Category Archives: The Weekly News

Tex-Mex Tilapia

with Cilantro Lime Couscous and Green Beans

 

By Hello Fresh

 

Cooking Time: 20 mins

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 600 Calories

Ingredients:

 

  • Veggie Stock Concentrate- 2
  • Cilantro-1/2 oz
  • Lime- 2
  • Panko Breadcrumbs- 1 cup
  • Southwest Spice Blend- 2 tbsp
  • Couscous- 1 cup
  • Tilapia- 22 oz
  • Sour Cream- 10 tbsp
  • Chipotle Powder- 1 tsp
  • Green Beans- 12 oz

 

 

1  HEAT STOCK AND PREP.    Wash and dry all produce except green beans. Bring ¾ cup water, stock concentrate, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small pot. Finely chop cilantro. Cut lime into wedges. Stir together panko and Southwest spice in a shallow dish or bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

 

2  COOK COUSCOUS.     Once stock is boiling, add couscous to pot. Cover, then remove from heat. Let stand, covered, until liquid is absorbed and grains are tender.

 

3 COAT FISH.       Brush tilapia all over with 2 tbsp sour cream (1 pack). Season with salt and pepper. Dip each fillet into panko mixture, coating all over and pressing to adhere.

 

4  COOK FISH.       Heat a thin layer of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat (we used 2 TBSP oil; use a nonstick pan if you have one). Add tilapia to pan and cook until flesh is opaque and panko is golden brown, 4-5 minutes per side.

 

5  MAKE CREMA AND STEAM GREEN BEANS.    While fish cooks, combine remaining sour cream, a squeeze of lime, and chipotle powder (to taste) in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Pierce green bean bag with a fork and place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes (or until green beans are tender), then carefully remove green beans from bag.

 

6  FINISH AND SERVE.     Fluff couscous with a fork, then stir in half the cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Season with salt and pepper. Divide between plates, then place tilapia on top. Dollop with crema. Season green beans with salt and pepper and serve on the side. Sprinkle remaining cilantro over everything. Serve with any remaining lime wedges.

What to Know About Your Drinking Water

By StatePoint

Having clean, uncontaminated water to drink at home and on-the-go is one of the most essential components to keeping your family safe and healthy.

Unfortunately, safe water is not necessarily a given. A recent study, published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that in 2015, nearly 21 million people relied on community water systems that violated health-based quality standards. What’s more, the risks to your tap water are heightened during special circumstances like natural disasters and other emergencies.

To help ensure you are hydrating healthfully all the time — at home, in your community, on trips or in emergencies – consider investing in an easy-to-maintain water filtration device that can be used anywhere in order to improve water quality.

One example is LifeStraw, first introduced for people in developing countries without access to safe water and for victims following natural disasters. The company now makes a range of water filters and purifiers designed for uses like emergency preparedness, outdoor recreation, travel and everyday hydration. The refillable LifeStraw Go 2-Stage water bottle features a built-in filter, and removes 99.9999 percent of waterborne bacteria (including E. coli and salmonella), 99.999 percent of protozoa while also reducing chlorine organic chemical matter and bad taste. Suitable for kids, the LifeStraw Play model, a 10-oz water bottle designed for everyday use, incorporates the same technology with a sturdy kid-friendly leak-proof design. LifeStraw is available online and at your local Walmart, Target and Sam’s Club.

What’s great is this is also a company that gives back — for every LifeStraw product purchased, a school child in a community in need receives safe water for an entire school year. So far, the program has supported more than one million school children.

Keep in mind that access to clean water is a persistent and global issue. By 2050, at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortages of fresh water, according to the United Nations. This highlights the growing need to take precautions both at home and when you travel, and to invest in products that give back.

To do everything you can to keep your family healthy and safe, start by taking steps to improve the water you drink.

