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: Weekly10.21.2017
Category Archives: The Weekly News
One Year Of Love
By Michael Armijo
There’s a song by Queen called “one year of love” that brings me peace. The song talks about how the singer who had “one year of love, which is better then a lifetime alone.”
I’ve chosen to apply this song and this philosophy to my life and to the death of my friends.
At times I chose to sulk and miss those who were close to me and who are now gone, but I now reflect on how lucky I am to have had “many years of love” instead of “a lifetime alone.” I am very fortunate to have such beautiful memories when others have none. When others are left to walk this earth lonely and fearful.
Today marks the birthday of one of my closest and loving friends. I can cry about our past or I can remember how fortunate I am to have had so many years of love and friendship. I choose the latter.
It’s during these trying times our abilities and our philosophies are tested. And, I believe, how we spend this time of pain and reflection is a testimony of how strong and appreciative we are for that love and friendship. I also believe if we do sulk and wallow in pain, we are then insulting that friendship. We are ignoring that love. These people who are placed in our lives are placed there for a reason. We are fortunate to have such experiences and wonderful memories.
So today I will not insult the love I received from these individuals. Today I will appreciate that I was fortunate enough to have such valuable and pricelessness given to me. It’s just like giving a gift to someone: when you are given a gift, like a jacket or a warm scarf, you wear it and it comforts you when you’re cold and alone. You have that feeling of warmth and memory or their thoughtfulness with you. When that person is no longer in your life, do you throw out that jacket or scarf? Or do you keep wearing it and utilizing it for as long as you can? My friendships and loving memories should be the same: I will not discard them and throw them out by being hurt and feeling sad because they have left us against their will. I will not sulk and wallow in selfishness. I will not discard those wonderful and priceless times that enhanced my life and contributed to the success that I worked so hard to achieve and deserve. I will remember those precious gifts that were given to me and I will continue to wear them to warm my heart and comfort me during chilly times and loneliness.
So today I smile. Today I enjoy. Today I remember and cherish those wonderful gifts that were given to me to warm my heart and comfort me. And I will be thankful that I will, once again, have “one more year of love.”
Chino Rotary Club Donates to a Good Cause
By Marissa Mitchell
Chino – This past week the Chino Rotary Club donated $500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County.
Big Brothers Big Sisters organization is an adult-to-child mentoring non-profit organization that serves the children of its respective area. The organization chooses mentoring models from the community to help children in the area educationally and practically through the mentoring process. All mentored children in the Inland Empires enrolled in the program thus far have graduated high school, and 96% of those students enroll in college.
Significantly, studies have shown that children enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters have an 89% higher self-esteem rate than those not rolled, and an 83% better attitude towards school.
The Chino Rotary Club exhibited its dedication to the continued mental, educational, physical, and social wellbeing of the surrounding youth through its generous donation this past week. In doing so, the club has followed its nearly century-old motto “Service Above Self.” The Chino Rotary Club is involved a variety of other volunteer organizations, including the local Isaiah’s Rock, serving the needy and homeless in Chino.
If you would like to find out more about the Chino Rotary Club, visit www.chinorotary.org. The club will also be on exhibition on 10/21/17 at the Chino Valley Chamber of Business Expo, located at the Shoppes in Chino Hills, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you would like to mentor a child or donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters Inland Empire, visit the following website for programs and opportunities: http://www.iebigs.org/.
Celebrate Fathers Day and Graduation at The Whole Enchilada
The Whole Enchilada is located at 1114 S. Diamond Bar Blvd, (at Grand Ave.), in Diamond Bar. You can reach them at (909) 861-5340, and visit their website at http://www.wholeenchilada.com.
Staff Reports
Diamond Bar – This can be a busy time of year for everybody, take a short timeout to savor fresh Mexican cuisines at The Whole Enchilada. And don’t forget, they can cater your graduation or summer party as well! With its promise of authenticity, The Whole Enchilada guarantees that its customers will enjoy the taste of their entrees.
The Whole Enchilada can help you make at-home dinners easy by offering tamales all year round. This traditional holiday dish is sold by the dozen and is available in pork, beef, chicken, green chili and cheese. From platters and entrée meals to taco bars, they also provide other options to serve fresh, authentic Mexican recipes their resident chef brought from their homeland.
“All our food is made fresh daily,” says Lil Palmer of The Whole Enchilada. The restaurant has been in business for over 30 years, offering a variety of Mexican dishes ranging from tacos and burritos to carne asada and fajitas.
The Whole Enchilada’s food is only one reason to celebrate at their restaurant. They also pride themselves on excellent customer service due to their family friendly servers being attentive, courteous, and knowledgeable.
