Category Archives: The Weekly News

The Iron Complaint

Grilled salmon fillet fish steak with lemon on white plate

By Clark’s Nutrition

 

Iron has long been used as a therapy for weakness throughout history, even when the purveyors of this remedy knew nothing of its ability to mitigate weakness or lethargy. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, would recommend ferruginous (rich in iron) water treatments to individuals suffering from what was termed “chlorosis” or iron-deficiency anemia. It made sense to the Greeks that a condition of weakness (anemia) should be met with an element of strength (iron). The god of war, Ares, was associated with the element iron as it was the chief component in his spear (bronze-tipped) and shield, and was a symbol of strength. Yet aside from mythology, iron as a real cause and therefore treatment of lethargy, weakness, and a slew of other symptoms is well understood today and is one of the most researched and well-understood elements in the human diet.

Iron is important for metabolism (energy production), affects many hormones, such as thyroid hormone and testosterone, and is crucial for growth and normal development throughout life. While isolated iron deficiency is fairly uncommon in the US, infants, teenage girls, pregnant and lactating mothers, postmenopausal women, and those with poor diets are at a heightened risk. It is important to receive regular checkups and comply with doctor orders if diagnosed as deficient or anemic. Iron requirements change as we age and range from 8 milligrams (mgs) to 18 mgs and goes as high as 27 milligrams in pregnant and lactating women

Iron deficiency is commonly observed as anemia which may have some of the following symptoms:

Weakness, feelings of coldness

Decreased work and school performance

Slow cognitive or social development

Decreased immune function.

In nature, iron may be found bound to “heme” or without heme. Heme is a nitrogen-based cyclical structure that is a part of hemoglobin found in red blood cells, and myoglobin found in muscles that carry the oxygen we breathe to cells and carbon dioxide away from cells. Heme iron (found in animal foods) and nonheme iron (plant-based) may be absorbed differently and will certainly be found in different concentrations depending on the makeup of one’s diet. .

Iron from animal sources may be absorbed up to 35% and iron from plant sources may be 20% absorbed, yet this does not mean a non-meat eater needs to consume meat sources of iron. Iron needs in the body are closely regulated and our ability to absorb iron is based on our need to absorb iron. If we are deficient in iron, our body will absorb more in the gastrointestinal tract and if we are “topped” off in our tissues, we will absorb less. Therefore, iron absorption is more an issue of need than an actual issue of source.

The majority of iron supplements are the non-heme variety and absorption is increased when eaten with foods high in vitamin C such as orange juice, bell peppers, broccoli, and strawberries or with a vitamin C supplement (100-250 mgs). It should come as no surprise that the majority of iron consumption in the US comes from breads and grain-based desserts. Here are some excellent iron sources for anyone to include:

Heme (animal) iron sources

Liver, beef, & chicken

Clams & oysters

Salmon & tuna,

Non heme (plant) iron sources

Lentils & beans

Spinach & pumpkin seeds

Fortified cereals and grains

We have an evolved ability in today’s day and age to be diagnosed and remedy many things that afflict us. Luckily, iron deficiency is no longer viewed as a person’s lack of war-like aggression and treated with Ares’ spear. If you have been diagnosed with iron deficiency and given the go-ahead to seek out iron rich foods or supplements, speak to a nutritional consultant today and explore your iron needs. As always, have a healthy day!

Clark’s is a great find for anyone looking to improve their health. They have competitive pricing, knowledgeable staff, a great product selection and a beautiful Chino location close to home.

Visit this Chino treasure located at 12835 Mountain Ave in Chino or call (909) 993-9200. For other locations visit their website http://www.clarksnutrition.com

 

Suspect in Chino Hills Robbery Arrested

3rd man still sought by deputies

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – A Hemet resident, a suspect in a brazen robbery at a Chino Hills residence in April was arrested Wednesday, while another man from Perris was already in custody.

Deonta Simuel, 18, of Hemet, was arraigned on robbery charges Thursday in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court after he had been arrested the previous day, according to online court records. He plead not guilty to two counts of robbery during video arraignment proceedings. He is scheduled to return to court May 8 to begin the trial.

A third man is still being sought by San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies.

The Chino Hills victims had just arrived home about 7:40 p.m.  on April 19 in the 13000 block of Misty Meadow Court, when three men walked up, forcefully took the residents’ belongings and ran away from the residence, according to a sheriff’s news release.

One of the victims chased the men as they headed for a vehicle, a black Hyundai Accent hatchback driven by the third unknown man. Steven Stephon Williams, 22, of Perris, could not get inside of the car before it fled. He was found and arrested by responding sheriff’s deputies.