License Plate Recognition System Pays Off

Police Chase ends in Crash

By Anthony Saude

Chino-Two men, who were reportedly driving a stolen pickup truck, were spotted by Chino Police Officers near the intersection of Kimball and Cypress avenues late in the morning on Monday, March 19. According to police the vehicle had been reported as stolen from Fontana earlier that morning.

When officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver of the vehicle sped away on El Prado Road and south towards Pine next to El Prado Golf Course in attempt to evade police. After leading the officers on a short high speed chase the driver of the truck lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a chain-link fence and nearly struck a tree.

Neither of the suspects had been identified at the time but it was the license plate recognition system that helped officers identify the vehicle. The system has only recently been activated in the City of Chino. It is a system that alerts police to stolen cars or cars used in other reported crimes. Surrounding cities that have implemented systems like these have seen a significant impact in crime reduction. The system looks  like it might just meet the anticipated benefits that were talked about in August meetings. Real numbers the system may be recording on crime reduction are not available at this early date but it seems to be off to a good start.

The pair of suspects that were in the vehicle could be arrested and booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. ■

 

 

 

Fatal Traffic Accident

Staff Reports

Corona – On Friday, March 16, 2018, at approximately 9:14 a.m., the Corona Police Department and the Corona Fire Department responded to a traffic collision involving two vehicles near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and All American Way.
Upon arrival, bystanders were performing C.P.R. on one of the involved drivers. Paramedics, the Corona Fire Department and American Medical Response took over the patients’ care at the scene. After attempting to resuscitate the driver for several minutes, the driver was pronounced deceased.
The other driver at the scene suffered minor injuries but did not require immediate medical attention. The two vehicles at the scene sustained major collision damage and needed to be towed. Several hours later, it was determined that a third vehicle was involved in the collision but had unknowingly left the scene. The third driver later returned to the scene and provided a statement. Their vehicle suffered only minor damage and they were not injured. It has not yet been determined if drugs or alcohol were a factor in this collision.
The Riverside County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene. The name of the deceased driver is being withheld at this time pending notification to their family. The Corona Police Department Collision Response Team started their investigation of this collision and it is ongoing. Magnolia Avenue between All American Way and Trademark Circle was closed for several hours in order to complete the investigation, and is expected to reopen by approximately 6:30 p.m. this evening.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Officer Jason Gardner at 951-817-5784 or by emailing him at Jason.Gardner@CoronaCA.gov

DA Finds Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Chino Justified

Staff Reports

SAN BERNARDINO – The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has completed its review of the fatal officer-involved shooting of 56-year-old Stephen Austin of Chino by Chino Police Officer John Burg, Coproral Margarito Jacquez and Sergeant Nicholas Marotta by on March 9, 2016.

Based on the facts presented in the reports and the applicable law, the use of deadly force utilized by all three officers was a proper exercise of their right of self-defense and the defense of others and therefore their actions were legally justified.

The report of the written case evaluation is available at http://www.sbcountyda.org by selecting Press Releases under the Newsroom tab at the top of the home page.

Contact: Christopher Lee, Public Affairs Officer (909) 382-3665 or via email at clee@sbcda.org or via text at (909) 782-5559

 

 

Are You Living to Die or Dying To Live?

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

Our lives are truly about our mindset and how we view our lives.  I must ask you if you are living to die or are you dying to live.  These two ways for which people live sure do look and sound the same but they couldn’t be more different.  Take a look at the first one, living to die.  To me that means the person is merely existing and just going through the motions until they die.  I don’t believe there is much joy or quality of life with this style of life.  I believe a pretty unhappy and dissatisfied person lives according to the idea of living to die. Now on the other hand a person who is dying to live has a life of joy and quality.  I believe they are satisfied with their lives and appreciate each and every day they are honored with life.

So how do you live?  Which of these two mottos do you follow? It’s never too late to change.  It all starts by changing your mindset.  It starts by letting go of your past, forgiving yourself and others and on being grateful each and every day we are honored to be here.  As you begin the healing process your mindset will start to help you see all the good in everyday and you will start to feel empowered by the self- induced changes in you and the way you think.

