Category Archives: The Weekly News

Focusing On the Good in Your Life

By Nancy Stoops

We all have stories about our imperfect lives and childhoods.  Many of us have survived tragedy and horrific events.  There are many times where life seems to test us and just feels very hard and overwhelming.  These are the times we have a hard time seeing all the good, we have in our lives.

I believe with each new day, we have another chance at happiness and finding the good in this life.  So take a minute or two when reading this article and think about all the things that are very good in your life.  Do you have people that you love and love you?  Do you have a family?  Do you have a job, a roof over your head, and food to eat?  Do you have a best friend that would do anything for you?  Are you here today reading this article, which would mean you are still alive?  If you answer yes to these questions then there is still hope for you.  You see just right now you have been able to see the good in your life.  Wow, look how lucky we are! And it’s just about focusing on the good in our lives.

Alright so maybe you have a very different life than you had planned.  Our lives very rarely work out as planned and many times end up even better.  Think about all that you have been able to do and become and all the people you have been able to influence in a good way.  I think if we focus on the good in our lives we can’t help but grow into who we are intended to be.  When we become who we are intended to be, our lives just don’t get any better and each day is heavenly!!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens.  For more information about any of these services feel free to page her at (909)229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

Accident Sends Two to Hospital

Photo by Michael Armijo

By Michael Armijo

Chino – An accident on Pipeline and Schafer Wednesday morning sent two people to the hospital when a car hit a box truck pushing it on its side and into a light pole.

At about 6:05 am Wednesday morning Maria Hernandez, 30, of Ontario was traveling west bound on Shafer Avenue in her 2012 grey Honda Civic when she collided with a 2004 box truck driven by Francisco Sodo-Mejia, 27, also of Ontario, according to Tamrin Olden, Crime Prevention Officer for Chino PD.

“The intersection was closed to oncoming traffic in each way for several hours during the investigation,” said Officer Olden, “the investigation is ongoing so no other details are available.”

Mejia, the driver of the box truck which was struck by the Honda, was apparently ejected. It was not yet determined if he was wearing a seatbelt or not. Hernandez struck the truck and then collided with the tree, Olden confirmed.

“They were both taken to local hospitals via ground ambulance without life threatening injuries,” she added. Mejia remains in the hospital as of Friday April 21, with extensive injuries and was downgraded to having no life threatening.  Hernandez was released the same day. No updates were available except there were no life threatening injuries.

If anyone has any information or witnessed the accident Officer Olden encourages them to call the Chino Police Department at 909.628.1234.

Photo by Michael Armijo

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 4.29.17

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: 2017-04-29-WeeklyNews

Looks Can Be Deceiving

By Mark Hopper

 

My wife and I have been to a number of different countries around the world.  Recently, we were in Central Europe.  It is beautiful.  The mountains are snow capped and the hillsides are lush and green.

Many of the buildings are hundreds of years old, especially in the older established parts of major cities.  Many of these buildings have been repaired and restored.  They look impressive and distinguished.

But, when you get up close, it is surprising to see that some paint or plaster has deteriorated.  It is surprising to find red clay bricks beneath the exterior facade. It is amazing to discover that many beautiful buildings, palaces and cathedrals are built with small, red, clay bricks! The craftsmen and engineers certainly did wonderful work.  But, hidden beneath the exterior beauty of these buildings are thousands of clay bricks cemented together. Looks can be deceiving!

There are passages in the Bible that instruct us to not base our opinion of other people simply on their exterior characteristics.  James warns us to not treat a person differently because of the new or older clothing they wear.  The Prophet Samuel was also warned to not draw conclusions based on a person’s size, strength or physical ability.

The Bible says that man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart.  I wonder how often you and I are guilty of doing the opposite?  Do we form an opinion of a person by the clothes they wear or the color of their skin or by the kind of car they drive? I wonder if we disregard an older person because of the color of their gray hair or the number of wrinkles on their face? I wonder if we overlook a teen or young adult because of the clothes they wear and the way they talk?

Let me encourage you to not draw conclusions or form opinions of others because of their external characteristics.  We call this “prejudice”.  It means to pre-judge someone before you really get to know them. Let me encourage you to really get to know people.  Learn what is on the inside.  Listen to their words and opinions.  Observe their actions and see how they treat other people.  Look for the hidden qualities of their heart.  They will be glad you did and you will too!

 

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

EFreedb.org

College Degrees, Certificates Pay Dividends City of Walnut

By Mike Taylor

WALNUT––Earning a community college degree or certificate continues to deliver a remarkable return on investment, according to a report from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Based on information gleamed from the Chancellor’s Office Salary ,students who earn an associate’s degree more than double their annual pre-degree wages after two years and nearly triple pre-degree wages after five years.

