Category Archives: The Weekly News

Consumer Confidence and Housing

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

Consumer confidence, which reached new heights the previous months, retreated slightly this past month as reported by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA). The housing confidence reading of 90.7 was down 1.6 points from the previous month’s record high of 92.3.

One of the contributing factors in reaching historically high home price levels in the US, California, and Diamond Bar is the consumer’s confidence in the housing market. This consumer confidence was demonstrated this past month by the fact that 3.4 million Americans quit their jobs.  Typically, people quit their jobs because they have the confidence that they can quit their current job and easily go find a better paying one.

As noted previously in this column, the current Median Home Sales Price levels continue to press upward.  From the lows of 2010-2012, after the housing market crash of 2008, the median home sales price in Diamond Bar has risen by more than 50%  in the last 6 to 8 years.

So why would consumer confidence scoring be of any importance to me as a homeowner, seller, or buyer?   The answer is that the higher the confidence levels are in the housing market, the higher the probability is of a continuing upward pressure on property values. As a buyer, that lends a sense of confidence in moving forward with the purchase of the home being considered, as there is the increased possibility that one year later it will cost substantially more.  As a home seller, the increased consumer confidence will affect one’s willingness to move forward with plans of selling the home, being confident that the price one believes they will get for the sale of their home will be supported by the housing market.  Many home sellers over shoot the expected value of their home because of “news” tidbits they have heard about the strong real estate market.

Both buyers and sellers need to have a good estimate of value and for that they can go to their Realtor and ask for Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) on their property, or on the property they are considering purchasing.  This will give them a greater sense of comfort in the true market value of their property.  A CMA is one of the tools or methods that a real estate agent may use to arrive at an estimated value for a property.

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 www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

Man Detained by Chino Hills PD

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – A woman was in her Chino Hills home alone when she heard a knock at her door. Her husband and children had just left for the store when she heard a knock on the door. What happened is something that residents should take note of and inform all family members. Here is the residents experience of the incident in her own words.

We’ve realized that we need Ring more than ever, especially after what we just experienced. About 2 hours ago, my husband left for the store with our kids and shortly after I hear the door bell ring several times and knocking at the door. I look out the window and see a young man looking through our windows and trying to open our side gate. I yelled at him asking what he’s doing and to go away. He goes to my front door again, turns our door knob and yells, “open your door!” I told him to go away again and that I was calling the cops. He walked back to his truck, took another look at my house and drove off very fast. The chino hills police found him minutes later and he is detained. While this is still under investigation, I wanted to remind everyone how important it is to take notes in a situation like this because with all the detail I had, the PD was able to find him. I’m sure if I had Ring, it could have provided the police with a lot more detail about the whole situation. It also made me realize how important it is NOT to answer the door and to go with your gut. Thank you to the CHPD for responding so quickly.

Be careful who you open the door too especially if you are home alone. The resident acted quickly yelling at the intruder and calling the police.

Mt. SAC Students Win Seven Medals at Nationals

By Anthony Saude

WALNUT– Mt. San Antonio College health careers students won seven medals at the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) national competition. More than 9,000 secondary and post-secondary students competed in 57 different health-related events at the national leadership event held June 26-30 in Dallas, Texas.

Derek Hawkins (Pomona),  Sho Kitada (Rowland Heights), and Griselda Venezian (Chino Hills) won silver medals in the biomedical debate competition. Hector Alvarado (Montclair), Ezra Dureault (Pomona), Hector Herrera (La Puente), and Robert Solis (City of Industry) won bronze medals in the creative problem solving competition.

“The majority of the teams that they competed against were from universities around world, and amazingly, they surpassed the university competitors,” said Mt. SAC psychiatric technician professor and HOSA advisor Mary Ellen Reyes.

HOSA, established in 1976 by the U.S. Department of Education, is the national organization for secondary and post-secondary health career students. The mission of HOSA is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience.

The organizations core values are We value learning. We are committed to learning and becoming respected, knowledgeable and skilled health professionals.  We will respect the experiences and contributions of our teachers, peers and patients and seek to learn from them.

We value leadership. We will serve as role models in our academic program, profession and community. We will be ethical, accountable and trustworthy.  We will use our influence to empower others to strive for excellence.

We value service. We are dedicated to serving others with compassion. We believe that individuals are important, and we will treat everyone with respect and care.

We value innovation. We are dedicated to enriching the lives of others. We will continuously seek the knowledge and skills to address challenges and improve the health professions.