I hope the change will start by reading this article.  I hope you believe you deserve a better life and use this as a road map to take you there.  I have faith in you that you can make the change and get the life you are worthy of!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancystoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

 

Do You Know This Man? Armed Robbery Suspect Sought

By Anthony Saude

DIAMOND BAR— “On March 11, at approximately 1:30 p.m. A male suspect entered the Chevron gas station on Diamond Bar Boulevard. He was brandished a handgun and demanded that the clerk give him all the money.”  The suspect has been described as a Hispanic man wearing a red long sleeve jacket that had an unidentified logo, white beanie, and black turtleneck. He was wearing white skinny jeans and his red shoes had white shoe laces.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Walnut/Diamond Bar station is now seeking this brightly dressed suspect. They are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, from 25 to 30 years old, approximately 5’8″ tall, 160 to 170 pounds, with a thin mustache.

The Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information as to the identity of this suspect to please contact Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station Detectives at (909) 595-2264 or (909) 890-2833.

Los Angeles County Sheriff/ Walnut / Diamond Bar Division Photo

 

Decorating For Easter

By Mark Hopper

One of my least favorite assignments is to “get the boxes down from the attic.”  I hear these words several times a year, when my wife wants to decorate our house for a new season.

 

The largest number of storage boxes contain Christmas decorations.  Most of these are stored on shelves in the garage.  There are fewer Fall decorations and these are stored in the attic space above the garage.

 

Each of these seasonal decorations contribute to the festive atmosphere in our house for a few weeks.   My job is to get them down and put them away again.

 

Now that Spring is coming, I heard those familiar words again recently.  My wife asked me if I would “get the Easter boxes down from the attic”.  There was a sense of urgency in her voice because two of our granddaughters were coming to our house and she wanted to let them help decorate.

 

I’m not sure who had more fun, the grandchildren or my wife.  These two young girls had a wonderful time discovering the variety of decorations in those boxes.  They couldn’t believe all the neat stuff that Grammy had collected.  They loved finding places to put the decorations all over our house.

 

I noticed the sparkle in my wife’s eye and the smile on her face as she watched the enthusiasm of her young assistants.  It was enjoyable to watch Grammy and her girls decorate our house for Easter.

 

I don’t know how the seasonal decorating goes on in your house, but I know it is important at our house.   My wife enjoyed it very much and so did her young helpers!

 

This year Easter will be on Sunday, March 27th.  Our church will be having three Easter Sunday services at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 a.m.  We will also have one service on Good Friday, March 25th, at 7:00 p.m.

 

Easter is the day when Christians around the world celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.  The Bible says that Jesus died on the Cross and rose from the dead to pay for our sins and to purchase a place for us in heaven.  I hope you will take time to celebrate Easter this year.  Get out those decorations.  Get up and go to church to celebrate that Jesus is alive!

 

If you don’t have a church home, we would be delighted to have you worship with us on Easter Sunday.   You will be glad you did and we will be too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Easter Sunday Services: 8:30 / 10:00 / 11:30 AM

Efreedb.org

“Hop” Over To The DB Egg Hunt March 31

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Diamond Bar’s popular annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 31 at Pantera Park, 738 Pantera Drive.  Over 11,000 colorful treat-filled eggs will be spread throughout the park for children under 12-years-old.

This springtime event will start at 8:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and professional photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny for a nominal fee.  Don’t forget to buy a raffle ticket from Miss Diamond Bar and her court; then say hi to the Easter Bunny’s “peeps”!

The FREE egg hunt will start at 10 a.m. sharp with separate egg hunting areas for the following age groups:

  • Parent-assisted
  • 4 years old and younger
  • 5- and 6-year-olds
  • 7- and 8-year-olds
  • 8- and 10-year-olds
  • 11- and 12-year-olds

It’s recommended that you and your family arrive to the egg hunt early so you don’t miss out on the hunting fun!