The data show that 48 percent of students who receive an associate degree earned $56,000 or more annually within five years of graduation. Meanwhile, 44 percent of students who receive a certificate from a community college earned $56,000 or more after five years.

“This proves once again that earning a degree or certificate from a California community college can lead students to a well-paying career,” California Community College Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley said in the report.

Degree programs with the highest median incomes five years after graduation include radiation therapy technician $98,185 annually, electrical systems and power transmission $110,829 per year, and physician assistant $112,127 annually.

Available online, the Chancellor’s Office Salary Surfer estimates potential wages based on the aggregated earnings of community college graduates from a variety of programs and provides information on which colleges offer specific disciplines.

The California Community College system is largest system of higher education in the nation with 72 districts and 113 colleges serving 2.1 million students.

What Baboons Can Teach Us About Stress

By Clark’s Nutrition, C Doussett MPH, RDN

Stanford neurobiologist Robert Sapolski has spent the last 35 years studying baboons and the effects of stress in social situations. Throughout this time, he has observed some remarkable phenomena among these ‘Old World’ monkeys that may offer valuable insights into the myriad ways social hierarchies affect our health and chances for a longer life. The social hierarchy of baboons is similar to the hierarchical structures we find ourselves in at work, school, and home and may encourage us to rethink how we deal and choose to be with others. Two noteworthy phenomena observed by Dr. Sapolski centered on the effects of stress up and down the social hierarchy. Almost without fail, the lower a baboon was on the social chain, the more health problems it suffered; specifically, cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis in particular), increased frequency of injury, and more time spent foraging foods for others rather than taking care of itself. The second observation was that baboons that happened to live in troops where all members were seen as equals, had less incidence of injury, degenerative disease, and domination cycles. This is congruent with professional viewpoints regarding healthy relationships both intimate and familiar for humans. Choosing groups that view every member as an equal and indoctrinating new members to this way of thinking is critical in avoiding unhealthy and potentially injurious power dynamics. Here are a few behaviors to strive for:

  • Always ‘fight fair’ in your group – respecting a partner’s/friend’s rights means accepting differences in background and opinion
  • Listen and clarify – focus on the intent of the speaker, don’t interrupt, and repeat the message if needed in your own words
  • Find your voice – speak your truth as clearly and succinctly as possible
  • Edit your voice – Choose your words as you would choose any tool for the task at hand i.e., not every job requires a hammer
  • Your wants and needs should support the groups wants and needs, otherwise, find a new group/friend

Now that we have found our group, it behooves us to support our body’s wants and needs. Treating our bodies like our best friend is one way to send the message that we only accept respectful friend requests. The following foods and supplements may further our efforts to manage stress and support healthy relationships:

  • Nuts – a cholesterol free snack that may reduce inflammation
  • Salmon – healthy omega 3s for brain health
  • Avocadoes – potassium = great for blood pressure
  • Dark chocolate – ‘feel-good’ compounds such as caffeine and theobromine
  • Crunchy vegetables: celery, broccoli, and carrot sticks require mechanical digestion (chewing) which may directly reduce ‘clenched-jaw tension’
  • Water – a hydrated system is a fully functioning system
  • Passion flower – discovered in Peru 500 years ago and still a great option in tea or tincture form for anxiety
  • Gingko Biloba – circulation to the brain
  • Vitamin C – reduces circulating cortisol (stress hormone) levels, especially when taken before or immediately after a stressful event. 500 mgs
  • Physical activity – monkeys, when not moving as a troop, spend time playing, grooming, and engaging in short-bursts of activity throughout the day. This is not too far off the recommended daily “types” of activity for humans

There is no monkey business when it comes to building healthy relationships and reducing distress to our life. Seek out a qualified nutritional consultant and discuss personalized options for achieving or maintaining positive-stress relationships. And, as always, have a healthy day!

 

 

 

Mustard Crusted Cod

By Hello Fresh

 

Cooking Time: 35 mins.

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 460 Calories

Ingredients:

Oil- 2 Tbsp

Butter- 2  Tbsp

Fingerling Potatoes- 24 oz.

Broccoli Florets- 16 oz.

Dill – ¼ oz.

Parsley – ¼ oz.

Garlic – 4 Cloves

Lemon – 2

Panko Breadcrumbs – ½ cup

Cod – 24 oz.

Dijon Mustard – 4 tsp.