Detectives and deputies on the sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail in Chino Hills, conducted several days of surveillance investigation were able to identifiy Simuel as the second suspect in the robbery, the news release stated.

Williams and Simuel are being held on suspicion of robbery at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. Simuel is being held in lieu of $350,000 bail.

Online court records show that on April 24, Williams plead not guilty to two counts of robbery as well as an allegation and enhancement for having a prior felony conviction during his arraignment in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court. He is being held in lieu of $450,000 bail and is due back in court June 19.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the robbery can call Detective Seybert at the Chino Hills sheriff’s station at 909-364-2026. To remain anonymous, call the WeTip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME (27463) or visit the website at www.wetip.com.

 

WVUSD Parents, Community Members Shine at Gala

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile

By Kelli Gile

WALNUT– A stellar group of Walnut Valley Unified School District volunteers and community members were honored during the A Night of the Stars gala held April 26 at the Diamond Bar Center.

 

The 4th bi-annual event, sponsored by the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation, lauded exemplary parents, alumni, business, education, leadership, and service partners.

 

“It is an honor having the opportunity to celebrate so many wonderful people tonight,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

 

“Thank you so much for helping make Walnut Valley such an incredible school district!”

 

Distinguished parent partner awards were presented to Mike Ramirez – Castle Rock Elementary, Karen Motus – Cyrus J. Morris Elementary, Betsy Castellano – Collegewood Elementary, Ling Yeung– Evergreen Elementary, Richard Nakama – Quail Summit Elementary, Carolyne Morris – Maple Hill Elementary, Melissa Hanson – Vejar Elementary, April Alvarado – Walnut Elementary, Melinda Powell – Westhoff Elementary, Terri Lotto, Carrie Cheng, Ray and Carol Gonzales – Chaparral Middle School, Gordon Mize – South Pointe Middle School, David Morales – Suzanne Middle School, Wanda Tanaka – Diamond Bar High, Pastor Donald R. Gridiron and Gloria G. Gridiron – Ron Hockwalt Academies,

and Raymond and Kary Wong – Walnut High.

 

Distinguished partner awards were presented to Ryan O’Shea MD, Diamond Bar High Class of 2003 – Alumni, SolarMAX Technology, Ching Liu – Business Partner, Nancy Hogg and Denis Paul – Community Partners, Walnut Valley Secondary Music Programs: Diamond Bar and Walnut High Schools, Chaparral, South Pointe, and Suzanne Middle Schools – Education Partners, Walnut Valley Financing Corporation – Leadership Partner, and Walnut Valley Kiwanis Club – Service Partner.

 

“After hearing all the accomplishments shared about our honorees, the term ‘it takes a village’ is truly felt here,” said Board President Cindy Ruiz who emceed the presentations with Deputy Superintendent Dr. Matthew Witmer.

 

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile

The celebration of education also featured music by the Diamond Bar High Commercial Music Program.

 

The Kenneth Goodson Memorial Scholarship was introduced in honor of the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services who passed away in February.

 

The event concluded with a surprise Distinguished Leader recognition for Dr. Taylor as Superintendent of the Year.

 

“I can’t tell you how long we’ve kept this a secret!” Ruiz added.

 

“It took all these people on stage to come together, including the School Board, Employee Associations, Parent Organizations, and Educational Foundation to pull this off!” Ruiz said.

 

Star parents were honored for generously giving their time and talents to benefit students and schools.

 

Three years ago, Cyrus J. Morris Elementary honoree and school alumnus Karen Motus was motivated to spearhead and lead a Science Olympiad team because her children, Kaylee and Elonzo, love science.

 

“I stayed on as coach because I have been surrounded by students, faculty, and families who enjoy learning about STEAM and the importance of teamwork!” she said.

 

April Alvarado has been involved in every event at Walnut Elementary during the past seven years. She volunteers to be a room parent for classrooms when they don’t have one – even though her children aren’t in that class.

 

“She never hesitates to help,” lauded Principal Robert Chang.

 

Chaparral Middle School band booster parents Terri Lotto, Carrie Cheng, Ray and Carol Gonzales were honored successfully fundraising over $20,000 this year to support out-of-state competitions. They arrive daily to stock, catalog, and sell snacks from the after-school band store.

 

“The contributions of these three families represent the commitment of this wonderful group of supporters to music, and to the Chaparral band program!” said Principal Ron Thibodeaux.

 

Rich Nakama volunteers in the Quail Summit Elementary library, virtual desktop (VDI) lab, playground area, and is the logistics person for the Carnival.