A special thanks goes to the City of Diamond Bar and the Diamond Bar Breakfast Lions Club for sponsoring this annual egg-citing event.  For more information, visit http://www.diamondbarca.gov/specialevents or call 909-939-7070.

 

Conquering Sugar Cravings

By Nia Saldana

Did you know that sugar and processed foods are as addictive as heroin and cocaine? It’s no wonder so many people are addicted to sugar.

“Sweet is the first taste humans prefer from birth,” says Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, a dietitian and American Dietetic Association (ADA) spokeswoman. She has also said that the sweet taste releases endorphins that help us calm down and relax, giving us a natural high.

Experts worry that since sugar makes up a third of our calorie intake, sugar overload is contributing to diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Researchers at Yale University have revealed that after eating bad carbohydrates such as sugars and carbs, cause dramatic drops in blood sugar levels. The drop can leads to loss of self-control and cravings when it comes to high-calorie foods.

When trying to stop sugar cravings, it is important to never go hungry. Skipping a meal or two lowers the body’s blood sugar causing you to overeat to make up for the lost calories. Eating three balanced meals a day with two snacks keep your blood sugar stable reducing cravings.

Most people are guilty of having a sweet tooth especially in the evening hours after dinner. There are healthier ways to satisfy these cravings, such as fruits, smoothies, or even dark chocolates can be healthy than donuts and candies.

Here are a few examples of healthier sweet tooth remedies:

Yogurt Parfait ( about 300 calories)

Cereal and Milk (about 110 calories)

Fresh Fruit (about 54 calories)

Dark Chocolate ( about 155 calories)

Smoothie (about 90 calories)

Graham Crackers ( about 320 calories)

Remember to keep a positive mindset when trying to crush these cravings!

 

Buying Tires for Your Car? What to Consider

Courtesy: Statepoint

By StatePoint

Purchasing new tires for your car can be frustrating: an average of two hours is spent researching tires and 89 percent of all consumers experience some sort of buyer’s remorse, according to a consumer study by Cooper Tires.

To help, the experts at Cooper Tires are offering easy ways to identify when you need new tires, as well as tips on what to consider in the tire buying process.

The Penny Test

Tire tread should be more than 2/32 of an inch deep. Check by inserting a U.S. penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If the top of Lincoln’s head is covered by tread, there’s at least a minimum acceptable amount of tread. If the top of his head is visible at any point, it’s time to replace your tires.

Even before tread is worn, regularly inspect tires for cuts, cracks, splits, punctures, bulges and uneven wear patterns. Also, replace all tires, (including full-size spares) that are 10 or more years older than their date of manufacture, or follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

Know the Right Size

Like with shoes, buying the proper tire size is critical. Consult the information placard found on the driver’s side doorjamb, glove box, fuel door or vehicle manufacturer’s manual, which also contains technical specifications relating to your tire, including load carrying capacity, speed rating and recommended inflation pressures. For maximum safety and performance, follow these recommendations carefully.

If you don’t have this information handy, consult a tire professional to have all your questions answered, and check out the three-step tire guide from Cooper Tires, which can help you narrow down the choices by car/minivan, SUV/CUV or truck. You can find this guide at us.coopertire.com.

Other Considerations

There are many factors to consider when selecting tires to fit your needs, including the following:

• Do you need dedicated winter tires, dedicated summer tires or all-season tires? Think about where you travel over the course of the year.

• Do you have a long commute or take long road trips? Consider expected mileage, ride comfort, fuel efficiency and if the tires are quiet.

• Do you have a sports car or do a lot of spirited driving? You may need tires that focus on handling and are developed for high-performance cars.

• Do you drive in rain? Consider the tires’ wet braking distance.

• Do you drive off-road? If you spend a significant amount of time on mud tackling adventures, dedicated off-road tires may be your best bet.

At the Store

Be sure to ask what services are included in the quoted price. And remember, if your selected tires are not immediately available, you can often have them ordered. It may be helpful to call ahead if you know what you need. To find a retailer near you, visit us.coopertire.com/find-a-store.