  1. Preheat and Prep. Wash and dry all produce. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Pick fronds from dill and discard stems. Finely chop fronds until you have 1 TBSP. Finely chop parsley. Mince or grate garlic. Zest lemon until you have ½ tsp zest, then cut into wedges.
  2. Boil Potatoes. Place potatoes in a medium pot with a pinch of salt and enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are easily pierced by a knife, about 15 minutes. Drain, then return to pot.
  3. Roast broccoli. Meanwhile, toss broccoli florets ona baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast in oven until beginning to turn bright green, about 5 minutes (we’ll be adding more items to the sheet later).
  4. Make crust and prep cod. In a small bowl, combine parsley, lemon zest, panko, half the garlic, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Pat cod dry with a paper towel, then brush fillets with a drizzle of olive oil. Season all over with salt and pepper.
  5. Roast Fish. After broccoli has roasted 5 minutes, remove sheet from oven. Give broccoli a toss and push toward one side. Place cod on other side of sheet. Brush a thin layer of mustard onto tops of fillets, then press crust mixture into mustard. Return sheet to oven and cook until broccoli is tender and cod is cooked through and flakes easily, 8-10 minutes.
  1. Finish and plate. Add 1 TBSP butter, remaining garlic, and dill to pot with potatoes.

Heat over medium heat and toss until butter is melted and garlic is fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Divide potatoes, broccoli, and cod between plates. Serve withlemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.

 

Imagination

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

I can remember gathering leaves of all colors and shapes, collecting sea shells and anything else that one might find in the water.  I would fill up my wagon with water and create an underwater adventure for everybody to enjoy with the use of a snorkel and mask.  My friends and I would put on singing and dancing shows for all the neighborhood to enjoy.  My brothers and I would create backyard carnivals for everybody to experience.  I was always playing dress up and had the ability to become so many different people.  This dress up play helped prepare me for all of the hats I have worn over the span of my lifetime.

I can remember my imagination was encouraged by my parents, family, and friends.  I credit that imagination for who I am today.  I credit my imagination for making me a creative thinker and a person that always thinks way beyond the box.  I know when I was raising my son, he always used his imagination in his play.  He would create the most wonderful lands in our living room.  His creations could make you feel as if you were transported to another world.  We would spend days playing in the worlds he created.  As an adult, my son Bryan is one of the most creative people I have ever met.  His imagination was encouraged and totally supported in every way.

Universities now are looking for the well-rounded individual.  I think helping your child develop their imagination is an important part of becoming well-rounded and learning to think for oneself and out of the box.  Imagination is such a crucial part of play but also a very important part of many careers.  Don’t allow technology to take the place of imagination.  Instead, find a way to incorporate both imagination and technology into your life and your child’s life.  Don’t be afraid to imagine.  Many times our imagination creates a path for our lives.

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens.  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 new books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

Stopping Animal Diseases Before They Reach Humans

By Satesh Bidaisee and Calum Macpherson

It’s hard to believe that medical researchers could underestimate the dangers of tuberculosis — the world’s deadliest infection.

Yet according to a study published by Lancet Infectious Diseases, a medical journal, one form of the disease is a far bigger threat than previously thought — animal TB.

The illness, which can be acquired through contaminated food or close contact with animals, afflicts roughly 120,000 humans around the world. It’s harder to treat than the conventional form of the disease — and is resistant to the main antibiotic used to treat TB.

Zoonotic diseases — illnesses spread between animals and humans — represent some of the most serious public-health threats the world faces. Battling them effectively will require a broader approach to human health — one that takes into account the relationship between human beings, animals, and the wider ecosystem.

Nearly 3 million people die annually of animal-borne diseases. These illnesses include everything from influenza and salmonella, to Ebola, malaria, and Zika.

In an alarming number of cases, zoonotic illnesses have led to devastating epidemics. The 2014 Ebola outbreak, for instance, is believed to have started when a bat transmitted the illness to a young boy in Guinea. The disease soon spread throughout West Africa, with cases emerging as far away as the United States. Ultimately, more than 11,000 people died.

The mosquito-borne Zika virus has infected tens of thousands of people in 73 countries and territories — including 3,800 people in the continental United States.

We haven’t seen the last of these kinds of outbreaks. Scientists estimate that nearly 75 percent of newly emerging infectious diseases will originate in animals.

Addressing the risk posed by zoonotic diseases will require an approach to global health that sees humans, animals, and the environment as deeply interconnected. Known as One Health, this holistic view calls for collaboration among experts in disciplines from veterinary medicine to public health and environmental science.