 

 

Basketball Hoops Not Permitted In The Street

City Of Chino Hills

 Chino Hills – City of Chino Hills officials have noted an increase in basketball hoops placed in the street. The City will be placing notices on basketball hoops as part of an educational effort to prevent this unsafe practice. “We would like to remind residents that it is unlawful to obstruct the street or sidewalk with play equipment, and that applies to basketball hoops in the public right-of-way,” said Brandi Larson, Code Enforcement Supervisor. “Basketball hoops in the street obstruct parking, motorists, and pedestrians; and can block the street sweeper leaving debris that may get into the storm drains.” The Chino Hills Municipal Code is available online at http://www.chinohills.org/MunicipalCode. The section that applies is 8.12.020(21) which prohibits the placement of any play equipment in the streets, alleys or sidewalks.

 

Major Injury Traffic Collision

Staff Reports

Pomona – On July 9th, 2018, at 2131 hours, Pomona Police dispatch received a call of a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision in the area of Holt Ave and Clark Ave.  When officers arrived on scene, they located a male lying in lanes of traffic; the victim was unresponsive, and appeared to be severely injured. Pomona Police Officers and LA County Fire Department gave the victim some medical aid, then had the pedestrian transported to a local hospital via ambulance, he is presently listed in critical condition. At this time the victim has not yet been identified; he is a male Hispanic and approximately 40 years old.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the victim has cooperated fully with investigating officers. It has been determined that the driver was not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision.

The collision is being investigated by the Pomona Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team.  Anyone with information about this collision is encouraged to call the Pomona Police Department’s Traffic Services Bureau at (909) 802-7741 or (909) 620-2048.

Anyone with information that would aid in solving any crime is encouraged to contact the Pomona Police Department at 909-620-2085. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).

 

Sunrise

By Mark Hopper

I delivered newspapers in Scottsdale Arizona when I was in high school. In fact, I was the Arizona Republic’s Newspaper Boy of the year my senior year. In addition, I was awarded a college scholarship by the newspaper to help pay for my tuition when I enrolled at Arizona State University.

 

There were two newspapers in Phoenix in the 1960’s.  The Phoenix Gazette was the afternoon paper.  The Arizona Republic was the morning paper.  I decided to deliver the morning paper so I could earn some money and participate in sports and other after school activities.

 

Newspaper subscriptions were sixty cents per week.  I had about 100 customers on my route.  Initially, I had to collect money every week. Collecting the payments took a considerable time each week, but I had to pay for the newspapers every Saturday. Eventually, I was able to get most of my customers to pay once-a-month. This saved a lot of time.

 

Delivering newspapers involved getting up every morning at 4:45 AM, every day of the year. Delivering papers was like milking cows – you had to do it every day – rain or shine.  Newspaper boys never got a day off!  We worked 365 days of the year, even Christmas morning!

 

I used my bicycle to deliver the newspaper. Even when I bought my first car, it was still easier to ride my bike than to drive my car. You didn’t earn a lot of money delivering newspapers, but I did earn and save enough money to buy my first car – a ‘57 Chevy!

 

One of the things I remember the most about delivering newspapers every day was watching the beautiful sunrises each morning.  My family literally lived on the edge of town. Just beyond our neighborhood were cotton fields that stretched for miles. This provided an unobstructed view of the mountains on the eastern horizon. I could pause on my route to witness the sun come up over the Four Peaks and the Superstition Mountains. The colors were amazing!

 

On a recent trip back to Arizona, I enjoyed getting up early and going for a walk. The nicest time of day in the Arizona desert is just before sunrise. The birds and animals come to life and the eastern sky is filled with color. It brought me back to my newspaper delivery days fifty years ago.

 

In Psalm 19, it says, “God’s glory is on tour in the skies and on exhibit across the heavens”.  The author goes on to say, “The morning sun is like a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed or like an athlete who races from sunrise to sunset” (the Message Bible).

 

Let me encourage you to pause and watch a sunrise or sunset this summer. Whether you are camping in the mountains, relaxing on the beach or enduring the morning commute – take time to admire the beauty of God’s handiwork on display. You will be glad you did and He will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

Vacation Bible School: July 23-27

 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Reserve deputy program

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Back in the 1800’s, the Sheriff would look to the community to form a posse and deputize citizens to assist him in the apprehension of horse thieves, murderers, or other criminals.  Thankfully, we have thousands of full-time deputies to perform those duties today, but in 2018, just like the 1800’s, the Sheriff is looking to the community to find citizens to volunteer and help by becoming reserve deputy sheriffs.