Final Thoughts

Not all tire damage that can lead to tire failure is outwardly visible. Used tires, should be considered dangerous. Buy and install only new tires. Whenever possible, replace all tires at the same time. However, if you can only purchase two, the new pair should always be installed on the rear axle.

Your tires are the only parts of your car that connect to the road. Select tires carefully, then properly maintain and inspect them over time.

William Radcliffe is an Attorney You Can Trust

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – Hiring an attorney can be very intimidating and let’s face it the industry doesn’t exactly have a “trustworthy” reputation. We should be careful and ask some questions when we do need an attorney. What questions should we ask before we actually hire an attorney? First, how long have they been practicing law? Second, who are they, what evidence do we have of their honesty and integrity? Third, do we believe they actually care about us, our case and not just the money? Also we have to ask can we afford the legal fees and will this firm give me the most bang for my buck?

In a society where money is king and less costs more with every passing day finding an attorney that we can trust and afford can be like finding a needle in a haystack.

William Radcliffe is the attorney that not only answers these questions positively but exceeds expectations in his areas of expertise.

William became one of the youngest attorneys in California at the age of 23. He began his career 32 years ago working with his father John Radcliffe, a well known and respected personal injury attorney in Covina.

In 1986 William married his wife Bonnie who was a legal secretary at a law firm in Ontario at the time. “Bonnie’s Paralegal” processed uncontested divorces and became very successful while William continues to work with his father. After some time William decided to start his own law practice and with Bonnie’s business serving as a client base it was a no brainer for them. William Radcliffe Law Offices became one of the first law firms that offered traditional attorney representation as well as assisting people in representing themselves in cases that didn’t really need attorney assistance.

In the 1990’s the business expanded their services to bankruptcies and a few years later added Wills and Trusts to their growing list of services. “Experience in the area of your need is important” says William. “I think someone who will try to keep the Client’s legal expenses to a minimum is important and that is what got us to where we are today” William added. William said, “we know that not everybody can afford a large legal retainer and no one wants to spend more money than is necessary so if all they need is a paralegal we are there for them”.

Whether you need traditional attorney representation or simply some legal assistance The Law office of William Radcliffe will assess your case and do “whatever it takes” to give you the most cost effective legal assistance plan available today.

“Every Client will receive hands on personal service from an attorney every step of the way through their case” says William. William Radcliffe law offices are always keeping their eyes open to what the latest needs might be for future clients. They are constantly looking at what other offices are doing and what the current trends are for the legal needs of the people. “We now see that mediation is a common trend in the industry today and that ties into our philosophy of helping our clients avoid runaway attorney fees”.

William Radcliffe is bringing these philosophies to Orange County to help even more people by showing them that there is somebody out there trying to help them with this need in an industry that just put simply doesn’t have that type of reputation.

The main office is in Chino/Chino Hills but they also see clients in their home office in San Clemente where he and Bonnie reside. They are involved in the Children’s Ministry at Saddleback Church in San Clemente and provide legal service to the public at the church’s PEACE center.

Bankruptcy, Wills, Trusts and Divorces contested and uncontested services available at reasonable prices. You can contact William Radcliffe at (909)597-3633 or docoflaw@aol.com. Go to www.docoflaw.com for further information.

 

Diamond Bar Students Rocking The Kindness

Courtesy: WVUSD

By Kelli Gile

Diamond Bar—Quail Summit Elementary students are rocking their commitment to spreading kindness.

On Wednesday, the 645 students at the Diamond Bar campus each took home a rock in their backpacks.

But these were no ordinary rocks.

The children painted colorful heart designs with personal messages of kindness, hope, joy, compassion, or strength on the small gray stones.

In the coming days and weeks, these kindness rocks, as they are called, will be left around the community, state, and even the world.

The school is marking its 30th anniversary with a week of caring and compassionate activities.

“We want to spread a positive message to others,” said elementary learning specialist Leann Legind.

