Category Archives: The Weekly News

Dress For Success

By Mark Hopper

In a recent article, I shared about some of my experiences as a pastor when I visit people in hospitals. Thousands of people work in hospitals, Technicians, clerks, nurses, surgeons, security officers and janitors all work in hospitals.       Different employees wear different clothes and uniforms. The security people wear warm jackets. The doctor’s will usually wear lab coats. The custodial crew wears another kind of uniform. Nurses often wear bright, attractive medical outfits. The people in food service may wear hair nets and aprons if they handle food in the commissary or cafeteria.

I always enjoy speaking to the employees and volunteers at the information desk. Their help is invaluable when looking for a patient in a hospital.  The people at the front desk have access to the hospital data base and they can usually find the room number of a patient quickly.

There is one individual at the front desk of a large hospital in the area that stands out in my mind. Not only is he helpful and knowledgeable, but he is dressed for success! Unlike most of the people I meet at the info desk, this man is dressed up with a suit and tie.  He looks like he could be the CEO of the hospital, not one of the regular employees at the front door.

I don’t know his name, but he is both helpful and professional as he assists people walking through the front door. I have observed him helping patients who are checking-in to the hospital and he seems to put people at ease as he directs them to the hallway or elevator they are looking for.

His professional appearance gives you the sense that he knows what he is talking about and that the information he provides is accurate. He is the best dressed front desk hospital employee I know.

The Bible cautions us to not judge people by the clothes they wear.  James warned us to not show favoritism to people who wear fine clothes and warns us to not ignore those who are dressed poorly (James 2:1-9). There are times when my wife advises me on what shirt or tie I should or should not wear.  My friends and co-workers will tell you that I am challenged when it comes to fashion and style.

However, we should give attention to the way we dress for work. Teachers usually maintain a professional appearance. Coaches and PE teachers often wear shorts and dress more casually. But, one college coach told me that he never wears a pair of shorts to a meeting with his Dean. He always puts on a pair of long pants and a collared shirt when going to a meeting in the administration building.

Let me encourage you to dress for success. We live in a generation where casual is becoming more common.  Maybe you should consider dressing up a little more for work or take time to add a new shirt or blouse to your wardrobe. You will be glad you did and others will too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

Jurupa Valley Deputy Involved Shooting

By Anthony Saude

Jurupa Valley – On Monday, December 4 a deputy from the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s station identified a vehicle that had been reported stolen earlier in the day. The deputy pulled the vehicle over to on a traffic stop near the area of Bellegrave Avenue and Van Buren to verify it was indeed the stolen vehicle.

During the traffic stop the suspect in the vehicle put the car in reverse and rammed into the the patrol unit several times and a deputy involved shooting occurred. The suspect took off and the deputy sped after the vehicle in pursuit. A short time after the pursuit began the suspect stopped and got out of the vehicle. He fled to the river bottom and ignited the car as well as the vegetation near Riverdale Place. Cal-Fire and Riverside County Fire responded to the report  of the fire to assist the Riverside City fire with the vegetation Fire.

It was reported that the Riverside Police Department assisted in locating the suspect, and after a brief struggle the suspect was arrested. Two Riverside Police Department officers sustained minor injuries during the struggle. The suspect, Clinton Althizer, 40 of Jurupa Valley was transported to a local hospital for a medical evaluation. The deputy whose car was rammed into by the suspect was taken to a local hospital as a precaution for observation. The Riverside County Sheriff’s department sent the Central Homicide Unit out to assume the investigation.

Althizer was released from the hospital as was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center located in the City of Riverside. He was booked for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace office, vehicle theft, and possession of stolen property, attempted assault on a peace officer, evading, and arson.

The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative as per Department policy. The deputy’s name won’t be released at this time. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Stoyer at (951) 955-2777

Stop The Cycle

By Sarah Sanchez 

A young girl walked down the stairs of her house on a Monday morning before school. Everyone had gone to work already except her dad.

She walked by the living room to find her dad passed out on the couch.  This was a normal view lately; he would become depressed and drink to numb the pain.  No matter what she said or what she did, he ended up drinking and laying on the couch.  So she proceeded to walk passed him as she did every morning during these episodes.

As she walked to the kitchen, she noticed her unconscious dad was holding his phone in his hand.  Then his hand moved up slowly and he grunted as if he was trying to tell her something.

She walked over to the phone and 911 was typed on the screen.  She looked up at her dad in panic and asked, “Dad, why were you calling 911?”  He didn’t answer.  She shook him and shouted the question this time.  “Dad?! Dad!” she added.  No response.