 

“Rich is always the first to arrive and last to leave!” said Principal Frances Weissenberger.

 

Walnut Valley Rotary Club’s Deputy of The Year

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – On Tuesday, April 24th, Deputy Mark Dean from the Walnut / Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station, was honored by the Walnut Valley Rotary Club for Deputy of The Year. Deputy Dean was presented the award by the Rotary Club during a breakfast at the Diamond Bar Golf Course in front of County Council representatives, City Council members, partners and his friends and family.

 

Believe You Can and You Will

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

Just for a moment think about your mindset regarding yourself.  What is your internal dialogue?  Do you tend to tell yourself you can and so you do or do you tell yourself you can’t so you don’t.  Also what is that mindset based on and is it really your truth.  If you believe you can’t think about all that you have already done successfully and learn to challenge that lie that holds you hostage.  I bet you are all much more capable then your mind tells you.  Take out a piece of paper and fold it in half and write done all the lies.  Write down all of the lies that hold you hostage.  Now on the other side ride down your truths based what you have already done successfully.  Now make as many copies of this paper and take it with you everywhere and place them all over your house.  Next time you are believing you can’t the truth will remind you that you are already have been successful.  Pretty soon you will be storing the truth in your mind and know you can and so you will.

Learn to challenge the incorrect believe system that has always held you back from being who you are intended to be.  The truth literally does set us free.  I was raised to believe I could fly.  This mindset has honored me with a life of blessings and success.  Learn to believe in yourself and in your capabilities. The truth is if you believe you can do something and work really hard anything is possible.  Believe you can and you will.  Our mindset literally is a road map for our lives.  Our mindset acts as a designer for our entire lives.  I hope you will take the time to change your mindset and take the opportunity to grow into the best version of you.

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

Rents Rocketing? Part 2

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

Diamond Bar property values have increased tremendously over the last 8 years, as they have throughout California. Rents have also increased more than 30% for Single Family Residential (SFR) detached homes over that same period of time. This week we will look at the rental rates for Townhomes and Condominiums in Diamond Bar and compare them to the rental rates for SFRs.

The first quarter (3 month period) of 2010 saw the Diamond Bar Townhome and Condominium Median Sales Price at $265,000.00. After dropping a little further in 2011, the Median Sales Price for that segment of the market in Diamond Bar reached $382,000.00 in the First Quarter of 2018. That represents an strong increase of 44.2% in the 8 years, averaging approximately 5.5% annually. The number of sales recorded in this segment of the market in the first quarter of 2010 posted a fairly strong total of 54. The number of recorded Townhome and Condominium sales in Diamond Bar for the first Quarter of 2018 dropped to 33, a steep drop of 39%. For those in the real estate industry, that represents a steep drop in numbers of transactions, almost mirroring the drop in the SFR market.

The number of leases transacted (per the California Regional Multiple Listing service-CRMLS) in the first quarter of 2010 was 76. That number increased by 36.8% to 104 in the first quarter of 2018. It seems that the lower number of recorded sales translated into a higher number of reported lease transactions. This would indicate that an increased number of property owners are choosing to rent out their properties instead of selling them. And why not, with both rental rates and property values increasing, it is a win-win for property owners.

The rental rates for Townhomes and Condominiums in Diamond Bar increased as well. The median lease price for a Townhome/Condominium in Diamond Bar was $1,800.00 in the first quarter of 2010.  That number now has reached $2,500.00, representing an increase of 38.9% in the 8 year period. The median lease price for a Single Family Residence in Diamond Bar for the first quarter of 2018 reached $2,860.00, only 10% more than the median lease value for the Townhome/Condominium market.

I wish I had bought more real estate back when…LOL! Seriously!

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.

 

NEF CORTEZ,
Broker  DRE # 00560181

RE/MAX Universal Realty
1411 S. Diamond Bar Blvd.,
Diamond Bar, Ca.  91765

e-mail: nefcortez@gmail.com

www.nefcortez.com

Office: 909-610-6303
Fax:  909-752-3163
Cell: 909-762-8135

30 Years (Part One)

By Mark Hopper

Thirty years is a long time. It is almost a third of a century. But, that is how long we have lived in Diamond Bar, California. I began my new job as the pastor of our church on June 1, 1988 – 30 years ago. My wife and kids stayed in Arizona waiting for our house to sell while I began work at the church. I lived by myself in a condo near Pathfinder and Diamond Bar Blvd.  The condo belonged to a widow who was in poor health and she was living with her family. So I was on my own for about six weeks.