The children hope that their kindness offerings will make a difference in the lives of the lucky recipients.

“I want our messages to inspire people,” said fifth grader Lanna Xiao, age 11.

“My rock says “You are special,” shared first grader Emma Johnson, age 6.

“I hope it makes someone feel good!”

“It was fun painting them!” said classmate Aiden Chang.

“I feel like I’m sharing kindness with the world even if it’s just one little way,” said 5th grader Evelyn Wu who decorated her rock with a heart and three flowers.

The nine-year-old penned “Have faith in your heart” on the back of the rock she plans to deliver while on vacation to Taiwan this summer.

Third grader Amy Song wrote “Even though you think no one cares, I care!” and classmate Kyle Chen declared “You are wonderful” on their rocks.

Each kindness rock also comes with a tiny card describing the schoolwide project.

“This gift is for you! Turn the rock over and know that these words came from a child’s heart to yours. Know that someone in this world cares about you!”

Recipients are encouraged to post a message on the “Quail Summit Rocks Kindness” Facebook page.

“I’m probably going to put it in our town!” Chen said.

Fifth grader Bethany Li decided to paint “Hopeful” on her kindness rock after singing at the school’s talent show.

“I performed a song called “Hopeful” with an anti-bullying message,” she said.

Another fifth grader, Wynnson Notomihardjo, age 10, wrote “Honor one another” on his gift.

“I picked it because even if you get mad you should forgive people,” he shared.

“I see many people who give up on their goals, said Anderson Zhu about his “Conquer your dreams” message.

“If you don’t succeed try, try again!” Saym Waraich, age 10, said on his kindness rock.

“A lot of people in this world give up. I believe you should try again until you get it!” he said.

The “School with a Heart” is hosting daily kindness activities including “I can make a chain-ge in this world” paper chains and kindness notes posted around the campus, and an 80’s-themed dress up day to commemorate the school’s opening.

 

I Can’t Wait!!!

By Anthony Saude

I can’t wait until I am a grown up, then I will be able to do whatever I want to. What parent hasn’t spoken or heard those words multiple times in their lives. The super special secret that only the grownups are privileged enough to know that most baloney filled statement ever made.

Grownups long for the days when we were kids, except of course when we were kids. I wonder if this is where the human condition of “wanting what you can’t have” started. We try to tell our kids that they have it easy now that they are kids and then we kill ourselves to make it even easier.

What happens during that time that we are waiting that gives grownups amnesia? We forget the reality is that our kids on a whole in America don’t have it tough. Of course some do, there are always exceptions. Physical, emotional and sexual abuse are real things and we need to be on the lookout for signs. But, that is a story for a different day.

I wish for the days when I could do whatever I wanted. I would trade a cooking dinner for a bedtime. I would trade a mortgage for cleaning my room. I would trade an electricity bill for washing the dishes. I would trade the grocery bill for my meals being chosen for me, I could go on all day.

So young people while you wait enjoy yourself, older folks we don’t get to go back so enjoy yourself. You are where the youngsters want to be.

Where Will Our Children Buy?

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

Some have likened living and raising a family in the wonderful community of Diamond Bar to the “fantasyland life experienced at Disneyland”. Many longtime residents of Diamond Bar have worked their way up to being able to afford this safe and beautiful community.  The comparison of where they live now to where they were raised leads to that dialogue. The question that came up in conversation the other day (and has at many previous times) was, “Where will our children be able to afford to buy a home?”

A few weeks ago I wrote on the decreasing affordability of housing in Diamond Bar. The issue is being raised in many communities across the country, so it is not a problem unique to Diamond Bar. The issue is fairly simple…the price of housing is more expensive the more desirable the Community is. Diamond Bar is one of the safest communities in the State of California, and the housing stock is newer in comparison to many of the surrounding neighborhoods, making it a very desirable and highly competitive market. It is renowned for its high performing schools throughout the world, and foreign nationals seek to purchase homes in Diamond Bar for that very reason.