If you’re planning a celebration, parties can be planned easily at a home or business with The Whole Enchilada’s catering service. Book now and you can reserve a portion of the restaurant to celebrate with good food, family, and friends.
The staff will be there to help you celebrate special moments, raise money for your team or organization, and provide a wonderful experience for your children. They love working with the community to help with fundraisers, and special events for churches, sports, schools, clubs, and more.
Birthday parties are always fun at The Whole Enchilada, as well. No matter how old you are, the staff will provide you with a total birthday experience including singing, a special picture to take home, free birthday hat and dessert, and best of all, five “Enchilada Bucks” to use the next time you visit.
Better yet, The Whole Enchilada’s “Kids Club” includes four mailings per year entitling your children to a free meal when accompanied by an adult, as well as a birthday invitation for a free meal and dessert.
The Whole Enchilada has gift cards available for purchase in person or online at http://www.wholeenchilada.com. And remember to ask your server for a Combo Punch Card on your next visit, which provides a free combo dinner when you purchase any nine of their combination dinners.
The Whole Enchilada is located at 1114 S. Diamond Bar Blvd, (at Grand Ave.), in Diamond Bar. You can reach them at (909) 861-5340, and visit their website at http://www.wholeenchilada.com.
Down Payment from 401(k)
Nef Cortez
By Nef Cortez
Achieving the American Dream of owning your own home requires planning ahead, and a lot of discipline. The American Dream for many is getting further and further away from their reach, as prices continue to increase. The Dream Home, having “nice curb appeal” (appearance of the front of the home as viewed from the street), and a nice back yard for the kids to play in or for the Buyer to entertain their guests, is getting more and more expensive.
As prices increase, so does the amount of money necessary for the down payment. The traditional 20 % down payment for many is just totally not achievable.
The median sales price of a home (where 1/2 of the homes sell for more and 1/2 of them sell for less) in Diamond Bar is approximately $725,000. The “pre-requisite” 20% down payment would amount to a whopping $145,000.00. Most first time home buyers do not have this kind of cash.
Typically, if the buyers do have money saved anywhere, it is in a 401(K) retirement plan.
Many potential homebuyers are unaware that they can use the money they have invested into their 401K retirement plan as the down payment for their first home. Most first time homebuyers are under the age of 59 ½ , which is the point at which one can begin to withdraw 401K retirement funds without penalty, typically 10% of the amount withdrawn.
One option for the withdrawal of funds without penalty is to borrow against your retirement plan and pay back the fund over time. The payments that you will be making over time will be back to yourself (via the plan). This allows you to eliminate the 10% penalty for early withdrawal, and more quickly get you into the track of homeownership.
I advise that you first down down and with your tax professional and have them guide you through the process before you initiate any withdrawal from your 401(k).
This article was written by Nef Cortez, a licensed Real Estate Broker, Cal BRE # 00560181 since 1976. He can be reached via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.
Diamond Bar Sprouts Opens
By Anthony Saude
Diamond Bar – Sprouts long awaited Grand Opening is finally here, on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 the doors officially opened to the public. Sprouts is dedicated to making healthy living for less a staple in the in our communities and families. So, grab your reusable bags, prepare your shopping list and get ready for incredible values on farm-fresh produce, natural and organic meats, barrels of bulk food and specially priced grocery items. We’re making healthy living for less a staple in your community! The stores have natural and organic products alongside a lot of your familiar favorites. There are barrels full of grains, nuts and candy at bulk prices. Fresh fruits and vegetables abound, stop by the meat and seafood departments and pick up your main course. On those busy days you can stop by the deli on your way home and pick up something for the family. Don’t forget dessert at the Bakery, the kids will love you for it. Have a question about our natural meats? Just ask one of our trained butchers for a tour through our Old Tyme Butcher Shop, where we cut your meat any way you want it. Get More with the Sprouts Mobile App. Download the Sprouts mobile app to discover the Checkout Challenge rewards program, and explore a rotating selection of digital coupons that take our great prices to the next level. Click here to learn more. Stay in the Know and Save!Stock up on savings by signing up for our newsletters at Sprouts.com. We’ll keep you up to date on the latest mobile coupons, specials, recipes, health tips and upcoming events at Sprouts! Click here to sign up.Facebook Fan ExclusivesVisit us on Facebook for store updates, grand opening details and recipes. Click here to like Sprouts on Facebook.