She grabbed the phone and pressed send.  The operator answered and the girl started crying on the phone.  “My dad has been drinking and he’s not responding.  He tried to call 911 on his phone so something’s wrong,” she said in between cries.

The operator told her that they would send a paramedic out, and asked if her dad was breathing.  The young girl stared at her dad’s chest in hope and watched it go up and down slightly.  She heard his breath faintly.  She told the operator he was breathing and laying on a recliner.  The operator then asked her to try to get him off the couch and lay him flat on the floor before the paramedics got there.

The girl put the phone down and as she was crying, she began to pull her dad’s limp body off the recliner. “Please don’t die,” she whispered in fear. “Please God help him,” she said as she pulled his legs as hard as she could to get him on the floor.

His body began sliding off the couch and his head slammed on the bottom cushion.  Her dad’s eyes suddenly opened and the girl shouted, “Dad!” in relief. “Are you ok? Why’d you call 911?”  A blank stare fell on her dad’s face and he didn’t say a word.

The girl picked up the phone and told the operator that his eyes were open, then she heard a knock at the door.  The paramedics rushed in to check her dad’s vitals.

Fifteen minutes went by as they checked to make sure he was ok.  Her dad was visibly drunk, but his eyes were still open and he slowly responded to the paramedics’ requests.

The young girl stood against the living room wall staring at the ground, trying to process what just happened.  She really thought he was going to die this time.

A paramedic came up to her and asked if that was her dad. “Yes,” she said, still staring at the ground.  “Does he drink a lot?” he asked.  “A week straight this time,” she responded.

Then the paramedic said three words that she’ll never forget: “Stop the cycle,” he replied.  She looked up at him with curiosity.  She saw the sincerity in his eyes, as if he knew exactly what she was feeling at that moment; as if he had an alcoholic father too.  Looking straight in her eyes he repeated, “Make sure you stop the cycle.”  She cracked a slight smile in appreciation for the advice.  “I will,” she said with confidence.

Alcoholism, addiction, abuse, dysfunction, depression; the list of pain we can endure goes on.  We cannot change our parents’ behavior or what has happened in the past.  But our parents’ habits and dysfunctions aren’t ours.  So maybe it’s time for us to: stop the cycle.

 

Depression and the Holidays

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

Did you know that suicide rates are among the highest during the holidays?  This may sound very strange to some of you, but it is true.  Believe it or not this isn’t a wonderful time of year for everybody.  I remember, as a little girl thinking how anybody could be sad this time of year.  Now that I’m grown up and work as a therapist, I understand this concept much better.

The holidays seem to make us vulnerable and open our eyes to things that are painful for us.  This time of year, we seem to become very sentimental and want to be close to our family and friends.  This is a great idea in theory, but what if you have alienated them or maybe they have passed away.  This could make your holiday feel like a very lonely time.  It makes it worse when you see other families and friends gather together.

Are you feeling without purpose this holiday season?   This may be the cause of your depression this time of year.  There are so very many places you could go and donate some time.  There are many people that are sick or just plain less fortunate than we are.  You could really make a difference for an individual, a family, or an animal and fight off the depression as well.

Whatever may be causing your depression during this holiday season, decide to do something about it. Don’t sit around and feel sorry for yourself this year, life is just too short.  Call an old friend, make up with a family member, help the less fortunate, or whatever else it takes to get through this holiday.  My point is, this year learn to help yourself, and you will give you, the greatest gift you have ever received!

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 stoopsshecter@earthlinknet.  You may purchase Nancy’s latest books Live, Heal and Grow and Midnight the therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

Burglary, Vandalism at Pomona H.S,

By Anthony Saude

Pomona – On Monday December 4 at approximately 9:30 p.m. the Pomona Unified School district security office were monitoring 3 young me via surveillance camera inside the main office at Pomona High School. They called the Pomona Police Department to advise them about the break in and the suspects were still on sight.

The suspects broke into the office and it appeared they were removing items as well as destroying school property. When the officers arrived the suspects were still on the scene when they noticed the officers took off running. The officers took off after them on foot, the pursuit didn’t last long and all 3 suspects were apprehended and taken into custody.

Isiah Gonzalez 18 years old and two male juveniles 16 and 17 years old were taken into custody after they had allegedly damaged several computers, desks and other fixtures The entire area had also been tagged. They were booked for burglary and felony vandalism at the Pomona Police Station.

None of the suspects were students at Pomona High School.