If researchers can understand the interconnected causes of zoonotic outbreaks, they’ll be better equipped to prevent the next epidemic.

Fortunately, the One Health movement is gaining traction in the public health community. USAID, for instance, has spearheaded a One Health Workforce initiative which partners with universities around the world to train future health professionals in this collaborative approach.

One Health is a guiding philosophy at St. George’s University, where I teach. Our veterinary, medical, and public health students frequently collaborate on projects and coursework, like our recent effort to control the spread of rabies on the island of Grenada by providing vaccinations and hosting community clinics.

The rise of zoonotic diseases like Zika, and animal TB shows just how interconnected animal health and human health are. To effectively combat zoonotic disease, the medical community must recognize those connections — and explore them fully.

Satesh Bidaisee is an Associate Professor of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies at St. George’s University, Grenada. Calum Macpherson is the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Director of Research at St. George’s University in Grenada.

 

Healthy Cauliflower Recipe

By Hello Fresh

 

Cooking Time: 35 mins.

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 620 Calories

 

Ingredients:

Oil- 2 Tbsp

Butter- 4 Tbsp

Yukon Gold Potatoes- 24 oz.

Cauliflower Florets- 10 oz.

Pork Tenderloin- 24 oz.

Dried Thyme- 1 Tsp

Sugar Snap Peas- 12 oz.

Gala Apples- 2

Chicken Stock Concentrate- 2

  1. Boil potatoes and cauliflower. Wash and dry all produce. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place potatoes and half the cauliflower in a large pot with a pinch of salt and enough water to cover by 2 inches (we sent more cauliflower than needed). Bring to a boil and cook until very tender, 12-15 minutes. Drain and return to same pot
  2. Sear pork. Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over high heat. Season pork all over with salt, pepper, and ½ tsp thyme (we sent more). Add to pan and cook, turning, until browned all over, 8-10 minutes.
  3. Roast pork and snap peas. Trim any tough ends from snap peas. Once pork has browned, transfer to a baking sheet, placing toward one side. Add snap peas to other side and toss with a drizzle of oil and pinch of salt and pepper. Roast in oven until pork is cooked to desired doneness and snap peas are bright green and tender, 10-12 minutes.
  4. Make pan sauce. Halve and remove core from apple, then chop into ½-inch cubes. Melt 1 TBSP butter with a drizzle of oil in same pan over medium heat. Add apple and cook until golden, 5-7 minutes, tossing occasionally. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in stock concentrate and ½ cup water. Increase heat to medium high and cook until apple is tender and sauce is thick, 3-4 minutes.
  5. Make cauliflower mash. Add 1 TBSP butter to pot with potatoes and cauliflower. (TIP: If potatoes and cauliflower have cooled, reheat briefly over low heat.) Toss to melt butter. Mash with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Finish and plate. Slice pork into medallions. Divide cauliflower mash and snap peas between plates, then top with pork. Spoon pan sauce over pork, making sure to add pieces of apple.

Changing Times

By Pastor Mark Hopper

My grandmother was born in Boone, Iowa in 1896.  She died in 1978. She taught in a one-roomed country school house. Life sounded pretty simple in those days.

During her life time, she witnessed many changes.  She remembered seeing her first automobile.  She remembered electricity coming to her small farming community.

She remembered seeing her first airplane.  She remembered the invention of the radio and television.  There were so many advances in technology and science in her lifetime.

I’m sure she remembered the news of the first atomic bomb.  She lived through the days of the First and Second World Wars.  She would have known about the wars in Korea and Vietnam Nam.  All of these occurred in her lifetime.

And, I know she witnessed the space program from the launching of the first satellites to the landing of men on the moon in 1969.  Who could have imagined the changes during her life from the horse and buggie to a man on the moon?

The same could be said of our lifetime.  Who could have imagined all of the changes and advances in communication, travel and technology in our life time?

I remember my family getting our first TV in the 1950’s.  It was a small “black & white” TV with large “rabbit ears” for an antenna and a very limited number of channels to choose from.  Today, we have a flat screen TV with an unlimited number of cable channels to watch.  And, now you can live stream TV shows on your computer too.

Transportation has changed as well.  I wish I still had my first car.  I bought a used, two-door 1957 Chevy when I was sixteen years old…It was a gas guzzler with a four barrel carburetor.  Today, fuel injection has replaced the carburetor and many people are driving electric automobiles that can self-park!

I remember going to the airport to see propeller-driven planes.  The first jet passenger planes arrived in the 1960’s.  Now, modern jet airplanes can carry over 500 passengers from one continent to another.