Reserve deputies undergo the same training and background checks that full-time deputies receive.  It’s a year-long process, but after graduation reserve deputies can perform a wide array of duties and service to the community.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Program is one of the largest in the country, with over 600 all-volunteer sworn reserve deputy sheriffs.  Last year they worked 182,000 hours keeping the citizens of Los Angeles County safe.  Those 182,000 hours represent millions of dollars in savings to taxpayers.

Patrolling our communities is only one of many functions performed by reserve deputies.  Lifesaving search and rescue missions are performed every week by reserves as part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Search and Rescue Program.  Last year reserve deputy sheriffs performed 684 missions throughout the county, saving countless lives.

Another opportunity for reserve deputy sheriffs to serve is by becoming a member of the Sheriff’s Department’s Posse.  Posse members work patrolling trails and various community events on horseback.

Reserve deputies also help solve crimes by working in many of the Sheriff’s Department’s detective units, such as Homicide Bureau, Narcotics Bureau, Fraud and Cyber Crime Bureau, and Special Victims Bureau.  We also have reserves who ride street and off-road motorcycles for the Department.

Reserve deputies come from all walks of life and from a wide variety of professions.  The common thread of all is a burning desire to give back to their community and assist their fellow citizens.

If you are interested in signing up, just like citizens did over 150 years ago, there is a reserve deputy academy scheduled to start in February 2019.  If you are interested in this rewarding opportunity please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Forces Detail at 323-526-5100 and ask for Assistant Director Mike Leum to get started.

 

City Of Eastvale Appoints Interim City Manager

Bryan Jones

By Anthony Saude

EASTVALE–The Eastvale City Council voted to appoint Assistant City Manager, Bryan Jones to the post of Interim City Manager. The change will went into effect on June 28. With the departure of City Manager Michele Nissen’s to become the Assistant City Manager for the City of Corona, the appointment was unanimous during a closed session vote.

Bryan is a trustworthy and forward-thinking leader who displays strategic perspective that will help guide our city, Mayor Clint Lorimore said. Together we will continue to improve the quality of life for all who live, work, and play in Eastvale. Bryan is passionate about identifying ways to help move and connect people, businesses, and communities so that we can all thrive. Bryan draws from nearly 20 years in both the public and private sectors and understands that success depends on them working together. He has led cutting-edge land use and transportation infrastructure projects throughout California and North America. With a background as a professional engineer and certified planner, Bryan is well positioned to understand the unique opportunities Eastvale faces from a land use, transportation, and economic development perspective.

“We have a talented and dedicated team who truly cares about the community they serve and I am confident we will continue to thrive together,” said Assistant City Manager Bryan Jones. “I always liked building things so I got a degree in civil engineering, through some of my projects I realized I like building communities so I went back to school and in 2012 I received my Masters Degree in Public Administration.”

“I’m honored and humbled to have been entrusted with the responsibility of Interim City Manager,” said Jones. “Fostering relationships with both residents and business in Eastvale is a priority for me.  I am a career Community and team builder and I look forward to serving our City Council and carrying their vision to fruition.”

Having more than a decade serving in local agency public sector in leadership positions, Bryan has led land use projects such as high-quality retail centers, office campuses, industrial parks, transit oriented development, downtown revitalization, and mixed-use projects. Bryan has a Master’s in Public Administration from Norwich University focused on Leadership and Sustainable Financial Strategies, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from University of California Davis with a Communications minor.

“I am confident that Bryan will do an excellent job in this position,” Mayor Clint Lorimore said. “I know that I am filling some pretty big shoes in this position but I see it as an opportunity to continue the expectation of excellence Eastvale has come to expect,” said Bryan.

98 Citations Issued for Illegal Fireworks

By Anthony Saude

Chino – Excitement was growing as the skies were growing dark in Chino and Chino Hills on the fourth of July just before the skies lit up like a, well like the fourth of July, as residents began their fireworks show —legal and illegal.

Chino police wrote 98 citations for illegal fireworks, modification of safe and sane fireworks, and use of fireworks in parks and off limits locations. It was the most citations written by the police for these violations since 2004.

Chino Hills police only issued three fireworks-related citations on America’s 242nd birthday after three consecutive years of writing zero.

In 2017 Chino police only wrote 64 citations.

The penalty for offenders could be fines of up to $1,000, police said.

Sale of safe and sane fireworks from noon July 1 to 9 p.m. July 4 is allowed in most neighborhoods of Chino. All fireworks are illegal in Chino Hills and the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County boundaries.