If you have any information in reference to the incident please contact:

Pomona Police Department at (909) 622-1241

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

I Can Fix It (Part II)

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

A few weeks ago I shared that my lawn mower was broken.  I tried to fix it myself, but was unsuccessful.  Then I called my faithful lawn mower repairman but his phone was no longer in service. What a Bummer.

In desperation, I looked on the internet to try and find another repairman in the area. Several repair shops were listed in Pomona, San Dimas and Glendora. I decided to try the repair shop in Pomona. They came and picked up my mower. I waited to get their estimate on what it would cost to get my McLane, seven-blade front throw gas mower going again.

I sat by the phone, waiting for their call. What was their diagnosis? How much would it cost? Would it be worth repairing my old lawn mower?

When the call finally came, there was both good news and bad news. The good news was that it could be fixed.  The bad news was how much it would cost.

Actually, the basic repair was under $100. The mower needed a new pulley and a new belt. I was encouraged to hear that it could be fixed for under $100.  However, they also recommended a “tune up” – changing the oil, replacing the air filter and installing a new spark plug. The cost for that was about $50.  In addition, the repairman offered to sharpen the blades.  My McLane seven-blade mower has a lot of blades! How much would this cost? It would be around $100 more.

This was the moment of truth. Do I trust the repairman? Does the mower really need all of these fixes? Is it worth spending that much money on an old lawn mower? Should I just go for the basic repair and get the mower running again or should I spend more money hoping that it will work better and last longer?

Should I go for option number one, option number two or option number three? It sounded like the old TV game show”Let’s make A Deal”! What would you do?

Most of you who know me very well would assume I would go for option number one – settle for the band aide fix and save money. But, I actually chose option number three – spend the money and do all the repairs that the repairman recommended.

When they delivered my McLane, seven-blade front throw power mower to my house, it looked like a new mower! They had cleaned off the old grass. The new spark plug sparkled and the sharpened blades glistened in the sunlight. When the repairman fired up the engine, it purred like a kitten. When he invited me to try it out, I couldn’t believe how well it cut the grass. I was impressed!

I feel like my mower has been given a second chance in life. It has been saved from the junk pile and is cutting grass better than it has in years. I don’t know how long it will keep going, but my repairman deserves “five stars” on his Yelp review!

I suppose there are a lot of life lessons we can learn from my lawn mower adventure. There are some things in our lives that we cannot fix ourselves. We need to call on God to be the “repairman” in our lives. He can fix and He can forgive the mistakes and struggles that we cannot fix ourselves. He can restore broken relationships and repair broken hearts. The Bible says that God loves to take broken people and give us new life. One verse says that when we become a follower of Jesus, our old life is set aside and all things become new (II Corinthians 5:17).

Let me encourage you to call on God today in prayer. Confess your mistakes. Admit you can’t fix everything yourself. Ask Him for His help and forgiveness. Allow our heavenly repairman to do His work in your heart and give you a new start through faith in Jesus. You will be glad you did and He will too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

 

When Are You Having A Baby?

By Sarah Sanchez 

 

The common question asked is:

“When are you having a baby?”

Our response is usually vague:

“Soon”, “not now”, “one day maybe”

 

Or you may hear an excuse,

Of what is now priority:

Careers, traveling, finances,

These “excuses” have seniority

 

The truth? We think about babies

More than you really know

We’ve discussed names, hobbies, features

And can’t wait to watch them grow

 

We know that time is ticking,

Complications will keep rising

Longer we wait, the more the risks,

And the more eggs are dying

 

But it may not be that easy,

Conceiving may take years

Then what about a miscarriage?

See these are all our fears

 

And family are getting older,

We hope our kids meet them too

But it’s just not the time now;

There are still many things to do

 

I do admit holding a baby

Make our hearts begin debating,

If a baby came, we’d be excited

To see the blessing God’s creating

 

Announcing a baby would be great:

Having showers with all of you there

We know IF one was on the way,

You all will show you care

 

But when the baby would arrive,

Truthfully, that’s what terrifies me

The crying, changing, and sleepless nights;

Oh how different life will be

 

You see, this is what we think about,

When the subject comes up each day

We’ve talked, cried and even argued,

Asking if one should be on the way

 

So when you ask a simple question,

Like “when are you having a baby?”

Know that there’s so much more to say

Than “soon”, “not now” or “someday maybe”

Christmas Tree Prices are Up

By Anthony Saude

The price of Christmas trees is higher this year due to the recession of 2008. Some Oregon tree farmers simply couldn’t afford to plant trees during the recession and the effects are still being felt. That doesn’t mean that the demand for trees in Chino Valley is down. It takes about 6-7 years to for a Douglas fir to grow and about 10 years for a Noble fir to get to a height to about 7-8 feet.