The most amazing advances have been in communication.  When I was young, we had a telephone “party line” where four different homes shared one phone line.  It was a big deal when we could finally get our own private phone line.  Today, many people have abandoned a landline and simply use their cell phones.

Computers have changed our world.  In the 1940’s only the military had computers.  Later, large businesses began to use them.  By the 1980’s people could own a personal computer.  Today, we carry computers around with us and call them “smart phones”!

I wonder what changes are ahead for our children and grandchildren?  What advances will they see in travel and technology?  What new devices will improve their ability to communicate?  Only time will tell.

In the midst of all these changes, it is helpful to remember that God does not change.  The Bible speaks of His unchanging nature and attributes.  The Bible reveals God’s limitless power and knowledge.  He remains our firm foundation in a rapidly changing world.

Let me encourage you to dust off your Bible and read about God’s steadfast love and endless power.  Psalm 145 reflects on God’s power and majesty.  Take time to read and remember the One who made this amazing world we live in.

 

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

 

Gang Member Sentenced To 80 Years To Life For Murder

SBC PD

SAN BERNARDINO. – A documented gang member with a prior strike conviction has been sentenced to 80 years to life in state prison for the murder of 25-year-old Roy Craddock.

Juan Fuentes, 26, of San Bernardino, was sentenced Friday at the San Bernardino Justice Center by Superior Court Judge J. David Mazurek after being convicted of one count of Murder on March 27, 2014.
Supervising Deputy District Attorney Jill Gregory, who was formerly assigned to the Central Division Gang Unit, prosecuted the case.

Prior to sentencing one of the victim’s family members addressed the judge:

“We do not understand how another human being, who bleeds just as we do, could be so quick to pull the trigger and take the life, the very last breath, last drop of blood from the most kind-hearted and loving human being to walk this earth… While we were standing over his casket waiting for him to wake up, give us a hug and tell us it was just a dream, his body never moved. After a while, we were all forced to realize that we were living in a nightmare.”

Statement of Facts

It was a rainy Friday morning-November 4, 2011. The body of a young man was found lying near the entrance of Muscoy Elementary school, with six close-range gunshot wounds to the head.

A custodian at the school came upon the scene of the crime just before school started and alerted authorities. The victim was identified as 25-year-old Roy Craddock, a lifelong resident of Muscoy, who had attended that very elementary school.

“Through interviews with the victim’s family, we were able to find out that the victim had called the night before just after eleven o’clock, asking to be picked up in the vicinity of the school,” said Gregory.

Gregory added that although family members drove to the location immediately to pick him up, they were unable to locate him and he was not responding to repeated phone calls.

Surveillance video from the school showed that the victim had passed by the front of the school at 11:19 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2011, and then doubled back towards the flagpole in front of the school as though two individuals there caught his attention.

“The shooting itself was caught on surveillance, although it was shadowy and dark enough to provide only a bare outline of what had occurred there,” said Gregory.

After a month-long investigation by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Homicide Team, then-Sgt. Brad Toms and Detectives Landaeta, Johnson, Peterson and Cannon, questioned Fuentes, who was 20-years-old at the time.

Fuentes later admitted to investigators that he shot the victim, claiming self-defense.

According to Gregory, the surveillance video proved helpful in casting doubt on the defendant’s claim, as it showed the defendant’s contact with the victim to be under forty seconds in length.

5 Heart Healthy Habits

By StatePoint

Heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds. While there are many risk factors involved that are beyond one’s control, a healthy lifestyle can make a big difference.

Here are five healthy habits that can reduce your risk for illness.

• Move about: Exercise doesn’t have to be daunting! Aim for 10-minute sessions, three times daily. Movement sets your metabolism in motion, so make sure it’s a consistent part of your life.

• Get sleep: Sleeping fewer than seven hours a night can make you gain weight and have more trouble taking it off, according to Columbia University research. Another study found that people who get enough sleep have a five percent higher metabolism than people who don’t. That means more calories burned while you’re sleeping! Doesn’t get much easier than that.

• Eat small and well: “Studies have found that losing five to 10 percent of your body weight can lower the risk of a heart attack,” says Dawn Zier, CEO of Nutrisystem and the 2017 Go Red for Women Campaign Chair in Philadelphia, a movement to help end heart disease and stroke in women.

Research suggests that eating smaller, balanced meals throughout the day promotes greater weight loss and maintenance, and can also be good for your heart. Schedule meals every two to three hours, six times a day. Programs designed to help you eat healthy portions can mean seeing quick results. For example, Nutrisystem Lean13 is a new program designed to help you lose up to 13 pounds and seven inches in the first month. For more information visit nutrisystem.com.