A new record was set this year when 2,210 pounds of illegal fireworks was seized by police beginning June 7, it included 1,443 pounds on July 4 alone.

Last year, officers seized 1,189 pounds of illegal devices.

If the fireworks explode, fly or do not have the California Fire Marshal’s seal of approval they are considered illegal.

Teams of police officers and Chino Valley Fire officials scoured both cities, looking for anybody using illegal fireworks, or using legal fireworks in restricted areas.

Three people suffered fireworks-related injuries; the most severe was to a man in his late 40s in the13000 block of Fourth Street. The unidentified man suffered his injury just after 9:30 p.m. when an illegal firework exploded in his hand, causing severe injuries.

Chino Valley Medical Center also reported two people were treated for fireworks-related injuries.

A 21-year-old man injured both thumbs and a 16-year-old boy suffered minor burns and abrasions on his forehead.

32 fireworks-related calls for service came into Chino Hills Police Department. Fireworks calls began around 6:40 p.m. and the last call was received at approximately 4:57 a.m. There weren’t any fireworks-related fire calls received all evening. There was a large bag of fireworks was confiscated as well.

Ten Chino Hills deputies patrolled the city, he added.

A car fire in the parking lot of Harkins Theatre at 3070 Chino Ave in Chino Hills was reported at 10:27 p.m. it was reported to be due to mechanical problems, not fireworks.

In Chino, safe and sane fireworks are legal to use in certain residential neighborhoods, there were 5 fireworks-related fires all reported between 8:51 p.m. and 10:29 p.m.

Trash container fires were reported at 14235 Ramona Ave. and 13157 Ninth St. and a box of used fireworks were burning in a parking lot of Chino Chaffey College Campus at 5897 College Park Ave.

Chino police received 272 fireworks-related calls on July 4, said Chief Karen Comstock.

 

New Traffic-Safety Laws in California

By Anthony Saude

California – In case you were unaware several new traffic-safety related laws were implemented in California on July 1. The new laws will primarily impact drivers for hire, buses and private carriers.

The first is a new law requires all bus passengers to wear seat belts in buses that equipped with those safety restraints.

Under Senate Bill 20, children between the ages of 8 and 15, riding a bus will now be required to be in an appropriate restraint, such as a seat belt, that complies with federal safety regulations.

The DMV is convinced this law will contribute greatly to reducing highway deaths and injuries as a result of large bus crashes. By requiring the use of seatbelts on motor coaches and large buses, and requiring bus operators to inform passengers of the seatbelt requirement the number of deaths will be reduced in these types of accidents.

Anyone who is in violation of the law will face a possible fine.

Assembly Bill 2687 changed the DUI threshold for drivers who transport passengers for hire, such as those who use ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft.

This new law essentially prohibits any driver with a blood alcohol level of 0.04 to transport a paying passenger. The previous legal BAC level was 0.08.

The DMV wants to ensure the public understands drivers of passengers for hire will be held to a higher standard of safety while transporting people.

Under the law, a person’s driver license could be suspended by the DMV if a conviction is added to his or hers driving record.

Finally, Senate Bill 19 affects private carriers, which are defined as not-for-hire transportation services such as a church vans or employee shuttles.

Regulatory authority from the California Carriers of Passengers Program will now be the responsibility of DMV instead of the Public Utilities Commission.

The program will now be jointly administered by the DMV and California Highway Patrol; the DMV will issue certificates for intrastate authority and verify proof of liability insurance, while CHP will regulate compliance and ensure the safe operation of the affected vehicles.

The goal is to make sure that private carriers are operating in a safe manner while also maintaining adequate insurance coverage.

 

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 07/14/18

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: 2018-14-7.WeeklyNews

History 101

Photo Credit: Asagan at English Wikipedia

By History.com

Sheriff Pat Garrett shoots Henry McCarty, popularly known as Billy the Kid, to death at the Maxwell Ranch in New Mexico. Garrett, who had been tracking the Kid for three months after the gunslinger had escaped from prison only days before his scheduled execution, got a tip that Billy was holed up with friends. While Billy was gone, Garrett waited in the dark in his bedroom. When Billy entered, Garrett shot him to death.

Back on April 1, 1878, Billy the Kid ambushed Sheriff William Brady andone deputy in Lincoln, New Mexico, after ranch owner John Tunstall had been murdered. Billy had worked at Tunstall’s ranch and was outraged by his employer’s slaying-vowing to hunt down every man responsible. Sheriff Brady and his men, who had been affiliated with rival ranchers, were involved with the gang that killed Tunstall on February 18. Billy’s retaliatory attack left Brady and Deputy George Hindman dead. Although only 18 years old at the time, Billy had now committed as many as 17 murders.

