opportunity to do so.”

 

Walnut Council Recap

By Raymond Mendoza

Walnut – The Walnut City Council met on Wed., July 22, with recently appointed Mayor, Bob Pacheco, fitting into his old position and taking on a long agenda for the last meeting of the month.

To start, Pacheco and the other Council members met with Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Department Captain Jeff Scroggin, proclaiming Aug. 4 as National Night Out – a day for residents to get out and meet their local law enforcement officers and combat drug use and crime. Pacheco thanked Scroggin for the safety that the Sheriff’s Department provides to the City, and that it’s up to all Walnut residents to keep the City safe.

After the proclamation, Pacheco gave a speech about his hope for the City Council to work together in order to maintain the City’s reputation as one of the best in the country.

“We might not always agree, but if we disagree, we should do so in a civilized manner,” Pacheco said.

He spoke about getting a citizen committee together to talk about the way the Council has conducted themselves in recent months, as well as pledging to continue to serve with the citizens’ best interest in mind during his term as Mayor.

There were alternative viewpoints from some residents attending the meeting.

The Council then moved to approve the July 8 City Council meeting minutes and all items on the Consent Calendar, including a resolution for claims and demands in the amount of $1,298,381.17; a resolution designating Mayor Pro Tem Mary Su as the official voting delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference; an amendment to the agreement for WRA Environmental Consultants; an amendment to the agreement for Leibold, McClendon & Mann; the award of bid for the Suzanne Park Parking Lot Project; an alcoholic beverage license application for 7-Eleven store #27324; the Mayor’s agency representatives; and the rescheduling/cancellation of City/WHA Council meetings for November and December holidays.

The Council also approved a resolution of the City of Walnut as Successor Agency, allowing certain claims and demands in the amount of $125,000.

For the discussion/transaction items, the Mt. San Antonio College Development Task Force decided to revise their City-wide notification mailer for August, and to meet in closed session to discuss the Notice of Nuisance Abatement hearing (a rear property block wall located at 20638 Loyalton Drive).

After the Council’s final discussion item, the meeting was adjourned with plans to meet on Aug.12 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 21201 La Puente Road.

For more information on this City Council Recap, visit http://www.ci.walnut.ca.us/general.asp?id=372.

Orange County: Streetcar Project Takes Next Step

Image Courtesy: City of Santa Ana

Image Courtesy: City of Santa Ana

Staff Reports

Santa Ana – The OC Streetcar project marked its latest milestone this week as the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the city of Santa Ana, outlining the roles and responsibilities associated with the development, implementation, operations and maintenance of the project.
The OC Streetcar is planned for travel through the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove, and intended to provide easy connections for people traveling from trains and buses to employment, retail and recreational areas.
According to the City of Santa Ana, the streetcar is scheduled to operate along a route of approximately four miles. The route will run from the Santa Ana train station, through Downtown Santa Ana and the Civic Center, along the Pacific Electric right of way, and connect to a new multimodal transit hub at Harbor Boulevard and Westminster Avenue in Garden Grove.
“This agreement is another big step toward the realization of Orange County’s first modern streetcar,” said Santa Ana Mayor and OCTA Director, Miguel Pulido. “The streetcar will improve the way people move through the heart of our county and provide needed transportation alternatives for a modern work environment.”
Up to seven streetcars are planned to run along the route, stopping at 12 stations. By 2035, the streetcar is expected to carry more than 6,000 riders a day. Initial estimates put the project cost at $250 million, with OCTA pursuing local, state and federal funding.
The streetcar is expected to move into the design phase later this year with construction planned to begin in 2017. On the current schedule, the streetcar would begin running in 2019.
To read the full MOU, visit http://atb.octa.net/AgendaPDF/2729.pdf.

Chino Valley: Weed Abatement

A Year-Round Commitment to Safety

 

 Staff Reports

Chino Valley – Keeping your home and property clear of brush and rubbish is a year-long commitment to fire safety.

According to the Chino Valley First District, inspections for proper clearance of tumbleweeds and other combustible materials will begin on Aug. 25. Courtesy reminder cards were mailed at the end of July to Chino and Chino Hills residents with a previous history of overgrown vegetation on their property.

Tumbleweeds, combustible vegetation and rubbish must be cleared by Aug. 25.  If a hazard exists on or after that time, property owners will be charged a $130 non-compliance fee – and owners are still responsible for clearing their property.

