Category Archives: The Weekly News

“Heart and Sole” Will Provide Shoes And More To Students In Need

Rowland Unified School District

La Puente – In honor of Valentine’s Day, on Wednesday, February 12, from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., 125 children from across the Rowland Unified School District (RUSD) will receive socks and shoes at the third annual “Heart and Sole” event.
The Kiwanis Clubs of Hacienda Heights/La Puente – Industry Shoes That Fit programs, Ashika Shoes, UPS Commerce, Rowland Heights Senior Pathfinders, along with the RUSD’s Family Resource Center, will join together to put smiles – and shoes – on children in need. School community liaisons preselected students from schools in the communities of La Puente, West Covina, and Rowland Heights. When students arrive at the Family Resource Center, they will receive a new pair of shoes, socks, a book, and a bag of lentils.
The Family Resource Center is located in the parking lot of Northam Elementary School, at 17800 E. Renault Street in La Puente, CA 91744.
For more information about the “Heart and Sole” event, please contact: Dave Malkin, Kiwanis Club of Hacienda Heights at (626)833-3444 or Katherine Rodriguez/Monica Olmos at the RUSD Family Resource Center at (626)854-2228.
The Rowland Unified School District is proud to serve 16,000 students at 20 elementary and secondary schools in the communities of Rowland Heights, Walnut, La Puente, City of Industry, and West Covina. More than 5,000 adults (16+) are also served by the Rowland Adult and Community Education School. For more information about Rowland Unified, call (626) 965-2541 or visit http://www.RowlandSchools.org.

Chino Hills: Chino Hills Happenings

STAFF REPORTS

Chino Hills Community Center

Check out the New Chino Hills
Community Center at 142501 Peyton Drive
(Photo Courtesy: Google Images)

Chino Hills – The much anticipated Chino Hills Community Center held its Grand Opening,  on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014.  The dedication began at 10 a.m. with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and special unveiling of the Donor Bricks in the courtyard.  Attendees enjoyed live music, art exhibits, class demonstrations, information booths, delicious desserts, and much more.  Tours of the new 17,000 square foot facility and adjacent park up were available until 2 p.m. on Saturday.

If you miss the Grand Opening, be sure and stop by 14250 Peyton Drive, in Chino Hills, to check out the new building and all the wonderful programs that are offered.  Amenities in the new facility include a fitness/dance room, exercise room, game room, conference rooms, banquet hall, courtyard, and outdoor gazebo (perfect for a wedding destination).  The Community Center is located next to the McCoy Equestrian and Recreation Center, which brings even more possibilities for community events to mind. For more information, call (909) 364-2700.

For those that like to enjoy the recreational activities that all the trails in Chino Hills provide, please be advised that the Hickory Creek Park and Nature Trail will be closed for maintenance from Feb. 5 to Feb. 14, 2014.  The park closure will start at Rolling Ridge Drive and continue east to Pipeline Avenue.  The park and nature trail will be closed weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The maintenance will allow crews to clear the creek of heavy vegetation and prepare the site for upcoming construction including stabilization of the banks, streambed enhancements, and additional landscaping with native trees, groundcover, and shrubs.

Park and trail access points will be blocked at Rolling Ridge Drive, Willow Lane, and Pipeline Avenue.  All access is prohibited during the posted hours in order to allow crews and equipment to work safely.  If you need additional information, call (909) 364-2722.

Walnut: Red Light Camera Ticket Controversy

BY K.P. SANDER

Walnut – It was close, but you ran a red light; or maybe you turned right on a red because you didn’t see the posted sign not to.  The camera above the traffic signal took a glamour photo of your car, your license plate, and possibly you (with that charming look of, “OMG, I hope no one saw that!” captured for all eternity).  Soon after, you receive a ticket in the mail stating, Congratulations!  You owe us $470!  Yay!  But do you really have to pay the fine?  The controversy surrounding this topic is quite prevalent.

Called “Scam Cams”, some say the red light cameras are just a ploy by the government to get your money, and that they have nothing to do with safety.  Some say they are unconstitutional and a violation of our privacy.  There are articles that say you don’t have to pay the “Snitch Ticket” fine, because there is no officer to appear in court to defend the ticket.  Also, photos may be inadmissible in court because the technical calibration of the cameras can be called into question.  Still others report there will be no warrant issued and it won’t go on your DMV record.  Who do you believe?

Privacy violation has been addressed in the U.S. courts, but according to a 2009 ruling, (7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals), “No one has a fundamental right to run a red light or avoid being seen by a camera on a public street.”  The cameras are triggered by sensors only when a vehicle has run a red light, in most cases six seconds before the approach of the intersection, and six seconds after.

If you receive a red light camera citation, a copy is sent to the Superior Court where it remains in their traffic record system.  If you don’t pay the citation by the due date, you’ll receive a letter imposing a civil fine of approximately $300 on top of the original amount, and possible penalties and other legal consequences according to the law.  A collection company will take over an ignored citation, which can appear on a background check.  An additional violation can alert the court’s record system, which could create even more problems.

The City of Walnut has one red light camera installed at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Amar Road.  It is clearly marked with signs, and is in the jurisdiction of the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station.  It is a fact that police officers cannot be everywhere at any given moment.  So the cameras are another way to enforce safety in intersections.  But is the cost prohibitive?

The City Council in Walnut voted to extend the use of their camera for further testing until Feb. 27, 2014.   It costs the City approximately $141,000 to operate and brings in revenue of about $130,000 stemming from citations issued (5,053 in 2013).  Still, it is less than the cost of an additional patrol, which could exceed $260,000 annually.