Although I missed my family during that time, I had a lot of time to get to know the community and people in the church.  I was able to visit most of the church families and several of them invited me to dinner in their homes.  In addition, I enjoyed delicious chocolate chip cookies and other snacks that came to my door during those days.

When our house finally sold in Arizona, I flew home to pack up and move to California.  With four kids and a four bedroom house, we had a lot of stuff to move.  We rented a U-Haul Truck – the biggest they made towing the biggest trailer they made!  Friends in Arizona helped us load everything in to the truck and trailer and new friends in California helped us unload it.  We could not have done it without their help.

We moved into the Daisy apartments (now the Hillside apartments) on Grand Avenue across from the Fire station.  We unloaded some things into this two bedroom apartment, but most of our things would need to be put in storage.  When I drove this giant truck and trailer down the exit driveway, it got stuck.  The trailer hitch got caught on the pavement and the back wheels of the truck were lifted off the ground.  The truck was stuck and we couldn’t move!  It was quite a sight.

I ran over to the fire station and asked for help, but they didn’t know what to do either.  Finally, I called the U-Haul hot line and they sent a tow truck from Sana Ana to help.  The tow truck driver hitched a heavy chain on to the front bumper of the truck. The firemen blocked oncoming traffic and the tow truck dragged us down the driveway and on to Grand Avenue while I was sitting in the truck using the brakes so I wouldn’t hit the tow truck in front of me.  It was a memorable start to our new life in Diamond Bar.

Our life at the Daisy apartment was fun.  It felt like we were on vacation.  It was a little crowded with four kids and two adults, but it had a pool, spa and tennis court.  I would go to work each day and my wife and kids enjoyed “vacation” at the Daisy apartments!

I usually took Monday as my day off, so we began to go to the beach on Mondays.  We usually went to Newport Beach and we usually stopped at Thrifty Drug store to get a scoop of ice cream on the way to the beach.  This became a weekly routine. Eventually the kids began to invite friends to come with us. The summer of ‘88 was a summer to remember.

In the first book in the Bible (Genesis) there is the record of Abraham leaving his home in Ur near the Persian Gulf and traveling to a land called Canaan (Israel).  The Bible says that Abraham went in faith, following the call of God on his life.  Abraham packed up his family and his possessions and traveled to a land he had never seen before.  It was a journey of faith.

We packed up our family and our possessions and traveled to a community we had never heard of called Diamond Bar.  It was a journey of faith for us too.  We are thankful that the Lord led us to this special community and to this special church.

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45

 

Manhunt for Paul Erwin Black Jr.

Staff Reports

La Puente – Sought in Distribution of Child Pornography, Frequents Areas of La Puente, West Covina

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Human Trafficking Bureau detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Paul Erwin Black, Jr.  He is a 49 year-old male, White transient, who is known to frequent the West Covina and La Puente areas.

Suspect Black was involved with the downloading and distribution of images of child pornography on the internet.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Suspect Paul is described as 5’09” tall, 210 lbs., with short, blond hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Suspect Black is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Human Trafficking Unit, Deputy French at (323) 526-5156.  If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

Authored by:
Deputy Dangelo Robinson
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Hall of Justice – First floor
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700

Police Need Your Help With Fatal Accident

By Anthony Saude

 

Eastvale – Crime never goes away, and the Eastvale Police Department’s Traffic Division is asking for the public’s help with an investigation that occurred four years ago.

On Friday, April 25, 2014, just after midnight, Eastvale officers began a Hit-And-Run investigation at the intersection of Limonite Avenue and Hamner Avenue. The collision turned fatal. Officers learned a black, unknown make sedan, struck a bicyclist after failing to stop for a red light. The sedan fled the scene on Limonite Avenue and was never located. Witnesses attempted to provide information that day, but at this moment, no one is in custody. The day’s tragic events took the life of a young man, Troy Davids, and left his family mourning his loss.

The commitment to the investigation has never diminished for the Eastvale Police Department. They are now asking for residents in the community for your help. All information and the previous leads the public provided have been exhausted. The traffic division for the police department is encouraging anyone with information to come forward and contact them at 951-955-2600.

Details:

On Friday, April 25, 2014 at 12:12 a.m., Eastvale Police Officers responded to a reported injury traffic collision at the intersection of Limonite Ave. and Hamner Ave., in the City of Eastvale.  During the preliminary investigation it was revealed that an unknown make or model black sedan, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Limonite Ave., failed to stop for a red traffic signal light.  As a result, the black sedan collided into a bicyclist, who was traveling southbound on Hamner Ave.