Properties that are not cleared by the re-inspection date of Oct. 14 will be cleared by a contractor hired by the Fire District. In addition to the cost to clear the hazard, an additional $200 administration fee will be billed per parcel. This applies to all parcels, including adjoining parcels. The legal owner of record at the time the property is cited is responsible for all fees and charges.

Fire District officials will focus on the removal of tumbleweeds during this inspection period because of the fire hazard they pose. Tumbleweeds are a high fire danger due to their propensity to break loose once dry and be carried by the wind to areas where they can accumulate along flammable vegetation, wood fences, homes and other combustible materials.

Property owners are required to maintain their properties clear of tumbleweeds, combustible vegetation and rubbish year round. Below are some helpful tips for clearing vegetation in a safe and effective manner.

  • Use trimming, mowing and power equipment before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. (it is cooler at that time with more moisture in the air, making fires harder to start).
  • Never use a lawn mower in dry vegetation. Use a weed trimmer to cut down dry weeds and grass.
  • Keep a cell phone nearby and call 911 immediately in case of a fire. Never put yourself in harm’s way to extinguish an advancing fire.

For more information about the weed abatement program, please visit our website at www.chinovalleyfire.org, or call the Fire Prevention Bureau at (909) 902-5285.

Chino Hills: Three Arrested For Robberies

Staff Reports

Chino Hills – On Sat., July 25, at about 9:53 p.m., two robberies occurred in the city of Chino Hills. The victims are not associated with one another and were walking on the sidewalk in the area of Chino Avenue and Peyton Drive when the crimes occurred.

In both robberies, the suspects drove up to the victims, pointed a silver colored semi-automatic handgun at them and demanded their property. In fear for their safety, the victims complied and handed their property over to the suspects. As the suspects fled, one of the victims was able to obtain a license plate number.
Deputies from the Chino Hills Police Department responded and initiated the investigation. With the information provided by the victims, Deputies were able to positively identify one of the suspects – a 17-year old juvenile from Beaumont – and obtained arrest and search warrants.  The information on this suspect and his vehicle was provided to law enforcement agencies throughout Southern California.
On Sun., July 26, 2015, at about 4:50 p.m., Huntington Beach Police Officers found the suspect vehicle, which was occupied by five subjects. Officers initiated a traffic stop and detained all of the occupants. Investigators from the Chino Hills Police Department were notified of the stop and drove to Huntington Beach. Through investigation, three of the five subjects were identified as the suspects in the Chino Hills robberies and an additional robbery in Rancho Cucamonga.
During a search of the vehicle, investigators located evidence linking the passengers to the crime. Deputies also recovered property that belonged to one of the victims from Chino Hills.

Heather Chambers, 18, of San Bernardino was arrested and booked into the West Valley Detention Center.  The 17-year old juvenile from Beaumont and a 16-year old juvenile from Rialto were booked into San Bernardino County Juvenile Hall for Robbery and Conspiracy.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is urged to contact the Chino Hills Police Department. Those who want to report information anonymously can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME.

Inland Empire: 11 Gang Members Arrested

Multiple agency investigation results in the arrest of known “Noe Luv Gangster Crips” members

 

Staff Reports

San Bernardino County – For the past four months, Investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Gang Intelligence Team/FBI Gang Task Force have been investigating the illicit activities of a criminal street gang known to Inland Empire Law Enforcement Authorities as the “Noe Luv Gangster Crips.”

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, for the past several years, members and associates of this particular gang have been known for their violent nature toward members from other criminal street gangs; more specifically, gangs from the Inland Empire. Based on several gang related shootings that have occurred at various locations throughout the County – some in which innocent citizens have also been victimized – Investigators conducted surveillance operations to gather evidence to establish the gang’s criminal conduct.
On Thurs., July 23, Investigators, Deputies and Officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino Police Department, San Bernardino County Probation Department, California Highway Patrol, Rialto Police Department and FBI, served ten search warrants at various locations throughout San Bernardino County. As a result of the investigation, 22 firearms were located and seized, as well as six ounces of cocaine.