Ontario Woman Killed By Chino Driver
By Marissa Mitchell
Chino – On Sunday night, October 8, a woman was struck and killed by a car at Francis Avenue and Central Avenue in Chino. Misti Ann Lucas, a 44-year-old woman from Ontario, was pronounced dead at the scene. The collision occurred at 6:49 p.m. at the intersection between the two Chino cross-streets, stated police spokeswoman Monica Gutierrez. Investigators were quickly at the scene. It was reported that 51-year-old Darron Williams was driving a 1994 Honda when the car and pedestrian crashed as the woman stepped onto the crosswalk. The intersection of Central and Francis was closed off for three-and-a-half hours post-collision.“Mr. Williams remained at the scene of the collision and is cooperating with investigators,” declared Gutierrez. “Investigators do not suspect alcohol or drugs are involved in this fatal collision. The cause of the collision is still under investigation,” she stated.Anyone with information may call Cpl. Scott Trosper at 909-334-3153.
Finding Some Wonderful In Our World
By Nancy Stoops
We sit in our homes and we turn on the news and all we hear about are all of the horrific events happening in our world. Having had a brother murdered my heart goes out to the loved ones of the victim’s friends and families of the recent incident in Las Vegas. Many people tell me they believe we are doomed. I find myself unable to accept this and searching for the wonderful that I know still exists. This past week, I was able to find some wonderful and want to share my experiences with you. To me, the most important detector of how our world is doing, is by the way I see others treat each other. I live in a very special community. I have the honor of helping parents become better parents, and of teaching family members the value of respect for each other. This last week I facilitated groups that really touched my heart. I worked with so many families that really love each other, but for one reason or another have learned to communicate in a angry and blaming manner. As we started to work and get past the defenses, I began to see families loving and very capable of respecting each other. It made me feel very hopeful for our future. Unfortunately our news is flooded with stories about the horrible ways we treat each other. Practice being polite, respectful, loving, kind, and some of those other traits, the media seems to feel we no longer have. Now it’s your turn to find the wonderful. I believe it starts within yourself, your family, our communities, and who knows, then our world. You must trust me when I tell you it’s out there, for I am lucky enough to see it everyday. So as we begin to embrace the upcoming holiday season and everyday of our lives be on a quest for the magical and wonderful pieces that make our lives worth living!!!!!!!!!!
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)2290727. You may e-mail Nancy atnancyjstoops@verizon.net.
When Steak Met Potatoes
Photo courtesy: Hello Fresh
and Creamed Kale with Peppercorn Sauce
By Hello Fresh
Cooking Time: 30 min.
Servings: 4
Nutrition: Calories: 525
Ingredients:
- Yukon Gold Potatoes- 24 oz.
- Kale- 8 oz
- Shallot- 2
- Black Peppercorns- ½ tsp
- Sirloin Steak- 24 oz
- Beef Stock Concentrate- 2
- Sour Cream- 8 tbsp
- Oil- 2 tbsp
- Butter- 2 tbsp
Preparation:
- Preheat and prep. Wash and dry all produce. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut potatoes into ¾-inch-thick wedges. Remove and discard stems and ribs from kale. Chop or tear leaves into 1-inch pieces. Halve, peel, and mince shallot. Use a mallet or heavy pan to pound and crush peppercorns in their bag until coarsely ground.
- Roast Potatoes. Toss potatoes with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt and pepper on a baking sheet or baking dish. Roast in oven until tender and lightly browned, 30-35 minutes, tossing halfway through.
- Cook Kale. Melt 1 TBSP butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add kale and a splash of water. Cook until leaves are completely wilted and very tender, 4-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, keeping kale in pan.
- Sear Steak. Heat a drizzle of oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Season steak all over with salt and pepper. Add to pan and cook to desired doneness, 4-7 minutes per side. Remove from pan and set aside to rest, 5 minutes.
- Make Peppercorn Sauce: Heat another drizzle of oil in same pan. Add shallot and ¼ tsp crushed peppercorns (more or less to taste). Cook until shallots are soft, 2-3 minutes. Add stock concentrate and ½ cup water. Scrape up any browned bits from pan. Bring to a simmer and let bubble until reduced by half, 2-3 minutes. Remove pan from heat, then stir in half the sour cream.
- Make Creamed Kale and Plate. Return pan with kale to medium heat. When just warmed, remove from heat and stir in remaining sour cream. Season with salt and pepper. Slice steak against the grain. Divide between plates and serve next to potatoes and kale. Drizzle with sauce.