Following his indictment for the murder of Sheriff Brady, Billy the Kid was the most wanted man in the West. Evading posses sent to capture him, he eventually struck a deal with the new governor of New Mexico: In return for his testimony against the perpetrators of the ongoing ranch wars in the state, Billy would be set free. Although he kept his word about the testimony, he began to distrust the promise that he would be released and so he escaped.

Once a fugitive, Billy killed a few more men, including the gunslinger Joe Grant, who had challenged him to a showdown. Legend has it that Billy managed to get a hold of Grant’s gun prior to the fight and made sure that an empty chamber was up first in the man’s revolver. When it came time to fire, only Billy’s gun went off and Grant was left dead.

Legendary Sheriff Pat Garrett finally brought Billy the Kid in to stand trial. The judge sentenced Billy the Kid to hang until “you are dead, dead, dead.” Billy reportedly responded, “And you can go to hell, hell, hell.” Two weeks before his scheduled execution, Billy escaped, killing two guards in the process.

Garrett mounted yet another posse to bring in the Kid. After tracing him to the Maxwell Ranch, Garrett shot him to death. No legal charges were brought against him since the killing was ruled a justifiable homicide.

 

Students Take Top Awards in National Math Olympiad

By Kelli Gile

WALNUT – More than fifty students from Suzanne Middle School joined nearly 150,000 students in the United States during the 2017-18 Math Olympiad.

 

The annual contest enables “mathletes” to challenge themselves and to compete against other students nationwide.

 

Math Olympiad is comprised of five monthly contests held from November through March, each containing five high-level math problems.

 

For the first time ever, Suzanne 7th and 8th grade students scored in the top 10% of all teams in their division nationwide earning a highest team achievement award.

 

The 6th through 8th grade students also competed among schoolmates during nationwide challenge.

 

Eighth grader Joshua Hsu earned the title of top school winner with a perfect score of 25. He was awarded the individual George Lenchner Award of Excellence.

 

Additionally, Joshua received a 1st place trophy and gold pin signifying his outstanding top 2% in the nation score.

 

Seventh grader Chandrark Mudddana took the 2nd place award and silver pin for scoring in the top 10% nationally.

 

Eighth graders Daniel Ji and Deven Tseng tied for the 3rd place award scoring in the top 10% nationally.

 

The top 6th grade winners were Lucas He and Louis Xie, both scoring in the top 10% nationally. They earned 1st place trophies and silver pins.

 

Second place winners Adora Ma and Harris Song also scored in the top 10% nationally and earned silver pins.

 

Phillip Chen took the 3rd place award and recognition patch for scoring in the top 25% nationally.

 

In addition, several 7th and 8th grade students were honored for their high scores.

 

Serena Huang, Benjamin Jin, Lewis Lui, and Kevin Yu scored in the top 10% nationally and received silver pins.

 

David Hu, Bella Liu, Andrew Shi, Max Eibert, and Eric Wang scored in the top 20% nationally and received silver pins.

 

Oscar Chen and Siarra Huang scored in the top 25% nationally and received patches.

 

Allison Lin and Joseph Shen scored in the top 30% nationally.

 

Jayaraman Donath, Kevin Zeng, Matthew Carreon, Andrea Florendo and Ella Lin scored in the top 40% nationally.

 

Megan So, Andrew Wang, and Aaron Zhang scored in the top 50% of the nation.

 

Several 6th grade students were recognized for their high scores.

 

Andrew Qi, Nathan Chung, Aidan Do and Eric Tsou scored in the top 40% nationally. Vito Lin and Lorraine Wu scored in the top 50% nationally.

 

Congratulations Suzanne Middle School students and coach Amy Erickson.

 

Homeownership is Good for Kids

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

Homeownership has long been lauded as an important factor in the success of children in school and subsequently in their careers. Much research and many studies have been completed with analysis on the beneficial impacts of homeownership on children. This fact has long been used by the real estate and lending industries to encourage homeownership. I think that the most important factor contributing to the statistical confirmation of greater academic success for children of homeowners versus those of renters…is the improved stability in their family life that homeownership typically affords them.