Several alleged members and associates of the Noe Luv gang – including Rahshun Turner, 30, Fox Burroughs, 30, Mark Tibbs, 33, all of Rialto; Dewitt Johnson, 55, of Fontana; and Thomonte Rander, 29, Markyse Tuggle, 23, Liza Flores, 27, David Blakely, 30, Lancaster Alexander, 21, Sharhonda Jackson, 24, and Sobriety Jackson, 20, all of San Bernardino, were also taken into custody for various criminal charges including: criminal street gang conspiracy, attempted kidnapping, assault, human trafficking/pimping, prostitution, and additional weapons and narcotics violations.
This investigation served to represent the cooperation of law enforcement authorities within San Bernardino County and their commitment to the relentless pursuit of those who engage in criminal street gang activities. In addition, through allied cooperation, authorities will continue to strive toward keeping the County’s citizen’s safe from criminal street gang activity through aggressive anti-gang enforcement and the application of current anti-gang legislation.

San Gabriel Valley: Job Fair

Staff Reports

SGV – California’s unemployment rate has continued to fall, dipping to 6.3 percent in June after sitting at 6.4 percent in May. The state added nearly 23,000 new jobs during the month, indicating California employers are still actively adding to their workforce.

With more than 1.9 million new jobs since February 2010, California continues to top all other states for job growth. Companies are hiring, and job fairs are playing a key role in connecting those looking for work with employers.

Mission Valley Church in San Gabriel will open its doors to job seekers and those who are contemplating career changes when it hosts the free San Gabriel Valley Job, Resource and College Fair on Wed., Aug. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 1201 S. San Gabriel Blvd. in San Gabriel.

“We believe that Mission Valley Free Methodist Church exists to be a loving community that invites and challenges people to move closer to Christ,” said Senior Pastor Dave Fukuyama. “Being a loving community means we extend God’s love and hope to our neighbors who live in our city. Fifty four percent of the residents who live in San Gabriel have immigrated to the United States seeking employment in order to provide a brighter future for themselves and their families. We are hosting this job fair to let people know that God cares about their desire to find employment and so do we.”

More than 40 employers, including many of the region’s leading companies, government organizations, staffing agencies, nonprofit organizations and other businesses, are expected to be in attendance recruiting employees to fill open positions ranging from entry-level jobs for high school and college graduates to positions for experienced professionals and military veterans.

Job-seekers will have the opportunity to meet and interview for a variety of positions – all in one day – including jobs in accounting, administration, clerical, customer service, education, financial services, health care, nursing, law enforcement, management, manufacturing, non-profit, sales, transportation and more. A host of employment resources and higher education institutions will also be on hand to discuss additional opportunities.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet, network and interview with representatives with all participating organizations. To register, visit www.missionvalleyfmc.org/#/job-fair, call (626) 285-6788 or email office@mvfmc.org.

A separate, free pre-fair resume writing and interviewing workshop on Wed., Aug. 12, is also available for job seekers wanting to take better control of their future employment prospects. The workshop will help participants update their resumes, search for positions online, dress for success and prepare in advance to handle common interview questions.

Presented by DeVry University, the workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Mission Valley Church. Only those attending the workshop will be given a priority “fast pass” for prompt entry into the Aug. 19 job fair. To register, visit www.missionvalleyfmc.org/#/job-fair.

Straight Talk With Danice

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

By Danice Akiyoshi, N.D.

 

A Letter From Ali

Q:  My husband was not invited to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.  She chose a close family friend instead.  My husband and his ex-wife had a horrible relationship, which made it impossible for him to have a decent relationship with his daughter.  He is very down on himself and feeling depressed.  I don’t know how to help him.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A:  Maybe your husband’s ex-wife was able to influence his daughter when she was a child, but most women who are getting married are adults.  Certainly he had access to his young adult daughter without the influence of her mother.   In my experience, no one can keep a good parent away from their child (especially an adult child).  If the bride is not interested in a relationship with her father, he should do his best to find out why.  Everyone is an adult now.  Try for a fresh start when they return from their honeymoon.  Do not add any additional stress to their lives before the wedding.

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 atstraighttalk@candidcoachingservices.com. You can also visit her website at http://www.candidcoachingservices.com.

Baldwin Park Father Sentenced For Son’s Murder

 

Photo Courtesy: LASD David Paz Vasquez

Photo Courtesy: LASD
David Paz Vasquez

Staff Reports

Baldwin Park – A 34-year old man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted of murdering his 20-month old son.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, jurors deliberated on Tues., July 21 for about an hour before finding David Paz Vasquez guilty of one count each of second-degree murder and assault on a child causing death. He was immediately sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Bruce Marrs.

Deputy District Attorney Deborah Scott, who prosecuted the case, said Vasquez was watching his son, Joshua, on June 12, 2013 at the family’s Baldwin Park home. After the toddler’s mother left for work, she received a call from a hospital saying the child had died.