Don’t Laugh
By Mark Hopper
Recently we had a clean up day to get ready for our church’s 50th birthday party. There was one specific area on our property that really needed some sprucing up. The ground cover was thinning out and we agreed to order some new mulch and bark to make it look better.The area that we targeted was on the southwest edge of our property. We refer to it as the “point” on the right side of the driveway that exits our site. It is an odd shape – not quite a triangle but certainly not a clean square or rectangle. One of the men agreed to order the mulch if I could just give him the dimensions of the area to be covered. The site was too large for a tape measure, so I simply walked over the space estimating that my step or stride would be about 3 feet long. That is what golfers do on the fairway to estimate their distance to the green. Find a fixed distance on the fairway and then “walk it off” to your golf ball. By adding or subtracting your steps, you would get a pretty accurate distance to the green, sounded pretty simple to me. So I “walked off” the length and width of the area to be covered with mulch and came up with a number that I shared with the man ordering the material. He gave my estimate to the supplier and they ordered the bark / mulch. I was a little surprised when I heard how many bags of mulch the supplier was sending, Using the information I gave him, he estimated that we would need about 400 bags of mulch. Four hundred bags!! That was certainly more bags than I thought we would need, but remember, I was only the “estimator”. The mulch man was the expert. Who was I to question his knowledge and experience?When I told our crew of volunteers how many bags that we had ordered, they laughed! Four hundred bags of mulch for that small area. They all thought I was crazy. But, it was too late to back down now. The delivery truck was on the way with 400 bags of mulch and bark. When the delivery truck arrived at our church, it was loaded with pallets of material. Most of it was for us! It was a full-size 18 wheeler flat bed truck. I can’t even describe how big it looked piled high with pallets of mulch! The truck was so big, it had difficulty pulling into our parking lot! Did I mention that the truck driver had to use a fork lift to off load the pallets onto our parking lot? I think there were 4-5 pallets. Each of them taller than any man on our crew. Four hundred bags of mulch on 4 or 5 pallets taller than us. That was an impressive sight! Fortunately, the crew of volunteers took it all in stride. They continued to poke fun at me for my extravagant estimate but they graciously unloaded the bags of mulch and spread them over the target area. We all agreed that the new mulch and bark looked great. As we neared the end of the project, I did point out to the team that we were not short on materials! We had plenty of mulch! In fact, we had enough mulch to also fill all of the flower beds at our church with a plenty to spare! I’m sure that the event committee was pleased to see 400 bags of new mulch enhancing the appearance of our property just in time for our 50th birthday party. I think we all can learn a lesson from this experience. When in doubt, order more than less. Trust the experts. Trust your instincts. Don’t worry if you order too much mulch. My new slogan is, “You can never have too much mulch”! Let me again invite you to our church’s 50th birthday party on Saturday, October 21st. Free food and activities begin at 1:00 PM with the main event from 4:30 – 6:00 PM. I hope you will come and enjoy this special day with us. And, come see the new mulch, 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
History 101
Photo courtesy: Google
October 17, 1931: Al Capone Goes to Prison
By History.com
On this day in 1931, gangster Al Capone is sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax evasion and fined $80,000, signaling the downfall of one of the most notorious criminals of the 1920s and 1930s.
Alphonse Gabriel Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1899 to Italian immigrants. He was expelled from school at 14, joined a gang and earned his nickname “Scarface” after being sliced across the cheek during a fight. By 1920, Capone had moved to Chicago, where he was soon helping to run crime boss Johnny Torrio’s illegal enterprises, which included alcohol-smuggling, gambling and prostitution. Torrio retired in 1925 after an attempt on his life and Capone, known for his cunning and brutality, was put in charge of the organization.
Prohibition, which outlawed the brewing and distribution of alcohol and lasted from 1920 to 1933, proved extremely lucrative for bootleggers and gangsters like Capone, who raked in millions from his underworld activities. Capone was at the top of the F.B.I.’s “Most Wanted” list by 1930, but he avoided long stints in jail until 1931 by bribing city officials, intimidating witnesses and maintaining various hideouts. He became Chicago’s crime kingpin by wiping out his competitors through a series of gangland battles and slayings, including the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1929, when Capone’s men gunned down seven rivals. This event helped raise Capone’s notoriety to a national level.
Among Capone’s enemies was federal agent Elliot Ness, who led a team of officers known as “The Untouchables” because they couldn’t be corrupted. Ness and his men routinely broke up Capone’s bootlegging businesses, but it was tax-evasion charges that finally stuck and landed Capone in prison in 1931. Capone began serving his time at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta, but amid accusations that he was manipulating the system and receiving cushy treatment, he was transferred to the maximum-security lockup at Alcatraz Island, in California’s San Francisco Bay. He got out early in 1939 for good behavior, after spending his final year in prison in a hospital, suffering from syphilis.
Plagued by health problems for the rest of his life, Capone died in 1947 at age 48 at his home in Palm Island, Florida.
What Does 4% vs. 6% Mean?