Red lights actually mean stop, not try and make the yellow light; and of course, the yellow is a warning to stop, not gun it through the intersection.  Drivers admit to cutting it close all the time, but the accident statistics for signal violation are staggering, and among the most deadly.  The Los Angeles Police Department states that 1,000 people die each year, and another 200,000 are injured nationally as a result of running red lights.  The annual overall costs associated with this violation are $14 billion in the U.S.

Do the cameras help to prevent accidents?  Some claim they cause accidents by scaring drivers into more sudden stops, causing rear-end collisions.  The City of Walnut states that there is another important consideration, that of the potential danger associated with police officers following red light runners through heavily congested intersections; the pursuit of which can pose of serious risk to motorists, pedestrians and police officers.  The camera simply captures the crime.

Whatever controversy surrounds red light cameras, and whatever you believe – scam or safety – the DMV states that if you receive a violation, you shall be permitted to review the photographic evidence of the alleged violation.  Regardless of the controversy, if you ran a red light – or even came close to it – you are guilty of jeopardizing the safety of those in your vicinity; pay the piper.  If not, contest it.

If you receive a ticket, you have the option to pay the citation or appear before a judge and take your chances.  The City of Walnut’s website has some excellent information on red light cameras.  Visit http://www.ci.walnut.ca.us/general.asp?id=355 to view your violation video, request a copy of your ticket, or just become more informed.

The bottom line is that traffic laws require obedience to traffic control signals and devices.  If you slow down a bit, stop at red lights, and eliminate the “rolling stop”, chances are you won’t ever have to figure out your personal place in the red

City of Industry: Industry Football Stadium In Limbo

Los Angeles football stadium

Architect’s model of the proposed NFL stadium in the City of Industry. (Photo Courtesy: http://www.losangelesfootballstadium.com)

By GLENN FREEMAN

City of Industry – Nearly six years after first being proposed in early 2008, it appears the NFL stadium in the City of Industry is still in limbo.

News reports last October quoted city officials as saying the first real groundwork on the site could start as early as this month (January 2014). The expected work would include basic infrastructure required by the City in its deal with Majestic Realty Co., developer of the proposed stadium. However, no physical work appears to have started yet, and city officials stress that any potential work – if and when it commences – does not necessarily signal that an actual stadium is being built.

When asked about the infrastructure in October, Industry City Engineer, John Ballas, told the Los Angeles Daily News that the city “has an obligation to rough grade the site and install the infrastructure, and that’s independent of what they (Majestic) choose to build up there,” referring to the fact that both a stadium and industrial-commercial center have been approved, with the infrastructure complying with both uses.

City officials have said the recent dissolution of redevelopment agencies in California has complicated the process, delaying initial work at the site owned by the city and leased to Majestic. However, recent clarification from the state referred to the $172 million development agreement between Industry and Majestic as being “an enforceable obligation.” Thus, the city, as the successor entity to the former redevelopment agency, is likely obligated to make site improvements.

Ed Roski, Jr., the billionaire head of Majestic, announced his plans for the $800 million, 75,000 seat stadium off Grand Avenue near the interchange of the 60 and 57 freeways, in April 2008. The location has been touted for its central location to 15.5 million people across four counties including, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino.

Roski’s plan to bring an NFL team back to greater Los Angeles was contingent upon receiving necessary approvals, including the NFL’s. But after nearly 20 years without a team, the NFL appears no closer to landing back in Los Angeles except saying that they do want to return, as stated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during October’s Fall League Meeting. At the time, Goodell said the NFL has no preference for a stadium, referring to the various proposals for Los Angeles, including Farmers Field in downtown L.A.

“It’s imperative that we do it successfully if we do,” Goodell told the media. “We don’t have that solution right now,” said Goodell. “The stadium is a key component of that. It’s a foundation for that, and we haven’t found the right solution for it yet.”

In other signs the Industry stadium plan remains dormant, the official website for the project (www.losangelesfootballstadium.com) has not been updated with any news since April 2011. And its related Facebook page was last updated in February 2013.

When contacted for an update on whether work at the site had begun, staff at the Industry City Manager’s office referred us to Majestic Realty, which did not respond to an email inquiry.

So, don’t plan any local tailgating festivities just yet, as it’s looking like it will still be several more years before greater Los Angeles will again have an NFL team to call its own.

Eastvale: I Remember Getting Hit…

By MICHAEL ARMIJO

I remember getting hit when I was growing up.  And when I shared this with other friends of mine, I found out that a lot of the other kids felt the same way.  It seemed as thought it was kind of the late 60’s and early 70’s parental thing.  Fortunately, the physical scars always healed. When you were hit, it ended right there.  It was over, the beating stopped, and the pain soon went away.  The only fear you had was ‘next time,’ so you did your best to stay out of the way.  But something else happened that was far worse than being hit, stronger and more painful that a cracked rib or a black eye. Something that stays with a person, sometimes forever.

I remember one of my biggest problems in life had been that I never really felt equal.  Equality to peers and friends at an early age is a big issue, and an important one.  Competition is good when you have confidence, when you felt you had a chance to win.  But I had always felt I wasn’t smart enough, although I received good grades.  I felt I wasn’t good enough, although I always improved.  When I had that first sense of “I can’t do it,” I just gave up and quit.  I just walked away and said “forget it.”  I felt that I was never going to win anyway, so why keep on trying?  And now I know why I quit. I just felt unequal, I just felt different than everyone else.

I can’t say when or where it exactly began, probably because I didn’t realize what happened until later in life.  But I believe that I felt so different because of what I was told. What was verbally given to me.  I wasn’t told how special I was, or how great I was.  I was never told “good job” or “I’m proud of you.”  I was constantly reminded of how stupid I was.  I was always told that I was a dummy.  That I was worthless, I was an idiot, or how I wouldn’t amount to anything.