The shortage was largely unanticipated by both the growers and the sellers, not to mention the buyers. You may have some sticker shock when you are shopping for your tree this year. A five foot tree is selling for about $45 this year and on the whole smaller trees are what are available. Some of that has to do with the amount of money it costs to rent the lots that the sellers need to sell their trees. A lot in Chino Hills is about 3 times more expensive to rent than the same size lot in the city of Ventura. Unfortunately that cost has to be passed down to the buyer.

Smaller lots can’t compete, price wise with some of the big box lots but the trees will get watered more often so they will be fresher when you pick them up. Supply will catch up with demand at some point but for the next few years it looks like the price of Christmas trees will be going up until that happens.

The Chino Hills Christmas Tree Company has been selling trees at the Chino Fairgrounds for the last 10 years and is a staple of the community. Their prices have pretty much stayed the same as they were last year starting at $20 for a table top sized tree and going up to several hundred dollars.

The trees are “selling like crazy” said one tree lot owner even though the prices are up. There is a nursery in Chino Hills, Moon Nursery that sells Christmas as well and their selection is good. If you want to cut your own tree down you will have to travel a little to do so but it might save you some money.

All the lots in Chino Valley offer full service for you if you want to have your tree flocked, need a tree stand with or without water, all at an extra fee of course. They take credit cards and will wrap your tree and help you strap it to your car if you need. A lot of the workers that are employed at these lots are making minimum wage or are the seller themselves so make sure you tip them for their service.

The smell of the holidays is in the air and it smells like pine.

In the city of Chino Hills 

Winter Springs Christmas Trees is at 3295 Grand Ave., at the corner of Grand and Peyton avenues in the Albertson’s shopping center.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Information, 503-339-5410.

They have a Facebook page called Chino Hills Christmas Trees.

A Gift from the Heart is Priceless

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

Times are tough for so many right now.  I know the media makes us feel like we show our love by spending lots of money.  It shows people giving diamonds and luxury cars and the message is that if you really love somebody you’ll give them this type of gift.  The truth is the most people don’t have that kind of money to spend on themselves much less somebody else.

Many people tell me they feel bad because they wish they had more money to spend this holiday season.  Maybe I’m wrong but the true meaning of the holiday is to spread love and kindness and those things are free.  There are many ways to show love and kindness.  This time of year is about reminding all the special people in our lives how very much we appreciate them.  I have many people every year besides my family and friends that I get a tiny gift for.  I don’t spend too much but they sure do appreciate my gesture.

Photo courtesy: Google Images

I always love spending time with my family and friends but this time of year is special because we all have time off and we have more time to be together.  We love sharing meals together, singing songs, baking cookies, laughing, creating memories, taking pictures and getting all of the generations together.  For us the holidays are about having fun and just having more time to express our love for each other.  We make sure to always make time for lots of hugs and kisses as well.  Over the years I have made many gifts for friends and family.  We are all very sentimental so a gift from the heart is priceless in my family and doesn’t have to cost you a cent.  Just enjoy the holiday season!!!!

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 feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s book’s Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 12.16.17

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: Weekly12.16.2017

Did You Know?

5 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for the Holidays

By Statepoint

 

Whether you’re hosting or just trying to get into the holiday spirit, preparing your home doesn’t have to be daunting or expensive.

Check out these five tips for getting your home in tip-top holiday shape on any budget from the experts at Dollar General:

 

Deck the Dining Table

Get your dining table holiday-ready by purchasing staple décor pieces that can be rotated throughout the year. Fill glass vases with seasonal items such as ornaments, holly, faux snow or pinecones. Add extra light and warmth to the table with a flameless LED pillar candle. Place tea lights in small vases filled with cranberries, holly and water for an inexpensive and festive way to decorate the table.

 

Decorate the Tree

If you’re looking for a fun way to get kids involved in holiday decorating, purchase plain ornaments for them to design with paint or pens. Clear ornaments can be filled with glitter or tinsel to create a unique look for your tree. Decorated ornaments also make great and thoughtful gifts.

 

Embellish your tree by adding red or burlap ribbon from the top of each side and adding a topper. Then, consider coordinating the color scheme of your tree with gifts, using those that were wrapped early as decor throughout your house.

 

Deck the Front Door

Make a DIY wreath by gluing bows or pinning ornaments to a foam wreath. Designing your own door decor doesn’t have to be expensive, and it will allow you to add your own personal touch to your home’s entryway. Complete the look with festive outdoor lighting. Affordable options are available at such variety stores as Dollar General.