By Sarah Sanchez
Southern California – What does 4% opposed to 6% really mean? If you’re selling your home, you’ll pay a 6% commission to the realtors. But with Gil Rivera from SellYourCasa.com you’ll only pay 4% for the SAME AMOUNT OF WORK! So if your home sells for $500,000, at 6% you’ll fork over $30,000 for commission. With Gil Rivera, you’ll only pay $20,000 for both realtors to split. That’s a savings of $10,000!!
Rivera’s Sellers love the fact that he offers a discounted commission, but with full service. Rivera’s offer of 4% Total Commission for Sellers includes 2.5% to the Buyer’s Agent and 1.5% to Rivera’s office. Most Realtors negotiate a 6% commission because they have to split the fees with their brokerage. But, as Rivera is the Broker, he passes on the savings to the Seller. This will save Sellers thousands of dollars in commission fees. His team offers full service for that discounted rate including high quality flyers, professional photos, open houses (as allowable by Seller), and extended advertising coverage on the Internet and social media.
Now, more about what you’re getting from Gil Rivera at SellYourCasa.com: It’s important to know all aspects of your business. For Gil Rivera from SellYourCasa.com, he absolutely knows every aspect of buying and selling a home. He is a reliable, experienced, and an affordable Realtor, Broker, and Certified Appraiser.
Rivera sells houses, condos, and two to four unit investment properties in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Orange counties. He just recently sold another home in Eastvale last month. He also does real estate appraisals for banks, estates, trusts, divorces, attorneys, refinances, home purchases, and probate/inheritance for tax purposes. In addition, Rivera has assistants that work with him who are fluent in Spanish and Chinese, helping to reach people of different dialects all over Southern California.
Rivera’s philosophy is to “treat my clients the way I want to be treated.” In fact, Rivera said that he became a Realtor because he did not like the way his Realtor treated him when he was buying his home. Rivera shows respect for his clients at all times. He listens to what they say, so that he can better serve them.
Rivera also does not push his Buyers into a sale. Rivera said, “I always tell Buyers: ‘You will know right away when we walk into the house that’s meant for you’. Whether it takes a week or months, my Buyers will always be satisfied with their purchase and never pressured into it.”
Rivera’s current promotion is, “We will SELL your house in four weeks at highest value! We only request a listing period of four weeks, while most other Realtors ask for a six month listing.” Rivera says that “Buyers need to know that they do not need to pay their Realtor any fees for representing them on a purchase. The Buyer’s agent is paid by the Seller, not the Buyer.
Check out Rivera’s website at http://www.SellYourCasa.com to see how many different cities Rivera has sold in and for additional information about his company. You can also call the toll free number at (877) 888-SOLD (7653), or cell phone number (909) 967-4525. He also currently has large freeway billboard signs throughout the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire.Call today for a free market evaluation.
3 Things Everyone Living with Arthritis Should Know
By StatePoint
Arthritis includes more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints. If you are living with arthritis, here are a few things you should consider.
1. Arthritis can affect people of all ages. Many people think of arthritis as an affliction that only affects adults as they reach old age or athletes who have suffered an injury (known as osteoarthritis). Although the incidence of arthritis does increase with age, younger people can also be affected by the disease. Autoimmune forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, often strike people by the time they are middle-aged. Overall, it’s estimated that nearly one-fourth of all adults in the United States (22.7 percent, 54.4 million) have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Seven percent of 18-44 year olds and 29 percent of 45-64 year olds report doctor-diagnosed arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. You can now track your condition better and get support. Being diagnosed with a lifelong, chronic disease like arthritis can be overwhelming. Finding support, from friends, family, colleagues and online communities can help. For example, ArthritisPower, accessed online or downloaded as a free mobile app for android and iPhone, allows people with all forms of arthritis to track symptoms and treatments to see how they are doing over time. Users can send their results to doctors in advance of appointments to encourage more personalized and productive discussions. Note that ArthritisPower is a research registry. That means people must sign an informed consent to donate their data to researchers and learn more about other specific research studies announced in the app. The more people who participate in the registry, the more scientists can discover about arthritis. To learn more, visit arthritispower.org.
3. Surgery can help. In healthy joints, cartilage covers the ends of bones, allowing them to move smoothly and without pain. When arthritis (all forms) wears away or damages the protective cartilage, and other non-surgical treatments have proved unsuccessful, joint replacement (usually of the knee or the hip) is typically recommended, according to the American College of Rheumatology.