After the collision, the black sedan continued westbound on Limonite Avenue in the eastbound lanes of traffic. The sedan was last seen turning south on Scholar Way. Officers arrived within minutes of receiving being dispatched to the scene. When they arrived at the scene neither the black sedan, nor the driver of the sedan were in the area any longer. They were never located.

Witnesses on scene described the suspect vehicle as a black, four door sedan. The suspect vehicle fled the scene of the traffic collision westbound on Limonite Avenue and made a left turn onto Scholar Way.

As a result of the collision, the bicyclist ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at a regional hospital.

The Eastvale Police Department is seeking help from the public in identifying the suspect and suspect vehicle of this traffic collision.   Specifically, the Eastvale Police Department is seeking the help of a good Samaritan, who was driving a tan Chevrolet Suburban. The police believe  that they may have seen the suspect vehicle and driver as is it fled the scene of the collision.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Deputy Cuadra at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 955-2662.

 

Car Blazes On Grand Ave

Photo by Michael Armijo

By Michael Armijo

 

Diamond Bar – Anyone who drove past Summit ridge Park last week couldn’t help but notice the formerly white but now burnt out BMW X5 on fire in the parking lot at 1600 Grand Ave in the early morning hours. LA County Sheriff deputies were on hand to oversee what happened to the car.

“This may be a crime scene,” said one LA County Deputy. “We haven’t determined the cause yet.”

“The deputy was investigating if it was arson, insurance fraud, or vandalism, but none of those were evident,” said Walnut-Diamond Bar station captain Al Reyes. “It stemmed from a call of non-criminal auto fire we received.”

Captain Reyes told OurWeeklyNews.com that the owner of the vehicle noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment while she was driving. She pulled into Summit Ridge Park and called 911 to report her car was on fire.

“The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The cause is still unknown. The vehicle was identified as a 2008 BMW,” the Captain said.

If anyone has any information on the incident please contact the Walnut Sheriff Station at 909.595.2264.

 

David Hall Passes Away

By Anthony Saude

Walnut – It is with great sadness we mourn the passing of the Regional Chamber of Commerce

San Gabriel Valley Board Chair/President, Dr. David Hall, he fought courageously during his long battle with cancer.

 

David K. Hall, 72, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018, he was surrounded by friends and loved ones.

 

David was born on July 16, 1945 in Coffeyville, Kansas and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1966, David was a dedicated Jayhawk sports fan his entire life. He obtained his doctorate in political science from Stanford University. David enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War years, there he taught at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After his years in the service he taught at Brown University and at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. In the early 90’s he changed life direction and moved to Los Angeles, joining Hitchcock Automotive Resources.

 

David’s long list of professional accomplishments and accolades are remarkable but his community and public service efforts are what defined him in his life. As a longtime elected Trustee for Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California, David mentored countless students and helped transform the college. He always made time to meet with students privately, advise them on career paths and participate in campus events. Annually, he’d even perform in some of the on campus stage shows to help raise funds for student scholarships.

 

Everything David committed to he did with dedication, passion in an approachable, coachable and infectious way. His sense of humor was contagious allowing him to elicit laughter even in tense situations. He was a practical joker, never missing a chance to play a trick on a close friend or colleague. Endearingly, he found his own antics very funny.

 

David was so many things to so many people: a teacher, a friend, a confidant, a mentor, a public servant, a philanthropist, a partner and a leader. While his soul is laid to rest, his legacy lives on.

David is Survived by his Fiancé Earnestine Tu, and his two brothers Bruce and Roger Hall.

 

A close friend of David’s, Michael Armijo said,” He had a strong genuine concern for the community, he was constantly trying to help people and he gave his heart to the residents. He was like a brother to me, he always made time”.

 

Celebration of Life services will be held at Mt. San Antonio College on May 11th at 9:30 am in the Clark auditorium.

 

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Dr. David K. Hall Business Scholarship

 

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 5.12.18

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: 2018-05-12-WeeklyNews

Walnut Students Complete PTLW Biomedical Sciences Program

By Kelli Gile

WALNUT—For 20 Walnut High School seniors, years of tremendous dedication and hard work in a rigorous biomedical sciences program they began as sophomores have paid finally off.

The teens were presented with white lab coats and honor medallions marking the completion of the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme/Project Lead the Way (IBCP-PLTW) Biomedical Sciences Program.

“I’m excited, I’ve been waiting for this day for three years!” said Samuel Chien, 18, before the White Coat Ceremony held Tuesday evening.