I guess the leaders in my life at that time didn’t realize the power of words. That the power of what you say has an impact on children.  When you constantly feed something to someone, regardless if it’s true or not, it someday becomes the truth in a child’s mind.  And children can subconsciously hold onto this perception of themselves for years.  Constantly replaying those little tapes of how worthless they are and how they just aren’t like the rest of the kids. Children trust adults with their hearts. Adults need to understand that when you’ve had a bad day at the office or if you’re angry with yourself or with your own life, demoralizing a child doesn’t make your position any better. Each day I would struggle to be “normal,” all because of the carelessness within the leadership of my life.

As I look back, I remember I used to blame myself. I now know that what I had been told as a child wasn’t my fault. I know that those harsh words weren’t at all true. Unfortunately, I know that now.  I lost so many years, both in my youth and in my adult life, because I believed those people.  I believed them.  There were times when I wanted to go back to my childhood and reclaim my innocence, my right to a decent and structural life, and I was told that I never could.  But I did what I felt was the next best thing.  I closed my eyes and walked those long, horrifying steps within my mind and told every one of those people that they were wrong.  I mentally went back and told them THEY were the stupid ones for daring to damage a little kid, for attempting to take great memories and fun times away from a small defenseless little boy.  A boy who had dreams and aspirations to just have fun and live like the humans.  And then I did something else, I became successful.  Not rich and famous, but productive and worthy.  I help people, I encourage others. I made a difference. I spread my gospel that life really does contain happy endings and wish-like scenarios. I let people know that they deserve a good life, and a loving family. My mission was clear that the world needed to know the real truth behind people’s dysfunctions. I assured the damaged at heart that what had happened to them wasn’t their fault.  I used all that energy that negativity gave to me and I used it to fuel my passion to make a difference.  I give people a chance; I encourage them to just go do it.  The only limits there are in life are the limits you place upon yourself. I’ve said it a thousand times and I’ll preach it a thousand more.

With this philosophy, I’ve realized that consistent negativity can impact a life, so I’ve done the same, but with positive input. When I think of my daughter and how bright and intelligent she is, and then I look at my son and realize how creative and articulate he is, I wonder: are these kids really that bright because of their intelligence and education, or are they that smart because we told them they are?  An encouraged child’s drive and ambition are faster than a speeding bullet (and more powerful than a locomotive).

So I have to preach: Be careful what you say to a child.  Think about what they’ve seen and heard.  They’ve been on this planet for a short time; they don’t know what you know.  They haven’t been through the aggravation and the turmoil you’ve experienced.  They haven’t seen the traffic on the 60 freeway or stood in line at the DMV.  They haven’t dropped to the ground in exhaustion or felt the pressure of financial strain.  And when they hear of these things, they think you can handle it all.  They may not say it, but they look up to you, they respect you, and they believe you.  Encourage them and be patient. Don’t let your own frustrations take years from their lives.

Yes, I remember getting hit as a child. And I remember the feeling that came with it. But with these experiences I’ve also been able to learn: you can get more from a person by raising their spirits, than you can by lowering their dignity.

 

Diamond Bar: Golf Tournament Named After DB Volunteer Jeffrey Lowe

By SARAH ARMIJO

Diamond Bar – At their Jan. 22 meeting, the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club voted to honor the many years of volunteer service of doctor and Deputy Sheriff, Jeffrey W. Lowe, by dedicating their upcoming April 7 golf tournament in his honor.

Dr. Jeffrey Lowe passed away at just 48-years old, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, of apparent heart failure.  Dr. Lowe held his chiropractic practice in the Albertson’s shopping center on Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue for almost 20 years.  He was the current President of the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club, former Diamond Bar Rotary President, past board member of the Diamond Bar Chamber of Commerce, and a San Bernardino County Sheriff Reserve Deputy for over 20 years, in the patrol and homicide division.

The Sheriff’s Booster Golf Tournament will be held at the Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills, in Lowe’s honor. The tournament registration will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., and shotguns will start at 11:30 a.m.  An awards luncheon will immediately follow the tournament, where all tee prizes will be given out.  Golf competitions include longest drive, closest to the pin, and hole-in-one.

Sponsorship opportunities include: Platinum sponsor for $3,000, Gold sponsor for $2,000, and Silver sponsor for $1,000.  Additional sponsorship opportunities include soft drink/beer car sponsors ($1,000), hole-in-one sponsor ($500), closest to the pin sponsor ($400), goodie bag sponsor ($500), tee sign sponsor ($100), and the cost for a single player to golf is $100.

For more information about this tournament, please contact the volunteer coordinator, Sgt. Mark Saldacke, at (909) 595-2264 or Booster Club Member, Gil Rivera, at (909) 967-4525.

Chino: “Green” McDonald’s Opens and Gives Back to Local Schools

McDonalds Chino

New “green” McDonald’s has officially opened in Chino. (Photo Courtesy: CaCera Richmond)

NEWS RELEASE

Chino – When McDonald’s owners, Tom and Candace Spiel, opened their first McDonald’s in 1966, there were only 855 locations in the United States. Today, the chain has over 14,000 restaurants in the U.S., but the Spiels continue to be among the first. The restaurant owners of over 40 years celebrated the grand re-opening and remodel of their second “green” McDonald’s, at 12625 Central Ave. in Chino, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The new restaurant is pursuing a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver Certification. Nearly 95% of the restaurant’s construction waste was recycled and diverted from a landfill. There are 13 solar tubes placed throughout the restaurant, providing 91% of natural daylight while blocking UV and infrared rays to reduce thermal heat gain. LED lighting and low-flow plumbing fixtures will utilize less energy and water, while Low Oil Volume (LOV) fryers will consume 40% less oil. Designated preferred parking will be available for customers with clean air vehicles.