When an orthopedic surgeon replaces a joint, it involves removing worn out cartilage from both sides of the joint, followed by resurfacing of the joint with a metal and plastic replacement implant that looks and functions much like a normal joint. Over the past two decades, the safety and effectiveness of surgery, and the variety of hip and knee joint replacement devices has improved, thanks to research driven by surgeons and device makers. What’s missing, say experts, is a better understanding of patient experiences and preferences, particularly regarding what they value when making the decision to undergo surgery, pick a surgeon, and select a device.
“The good news is that this research is underway by patient-led research communities, such as ArthritisPower,” says W. Benjamin Nowell, Ph.D., Director of Patient-Centered Research at CreakyJoints, the online patient support community.
If you need joint surgery, it’s important that your preferences are central to your decision making at every step of the way, from timing of surgery, surgeon, implant device and recovery plan. Make sure to ask questions, get second opinions, and seek support. Surgery and recovery can be hard, but talking about them shouldn’t be.
Chino Resident Wins Bravery Award
Photo courtesy: T. Evanson
By Anthony Saude
Chino– California Partnership to end domestic violence is a coalition that represents survivors, organizations, advocates and allied individuals working to support survivors of domestic violence has an annual awards reception in Fresno California.
This year they honored Tracy Evanson, a Chino resident and the founder of Healed Women Heal, with the Bravery Award at the reception.
The soft and bright sunlight was beaming through the kitchen window, the aroma of fresh coffee filling the room reminded Tracy that “he” would be up soon. Suddenly the relaxing sounds of morning were interrupted by anxiety. She looked around the room sure she had left some bread crumbs or coffee grounds on the counter. Her mind racing asking herself were the drawers shut all the way, was the floor clean enough, did I make too much noise with the coffee? She was on high alert because even though she couldn’t see anything she had done wrong, she knew all too well that didn’t mean he wouldn’t.
Tracy lived through nine years of physical, mental and emotional abuse from the one person that promised to love her forever. During her nightmare she had left more than a few times and not just for a day or two either. She had rented apartments on 2 separate occasions and was gone for over a year and a half one of those times. There was intensive counseling, training and countless tears and a belief that true change had taken place in her husband only to be disappointed again. “The last time I left I never looked back again” said Tracy. “I have two daughters and I wanted them to grow up knowing what a healthy relationship should look like.
Talking with Tracy Evanson today there isn’t any outside evidence that she lived in fear of upsetting the man she called “husband” for nine years. She has two college degrees, one a Masters in Human Behavior and speaks with the confidence one would expect from a professional woman with 2 college degrees. The outside had to be rebuilt from the inside, what you see today has been rebuilt and reinforced into the strong, confidant, independent ministry leader you see before you.
In 2013 after Tracy decided to get out of her marriage and stay out this time she started the non-profit organization, Healed Women Heal. Her hope is to “creat a solid group in the community to come together to be a voiced for the silent crime of domestic violence and teen dating violence and bring awareness to the community”. “It is all about awareness, Tracy said, too many people don’t understand that there are different types of domestic abuse”. “Most people only associate violence with domestic abuse but physical isn’t the only type and quite often the violence come after the emotional, and verbal abuse wears you down”.
In the beginning I only wanted to help the victims of domestic violence, I had no interest in fixing the perpetrators. Then she was asked to speak at a mens prison, she declined. God wouldn’t let her off of the hook about this for some reason and finally she accepted the invitation. That showed me a whole new side of the problem Tracy said. A lot of these men were abused themselves and didn’t even recognize their actions as abuse”. It helped me see that it is much harder to work with a broken person than it is to educate to prevent the abuse from happening. Like she said awareness through education is the key.
You can contact Tracy at any of the links below:
Tracy Evanson
www.meetup.com/Healed-Women-Heal.
909.815.7815
Wireless Tips for Boomers
By StatePoint
There are currently more than 93 million Americans in the U.S. over age 55, according to Census data, and the vast majority (74 percent) of them have a smartphone. And that number keeps growing.
In addition, Baby Boomers spend an average of 149 minutes a day on their smartphones — about as much as smartphone-obsessed Millennials at 171 minutes per day.
Despite these figures, and the fact that members of this generation were the inventors of the wireless industry, many mobile plans for Americans aged 55 plus are still designed for a time before the Internet. They come with limited minutes, and no data.
“The fact is that many ‘senior’ plans offer limited services that only work with basic phones. This doesn’t make sense for most of today’s modern, mobile adults,” says John Legere, CEO and president of T-Mobile. “Unfortunately, many carriers and plans treat these generations like they’re stuck in the past.”
But even without the dumbed down “senior” plans, empty nesters aren’t given great options. When kids leave the house and are off the family plan, most major carriers raise the per line cost by almost 60 percent, costing customers a hefty sum when it’s time to pay the bill each month.