People who own their homes do not move as often as those who rent. Children of homeowners are able to establish friendships for longer periods of time, going to school together and sharing other community activities that create bonds that sometimes last a lifetime.  This is not to say that children of renters do not do the same thing. It just means that children of homeowners are provided a more stable environment in which to nurture those relationships for longer periods of time. The stability that is provided to children enables them to perform better in school, and it is also impacted by the increased participation in community activities by the homeowners and their families. They become more vested in the community, and the parents are typically more watchful of the participation by their children in healthy activities. Homeowners usually buy in neighborhoods that already have a high rate of homeownership, and therefore the effects of individual homeowners cumulatively have a multiplier effect.

Many of the characteristics exemplified in the actions taken by homeowners, such as the investment of time and money into the improvement of their homes, is a positive modeling of behaviors that are beneficial to the community at large, and to homeowners’ children specifically.  These behaviors are seen and many times adopted by the children involved in these types of activities. Homeowners typically perform these activities more frequently than renters.  These social behaviors that are beneficial to the community are passed on to or learned by the children, and therefore we all benefit.

This article was written by Nef Cortez, a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181 since 1976. He can be reached via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com.  Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

Meltdowns Happen – Autism Mom

By Melody Kraemer

Meltdowns are ok.  Oh wait, maybe you think I’m referring to children. I’m not! I am talking about a mommy meltdown.  In fact, today was that day that my patience ran out, and my autistic boys were in full form of being “needy.”  Have you ever heard someone say “I just can’t adult today!”  My saying is, “I just can’t autism today!” That’s right this mommy of two autism boys just had a complete meltdown.

Of course, no one saw me on the floor throwing a tantrum, nor did I scream and run away, or give up, even though I felt like it. I quietly had an emotional breakdown with tears running down my face.  I thought to myself, “Now I can’t be the only mom out there that wants to run away, go lock myself in the bathroom, open a bottle of wine, or just go to bed with the covers over my head.”

Parenting is tough, and we as moms aren’t perfect.  We lose our cool, and then the mommy guilt factors come in.  We all have experienced that mommy guilt. No matter how hard things get, how much mom guilt we put upon ourselves, we have to remember that we are not alone, every mom experiences these feelings.  We all have that mommy meltdown some time or another.  I said to my son today, “Mommy is doing the best she can, but it seems like her best isn’t good enough.” After  I  thought about what I said I realized my best for today is good enough because I’m giving my best and I’m not giving up. It also helped that my son saw my tears and said, “You are the most beautiful mom.”  Even during my meltdown, tears running down my face, feeling like the worst mom with the mommy guilt,  my children love me unconditionally.  We as moms have to remember our kids don’t expect perfection just a mom who is doing her best and loving her kids.

 

Making the Most of Local Produce

By StatePoint

Fresh, local produce is in its prime, making now the perfect time to take part in the farm-to-table movement. Whether you join a community supported agriculture (CSA) group or shop at your local farmers’ market, it’s easy to taste the elevated flavor profile of just-picked fruits and veggies.

 

Make the most of the season with these tips for storing, cooking and savoring fresh produce.

 

Plan, Prioritize, Prepare

 

Plan what produce you will purchase ahead of time. Many farmers’ markets and CSAs distribute eNewsletters or flyers that highlight what’s available. You can also search for seasonality charts in your region to get an idea of what items are at their peak, and plan accordingly.

 

Once you’ve shopped, prioritize your goods. Use tender greens and any ripe fruits and veggies right away. Roots, bulbs and squash tend to last longer and can be saved for later in the week.

 

Next, properly store produce to help to extend its life. If fridge space is limited, consider cooking down greens by either partially boiling or sautéing prior to putting them away, depending on what recipes you’ve selected for those items.

 

Smoothies, Sauces, Soups

 

Smoothies are a delicious, easy way to pack a lot of produce and nutrition into a meal. And if you’re processing the toughest whole foods, like dark, leafy greens, be sure to use a high-powered blender such as the Ascent Series A3500, which offers five program settings, including one for smoothies. A recipe for the “Everything Smoothie,” which incorporates a wide variety of produce found at your farmers’ market, is available at vitamix.com.

 

Take advantage of tomato season, preparing pasta sauces to enjoy now or freeze for those months when they aren’t readily available from local growers. Try adding red and green bell peppers, and even carrot shavings, to boost the nutritional value of a veggie Bolognese.

 

Soups make use of veggies now and later. Warm weather calls for cool concoctions like gazpacho or cucumber dill soup. A cabbage soup that combines hearty potatoes, onions and carrots can be made for cool fall nights or stored in your freezer for winter.

 

Use it Up

 

Remember that nearly all parts of produce are usable. Vegetables like beets, carrots, kohlrabi and turnips have edible greens that make an excellent addition to morning smoothies or a nutrient-rich stir-fry. Compost any remaining scraps.