Ceremony guests included Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce Chair, Deborah Mitsch, Chino Valley Fire Chief, Paul Segalla, and a host of other local dignitaries. Special presentations included certificates of congratulations from the office of Mayor Dennis Yates, Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod, Senator Norma Torres, Assemblyman Curt Hagman, and Assemblyman Freddie Rodriguez.

The re-opening celebration continued last week with educators from E.J. Marshall Elementary, Walnut Elementary, and Howard Cattle Elementary, trading in their positions in the classroom for a post behind McDonald’s front counter for a three-day McTeachers Night fundraising event. A portion of all sales, including drive-thru, were donated to the participating schools. Donations are often used to help fund educational programs, support booster clubs, fund field trips, and purchase school supplies. The McTeachers Nights events raised over $3,000 in donations for the three schools.

This Chino McDonald’s restaurant is one of more than 600 franchised and company-owned McDonald’s restaurants in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties that comprise The McDonald’s Operators’ Association of Southern California.

Walnut: Board Honors Outstanding Students and Parent Volunteers

BY KELLI GILE

Walnut — The Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees paid tribute to outstanding students and parent volunteers during the January 15 meeting.

WVUSD Holiday Card Contest winner

Michelle Xu, winner of the 2013 WVUSD Holiday Card Contest.

Evergreen Elementary 5th grader, Michelle Xu, won the 2013 Holiday Greeting Card Art Contest. The talented young artist was recognized with a certificate and framed copy of her original artwork by Board President, Cindy Ruiz. She also received a gift certificate to Chick-fil-A restaurant, courtesy of owners Bob and Michelle Sun.

WVUSD Super Star Student Awardee 2014

Andrew Zambrano won the Super Star Student Award

Walnut Elementary School 5th grader, Andrew Zambrano, was honored as a Super Star Student.“Since kindergarten, he has taken advantage of several opportunities to become involved in school. He plays saxophone in our school band, sings in the Showcase Choir, won awards in chess and is an assembly greeter, which highlights his terrific interpersonal skills,” Principal Green said. Andrew has been able to do all this with the loving support of his parents who make sure he is enrolled in after-school wrestling, jujitsu and basketball.

WVUSD Partner in Education Awardee 2014

Walnut Elementary parent volunteer, Ceping Chao (shown with Board President, Cindy Ruiz), was honored with the Partner in Education Award. (photo courtesy: Kelli Gile)

Walnut Elementary parent volunteer, Ceping Chao, was introduced as the school’s Partner in Education. “She is a founding parent of our Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Mandarin program and her two daughters are currently in DLI Kindergarten and Grade 2,” said Principal Green.

“Ceping volunteers her time in the classrooms and the teachers say that she is always ready to lend a helping hand. They love her because she is so patient with students. She attends parent education meetings and convinces more parents to become involved. She has even taken on the task of revamping and revising our school website – I believe there were five pages of changes to be made!” said Green.
Diamond Bar High School junior, Josh DeSoto-Rivera, was honored with the Super Star Student Award.

WVUSD Super Star Student 2013

Josh DeSoto-Rivera (shown with Board President, Cindy Ruiz) was honored as a Super Star Student

“I want to recognize Josh for the growth he has shown through the past years. He really didn’t have any goals and didn’t see the intrinsic reward of a good education. As a sophomore, he entered the Pathways Communications Academy,” she said.

“It is a great program, now 17 years old that offers our kids a school within a school opportunity. It incorporates concepts of multiple intelligences, career guidance, interactive instruction and applied learning – all while focusing on interpersonal relationships,” Real explained.

The curriculum includes a broad spectrum of college prep and career tech electives as well as a steering committee of local businessmen and educational institutions who work closely with students. “The program offers an opportunity for real life experiences and it makes students aware and competitive in today’s job force. Because of this program, I think Josh saw the light,” Real explained.

Partner in Education Awardee 2013

George Ganesh (shown with Board President, Cindy Ruiz and Principal, Catherine Real), was recognized with the Partner in Education Award

“This summer, he took on registration for the Boosters Club. Mr. Ganesh’s job was to organize and get the Booster parents enthusiastic to work at the booth during four weeks of registration appointments,” Real explained.

“And of course, the process went a lot like him: it was organized, it was pleasant and it was productive. I can’t say enough about the contributions that he made because at the end of registration, the Boosters had reached a new level of unity, sign-ups and participation,” Real said.

“When I think about Mr. Ganesh, I also think of his children, Namesha and Niraj. They are a lot like him. They are equally enthusiastic, well-rounded, intelligent, kind, compassionate and humble. I think it’s true what they say about apple not falling very far from the tree!” Real said.

Chino: Police Searching For Robbery Suspect

Chino Burglary Suspect

If you know the whereabouts of this suspect, please contact the Chino PD at (909) 628-1234. (Photo Courtesy: Chino Police Dept.)

STAFF REPORTS

Chino – A suspect described as a white or Hispanic male, in his early 20s, thin build with short brown hair, is wanted for questioning in a robbery that took place at a 7-Eleven store on the 12000 block of Mountain Avenue in Chino. He was last seen wearing a black Obey sweatshirt and witnesses say that he had fresh cuts under his left eye and on his left hand.

The Chino Police Department released a surveillance image of the suspect and is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the man. He is also wanted in connection to at least three other robberies across San Bernardino County.
All four robberies took place Friday, Jan. 24, between 3:50 a.m. and 4:42 a.m. The other stores that were burglarized were the 7-Eleven store on the 4500 block of Holt Avenue in Montclair; the 7-Eleven store on the 2500 block of South Euclid Avenue in Ontario; and the Shell Gas Station on the 2200 block of South Archibald Avenue in Ontario.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the robberies or the suspect is asked to contact the Chino Police Department at (909) 628-1234.