So how can you find the best deal for your needs? When looking for a plan, consider the following.
• How many lines do you need? Virtually every wireless provider has a lower per line cost for four lines instead of two. So, if you only need two lines, look for a plan that won’t penalize you for not having four.
• If you’re a frequent traveler — whether it’s for business or pleasure — ensure your wireless plan offers the perks you need to avoid sticker shock on your bills when you get home. T-Mobile ONE includes compelling perks for travelers – like an hour of free Gogo in-flight Internet on domestic flights and high-speed data in Mexico and Canada, and data and texting from 140 countries and destinations around the world. It’s a good choice for those on-the-go.
• How much do you use your mobile phone? Be honest with the number of minutes you spend making calls and the amount of data you use. Lately, unlimited plans have become incredibly affordable and popular again. If you don’t want to ever have to worry about your data use, it may be time to take advantage of these deals and switch to an unlimited plan.
Consider new options like the recently launched T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+, which is designed specifically for today’s modern mobile adults. For just $60 a month, with taxes and fees included in the price, those who are 55 and older can get T-Mobile ONE, with unlimited talk, text and 4G LTE data, as well as the already mentioned other perks. It also comes with the ability to use your number on other compatible phones, tablets and PCs. It’s limited to those aged 55 and older, so bring your ID when you go to sign up. To learn more, visit t-mobile.com/unlimited55.
Being over 55 doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your wireless plan, so do your research and find a plan that offers you everything you really need to stay connected at the best price.
You Can Get A Ticket For Walking In The Street
By Michael Armijo
California – As kids, our parents warned us heavily to never ever walk in the middle of the street. It was viewed as a spot where no one could go. However, looking around today, it is clear to see that the sidewalk has become more of a suggestion than a requirement. More and more people every day are walking just by the curb or close to in the middle of the street. Even though it seems that this is simply just accepted by the law, it is very much illegal and you can get cited.
California Vehicle Code 21956 states, “No pedestrian may walk upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district otherwise than close to his or her left-hand edge of the roadway.”
“Walking in the street is a very citable offense,” said LA County Sheriff Captain Alfred Reyes, “it’s about safety more than anything else.”
The Captain explained that cross walks are in place for a reason, and so are sidewalks.
“It’s definitely not wise for anyone to walk in the street,” Reyes added, “the best practice are utilizing sidewalks for pedestrian traffic, sidewalks are safest, do not place yourself in harms way.”
Runners and walkers can sometimes use bike lanes, and bike lanes may not be always safe for runners or pedestrians, but no lane is definitely not safe. Safest utilize the sidewalk.
At night always wear reflective clothing, joggers and bikers, Captain Reyes recommends. “If you choose to jog in a bike lane there is always the distracted drivers element. It’s amazing how we see sooo many people look at phones, even on the freeway,” he said.
Just a few months ago, Pastor Mark Lee from Vantage Point Church in Eastvale, sister church from Diamond Bar’s E-Free Church, was running in the bike lane at 9 am when he was struck by a passing truck’s right side view mirror. He spend weeks in rehabilitation and is still reluctant to do certain activities. The driver was cited as being at fault. Fortunately he delivered an inspiring sermon on the importance of cherishing your life.
The Sheriff’s Department will cite runners and bikers in the bike lake who do not wear reflective clothing and bikers who do not have reflectors and a headlight. You are required to have lights on yur bike at night.
Many people do not get ticketed for walking in the street and it appears because of priority. In fact, if you are getting stopped, odds are the officer is concerned about your safety. Sure, walking on a roadway might not get you a serious ticket, but it might get you a serious injury, even death.
In Eastvale, California (bordering Chino), a 28 year old woman was killed last month when she was struck by a vehicle. 28 year old Janine Chavez of Eastvale was walking in the roadway, not inside a crosswalk, Eastvale Sheriff’s officials said. The Eastvale death happened about 7:45 p.m., Chavez was hit by a southbound a Honda Accord driven by a 51-year-old Ontario man, sheriff’s officials said in a press release.
Chavez was pronounced dead at the scene. It has not yet been determined who’s at fault but the report stated she was not in a sidewalk and appeared to be walking in the road. Details are being gathered, and according to the Sheriff’s Department, avoiding the street can avoid injuries and fatalities.
According to everybodywalk.org, over 4,500 people in America are killed just crossing the street. The website also claims that over 68,000 people are injured every year from crossing the street. This is even worse in crowded cities like New York, where it is estimated that a pedestrian is killed or injured by a vehicle every two hours.