A few weeks ago I wrote an article detailing the median income necessary to qualify for the median sales price of a detached single family residence (SFR). It was quite an eye-opener to see that the annual income necessary to qualify to purchase that home was $165,000.00. Not only is that income necessary to qualify, but in order to do so, a buyer would have to put $150,000.00 as a down payment.  Quite a daunting task for most 20-something or 30-something year olds.

The answer to the question “Where will our children be able to afford to buy a home?” raised above came quickly from someone who overheard our conversation…”Far, Far away!” came the immediate response! The higher the prices go, the further one has to travel inland to find affordable prices…Think Inland Empire, or even further into outlying less expensive communities.  Many are choosing to go to  other states, such as Nevada, Arizona, and Texas.  Those are definitely more affordable Housing markets!

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

History 101

March 24, 1989Exxon Valdez runs aground in Alaska

History.com

On this day in 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker hits a reef in Alaska’s Prince William Sound, resulting in an enormous oil spill. Though there were no human victims of the crash, hundreds of miles of pristine coastline became coated with oil and thousands of sea birds, mammals and fish perished in the disaster.

The Valdez was delivered to Exxon in 1986 and named after the Alaskan port terminal where oil was sent out to the main 48 states. It was capable of carrying 200,000 tons of crude oil and was usually manned by a 20-person crew. On the night of March 23, the ship left port in Valdez at about 9 p.m. Captain Joseph Hazelwood was in charge, but handed over the piloting of the ship to Third Mate Greg Cousins shortly into the journey. Just after midnight, there was a miscommunication on a change of course as the Valdezmaneuvered its way through a narrow shipping lane between Bligh Reef and Busby Island in Prince William Sound.

The Valdez ran aground on the reef, puncturing the ship’s hull and sending oil spilling into the sound. Unfortunately, the response to the spill was not ideal. There was a limited attempt to use dispersants by helicopter, but there was only a small supply of them available near the site. Also, some reports suggested that dispersants, chemicals applied to the oil to push it below the surface (where it causes the most damage), were ineffective. Booms and skimmers, equipment that prevents the spread of oil in water and manually removes oil from the water, were not available for use until a full day after the spill. Unfortunately, even after the booms and skimmers were finally brought into service, they often broke down and were thus also not completely effective.

Overall, the Valdez spilled close to 30 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound over several days. Beaches in the Knight Island chain were covered in oil. The primary victims of the oil were sea birds. Some estimate that as many as 250,000 of the birds were killed, as well as several thousand sea otters and hundreds of seals and bald eagles. Salmon and herring egg losses were also extensive. In total, about 800 miles of coastline were damaged by the oil.

The Valdez accident led to a long series of lawsuits and legislative changes. Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which included a clause banning the Valdez from Alaska. A jury in Anchorage, Alaska, awarded millions of dollars in damages against Exxon to the affected Alaskan communities as well as a $5 billion punitive-damage award. On appeal, the 9th Circuit Court ruled that the judge had to reduce the award. When the judge reduced it only slightly, Exxon appealed again and even many years after the incident, the ultimate resolution was still in doubt. Captain Hazelwood was accused of being intoxicated at the time of the accident, but such allegations were never fully proven. He was, however, convicted of negligence, fined and ordered to perform community service.

After undergoing $30 million in repairs, the Valdez was renamed Sea River Mediterranean and returned to service, but is no longer used in Alaska.

 

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 3.24.18

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: Weekly03.24.2018

March for Our Lives Event on March 24th

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar—Diamond Bar United Church of Christ, 2335 South Diamond Bar Blvd., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, will hold a march in front of the church campus on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

The DBUCC event is being offered as a local alternative to larger but more distant marches taking place throughout Southern California. The church is responding to the call for nationwide marches made by students from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, after 17 students and staff were killed on February 14, 2018. Earlier this month about fifty church members, neighbors, and members of the community participated in a morning candlelight vigil, to show their support for students and parents driving to Diamond Bar High School on the day of the national school walkouts, March 14th.  Participants carried signs and candles while motorists honked and waved their support as they commuted down Diamond Bar Blvd.