 

Design a Festive Mantle

Decorate your fireplace mantle for the holidays without spending much time or money. Wrap a garland in mini string lights and hang leftover ornaments to continue the theme from your tree. Create handmade bows to place at each end of the mantle using your choice of ribbon. If you don’t have a mantle, you can create a fireplace-like space with a cluster of string lights or LED candles in a nook of your home. Then, remember to hang the stockings!

 

Create a Cleaning Game Plan

The holidays can be fun, festive and messy. Create a day-by-day cleaning game plan, focusing on one area of your house at a time. This will save you stress and allow you more time to get organized. Be sure you’re stocked up on all your holiday prep cleaning supplies, including sponges, microfiber cloths and wet mop refills.

 

For holiday savings, you can sign up for Dollar General digital coupons, which offers a $1 off coupon when you sign up. Create an account by visiting dollargeneral.com/coupons or through the DG mobile app.

 

Remember, getting into the holiday spirit doesn’t have to break the bank. Save time and money decorating your home, so you can spend more stress-free moments with friends and family.

Updated Info On Olympic Trials In Walnut

Staff Reports

The Walnut City Council will be having a council meeting on Wednesday, December 13 at 7 p.m.  The question many are asking is: “Will the Olympic trials be on the agenda for open discussion this time?”

Earlier this year, Mt. San Antonio College (SAC) won the bid to have the Track and Field Olympic Trials at the campus. Whether or not they are able to get the school ready for the trials is still up in the air at this time. A stadium still needs to be built and the deadline to build in time for the trials is quickly approaching. It has been reported that the City of Walnut may not be in favor of the trials being held in their city. The reasons to date have been unclear and it has not been open for discussion as to why it hasn’t been on the agenda at past City Council meetings. Rumors are that it mostly likely won’t be approved by the council, which could cost Walnut and the cities in the surrounding areas an estimated $40 million dollars. That number is conservatively based on what Oregon claims they will lose because they didn’t win the bid.

The lack of information that has been released on the subject led to a misunderstanding that a final vote would take place at the Council Meeting on December 13. We were informed that there will not be a final vote and at this time, it is unclear if an open forum discussion will even be on the agenda. We also recently received information that the city may be seeking an injunction to stop construction of the stadium, which is needed to support the trials. It seems as though driving a truck loaded with dirt on a Walnut city street has been deemed unsafe and permits have not been issued to do so at this time.

Reports indicate that the entire estimated amount of $40 million in revenue won’t be given solely to the City of Walnut. It leaves us to wonder if that played into the decision to stall the construction until the point of no return? That is a question that we hope will be addressed at a city council meeting at some point. The estimated $40 million in revenue could benefit Walnut and the surrounding communities since Walnut doesn’t have hotels in the city. But unfortunately, the surrounding communities are not involved in the decision process.

So local business owners, sports fans and anyone that supports the building of the Mt. SAC stadium, mark December 13 at 7pm on your calendars so you can attend the City Council Meeting.  If the city does decide to have an open discussion about the project, let your voice be heard.

 

 

History 101

December 9 1992: U.S Marines storm Mogadishu, Somalia

History.com

In 1992, 1,800 United States Marines arrive in Mogadishu, Somalia, to spearhead a multinational force aimed at restoring order in the conflict-ridden country.

Following centuries of colonial rule by countries including Portugal, Britain and Italy, Mogadishu became the capital of an independent Somalia in 1960. Less than 10 years later, a military group led by Major General Muhammad Siad Barre seized power and declared Somalia a socialist state. A drought in the mid-1970s combined with an unsuccessful rebellion by ethnic Somalis in a neighboring province of Ethiopia to deprive many of food and shelter. By 1981, close to 2 million of the country’s inhabitants were homeless. Though a peace accord was signed with Ethiopia in 1988, fighting increased between rival clans within Somalia, and in January 1991 Barre was forced to flee the capital. Over the next 23 months, Somalia’s civil war killed some 50,000 people; another 300,000 died of starvation as United Nations peacekeeping forces struggled in vain to restore order and provide relief amid the chaos of war.

In early December 1992, outgoing U.S. President George H.W. Bush sent the contingent of Marines to Mogadishu as part of a mission dubbed Operation Restore Hope. Backed by the U.S. troops, international aid workers were soon able to restore food distribution and other humanitarian aid operations. Sporadic violence continued, including the murder of 24 U.N. soldiers from Pakistan in 1993. As a result, the U.N. authorized the arrest of General Mohammed Farah Aidid, leader of one of the rebel clans. On October 3, 1993, during an attempt to make the arrest, rebels shot down two of the U.S. Army’s Black Hawk helicopters and killed 18 American soldiers.