• Rise, shine, drink water. You’ll burn more calories all day: A German study found that drinking 48 ounces (about six cups) of cold water increased calorie burn at rest by up to 50 calories per day. This alone could melt a pound in a little more than two months. And drinking it before meals could give you an added bonus, as a Virginia Tech study found that dieters who drank two, eight-ounce glasses of water before meals for 12 weeks lost 36 percent more weight than those who didn’t down the water.

• Put your phone away: Checking your email in the morning will just stress you out. Many productivity experts recommend waiting at least an hour once you get to work before checking your inbox, so you can tackle your most important priorities calmly without getting distracted.

Be proactive. Take steps to improve your health and reduce your risk for serious illness.

A Place Called Brilliance

By Michael Armijo

I believe in the old premonition that we all have a special purpose in this world, but I also believe that each of us holds a special talent. We all possess “special powers.”
It’s not fable-like, or something you’re “born with,” but more of a skill that we hold. A passion we’ve spent our lives preparing for and defining. Something we are really good at.
I believe we all have something special inside of us, something that we grew to love, were exposed to all our lives, or something we’ve spent countless hours doing. And now, after dedicating so many years to this passion, we’ve found ourselves experts at that one thing we do.
Whether it’s a simple job, or a defined art, it’s our dedication and desire that makes us great at what we do. And I believe that there is no job that is demeaning or unworthy, just as long as we take pride in it and embrace that we’re experts at it.
Not all of us can quite claim fame to a particular ability, because there are only some of us that have found a route, or a path, that has given us the freedom in our lives. And there are others who have not. That path has set us free of having to create self worth, experiencing self-pity, and feeling selfishness. We’ve learned our special purpose, and we’ve defined it. We’ve perfected our craft; we’ve polished our crystal ball.
And then there are the others. The ones who haven’t seen the light, developed the confidence, or haven’t found their special purpose. They still spend countless hours watching the time clock, bearer to their insecurities, prisoner to their past. They hold a special talent that they’re either too detached to realize or too insecure to pursue. I know that for a fact, because that described me years ago.
It’s too bad for those who haven’t yet felt their own light. It harbors inside them, it looks for opportunities to flourish. It wants to come out, like an eagle, and spread its wings, to fly and soar above the earth. But we often clip its wings and often discourage it from taking flight because we are fearful or sometimes allow obstacles to get in the way.
I’ve recognized my special place, my brilliance, on a dark and lonely day. I felt pain, and one day, at 13 years of age, I wrote about it. I was candid, I was open, and I was honest. It made me feel so powerful and gave me so much freedom that I realized my calling. So I continued and I practice. Today, it’s my living. Tomorrow it will be my survival for retirement.
I believe that when we explore the secrets we hold special to our heart, when we pursue the special interests we feel we’re good at and love to do, we find ourselves at a special place. A special place known to few, an arena that moves mountains, makes us soar like the birds in the sky. A place that gives us a feeling as though we’re as fearless as an ancient warrior, or a common-day hero. A place where we’re at our best, where we learn our calling, where we find ourselves. A place in our hearts and minds that is and always will be there once we gather the courage to seek it out within ourselves. A place we are so comfortable, so content, so adamant about being. Where we shine and feel the presence of how intelligent we are. Because when we feel it, we are only embracing what’s already there. We are embracing something deep inside us all, a place called “brilliance.”

 

Straight Talk With Danice

“My best friend is bringing a lawsuit against my homeowners insurance…”

By Danice Akiyoshi, N.D.

Dear Dr. Akiyoshi,

My best friend is bringing a lawsuit against my homeowners insurance because she fell down at my house when she got drunk at my Fourth of July street party. There was nothing dangerous in her path, she just had too many Margaritas and fell off her own high heels. She says she has to sue my homeowners insurance because she’s been getting therapy on her hip and knee and doesn’t want to pay for it. She said I’m being stupid for being mad because it’s just my insurance company and not me personally. I think I’m ready to discontinue this friendship. Am I too sensitive? This doesn’t seem fair. Jessica.

Dear Jessica, Your friend lacks personal integrity and the ability to take personal responsibility for her own actions. These are not qualities that most people enjoy in their friendships. If your friend had been injured on your property due to an unsafe condition then I would be totally on board for your homeowners insurance to become involved. This is not attractive behavior in my opinion. Yes, take her off of your guest list for future parties and move on. Holding a grudge over something like this would be a waste of your valuable time. Let your insurance company sort it out after you give them your side of the story.