 

Don’t be afraid of bruises or dents. Greens with slightly wilted leaves can be blended with a bit of water and frozen in ice cube trays for future use in soups or smoothies. If you see a great deal on fruit like strawberries or cherries, buy them and combine with sugar and pectin for an easy freezer jam, or dry them out for on-the-go snacks.

 

Shopping for whole foods at farmers’ markets or joining a CSA is an opportunity to help local farmers and explore your culinary interests. The availability of specific fruits and vegetables ebbs and flows; capture each at its peak to enjoy the bounty throughout the year.

 

Giving Back on Your Summer Vacation

PHOTO: Image provided by Feeding America

By StatePoint

Hitting the road this summer and want to do something good for the world along the way? Consider using your summer road trip as an opportunity to give back to the communities you visit. For some inspiration, check out these great ways Americans are rethinking vacations to include a touch of philanthropy.

Driving for Good

All those miles you log on the road can be for a good cause, if you look in the right places. Check out organizations and brands hosting fun fundraising or volunteer events on the road. For example, “MINI Takes the States,” a biannual rally for MINI Cooper owners, gives participants an opportunity to explore America’s beauty while raising money for Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization dedicated to fighting domestic hunger through a network of food banks. In 2016, rally participants raised enough money to provide 1,301,969 meals to families in need, and this year’s goal is over 2 million meals. Occurring July 14 – 22 this year, MINI Takes the States will see owners kick off in either Orlando, Fla. or Portland, Ore. and converge in Colorado, passing through some of America’s most interesting and beautiful sites and cities.

A portion of each registration fee is donated to Feeding America and participants are encouraged to start fundraising pages online and spread the word to friends and family to contribute to the cause. Each dollar raised will provide at least 10 meals to people in the U.S. struggling with hunger. To learn more, visit MINITakesTheStates.com or follow the conversation at #DriveForMore.

Transform Your Road Trip

America’s parks need your help, particularly their hiking trails. Volunteer opportunities abound for those who wish to combine a road trip with trail stewardship. After traveling to your favorite park, join a volunteer crew to build or maintain a trail, increasing accessibility to America’s most beautiful natural wonders.

Or, be someone who brakes for animals — animal volunteer opportunities that is. Many animal sanctuaries welcome vacationing volunteers to provide extra hands. From socializing dogs to feeding horses, certain opportunities even include lodging to those giving their time.

By giving back to the places you visit, you can take the concept of the ultimate summer road trip to new heights.

Capt. Goodman exits, Walker enters

Photo: Twitter.com
Captain John Walker is a member of the California Association of Tactical Officers and he holds a Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) Supervisory Certificate, a POST Management Certificate and Role of the Police Chief, among his accomplishments

Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – Captain Darren Goodman, chief of police for Chino Hills, will retire from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department after 27 years of service. He will move down the road a ways to become the Chief of Police for the city of Upland.

His last day on the job in Chino Hills will be Friday, July 6.

The former lieutenant at the Highland Police Station, John Walker, has been promoted to captain and will take command of the Chino Hills station on Monday, July 9.

Captain Goodman said the job at Chino Hills challenged him to be a better person and officer every day. He said he was welcomed and supported by residents and city leadership from day one and quickly learned how engaged and passionate residents were about their city.

Goodman always took pride in meeting the expectations of the community to keep Chino Hills one of the safest cities in the state. He praised the sheriff’s department’s men and women of the Chino Hills Police Department for making his job a whole lot easier.

Goodman said he would miss all of them and the great working relationships with city employees.

Incoming Captain Walker began his 21-year career with the sheriff’s department in 1997 during his time he has worked patrol, narcotics, gangs, internal affairs, and SWAT.

He led one of the tactical teams that was mobilized during the Christopher Dorner manhunt and was in dual tactical command during the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino.

Captain Walker is a member of the California Association of Tactical Officers and he holds a Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) Supervisory Certificate, a POST Management Certificate and Role of the Police Chief, among his accomplishments.

The new captain is an avid cyclist and long-time member of the Citrus Valley Velo cycling club based in Redlands.

He is also vice president of the Sheriff’s Athletic Federation; their mission is to promote a high standard of physical and mental well-being of law enforcement officers in the sheriff’s department. This is accomplished through the sponsorship of athletic competition.

Captain Walker lives in Riverside with his wife of four years, Angela, and their blended family.

Walker said he values the concept of community policing and looks forward to collaborating with citizens, business owners, and stakeholders to promote positive police and community relations.