As horrified TV viewers watched images of the bloodshed—-including footage of Aidid’s supporters dragging the body of one dead soldier through the streets of Mogadishu, cheering—-President immediately gave the order for all American soldiers to withdraw from Somalia by March 31, 1994. Other Western nations followed suit. When the last U.N. peacekeepers left in 1995, ending a mission that had cost more than $2 billion, Mogadishu still lacked a functioning government. A ceasefire accord signed in Kenya in 2002 failed to put a stop to the violence, and though a new parliament was convened in 2004, rival factions in various regions of Somalia continue to struggle for control of the troubled nation.

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 12.09.17

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: ALL.Weekly12.9.2017

Walnut Valley Trustees Celebrate Star Students, Community Partners

By Kelli Gile

 WALNUT– In keeping with tradition, the Walnut Valley USD Board of Trustees honored outstanding students and community partners during the November 15 meeting.

C.J. Morris Elementary fourth graders Kailyn Park and Nyla Rivera authored “Everyone Has A Right”, a friendship book they wrote to raise awareness about students with special needs.

The caring students were commended with the Super Star Student Award.

Kailyn and Nyla spend time at recess getting to know students in the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) class.  They model how to care about others and value differences.

Their advocacy work has created a more inclusive environment on campus. To date, they have donated nearly $200 to the ASD class from the book’s proceeds.

“They truly embody what it means to be I.B. students by showing that they not only care, but dare to act to make a difference,” said Principal Shehzad Bhojani.

Longtime parent volunteer Sheila Wright received the Partner in Education Award.

Sheila has been president of the C.J. Morris Community Club for the past four years.  Under her leadership, fundraising efforts, parental involvement and school spirt have steadily increased.

“She embraces an inclusive philosophy to address the needs of our culturally, ethnically and socio-economically diverse parent community,” Bhojani said.

Sheila has strong interpersonal skills and utilizes multiple platforms to communicate with the parent community.  She is a good listener who validates the ideas brought up by her team, and is open to suggestions in improving the effectiveness of the programs that are offered.

“Sheila is fully committed to improving the educational experience of our C.J. Morris students,” he added.

Parent volunteer Tom Jordan received the Partner in Education Award for South Pointe Middle School.

For the past three years, Tom has been an active member of the school’s Community Club and currently serves as president. He is also a School Site Council and District LCAP Committee representative.

If Tom isn’t providing the parent voice at a meeting, he is selling snacks at home games and performances, or organizing fundraisers.

“His innovation, enthusiasm, and infectious positive energy inspire parents, teachers, and students alike,” said Principal Susan Arzola.

South Pointe 8th grader Yssael Gutierrez, a.k.a. Ironman, was unanimously voted by staff, out of over 900 candidates, to receive the Super Star Student Award.

“He has inspired all of us to embrace life’s challenges and tackle them head on,” Arzola said.

Last year was probably the toughest of this young man’s life and yet he was able to overcome a huge challenge, she said.

“Yssael came back this year with a strong, positive “can do” attitude. We know nothing can hold him back!”

He is proud to be a Panther and cheers on his peers every chance he gets.  He puts his whole heart into all that he does from fundraisers to athletics.

“Yssael exemplifies the strength of character and community we can all only aspire to,” Arzola added.

Additionally, the Walnut High School boys baseball and girls swim teams received special recognition for reaching the highest level of success as Division 3 CIF Champions.

 

You Choose

Photo courtesy: Google Images

By Anthony Saude

My wife and kids are not only the most important people in my life, they are also the most frustrating. You can ask them for yourselves about the important part but I would request you don’t mention the frustrating side. That might not go well for me.

I love them so much that I even enjoy getting up in the morning when it is still dark outside to go to work. Even when I know that it is that time of the year when I know it will be dark by the time I get home. And although I don’t like being away from them for so long, I do love the joy that I feel when I finally get home and see them.

I coached my daughter’s travel basketball team for several years. Work all week, tourney all weekend. That was my life and I loved every second of it. On occasion she would ask me “Aren’t you tired?”. My answer was always “I don’t have time to be tired until bedtime. Tired is a state of mind”. She didn’t get it then but she is starting to now that she is an adult.

Life is about choices and we can choose to have a bad day or a good day. I promise that you will have the type of day that you choose to have. We can wake up and think about everything in our life that is bad or everything that is good. We can choose to be happy or sad or mad. All are choices. We can choose to think of what we don’t have or what we do have; it is all a state of mind.