Danice Akiyoshi is a Naturopathic Doctor and the head of Candid Coaching Service. She offers personal coaching services relating to all types of issues and concerns. This is a letter she received from an anonymous reader. To send a question to Danice, email her at straighttalk@ candidcoachingservices.com. You can also visit her website at http://www.candidcoachingservices.com

Heart 2 Serve: Offering Hope to the Hopeless

Combining Community Outreach with Business Services

By Marissa Mitchell

Chino Hills – For four years now, an organization has existed somewhat under the radar providing services to both individuals and the community at large.

Heart 2 Serve, a privately owned and operated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, currently assists adult individuals in substance abuse recovery and reintegration as productive members of society through community service and construction businesses offered to the San Bernardino and Los Angeles County areas.

This faith-based (Christian) organization was founded by Brian and Cindy Baughman, with the help of fellow faith members, in 2013. It initially began as a construction company, followed by what was termed an “RV ministry” for transitional living. In 2015, Heart 2 Serve, Inc. became a 501(c)(3) entity, focused entirely on individuals who truly wanted help.

Heart 2 Serve provides all that is necessary to rebuild individual lives that have fallen into hopelessness due to substance addiction through the business built from these humble beginnings. Currently, the organization assists often-stigmatized individuals, including parolees and homeless persons, in their recovery through provision of work, shelter, food, and clothing, so as to reintegrate them as productive members of society.

Heart 2 serve offers a 2-year program that begins with establishing a life-plan of achievable goals designed to measure a client’s progress, rebuild his confidence, and discover newfound hope.

According to its mission statement, Heart 2 Serve Inc. is “the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.” From the ashes of all the ruins of lives destroyed by addiction, there is birthed a new life amidst despair in the act of serving others. Thus, the name was chosen: Heart 2 Serve.

Among the services required and/or available for a client of the transitional living and reintegration program is participation in the following: substance abuse recovery programs (12 Step meetings), spiritual counseling, safe shelter, employment and skill training (through the construction and moving services training), health and care, food and clothing, legal assistance, education and transportation, and, finally, gainful employment.

The professional contracting and moving services that Heart 2 Serve provides through its nonprofit not only helps fun their ministry, but it also offers an opportunity for individuals in the program to learn new skills and earn an income.

To that end, Heart 2 Serve is a licensed, bonded, and insured general contractor, able to meet every commercial and residential construction and moving needs.

What attracts individuals and businesses to hire Heart 2 Serve over other companies is not just the low pricing, but, as a non-profit, there is also a substantial tax savings provided in using the service, as it is considered a “charitable contribution” on tax forms.
Good cause. Good savings. Rebuilding society from the ground up – literally. Not much else one could desire from a nonprofit, really.
For more information, visit www.h2si.org.

 

Historic Planes of Fame Airshow Being Sued for “Obstruction” of Businesses

By Marissa Mitchell

 

Chino – A lawsuit recently filed is seeking to stop the historic airshow held annually at the Planes of Fame Air Museum. The air show is scheduled to take place on May 6 and 7 at Chino Airport.

The suit alleges that the event “obstructs and impedes” other tenants’ business operations, thus violating the licensing conditions of the event itself. The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages and the hearing is scheduled April 20 in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Harry T. Geier, director of marketing and development at Planes of Fame, remarked, “As we await the judge’s decision on April 20th, we are going forward with preparations and looking forward to the show.”

Planes of Fame is a nonprofit organization led by Steve Hinton, a warbird devotee and former champion air-racer. The organization has submitted an online appeal for supporters to help save the 25th annual air show of this historic landmark.

The online petition had gathered 14,670 voters by April 12 out of a desired 15,000, exhibiting a strong desire for the continuation of the show. On the petition website, the organization stated that the air show, “serves as the primary fundraising effort for the Planes of Fame Air Museum…[It] helps us to carry on our mission to preserve aviation history, inspire an interest in aviation, education of the public, and honor aviation pioneers and veterans.”

On April 2, the law firm Borchard & Callahan announced the lawsuit on behalf of several airport tenants, including Zangeneh Aeronautics, Socal MRO, Flying Tigers Aviation, Yanks Air Museum, and AFT Center. All businesses allege that the losses over the 9-day period of set-up, event, and take down for the airshow are significant.

Nonetheless, Geier noted, the museum is still selling tickets online, but, he stated, “if the airshow is cancelled due to decision, we will refund all of the tickets bought in advance on our website.”