UPDATE:  CHINO, Calif. (KABC) — A suspect has been arrested in connection to a string of robberies across San Bernardino County Jan 28.

The robberies all took place Friday between 3:50 a.m. and 4:42 a.m. The suspect was connected to three robberies at 7-Eleven locations in Chino, Montclair and Ontario and a Shell gas station also in Ontario.

Diamond Bar: DB Mayor Pro-Tem Runs For State Assembly

STAFF REPORTS

Diamond Bar – Diamond Bar Mayor Pro Tem, Steve Tye, recently announced that he will be running for the 55th Assembly District Seat, which is currently held by Assemblyman Curt Hagman.

Tye kicked off his campaign to run for State Assembly in a Press Conference on Friday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. on the steps of the Diamond Bar City Hall. He was joined by City leaders who are supporting his candidacy, including Mayor Carol Herrera and Councilwoman Nancy Lyons, according to a news release.

Steve Tye was first elected to the Diamond Bar City Council in November 2005, then re-elected in 2009 and again in 2013. He served as mayor in 2007 and 2011, and currently serves as Mayor Pro-Tem. Before becoming a Councilman, Tye was appointed to the Planning Commission four times, serving from 1997 to 2005, including two terms as chairman. He was also a member and one-term chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission from 1994 to 1997.

In addition to his two decades of public service, Tye solidifies his candidacy with 12 years experience in financial planning, according to a news release.
“I want to take what I’ve learned in city government, combined with my business background, and make a positive difference in Sacramento,” explains Mayor Pro Tem Tye in a statement. “My priorities will be to work for a stronger economy, more skilled jobs and increased education and training opportunities, especially for the people in Assembly District 55.”

Assembly District 55 includes Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Hills, Chino Hills, Yorba Linda, La Habra, Brea and Placentia. It combines the northernmost part of Orange County, the easternmost part of Los Angeles County, and the westernmost part of San Bernardino County. In addition to the geographic divide, party affiliation breaks down into almost 40% Republican, close to 32% Democrat and 23% with no party preference. In the 2012 Primary, 58,000 votes were cast out of a pool of 241,000 registered voters.
“While California’s recovery is gaining strength, it’s still fragile,” said Tye. “Voters want to know that their elected officials have the economic knowhow and business experience necessary to keep our state moving forward.”
For more information about Steve Tye, his candidacy, and this upcoming campaign kickoff, call ((909) 319-5426, and watch for his website coming soon to http://www.ElectSteveTye.com.

Diamond Bar: Crazy Weather

Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bar

Pastor Mark Hopper

BY MARK HOPPER

I think all of us in Southern California have been amazed by the continuing warm weather we have been having this winter. It sure doesn’t feel like winter!
I call this, “Rose Parade Weather.” Usually right around the first of the year we get this wave of warm weather while the rest of the country is frozen under snow and sub-zero temperatures. When people in other parts of the country watch the Rose Parade, they notice the clear blue skies and warm sunny weather. The result is that a lot of them leave their homes and move to California!

But this year, the unusually warm weather hasn’t stopped. I think we are into our third of fourth week of temperatures that are far above normal. In addition, we are hearing reports that rainfall is far below normal. The Governor has declared a “Drought Emergency,” and is asking all of us to reduce our water usage.

For some people, the warm weather is wonderful. I am enjoying working in my yard and my tomato plants are happy with dozens of new blossoms. For other people, the warm weather is not as welcome. Local ski resorts have not had fresh snow in weeks. Skiers and snow boarders are hoping things will change soon.

Some things are out of our control. We can’t make it rain. We can’t change the temperature. We can’t change the weather. But, we can change how we respond to each situation we face. We can grumble or we can be grateful. We can complain or we can adapt to situations that are out of our control.

Remember, the weather will eventually get back to “normal”. The snow will come, the cooler weather will return and we will soon forget the summer of January 2014. So, enjoy it while you can!

Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd (909) 594-7604 Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM Website: http://www.efreedb.org

Inland Empire: Straight Talk With Danice-January

DEAR DANICE AKIYOSHI:

My daughter has started hanging out with a group of kids at school who are dyeing their hair unusual colors. When I say unusual, I mean green and purple and blue. So far she has only put a small streak of color on her bangs. I have not said anything, but my husband has asked me to deal with it. These kids are all seniors in high school, and aside from this weird thing they’re doing with their hair, they seem like a nice group. Can you give me any pointers on how to handle it?
Janie

Hi, Janie:

If the kids seem to be in good order with their grades and other behaviors, then I would be careful about being excessively critical. Your daughter is a senior, so I’m assuming that she is close to age 18. This is a very tricky time for parents. Sometimes teens want to exert the power they think goes with the magical adult age of 18, yet they are far from being an adult in most cases.
If I were in your shoes, I would watch and wait. Allow your daughter a little elbow room and observe how far she pushes her desire for personal expression. Sometimes when parents are too rigid, a youngster in this age group will rebel or bolt, and then you have a new set of potentially dangerous problems. I’m hoping your daughter knows your ‘firm’ boundaries and won’t cross them. If she does, then it’s time for the serious sit down conversation. Many parents choose to tolerate bizarre hair styles and wardrobe fads, knowing that these things are not permanent. Whatever you do, please think your actions through. As I said, this is a tricky age group. They need a lot of support and positive feedback.

Dr. Danice Akiyoshi, Naturopathic Doctor, Coaching, Counseling

Dr. Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi is a Naturopathic Doctor and the head of Candid Coaching Service. She has a great passion for alternative healing and has over 20 years of experience in this field. She provides a form of energy psychology called The Emotion Code, where she helps people literally get rid of their emotional baggage. She also 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.