What we fill our heads with is what our actions and behavior will reflect for that day. I try to choose to be positive every day. When I feel sad I think about my kids and laugh. When I feel anger I think about my wife and feel loved. When I feel frustrated I think about starving children in this world and feel grateful for what I have. When I feel all of these emotions at the same time I think about all that the Lord has blessed me with in my life with and feel Joy.

I CHOOSE.

Simple Tips to Reduce Suffering this Flu Season

By StatePoint

 

U.S. health officials are predicting a harsh flu season. While there is still no cure for flu, there are steps you can take to reduce suffering while the virus takes its course. Some experts suggest starting the quest to feel better by exploring your local health food store.

 

Dr. Lawrence Rosen, author of several books based on 25 years of practicing pediatric integrative medicine, is offering some advice to ease flu symptoms. While none of the items mentioned in this article have been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, most have a long history and are relatively inexpensive.

 

  • Curative Foods and Beverages: The digestive tract accounts for 70 to 80 percent of the immune system. When battling a virus, foods rich in vitamin C are essential to immune function. Try drinking a cup of hot water and lemon daily. Onion tea can promote a healthy respiratory system by relieving a cough and sore throat.

 

Honey, which is a superfood, is a good choice, coating and soothing the throat, helping control cough, and promoting a restful night’s sleep that is necessary for healing.

 

  • Spiced-up Recipes: Add garlic and oregano to foods for immune support. Basil, rosemary and thyme help the respiratory tract.

 

Try different recipes, too. One traditional bedtime treatment in the Dominican Republic is a paste of honey, finely chopped onion and garlic, and the juice of at least half a lime. The vitamin C content found in its ingredients helps boost immunity.

 

  • Indispensable Oils: Add eucalyptus oil to a bath to ease body aches from flu, or inhale drops added to a steaming bowl of water for clearer nasal passages. Inhale fennel oil similarly as a cough expectorant.

 

  • Homeopathic Medicine: There are few conventional over-the-counter (OTC) drugs specifically for flu symptoms. Antihistamines and decongestants help with head and upper respiratory symptoms that are mostly associated with colds. Flu affects the whole body with fever, chills, aches and fatigue, and a pain reliever can address some of these symptoms.

 

To shorten both the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms, consider a homeopathic medicine, such as Oscillococcinum. When patients took it within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, nearly 63 percent showed “clear improvement” or “complete resolution” within 48 hours. It’s the number one over-the-counter flu medicine in France, where it’s been on the market for more than 70 years. The key is to take quick action against early symptoms. Recommended for anyone age 2 and up, Oscillo is non-drowsy and doesn’t interact with other medications.

 

  • Healing Herbs and Plants: Homeopathic OTCs use microdoses of plants, animals and minerals; whereas herbal supplements are less diluted with a different therapeutic principle. Astragalus and echinacea supplements purportedly boost immunity. Try teas with eucalyptus leaves or calendula for fever. Elderberry, when taken in extract form, boosts the immune system, which helps the body respond quickly and strongly to viruses such as influenza.

 

For more information, check out Dr. Rosen’s book, “Treatment Alternatives for Children,” a comprehensive reference guide for nearly 100 common illnesses, offering side-by-side comparisons between conventional and alternative treatment options.

 

Don’t suffer more than you must this flu season. Homeopathic medications and natural homemade treatments may help reduce the severity of symptoms.

 

$8,000 In Stolen Cash and Coins

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – Deputy Livi was patrolling his area like any other night when he noticed a car with Utah plates parked on Riverside Drive and E. End Avenue that at around 1:30 a.m., ther were two men sleeping in it, said Sgt. Randy Naquin of the Chino Hills Sheriff’s station.

Deputy Livi requested backup, when it arrived the deputies identified the two sleeping men as Utah residents, Christopher Giles, 46 and 39-year old Kris Vanleuven. The deputies searched the vehicle after they received consent from the men. During the search they found the men to be in possession of Methamphetamine and Heroin, said Sgt. Naquin.

Continuing the search the deputies found over $8,000 in stolen cash, gold coins, possible burglary tools and a slungshot. A slungshot is a maritime tool with a weight, or “shot”, affixed to the end of a long cord or rope that is used to assist in throwing mooring lines over a distance. According to California Penal Code section 12020 it is a felony be in possession of one. There are several other states that it is a felony to have one as well.

Both Giles and Vanleuven were arrested and booked into West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of  possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell and for possession of a slungshot.