Congratulations to the following Class of 2018 honorees: Jordyn Arce, Chriselle Badua, Brian Chang, Selena Chen, Kevin Cheng, Samuel Chien, Jocelyn Do, Isaac Duran, Emily Gehringer, Audrey Kuo, Alicia Lu, Michael Lu, Arianha Montelongo, Jodee-Anne Pagusan, Janelle Pham, Gina Pinsakul, Omar Sultan, Aryaman Trikala, Aaron Tsay, and Brandon Tueng.

“These students are remarkable and exemplify why we have the best IBCP-PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program in the state,” said instructional dean Barbie Cole.

Additionally, three students received special awards for displaying exemplary effort during the course of the program: Brandon Yeung – Enthusiastic Learner, Samuel Chien – Excellence in Biomedical Science, and Chriselle Badua – Exemplary IB Learner.

PLTW teachers Chiara Morgan, Bryn Schultz, and Ellie Blanchard presented awards during the event attended by families, staff, and District officials.

The Walnut High students displayed knowledge, ability, and aptitude in the area of biomedical science.

Brandon Yueng said he discovered his career path during the program. The 17-year-old is looking at going into anesthesiology or cardiology.

“While we were studying the human body systems I did really well on the heart and circulation. So, I started getting more interested and then learned about it in our career journals,” he said.

Walnut High has also been selected as a 2018 PLTW Distinguished High School. The award is designed to honor schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in the PTLW program.
Since launching in 2013, Walnut High has remained the only school in the state to offer both IBCP with the PLTW Biomedical Sciences program as its career-related component.

There are currently only 179 IBCP schools worldwide, 96 in the United States, and three in California.

Being a part of this program has meant a lot to this group, Chien added.

“We’ve been together in so many classes, not just the IBCP program, and we’ve developed great friendships!”

The program requires students to complete four biomedical science courses and two IB diploma courses with end-of-year exams in each. Students also complete a personal and professional skills course, numerous service-learning projects, and a written reflective project.

The white lab coat is the distinctive dress of the biomedical scientist. Receiving or wearing the coat denotes that the wearer is not only deserving of the respect for his profession, but also an ethical, learned person of science.

 

Rents Skyrocketing?

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

I have reported on home values rising fast in Diamond Bar. Today, wetake a look at how fast rents are increasing as well.

Home values typically follow the pattern of economic recessions, with prices increasing as the economy improves, and peaking at about the same time or slightly after the economy has reached its zenith.  Rents, however, appear to be immune to the rise and fall or cyclical nature of home prices or home values.  The predictable thing about home rental values is that over the years, they have consistently trended upward.

As an example, where home values took a dive of almost 30-40% during the Great Recession, rents maintained a level or flat trendline.  Since the end of the Great Recession in 2009, property values across the United States have come roaring back to their current heights.  The median sales price of a Diamond Bar single family residence (SFR) in the First quarter of 2018 reached a level of $735,000.  That represented an increase of 56% from the median sales price of $470,000.00 in the first quarter of 2010.

The Diamond Bar median rental rate for a Single FamilyResidence (detached) in the first quarter of 2018 stood at $2,860.00. This represented an increase of 30% from the median rental rate of $2,200.00   where it was in the middle of the aftermath of the Great Recession.  This represents an increase of $660.00 per month, which is not an insignificant number, but it is not the “stratospheric” increase seen in the  single family resale market values.  The rate of increase of rentals (30%) in the same period has been almost half of what the rate of the median price increase of homes values (56%) from 2010 to 2018.

Next week we will look at the Diamond Bar Townhome and Condominium rental market, and the comparison of rental for that type of property to the single family residential (detached).

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.

 

Free Dessert For MOMS!

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Treat Mom to a wonderful Mother’s Day this Sunday May 13 at The Whole Enchilada and let her get a FREE DESSERT!  Moms deserve to have the day off and relax, and enjoy a delicious meal of their Mexican favorites – like sizzling Fajitas, Carnitas, or Chili Colorado! The Whole Enchilada is a delicious and festive place to treat mom on her special day.

Having a Mother’s Day Fiesta at home? Don’t spend time away from mom cooking, let them do all the work by having The Whole Enchilada cater your celebration! If the party is somewhere else then bring a platter to the party! Delectable handmade tamales – available year round – as well as street tacos and taquitos with all the fixings can be the hit of your celebration.

“All our food is made fresh daily,” says Lil Palmer of The Whole Enchilada. From delicious tamales to seafood enchiladas. Fresh guacamole and housemade salsa. Home made fresh delicious Mexican food!