Walnut Valley: Governor Declares Statewide Drought

California Governor Jerry Brown

Gov. Jerry Brown declares statewide drought conditions during a Jan. 17 Press Conference in San Francisco. (Photo Courtesy: CA.Gov)

BY GLENN FREEMAN

Walnut Valley – On the heels of the driest recorded year in state history, Gov. Jerry Brown declared drought conditions in California. The statement came during a Jan. 17, 2014 Press Conference in San Francisco, where the Governor issued a State of Emergency, asking residents to conserve water.

“We can’t make it rain, but we can be much better prepared for the terrible consequences that California’s drought now threatens, including dramatically less water for our farms and communities and increased fires in both urban and rural areas,” said Gov. Brown in a press release. “I’m calling all Californians to conserve water in every way possible.”

State water officials reported that snowpack conditions are about 20 percent of normal average for this time of year, with river and reservoirs below their record lows, particularly in the State’s northern and central regions. The proclamation gives state water officials more flexibility to manage supply throughout California.
The Governor directed State agencies to use less water and hire more firefighters. He also expanded a public awareness campaign on water conservation at http://www.saveourh2o.org.

Metropolitan Water District (MWD), which provides water to nearly 19 million people in Southern California via 26 cities and water districts, released a statement supporting Gov. Brown’s declaration, asking users to take conservations measures.

“Lowering water demand in Southern California is a big reason why this region has sufficient supplies short term, but this drought is a wakeup call … to conserve every possible drop,” said Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

MWD has conservation tips available at its website, at http://www.bewaterwise.com.

Locally, the Walnut Valley Water District says water use is down in recent years.

“We’re supportive of the call for reduction in water usage and have always been about water efficiency. We’re buying 15% less water now than in 2006,” said general manager Mike Holmes.

Holmes also says the district encourages customers to visit their website (www.wvwd.com) for water conservation tips, as well as a program for getting up to 25 sprinkler nozzles for free.

The district serves approximately 100,000 customers in six San Gabriel Valley communities.

Walnut: Suzanne Students Join Connected Conversation with Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Suzanne Middle School Students

On Jan. 15, Alice Chen’s 8th Grade Language Arts students participated in a Connected Classroom Conversation with Nobel Peace Prize winner, Leymah Gbowee, to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo Courtesy: Kelli Gile)

BY KELLI GILE

Walnut —Suzanne Middle School students got a special lesson from Nobel Peace Prize winner, Leymah Gbowee, on January 15. Teacher Alice Chen’s 8th Grade Language Arts class participated in a live Connected Classrooms Conversation to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., just days before the National holiday held in his honor.
Three classrooms from across the United States participated in the Google Hangout On-Air event. Each educator invited to participate is a member of Google’s “Connected Classrooms”.
“I was invited to join Connected Classrooms last fall when this community first launched. The invitation initially went out to Google Certified Teachers. Then it was opened up to other teachers as the program grew,” Chen explained. She is also a moderator for Connected Classrooms.
“Educators who want to be involved in this kind of project, they don’t specify which one, are welcome to sign up. Then, they’ll match you according to content and age appropriateness,” she explained.
Chen found out about the opportunity the day before the live conversation and was eager for her students to participate.
At 10 a.m., PST, moderator Dawn Engle introduced Nobel Peace Prize winner, Leymah Gbowee to the Walnut classroom.
“She is a woman who exemplified the Peace Jam movement. In fact, she’s a Liberian Peace Activist and is responsible for leading a woman’s peace movement that helped put an end to the second Liberian Civil War,” she said.
After each class took turns introducing themselves to the honored guest, who was in New York during the event, Engle started the one-hour conversation by asking the Nobel Peace Prize winner “Why is so it important to honor the life and the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King at this time every year?”
“First, I think he is in a class all by himself,” Gbowee answered. “He really was a trailblazer and it’s important to celebrate him at this time. It’s a reminder that even the most difficult of challenges in the world we can overcome if we focus, if we preserve and if we do it non-violently,” she said.
She described Dr. King as being a change agent for his belief. He was willing to go all out, persevere, be consistent, focused, and not get distracted with the negativity. Dr. King started something at a time in the world when everyone felt it was not possible,” Gbowee said.
“He decided we’re going to do this and break this barrier,” she added.
“When I sit and think of Dr. King and the incredible work that he did, and at the end of the day, when we look back, there are a lot of things that have happened in this world beyond the Civil Rights struggle. We see other situations in the world, and people say, ‘If King could do it, I too can do it’,” she said.
“The most important thing that Dr. King taught us is we are the change that we hope to see. It is in each and every individual,” she added.
Two students from each classroom also asked questions. When it was their turn, Suzanne students, Kaitlin Garrett and Steven Sakamoto, stood next to the projection screen face-to-face with the international legend. 8th Grader, Kaitlin Garrett, asked the first question during the event.
“I really liked what [Gbowee] said about us being the change. And how we can start it and I thought it was really inspiring because it is very true. I think if one person starts it and everybody joins in, it continues on,” Garrett said.
Garrett said she plans to begin finding ways to become a change maker. “This will inspire me to start thinking about changes and how we can help the community,” she said
Gbowee shared several of her own experiences about making a difference through non-violent struggle.
She said she wrote her book, Mighty Be Our Prayers, to share that it doesn’t matter if your life has taken a downturn, you can be an agent of change. “No matter how hard you fall, you are not judged in this life by the magnitude of your fall, it’s your ability to rise up and stand tall,” she said.
She also advised the students to find their own passion and that they could be difference makers too.
“When I was growing up, I never thought about a Nobel Peace Prize. I always thought about how I could make a difference,” she said
“Dr. King said anybody can be great. Those who see problems can be great through service, be great through humility, be great through doing good and not expecting anything in return. That is the kind of greatness Dr. King talked about and that has guided my work,” she explained to the students.
The recorded broadcast will also be shown to Bishop Desmond Tutu, who is on the Peace Jam board. And the kids got to wave hello to him.
Gbowee concluded the conversation by offering a challenge to the students. “Dr. King was a great man in a class all by himself. He stepped out when no one thought it was possible. I think to the young people of the world, if you read the life and legacy of Dr. King, he was one ordinary person who decided to try to do the impossible and leave an extraordinary mark on the world. We all have a light in us. If we ever decide to tap into that light, we too, can make the impossible possible. And leave an extraordinary legacy,” she said.
“You have the light, you have the examples, and you have the platform. Step out and make big changes. I hope someday I will read about one of you from these three classrooms of the great work you have done,” she added.
The Connected Classrooms broadcast can be viewed at https://plus.google.com/events/ckfsc2s5dg1aqvglm1h4ha902uo.