Sgt. Noquin said that they have contacted outside agencies to determine if any reported burglaries might similar stolen property that could be claimed. Detectives are still investigating the case. If anyone has any information about the case you are encouraged to call the Chino Hills station at 909-364-2000

 

Hearty Steak and Potatoes

with Balsamic-Cranberry Pan Sauce

 

By Hello Fresh

 

Cooking Time: 40 mins

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 535 calories

Ingredients:

 

  • Yellow Onion- 2
  • Rosemary- 1/4 oz
  • Yukon Gold Potatoes- 32 oz
  • Red Cabbage- 8 oz
  • Mustard Seeds- 2 tsp
  • White Wine Vinegar- 4 tbsp
  • Sirloin Steak- 24 oz
  • Balsamic Vinegar- 1 tbsp
  • Soy Sauce- 3 tbsp
  • Cranberry Jam- 8 tsp

 

1  PREHEAT AND PREP. Wash and dry all produce. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Halve, peel, and thinly slice onion. Strip rosemary leaves from stems and finely chop until you have 1 TBSP. Discard stems. Halve potatoes lengthwise, then cut into 1-inch-thick wedges (like steak fries).

2  ROAST POTATOES. Toss potatoes on a baking sheet with a large drizzle of olive oil and chopped rosemary. Season with salt and pepper. Roast until lightly browned and crisp, about 30-35 minutes.

3  COOK CABBAGE. Heat and drizzle oil in a medium pan on medium-high heat. Add onion and cabbage and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, tossing. Add mustard seeds and cook until they start to pop. Stir in white wine vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until cabbage is tender, about 10 minutes.

 

4  SEAR STEAK. While cabbage cooks, heat a drizzle of oil in another medium pan over medium-high heat. Pat steak dry with a paper towel, then season all over with salt and pepper. Add to pan and sear until browned and cooked to desired doneness, 4-7 minutes per side. Remove and set aside to rest.

 

5   MAKE PAN SAUCE. Add 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1½ TBSP soy sauce, cranberry jam, and 3 TBSP water to same pan over medium heat. Stir to combine. Let simmer until reduced to a syrupy consistency, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.

6   FINISH AND SERVE. Thinly slice steak against the grain. Divide steak, potatoes, and cabbage between plates. Drizzle glaze over steak and serve.

 

Weatherization 101: 4 Ways to Get a Warmer Home this Winter

By StatePoint

Dreading the cold drafts and rising heating bills that come with winter? You’re not alone. Nearly two-thirds of Americans live in homes that need to be weatherized to improve heating efficiency and maximize comfort, but many still don’t take the time to do so, according to a survey conducted by OnePoll for Duck brand.

Why? The cold reality is that most people simply don’t know what to buy or where to start when it comes to weatherizing their homes. But, preparing your house for chillier weather can be as easy as following some step-by-step instructions or consulting a brief how-to video. Here are a few tips to get started.

1. Secure Seals by Weatherstripping. Windows and doors are the two largest draft sources in any home, leading to high heating costs and an uncomfortable living environment. For these reasons, they should be top priorities.

To combat these sneaky air leak spots, use high-strength weatherstripping, such as Duck brand MAX Strength Silicone Weatherstrip Seal. This strong, flexible material makes it easy to seal gaps of different sizes around windows and doors.

2. Dodge Door Drafts. Assess your doors for potential drafts and energy loss, as everyday wear and tear can wreak havoc on thresholds and door seals. Depending on the door style, there are several solutions that provide multiple layers of protection, such as door shoes, draft seals and door sweeps. Most are easily customizable to meet your door width simply by cutting the product down to size. Online videos can provide step-by-step instructions that show you exactly how to install a variety of different door weatherization solutions.

3. Winterize Windows. There are additional defenses for your windows, such as Duck brand Roll-On Window Insulation Kits. With a few simple steps, you can insulate windows while maintaining a crystal-clear view. These kits offer a pre-taped top for quick and easy roll-on film installation. Plus, there’s no measuring required and they fit snugly to window frames for the duration of the winter season. To learn how, watch this how-to video: youtube.com/watch?v=ZY8qialgEW0.

4. Cover Sneaky Attic Entranceways. Finally, don’t forget about attic access openings or pull-down stairs as a source of air leaks. Since they’re usually not insulated, they can be a considerable culprit of energy loss in your house. How do you prevent this? An attic stairway cover is a simple solution to combat heat loss. Plus, they’re flexible, lightweight and easily repositioned to maintain direct access to the attic.

For more project ideas and product information, visit DuckBrand.com.

Don’t be left in the cold this winter. By taking a few measures, you can prepare your home against drafts and air leaks during the wintry months.