Vasquez told investigators that he placed the child on a bed and told him not to move, the prosecutor added. The toddler fell onto the floor and Vasquez became upset and struck his son on the head and abdomen and then took him to the hospital. He was arrested that evening.

Injuries to the toddler included a smashed skull, broken ribs and internal bleeding in the abdomen.

During the trial, evidence was presented that when the child was five months old, he suffered a broken leg after Vasquez yanked him from the mother. After that incident, the toddler was placed in foster care for about a month, and then went to live at his grandmother’s house for six months. He was then returned to his parents.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

 

From House To Home At Kitchen & Flooring Center

By K.P. Sander

Kitchen & Flooring Center, Inc. is located at 20875 Golden Springs Drive, in the city of Diamond Bar. They can be reached at (909) 594-5020, or visit www.kitchennflooring.com.

Kitchen & Flooring Center, Inc. is located at 20875 Golden Springs Drive, in the city of Diamond Bar. They can be reached at (909) 594-5020, or visit http://www.kitchennflooring.com.

Kitchen & Flooring Center, Inc. is in the business of turning houses into homes.  In fact, they take care of everything from A to Z.  This summer could be the perfect time to give your house a whole new look!   

More than just a house, your home is a very special place. With that in mind, Kitchen & Flooring Center is committed to providing you with the materials and installation you need to make your home the best it can be. They work with you to come up with a plan that fits your budget and your vision.

From full kitchen and bathroom remodeling to any type of flooring, Kitchen & Flooring Center truly does it all.  And it’s not just limited to remodeling; they also install all types of countertops, and provide plumbing, electrical, and lighting services, as well as windows, doors and painting…A to Z, floor to ceiling.

Kitchen & Flooring Center has been in business since 1992, and since that time they have evolved into a highly specialized company that focuses not only on the quality and professionalism of their workmanship, but on making sure that their customers are 100% satisfied.  Their goal is to provide a finished product that not only meets, but exceeds, their customers’ expectations.

Kitchen & Flooring Center provides free in-home consultations to help you discover the home of your dreams.  All workmanship is guaranteed for up to a year, and they even have payment plans available.

Call Kitchen & Flooring Center today, and turn your house from ordinary to extraordinary.  Their goal is to provide you the absolute BEST service in the industry. They guarantee it!

Visit the showroom at Kitchen & Flooring Center, located at 20875 Golden Springs Drive, in the city of Diamond Bar.  They can be reached at (909) 594-5020, or visit www.kitchennflooring.com.  And see their ad on the back cover of this publication.

 

Walnut: Santos Sworn In As Mt. SAC Student Trustee

Photo Courtesy: Mt. SAC New Mt. SAC Student Trustee, Elizabeth Santos

Photo Courtesy: Mt. SAC
New Mt. SAC Student Trustee, Elizabeth Santos

By Mike Taylor

Walnut – Mt. San Antonio College student, Elizabeth Santos, was sworn in as the new student trustee for the 2015-16 academic year during the Mt. SAC Board of Trustees’ July meeting.
As student trustee, Santos, 18, will present the student perspective on policy issues before Mt. SAC’s governing board. She will have only an advisory vote, which does not count toward the passage or failure of a motion. The advisory vote helps the board know how the student trustee stands on issues and strengthens the student role in the college’s shared governance process.
Santos, a resident of Rowland Heights, is a political science major. She has served as a co-chair for the Mt. SAC chapter of MeCha. In the community, she serves as a volunteer with the Rowland Unified School District and for her church, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Los Angeles. After she graduates from Mt. SAC, she plans to transfer to UCLA as a political science major.

Apathy Is Deadly

Nancy Stoops and Midnight

Nancy Stoops and Midnight

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

I believe apathy is the root cause for many of the problems in our world today.  What has happened to us and when did so many of us stop caring?  I know our world is hard and sometimes can feel like a very lonely place.  I also know that I come across many people that still believe in themselves, others and in our world.

I hate when I hear people just give up.  I hate when people just stop caring and seem to exist in a full-time pity party.  Life throws us many things that get in our way, but if we give up then we have wasted our lives.

I think we use apathy as a defense mechanism to stop feeling our pain.  I guess it’s easier to not care, than to feel pain.  I guess it makes it easier to hide from ourselves by acting like we just don’t care.  Eventually, if we are apathetic enough and for a long period of time, the people trying to help us might even start to leave us alone.  We may think this is what we really want, but I don’t think anybody truly wants that.