Inland Empire: Is Anything Really Forever?

Is Anything Really Forever?
BY MICHAEL ARMIJO

Originally published in August of 1998, this is the very first “Our Life” ever printed in The Weekly News, and the reason why we started publishing newspapers. It was after writing this story that we decided how short life was, and how important it is to do what you believe in. This story helped us realize what we believe in.
The hardest day of my life was a year ago in May. It was like every other morning with the exception that it was their anniversary. Mom and dad got up, went to brunch, went home, and then got into a little argument. My dad wanted somewhere to go to be by himself, so he went to check on his rental property that was recently vacant.
I got home that night around 9 p.m. and my wife told me my mother called. She said mom was wondering why dad wasn’t home yet, but it was like him to stay at his rental property and fix things. Mom wasn’t too worried, so I went to bed. A few hours later she called me again; “Your father still isn’t home yet, now I’m worried.” At a frantic pace, I went to his rental property and found his truck in the front of the house, which was completely dark. My heart raced and I was afraid to go in and find him lying there, so I called 911 from my cell phone.
LIFE MAKES A LEFT
I told the operator that I was afraid to enter the house by myself, I was afraid of what I might find. Four minutes later, the Sheriff’s Department arrived. The officer shined his flashlight on the front door and, since it was pitch dark, I didn’t even know it was wide open. We walked inside and there was my daddy, lying in the hallway, as still as can be. I yelled, “He isn’t moving? Why isn’t he moving?” The officer grabbed me and dragged me outside, calmed me down, and told me to wait while he checked what on was going on.
At that point, I tried to convince myself he was asleep on the floor or just passed out. I was in complete denial that he would be gone – and gone forever – until the paramedics came. They ran into the house in the hopes of helping a victim survive, but three minutes later, they walked out. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I knew one thing, I had to try to be responsible, I had to go home and tell my mom.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
When I told my brother and sisters the news of our father, I received a different reaction from each. But the strongest reaction embedded in my memory is the one from my mom. I called my sisters to help me tell mom about dad, but they lived so far away they couldn’t be there for quite some time. I knew I couldn’t let my mom wait that long, she was waiting for me to bring my father home. I knocked on my neighbor’s front door, but they couldn’t hear me from their back bedroom. It was at that time I realized that no one was around and I’m going to have to do this on my own, so be it.
It wasn’t the screaming or the crying that affected me so much; it was what my mother said. She was angry because she and my father had promised each other they’d leave this earth together. They made a pact. They had a deal. She was angry because he broke that pact. The deal was off. At that point, I admired how strong their love was; I admired how much they really loved each other. So much so, they not only discussed how they’d be together, but how they’d leave together as well. I never knew this, and it saddens me that I had to find out about it this way. I guess sometimes regardless of what this life gives you, and regardless of how much you think you know, you find out that you never know what to expect.
A FIRST FOR EVERYTHING
Whoever said, “the hardest time after a death is the first year” was right. It has been interesting and difficult. Death really does something to people; it really makes them change. You hear things you never thought you’d hear; you see things you never thought you’d see. That first Thanksgiving, that first Christmas. The first time one of your parents isn’t at your son’s sixth grade graduation or your daughter’s recital. Your kid’s birthday parties, your son’s little league games. You sit there enjoying yourself and then sense that something’s missing. The first time I felt stressed and dad wasn’t there to tell me; “it’ll all work out ok,” that was my hardest. Dad wasn’t kidding when he told me: “there’s a first for everything.”
YOU NEVER KNOW
If there was one thing I’ve really had to push into my life it is to enjoy it. If one of my children gets out of line or has done something wrong, I talk about it. I don’t scream and yell, and I don’t smack them. I never send them to bed on a bad note, and whenever I leave, I always give them a hug and a kiss (something my 12-year-old son tries to avoid, but I force it on him). I do this because my father and I had the worst relationship in the world. And then one day, five years before he passed, for a reason only God may know, I confronted him with my feelings. We really opened up, laid it all on the table, and enjoyed ourselves. It took time for us to heal, but we worked on it, and in the end I had the fortunate opportunity to have a close and loving relationship with my dad. It was the fastest five years of my life.
We had fun, forgave each other, and told each other we loved each other. I am very fortunate to be able to say that I don’t have any regrets about our friendship. I always wanted more from life but he always told me to “stop striving for bigger toys and invest yourself in love, because you never know, son, you just never know.”
SOME THINGS ARE FOREVER
There’s something about seeing your parents in enormous grief that does something to a person. They’re your safety net in life, they’re the one thing you can bet your life on who’ll always take you back if you failed out there in the world. They’re the ones that you knew would love you forever, regardless of what you’ve done or where you’ve been. When that gets destroyed or damaged, you come to the realization that you’re definitely, and I mean definitely, on your own. Life becomes this big “do or die” situation. Ready or not, it’s time to grow up. You get kind of nervous that the encouraging source in your life is gone. The one who always said, “You can do it, you can do anything,” can only be heard from a distant memory.
It’s kind of like when you were in school; you’d walk into the class and find you were having a pop quiz. You felt this panic overwhelm you, and you’d try your hardest to remember what the teacher told you the day before. You had no warning, no time to prepare, the test is here and it’s now. You never anticipated this coming; it never even entered your mind. All you can do now is hope you were paying attention all that time, all you could do was hope you were a good student. Teacher’s not going to give you any answers today; you’re on your own.
And then someday, when life tests you and you see that big “A” across the top of that “life test,” you realize that what makes you a better person is to recognize that there are some things in life that you just have to believe in. Like the love you never knew your parents shared, some things really are forever.