The only one who can prevent such actions taking place is the pedestrian. Using sidewalks and obeying traffic signs will keep you safe and lawful. If you want to know more about other laws in the California Vehicle Code, dmv.ca.gov has the complete Vehicle Code on their website. (Chandler Holloway contributed to this story)
Chino Rotary Club
Photo by: Mike Armijo
The Chino Rotary Club donated $500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire/ Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County this afternoon at our weekly meeting. We also learned how Big Brothers Big Sisters is helping to change the lives of youths in our community. What do you know about Big Brothers Big Sisters?
There Is No Win In Quit
By Sean Ortiz
Have you ever started something and quit? Maybe it was difficult or you believed you could not do it. Why do we need to learn to not Quit… In our marriages, with our children, in our relationship with Christ.Because there is no Win in Quit. We won’t grow. We won’t see the victory. We will miss seeing God do a miracle. We will miss out on a blessing. So here are 2 things that need to happen if we don’t quit. Character is built. Mathew 5:33-77 Jesus describes that our yes be yes and our no be no. If we say we are going to do something, then do it and don’t wiggle out of it. Jesus knew that the culture of the day was to say yes, I will do that on my children or on my mother. It was like crossing your fingers behind you back. In other word if you commit then finish the commitment. So, let you Yes be Yes. In the difficult times, it builds character as you complete your commitment. Consistency is shown. Our Past is a Predictor of our Present Jeremiah 12:5 talks about if you can’t fight the men on foot how can you handle the fight when the men come on horses. In other words, if you can handle the first circumstance you can handle the next challenge. So not quitting builds and shows consistency. If we decide not to Quit we build Character and Consistency and then we will see the Win. So do not give up in the hard times and LET GO AND LET GOD…….be encouraged.
Pastor Sean Ortiz
New Beginnings Community Church Jurupa Valley
9010 Limonite Ave Jurupa Valley, CA 92509
Walnut High Celebrates New Tennis Courts
By Kelli Gile
WALNUT, CA— Walnut High students, teachers, staff, and district officials recently gathered during a tennis court grand reopening celebration.Over the summer, the courts were resurfaced, and playing surfaces painted a blue hue – the signature color of the U.S. Open – with grey around the outside. The project also included installation of new fencing with wind screens, nets, sound system, and lighting. Players and coaches said they were ready to kick off the new season in the upgraded facility at the August 29 ceremony. “This is going to get my kids fired up to play some even better tennis!” said head coach Lee Shiomoto, who has been a part of the program for 15 years. “It’s been exciting to see the courts get resurfaced,” said senior Lauren Ao, who said her team members now feel proud to host other schools during tournaments.“It was really run-down, and now the courts are nice and clean!” added senior Sara Santos.The boys and girls tennis programs have a winning tradition, clinching numerous all-league awards, league championships, and an undefeated season last fall. Last year, the girls team competed in the CIF finals, and doubles players Santos and Vivian Lee earned their second consecutive Hacienda League MVP honor.
Sources of a Down Payment
Nef Cortez
By Nef Cortez
How much money does a person have to have in order to buy one’s home? The answer to this question, of course, varies in many ways. One variable is in what city one decides to make their home. That decision, of course, will affect the price of homes that a person has to choose from. The price of a home, then, will impact greatly the amount of cash one must come up with as the Down Payment.
Another major variable will be whether a person is buying as a First Time Homeowner, a Move-Up Buyer, or a Down-Sizing Buyer. By the very definition of a “First Time Homeowner”, this buyer usually has a low level of savings. They are just getting started with their home ownership experience, and are usually in their mid to late twenties and into their mid-thirties. As I wrote before, this group of buyers is usually busy getting started with both their careers and their family. The lower income earned by those just beginning their careers coupled with the expenses of getting started in the raising of a family does not allow for the typical First Time Homebuyer to come up with a very large down payment.
One of the more commonly used loan programs for the first time homebuyer is the Federal Housing Administration 203B program. It is a loan in which a first time homeowner can purchase a home with as little as 3 ½ % down payment. In addition to this type of loan, there are a few “grant” or “subsidy” programs which will also assist this buyer with an additional 2 % for the down payment. This facilitates the purchase of the First Time Homebuyer to finance the purchase with as little as 1 % Down Payment.
The FHA loan limit for a Single Family Residence in Los Angeles County is $636.150.00. This means that a First Time Homebuyer can purchase a home with a little as $16,500.00. With other grants or subsidies, this figure can end up as low as $6,500.00, making the purchase of a home very doable, as far as the Down Payment is concerned.
This article was written by Nef Cortez, a licensed Real Estate Broker, Cal BRE # 00560181 since 1976. He can be reached via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.
ABC PR -Community News, Public Relations and Advertising Services 