Captain Goodman gave a rave review of his replacement saying a better person could not have been picked for the job.

John Walker will be great fit for Chino Hills because of his integrity, strong work ethic, and commitment to community policing. He has in the past done great work forging relationships with the community of Highland, and I have no doubt that he will continue that philosophy here.”

 

Garden Quesadillas

with Pico de Gallo and Chipotle Mayo

 

By Hello Fresh

 

Cooking Time: 30 mins

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 620 Calories

Ingredients:

 

  • Red Onion- 1
  • Bell Pepper- 2
  • Zucchini- 2
  • Dried Oregano- 2 tsp
  • Cilantro- 1/4 oz
  • Roma Tomato- 2
  • Lime- 1
  • Mayonnaise- 2 tbsp
  • Chipotle Powder- 1 tsp
  • Flour Tortillas- 8
  • Mozarella Cheese- 2
  • Arugula- 4 oz

 

 

1  PREHEAT AND PREP.    Wash and dry all produce. Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Halve, peel, and thinly slice onion. Finely chop a few slices until you have 2 TBSP; set this aside in a small bowl. Core and seed bell pepper, then thinly slice. Halve zucchini lengthwise, then slice into thin half-moons.

 

2  ROAST VEGGIES.      Toss zucchini, sliced onion, be pepper, oregano, and a drizzle of olive oil on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven until softened and lightly browned, 12-15 minutes.

 

3 MAKE PICO DE GALLO   Finely chop cilantro. Core, seed and dice tomato. Halve lime. Add tomato, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime to bowl with chopped onion and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

 

4  MAKE CHIPOTLE MAYO.        In another small bowl, combine mayonnaise and chipotle powder (to taste—start with a pinch and go up from there).

 

5  MAKE QUESADILLAS.      Once veggies are done, remove from oven. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees. Brush one side of 4 tortillas (we sent more) with a drizzle of olive oil each. Place 2 of the tortillas on another baking sheet, oiled-side down. Spread a little chipotle mayo on each. Top with mozzarella and a few veggies (save some veggies for salad). Cover with remaining tortillas, oiled-side up.

 

6  TOSS SALAD AND SERVE.      Bake quesadillas in oven cheese melts and tortillas crisp, 6-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Toss remaining veggies, arugula, a squeeze of lime, and a drizzle of olive oil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Cut quesadillas into wedges. Serve with pico de gallo and salad on the side.

Inland Christian Home: Quality Environment For Seniors

Inland Christian Home offers a community that assists seniors in many ways. They are located at 1950 S. Mountain Ave. in Ontario. For more info call 909-983-0084 or visit http://www.ichome.org.

Staff Reports

 

Ontario- Inland Christian Home, was founded by a number of local churches and began providing services in 1978. The primary mission of the community is a reflection of the heritage of its founders: to provide quality affordable individualized care to seniors in a Christian environment, it’s a place you can feel right at home. The community’s non-profit status promotes this mission as there are no owners who profit from its operation and all the revenues received are reinvested into the operations of the facility.

 

As the baby boomer generation continues to age, it is important to know they have options. The aging process is not always an easy one and, at times requires the assistance of others. Inland Christian Home offers a community that assists in many ways. Its primary mission is to provide quality, affordable, individualized care to seniors in a Christian environment, making it a place you can feel right at home.

 

Inland Christian Home, being licensed as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) through the Department of Social Services, provides many different levels of care which include Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Adult day care, Skilled Nursing and Rehab and Custodial Home care Services. The availability of different levels of care and service arrangements on the same grounds, offers seniors very unique advantages. Our philosophy is to encourage our residents to live as independently as possible at the lowest level of care. Our residents’ individual needs and desires are always considered in the arrangement of these services. We want Inland to be their home, not the facility in which they live, where all are treated as individuals and they participate and are given choices in how they live.

 

The availability of different levels of care and service arrangements on the same grounds offers residents some very unique advantages. Residents can continue to reside at the community even though their abilities may change. Resident and their families have the comfort in knowing that their needs will be met. Inland Christian Home is a close-knit community that promotes the maintaining of social relationship residents have with other residents, friends, and family.

 

Inland Christian Home also provides services to those who prefer to stay in their own homes. Custodial Home Care services make it possible by providing assistance with housekeeping, cooking, shopping, meal preparation, bathing, and dressing through educated caregivers.

 

Inland Christian Home is here to promote aging in place, and gives seniors the ability to live at the lowest level of care even though their abilities change and their families have the comfort in knowing their needs will be met; making it a place you can feel right at home.