Diamond Bar: Evergreen Elementary Announces School Spelling Champ

Spelling Champion Kelli Gile

Evergreen Elementary spelling champion, Thordar Han, will now concentrate of preparing for the regional contest. (Photo Courtesy: Kelli Gile)

BY KELLI GILE

Diamond Bar— Thordar Han, a 5th Grade student, is Evergreen Elementary’s Spelling Champion! Jason Chen took Second Place honors, and Jason Kim earned Third Place during the school’s Spelling Bee, held on January 10.
All 4th and 5th Grade students participated in classroom competitions that narrowed the field of 200 students down to 18 finalists, who competed in front of their peers on the Multipurpose Room stage.
In the final round, Han won the school championship when she correctly spelled, “Monochrome.”
“When I heard the word, I knew how to spell it,” the 10-year-old said.
Han said she has always liked spelling and practiced with online tests for the competition. She is also an avid reader and likes to play the drums in the school band.
“It felt good,” she said about winning the Spelling Bee. The soft-spoken Diamond Bar student said she kept her excitement on the inside and shared the good news with her family when she got home from school.
Han will now represent Evergreen and compete in the 2014 Inland Valley Regional Competition that could lead to the ultimate competition at the nationwide contest in Washington, D.C.
4th and 5th Grade teachers, Lily Chang, Sally Choi, Shelby Coomber, Cathy Patterson, Lynn Otsu and Kris Kobzeff, coordinated this exciting activity for their students with help from volunteer, Bernice Bromberg, and support from the Evergreen Community Club.
“This is another great example of our dedicated staff and fabulous volunteers working together to create wonderful opportunities for our talented students,” said Principal, Carolyn Wills.
“Evergreen is rooting for Thordar in the next round of competition. Congratulations to Thordar, Jason Chen and Jason Kim! Great job,” she said.

Three Men Charged in Colby Fire

STAFF REPORTS

Glendora – Three men were recently charged in the United States District Court with illegally setting a campfire above Glendora that erupted into a destructive wildfire, known as the Colby Fire, perpetuated by the Santa Ana wind conditions.
Federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint that charges the three men with unlawfully setting timber afire, a felony offense that carries a possible five-year prison term. Clifford Eugene Henry, Jr., 22, of Glendora, Steven Robert Aguirre, 21, a transient, and Jonathan Carl Jarrell, 24, also a transient, were taken into custody by local officials last Thursday after the fire started and turned over to federal authorities.
The Colby Fire started on the morning of January 16. By that evening, the fire had consumed more than 1,700 acres of federal, state, local and private lands. The fire had also destroyed five residences, damaged 17 additional structures, and resulted in injuries to one civilian and two firefighters.
Henry, Aguirre and Jarrell were detained by Glendora Police Officers after they were seen escaping the fire. During interviews with Glendora Police and personnel with the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Arson Investigations Unit, all three defendants admitted to playing a role in the starting of a campfire that started the Colby Fire after wind blew burning paper into the brush in the hills above Glendora, according to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint.
A United States Forest Service fire investigator has determined that the origin of the Colby Fire was at a point near a fire ring built by Henry, Aguirre and Jarrell; the cause of the fire was embers from the campfire that set dry grass adjacent to the campfire ring afire. Both the campfire ring and the origin of the fire are clearly located on Federal lands within the Angeles National Forest.
The investigation is being conducted by the United States Forest Service, the Glendora Police Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Walnut Valley: WVUSD to Honor Classified Employees

Walnut Valley Unified School District

Walnut – The Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) will honor the monthly 2013 Cornerstone Award recipients during the 15th Annual Class Act Gala on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Pomona Valley Mining Company.

Twelve classified (non-teaching) employees received this award for providing outstanding service to the District.

Congratulations to the following honorees:

January: Margaret Wong, School Office Manager, Evergreen Elementary
February: Sharon Liu, Instructional Aide-I, Bilingual/Bicultural, Maple Hill Elementary
March: Laura Morris, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, C.J. Morris Elementary
April: Shelley Patton, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, Maple Hill Elementary
May: Lorraine Gomez, Health Clerk, Suzanne Middle School
June: Yenny Ong, Food Service Worker-II, Quail Summit Elementary
July: Monica Cazares, Accounting Assistant-II, Child Care Program
August: Patricia Acevez, Office Assistant/Health Clerk, Vejar Elementary
September: Patti Malatacca, School Office Manager, Quail Summit Elementary
October: Maria Cabrera, Instructional Aide-II, Vejar Elementary
November: Marilyn Higa, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, Evergreen Elementary
December: Gale Taylor, Library Media Technician-II, South Pointe Middle School

The Classified Employee-of-the-Year will be announced at the culmination of the program, sponsored by the WVUSD Personnel Commission and Walnut Valley Educational Foundation.

Tickets are $25 for Adults. For reservations, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 595-1261, by January 24.

The Pomona Valley Mining Company is located at 1777 Gillette Road in Pomona.