I look at apathy as being emotionally shut off, or wanting to show the world that you are.   We are here to live our lives to the fullest.  We are supposed to care and, yes, sometimes we can get hurt – but turning off emotionally helps nobody.

I hear a lot of people tell me they don’t care because there’s nothing they can do to make our world better.  I disagree, because as long as we still care then we will work hard to be the best we can be and to keep improving our families, communities and eventually our world!

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, including 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, or via email at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  Nancy’s books, “Midnight the Therapy Dog,” and “Live, Heal and Grow,” are available at Amazon.com.

Pomona College Is The Best

Photo Courtesy: Pomona.edu Pomona College campus in Claremont, CA

Photo Courtesy: Pomona.edu
Pomona College campus in Claremont, CA

By Claire Lewis

Claremont – Harvard, Yale, Princeton…all great schools with excellent reputations, right?  Absolutely, but apparently they are not the best, at least according to Forbes magazine.  The well known and respected publication released their “America’s Top Colleges 2015” listing on Wed., July 29, placing Pomona College as No. 1 in the United States.

The private liberal arts college located in Claremont – who was Forbes-ranked No. 8 in 2014, and No. 2 in 2013 – is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution with approximately 1,600 students each semester, according to their website.  The School is part of the Claremont Colleges, a conglomerate of five undergraduate and two graduate institutions in the San Gabriel Valley.

Pomona College was founded in 1887, and the innovators that designed this beautiful school envisioned “a college of the New England type with small classes, close relationships between students and faculty, and a green jewel of a campus,” their website continues.  And from that beginning, Pomona has grown to be one of the nation’s premier liberal arts colleges, well known for not only the original vision, but also a challenging curriculum, quality academic programs, and a wide variety of personal growth and intellectual development opportunities for students.

Pomona College refers to its students as “Architects of Education.”  With an average class size of 15 and large-scale resources, students are easily able to cultivate a great enthusiasm for learning by collaborating with professors, who are also top scholars in their fields.  Notable Pomona College alumni include Roy E. Disney, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Chamberlain, and Joel McCrea.

For the 2015 listing, Forbes ranked Williams College No. 2, followed by Stanford, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Swarthmore, Brown, Amherst and M.I.T., respectively, completing the Top 10 in the country.  The rankings are a result of Forbes “return-on-invest” scale, which gives specific points for high graduation rates, career success, low debt, and student satisfaction.

Pomona College is located at 333 N. College Way in Claremont, California.  For admissions and more information, call (909) 621-8000.

 

Did You Know: This Day In History

Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia Babe Ruth

Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia
Babe Ruth

By Claire Lewis

Is your birthday or anniversary on August 1?  If so, many interesting things took place on this particular day throughout history.  According to onthisday.com, the following events happened on this summer day:

30 BC – Octavian (later known as Augustus) enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Republic.

30 BC – Mark Antony, Roman Politician and General, commits suicide after he is defeated by Octavian at the Battle of Actium at 53
1137 – Louis VI, King of France, dies
1177 – Peace Treaty of Venice: Emperor Frederik I & Pope Alexander III
1498 – Christopher Columbus lands on “Isla Santa” (Venezuela)

1714 – Anne Stuart, Queen of England, dies at about 49
1714 – Monarch Georg Ludwig becomes King George I of England

1770 – William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition was born
1774 – Joseph Priestley, English theologian, chemist and author discovers oxygen

1779 – Francis Scott Key, American lawyer, poet and composer of the lyrics to the “Star-Spangled Banner” was born
1780 – Sweden declares neutrality

1819 – Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, was born in New York (d. 1891)
1831 – London Bridge opens to traffic.
1834 – Slavery abolished throughout the British Empire – Slavery Abolition Act 1833 comes into effect

1843 – Robert Todd Lincoln, Captain of the Union Volunteers and son of President Abraham Lincoln was born (d. 1926)
1876 – Colorado becomes 38th state of the Union

1890 – George II, King of Greece, was born

1903 – Calamity Jane [Martha Jane Canary], American frontierswoman, dies at 51
1914 – Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany declares war on his nephew, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (WWI)
1918 – Pittsburgh Pirates beat Boston Braves, 2-0, in 21 innings

1928 – Babe Ruth hits his 42nd Home Run 

1976 – Actress Elizabeth Taylor divorces actor Richard Burton (her sixth, their second divorce together)

1986 – Tennis ace John McEnroe marries actress Tatum O’Neal