Residents of Diamond Bar and surrounding communities are invited to participate in the DBUCC march, which will take place around the church’s memorial display commemorating gun violence victims, including 17 crosses clustered together in memory of the Parkland victims.  Pastor Jeanne Favreau-Sorvillo will begin the march with prayer and a call to action against gun violence in schools and in all public places. “We must remember that gun violence impacts us all by threatening our sense of safety for ourselves and for our loved ones. We are obligated not only to pray but to act in tangible ways to bring about meaningful change. We must never again be forced to bring out our memorial display.”

Diamond Bar United Church of Christ is a progressive church that seeks to link its faith to social justice issues. The church believes that God’s love embraces all persons equally, no matter their gender, race, or sexual identity; that the social expression of love is justice, and that God calls us to be peacemakers. We wish for an open and embracing community of faith within which to nurture our spirit and raise our children.

Contact:  Diamond Bar United Church of Christ, Diamond Bar, California

Rev. Dr. Jeanne Favreau-Sorvillo, Pastor (909-861-4735)

Jim Hazlett, Coordinator (949-433-5756)

 

 

Parent Arrested On School Grounds

By Anthony Saude

Chino – Howard Cattle Elementary School in Chino was placed on lock down for both students and staff when school administrators had to deal with an irate parent. She was later arrested by Chino Police on suspicion of making criminal threats.

Gisele Chiquito was booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on a felony charge of making criminal threats. Jail records show Chiquito was released on $50,000 bail at 10:26 p.m.

Police were called to the school at 8:40 a.m., due to their quick and efficient response the lock down only lasted a few minutes.

“Apparently the parent was not happy with school administrators and a teacher,” police spokeswoman Monica Gutierrez said. “The parent was yelling. Police booked her on criminal threats charges.”

“School staff members called 911 and Chino Police Department were on scene within minutes,” according to a Chino Valley Unified written statement. “Cattle administration immediately worked with law enforcement on site to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff and confirm that the threat did not pose any danger to our students and staff while law enforcement conducted their investigation.”

The school district served her with a “no trespass” notice, a news release said.

“Investigators have concluded that there are no additional threats related to this investigation. The school day instruction was not interrupted by this incident and school followed the normal schedule,” district officials wrote.

 

Make Your Backyard Extreme

By Michael Armijo

Extreme Backyard Designs is located at 2330 S. Vineyard Ave. They can be reached at 909.930.6111 or online at http://www.extremebackyarddesigns.com.

Companies come and go, so longevity is key when you’re modifying your home, both inside and out. Extreme Backyard Designs is a testimony of longevity as their family run business has been designing outdoor entertainment centers with name brand components for over 20 years.

“A key component to staying in business so long is to treat people the way we would want ourselves to be treated,” said James Deeley, founder of the family business. With so many years in business, you not only get quality products, you also gets years of experience of getting things done correctly and creatively.

Extreme Backyard Designs can provide custom Barbeque islands, outdoor fireplaces, fire pit tables, spas, patio furniture, and many other items all wholesale to the public.

“We are college and trade school educated and enjoy the interaction and satisfaction of transforming backyards into a family’s personal oasis,” Deeley said. “Since we buy at such a large volume, we always have monthly specials on our website.”

The Extreme Backyard Designs staff are the most knowledgeable and friendly people in the area, as they are centrally located on the corner of the 60 Freeway and Vineyard, right across from the newest Kaiser building.

“We believe what makes a business thrive is to provide the best quality components, a superior level of customer service, while providing an affordable price,” Deeley said.

Serving all of Southern California, Extreme Backyard Designs is located at 2330 S. Vineyard Ave in our neighboring city of Ontario. They can be reached at 909.930.6111, or you can view their website at www.extremebackyarddesigns.com.