From specialties and favorites of the house to healthy, lighter options, The Whole Enchilada offers fresh, authentic Mexican recipes their resident chef brought from their homeland. They guarantee you will enjoy your dining experience.

The celebration doesn’t stop with just one visit.  The Whole Enchilada has gift cards available for purchase in person or online.  It’s the perfect gift for Moms and grads!  And be sure to ask about the Combo Punch Card, and Enchilada Bucks.

The restaurant has been in business for over 30 years, offering a variety of tasty Mexican dishes and outstanding service.  The Whole Enchilada wants to become your local favorite, and they look forward to helping you celebrate the special moments in your life.

Don’t deny your taste buds this Mother’s Day, visit the Whole Enchilada soon!

The Whole Enchilada is located at 1114 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., (at the north east corner of Grand Avenue in Diamond Bar, in the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market center). You can reach them at (909) 861-5340, and visit their website at www.wholeenchilada.com.(For more info see their ad on the back page of this paper or online at www.OurWeeklyNews.com)

There Are Many Things

By Anthony Saude

There are many things in this country and the world that will make you scratch you head and wonder, “what the heck is wrong with people.”

There are many things that start working on our mind the minute we wake up every morning.

There are many things that could continue to work on your mind all day and all night until you go to sleep, if you can sleep that is.

There are many things that can and can make us sad, mad, bitter, and anxious and a host of other thoughts or feelings that can confirm how ugly we feel about life or ourselves.

There are many things in this beautiful country and world that will make you scratch your head and wonder, “how are these people so positive and happy all the time” (what the heck is wrong with people)

There are many things, to be thankful for that can start working on our minds the minute we wake up every morning. (waking up at all)

There are many things that could continue to work on our minds all day and all night until we go to sleep. (how beautiful our country and world are, God made another day etc…)

There are many things that can make us happy, loving, compassionate and encouraging to others today and the days ahead.

THERE ARE MANY THINGS to chose from both positive and negative in this beautiful thing we call life. What day will you chose to for yourself to have today?

How to Care for Your Eyes as You Age

StatePoint

As we age, our bodies don’t perform as well as they once did, and vision is no exception. However, early detection and treatment of eye problems and diseases through an eye exam is the best way to protect your eyes and overall health.

To help keep your eyes healthy for years to come, consider the following tips.

  • Eat an eye-healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables, especially carrots and dark leafy greens, provide a hefty punch of key vitamins and a key vision protecting-substance called lutein. Find some new recipes to make filling up on these nutritious choices both delicious and fun.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Did you know that by eating healthy portions, exercising regularly and doing your best to maintain a healthy weight, you can reduce your risk of cataracts? Conditions such as obesity and diabetes can lead to vision problems like cataracts.
  • Protect eyes from blue light. Most people today spend a lot of time in front of digital screens, such as smartphones, computers and televisions. These devices emit high-energy blue light, which causes digital eye strain that can lead to headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes and even neck pain. Ask your eye doctor about the best options to help reduce eye strain.
  • Get an eye exam. A yearly eye exam is one of the easiest and most important ways to reduce your odds of vision loss and protect your eyes. And it can also help you monitor and protect your overall health. Whether or not you wear glasses, be sure to schedule this crucial appointment. A routine eye exam can help detect signs of serious health conditions, like diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure glaucoma and macular degeneration. Because more obvious symptoms of some health conditions don’t always appear until damage has already occurred, routine eye exams are a good way of keeping tabs on what’s happening in your body.
  • Make sure you have vision coverage. Do you have vision coverage through Medicare? Review your plan. Many people don’t realize that Traditional Medicare doesn’t cover routine eye exams, glasses or contact lenses. Check out such affordable options as VSP Individual Vision Plans, which offer comprehensive coverage with low out-of-pocket costs, savings on frames and lens enhancements such as progressives, and the ability to see the doctor you know and trust. Plans begin as low as $13 per month. For more information or to enroll, visit GetVSPDirect.com or call 877-988-4746.

With a few key daily and annual habits, you can make eye health the priority it needs to be as you age.

 

Volunteer Recognition and Pinning Ceremony

By Anthony Saude
Diamond Bar – On April 26, the Sheriff’s Department held their annual Volunteer Recognition award and Pinning Ceremony at the STARS Center in Whittier. STARS is the primary training site for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Deputy Explorer program and is a learning for life certified law enforcement explorer academy.

This event recognizes Civilian Volunteers who have donated in excess of 5,000 hours of their time. The Helen Reardon award is presented annually in recognition of the Volunteer of the Year. All those who were nominated for the Helen Reardon Volunteer of the Year Award were recognized and honored.