Up to this point, all of the acts for the historic airshow have already been scheduled.

“The volunteers and workers are committed and the airshow performers are looking forward to participating and supporting the air show on May 6 and 7,” declared director Geier optimistically. With much public support rallying behind them, Planes of Fame staff and community family hope to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the museum with another successful airshow.

Divorce? Don’t Self-Destruct. Get A Good Attorney

By Marissa Mitchell

Chino Hills – Going through a difficult time with family affairs? Sometimes, altering one’s circumstances in life requires legal help. At the Law Offices of Rossana Mitchell, Esquire Mitchell provides legal services in the areas of family law, divorce, paternity, conservatorships, guardianships, and living trusts.

At the Law Offices of Rossana Mitchell, the philosophy focuses on client support and structure during all stages. It is vital that clients become familiar with and aware of the court process, and, most especially, the particulars of any and all court processes regarding their case, during their time seeking legal action.

Customers continue to seek out services with Attorney Mitchell precisely because of her known reputation to fight for her clients. She always provides aggressive representation in protection of clients’ rights, no matter how daunting the odds may seem. “I enjoy using my skills and knowledge to protect the rights of all persons,” declared Ms. Mitchell. She does so both in and out of the courtroom.

Ms. Mitchell provides novel ways of integrating technology and communication in her firm so that no client slips through the cracks. To this end, she has stated, “I want there always to be an open line of communication between myself and my clients. I have a cell phone specifically for my clients to reach me via text at any time.” This allows constant attorney-client access for emergency-type situations, just alleviating the client of panic in any period of panic.

Family law is rarely pleasant, but it is very doable. With Attorney Rossana Mitchell’s guidance, your family law or legal trust need not be what can feel like an unbearable burden. Let someone else help you along the way, and you will have the assurance of both guidance and legal protection.

Law Offices of Rossana Mitchell is located in The Courts of Chino Hills next to Citi Bank: 14780 Pipeline Ave., Suite A, Chino Hills, CA 91709. Ms. Mitchell has had over 20 years of experience. She received her Bachelor’s in Social Ecology from U.C. Irvine, and her Juris Doctorate from Western State College Law.

 

Our Life: “Missed” Opportunities

By Marissa Mitchell

I used to think it was a shame when everything good that could happen, didn’t happen.

Meaning, every time that I had an opportunity or potential opportunity present itself before me, if I did not avail myself of it, well, that was a shame. It was a waste. It was something to bemoan and regret.

Oftentimes I’ve wished to split myself into ten different “me”s and act (or re-enact, if I have regrets) out scenarios, so that I could choose the best one, the better one. Which one leads to the happiest life? Which one brings long-lasting fulfillment? Which one gives the most joy? I choose that one.

Musing upon (perhaps imaginary) “lost” opportunities, or simply wondering “what if” something different would have happened, whether on the part of my own, another, or naturally, has eaten away many a moment in my life. Many a dream. Many a memory. Haunted by the “could have been”s is not a pleasant activity to frequently engage in, nor is the constant fretting over if “this” is the “right” decision or not.

Let’s get scientific. Every event, in quantum mechanics, exists as a wave function. The Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics is a mainstream interpretation – namely, that a function (i.e., event) only “collapses” once an observer (such as you or I) enters the scenario. Thus, one outcome is realized. And we, most evidently, have a say in those outcomes. We are the captains of our own ships.

On the other hand, the Many Worlds theory (not that I ascribe to this theory, but it is thought-provoking) states that since this wave function theoretically never collapses, every single possible outcome of any which event is actualized in a distinct reality parallel to our own. So, maybe, somewhere, we already have chosen that “other” path and are finding out exactly how it is turning out.

“Could have been” is an obsolete and useless term and way of thinking, I have come to find. It is only in the here and now that anything at all is realized, that anything of value is decided. The moments that we have shared with others are precious, and while the “what-if”s may haunt us, the river has run a course for a reason.

Perhaps we chose it that way.

Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station Golf Tourney Successful

By Marissa Mitchell

Walnut/Diamond Bar – Walnut and Diamond Bar Sheriffs stations recently held their annual Booster Club Golf Tournament. The tournament was successful and another testament to the support, both monetary and action-based, behind the station. Not only do the funds help generally, but the funds aid specifically the volunteer and auxiliary programs within the communities of service.

This support is vital to maintaining the safety of the public and continuing to sustain the communities as safe and enjoyable.

Thanks were made specifically to Booster Club President Gil Rivera, the Board of Directors, and the sponsors who donated generously. Thanks have also been given to all participants for the tournament’s great success.