The Walnut Station Booster Club President Gil Rivera was presented with the Helen Reardon Award this year. “Gil was nominated due to his countless hours of working to keep the Booster Club financially secure and successful,” said Sgt. Saldecke. “I was surprised and honored to win the award,” said Gil. “It represents the hundreds of hours that are put in by all of the board members to ensure that we have the funds needed to support the efforts of the volunteers at the station.”

Gil, along with the Booster Club Board of Directors, work tirelessly to ensure funding for our Disaster Communications Service, Explorer, Reserve Deputy, and all the Volunteer Programs training and equipment needs.

 

 

 

Collegewood 2nd graders celebrate Earth Day

 Kelli Gile

WALNUT —Second graders at Collegewood Elementary paid tribute to Mother Earth with a day of “outdoor school” on April 22.

About 100 students rotated through stations while learning about recycling, repurposing, and more.

“Our kids need to practice Earth Day every day so that their future will be clean and bright!” said teacher Betsy Hale.

The youngsters planted herb and flower seeds in empty milk cartons and crafted simple bird feeders from pipe cleaners and cereal rounds to hang on trees and bushes on campus.

“They love watering the plants and watching them grow!” shared teacher Elvonne Vance.

Teacher Stephanie Johnson offered a lesson on water cycles using sandwich bags and food coloring that she found on Pinterest.

“I had them draw a water line at the bottom of the Ziploc and a sun at the top to begin the science experiment,” she explained.

Each student filled the bottom of the baggie with water and then carefully squeezed in a couple drops of blue dye before taping to a window.

The food coloring would enable them see the water evaporate in the warm sunlight, condense back into liquid, and fall back down in the form of precipitation after a few days.

The youngsters also created Earth Day posters using paper bags with handles, old crayons, paper scraps, and art pastels.

“Take care of the Earth, we only have one!” wrote Paloma Pasquil.

“We should take care of our Earth every day,” added Danika Pe.

The activities covered all curricular areas including math, science, reading, writing, and art.

The children enjoyed games of golf and croquet on the grass while listening to ecology-themed songs

“It was good old-fashioned play – no electronics!” said Hale who even received a couple thank you notes afterward.

“Events like this are remembered!” she exclaimed.

 

Motorcycle Awareness Month in May

Staff Reports

Pomona – In order to reduce motorcycle crashes and save lives, Pomona Police Department and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) are teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this May for the annual Motorcycle Safety Awareness campaign to help save lives on our roadways. The awareness campaign aims to educate vehicle drivers and motorcyclists on how each motorist can be more aware of the other, creating safer roads and saving lives in the process.
Pomona Police Department will join law enforcement throughout the state to step up enforcement along with awareness efforts to lower motorcycle deaths and injuries during the May campaign.  Officers will have a special emphasis this month on enforcing all traffic violations by both drivers and motorcyclists, deploying Saturation Patrols throughout the month of May.
According to NHTSA, motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2015, while motorcycles make up just 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States. In 2016, 5,286 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes – a 6 percent increase from the 4,976 killed in 2015. More than 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in motor vehicle crashes.
Recent data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles shows there are more than 900,000 registered motorcycles in the state and more than 1.4 million licensed riders.  In 2016, 560 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes in California– an 11 percent increase from the 494 killed in 2015. More than 14,400 motorcyclists were injured in motor vehicle crashes.
Pomona Police Department has these general tips to drivers on how to prevent a fatal crash with a motorcycle:

Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, motorist can do their part by sharing the road.

Always us a turn signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.

If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful: motorcycle signals are often non-canceling and could have been forgotten. Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding.

Stay alert, check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic.

Always allow more following distance, follow at a safe distance when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.

Never drive distracted or impaired.

Motorcyclists can increase their safety by following these steps:

Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear.

Ride safely when lane sharing and always proceed at safe speeds.

Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed.

Use turn signals at every lane change or turn.

Wear brightly colored clothes and reflective tape to increase visibility.

Ride safely when lane sharing and always proceed at safe speeds.

Never ride distracted or impaired.

The Office of Traffic Safety encourages all riders, new and experienced, to enroll in the California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP).  The CMSP was developed in July 1987 and has training sites throughout the state.  The CMSP trains approximately 60,000 motorcyclists per year and has trained more than 1.1 million motorcycle riders.  For more information, or to find a training site near you, visit californiamotorcyclist.com.
The Motorcycle Safety Saturation Patrols are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety.

Remember: Riders and Drivers Can Work Together to Save Lives.