Category Archives: The Weekly News

Straight Talk

I am always attracted to much older men- A letter from Kim B.

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

By Danice Akiyoshi, N.D.

Q: When we are out, people often assume that my date is my father and in the end this is why they always break up with me (I look very young for my age too). They say they feel embarrassed by these comments.  I do not have any father issues either.  I love my dad very much. I just seem to feel attracted to men who are about twenty years older than me.  Is this really that abnormal?

A: Human attractions are unique and personal.  There is nothing abnormal about that, it’s simply a fact.  You are not writing me about any father figure issues so I won’t address anything in that arena.  My suggestion is to spend your time with people you’re attracted to and hope that one day something greater develops with that special person.  This is the way it works for everyone.  If comments from outsiders are enough to cause someone to break up with you then you can be sure that it wasn’t a good match for you.  The right guy for you won’t get overly caught up in the opinions of others.  Meanwhile enjoy your days.

 

 

 

CH Home Broken Into

Staff Reports

Chino Hills- On August 17 a home in Chino Hills was broken into on the 2000 block of Starfall Lane. Three unknown male suspects were wearing dark clothing and captured on the homeowners video surveillance alarm system.

The suspects entered the home between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. They entered from the sliding door in the back, forcing themselves through by breaking it. According to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department the suspects stole a small safe containing cash, passports, and jewelry. They further stated, “The vehicle involved is a white four door sedan, possibly a Toyota Camry with tinted windows.”

Anyone with information pertaining to this case is urged to contact Deputy J. Snavely or the Detective bureau at the Chino Hills Police/Sheriff’s Station. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may also call We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the website at www.WETip.com

 

Make Your Backyard Extreme

By Michael Armijo   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Back to Class!

School Begins in Walnut Valley

By WVUSD

 Over 14,500 students said goodbye to summer vacation and hello to backpacks and books as classes begin in the Walnut Valley Unified School District on August 15.

“I can’t wait to do math!” announced Collegewood Elementary first grader Summit Purcell.

“I started to love math in kindergarten!” he shared.

Over 675 teachers welcomed their new charges with handshakes and high-fives all around the 15 Diamond Bar and Walnut campuses.

At Castle Rock Elementary, students and their parents flocked to the courtyard eager to mark the first day in a new handcrafted photo booth.

Students held up grade level signs as proud parents captured the moment on cell phones and cameras.

“I’m excited for everything!”  exclaimed 5th grader Inaaya Ahm, 10, as she happily greeted her friend Clair while waiting to take a photo.

Principal Dr. Resma Byrne was thrilled to welcome eight new teachers for the new school year, including fresh-faced Naomi Sunshine.

“It’s like she was born to be a kindergarten teacher!” exclaimed one parent before the first bell rang.

Before the 8:20 a.m. bell, Sunshine opened the door to her class signaling her very first day as a teacher.

She greeted each of her 22 students individually as they walked up the ramp to their new classroom.

“I’d have to say that was my favorite moment from the day. My nerves went away instantly, and I was ready to begin the new school year with them!”

Sunshine reported that it was a very successful first day.

“My students were ready to learn and have fun!” she said.

Across town in Walnut, first grade teacher Jane Dyer-Smith, who has been an educator for 38 years, gathered her students together for a phonics lesson on Wednesday.

When she held up the Honey Horse animal alphabet card, the eager youngsters had fun patting their thighs to make galloping sounds while saying the “H” sound.

While saying the Nigel the Night Owl “N” sound, the children cupped their hands around their eyes, and then wiggled their fingers in the air like an inchworm while practicing the “I” sound.

“I am having fun with my first grade students reviewing letters and sounds using the Zoo Phonics method of signing and signaling!” Dyer-Smith said.
“This helps them remember the concepts and they love doing it! It’s a great way to start the year!”

At middle and high schools, students flocked from class to class with schedules in hand during the minimum day.

Teachers, staff, and administrators were ready to help students find their way around campus and answer any back-to-school questions.

Diamond Bar High hosted an Olympic-themed first day rally featuring drumline, pep, cheer, and dance performances.

As the fanfare played, the school’s brahma mascot strode into the decorated gym to light the torch.

Students cheered as gold medal contenders’ teachers Letitia Thomas and Mary Gaxiola competed in inflatable sumo wrestling costumes.

The school will host its annual Rodeo Round-Up on August 19 with dinner, music, and games beginning at 5 p.m. The event is open to the community.

At Walnut High, choir teacher Lisa Lopez warmed up the elite Chamber Singers ensemble during fourth period.

All five school choirs will begin a packed performance season during a Cabaret Night on September 23 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. A Pancake Breakfast is slated for October 29.

“It’s going to be a great year!” said Walnut High senior Brianna Roach.

“I’m looking forward to classes, athletics, and having a chill last year!” added Daniel Yang.

Surviving the Teen and Adolescent Years

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

Every parent of every generation eventually deals with a child that becomes an adolescent and then a teen.  Everything seemed to be going so well and there was peace in your household.  One day your child wakes up and now they are an adolescent and they seem different.  Your very loving, smart, considerate, affectionate child seems to have a new family in his or her friends.  These people, some of which you haven’t even met, seem to be as important as the air they breathe. Sometimes these friends are involved in things that are not appropriate but our adolescent or teen gets very defensive on their behalf. Sometimes our adolescents or teens get in trouble with these friends.  We as parents feel as if we are losing control and so we start to take away electronics out of desperation.  Our adolescents or teens then rebel and start very disrespectful behavior.

The trick is to be a fair parent and to find balance in your parenting.  As parents we must continue to recognize what our adolescents or teens are still doing right even if there is some rebelling and disrespect going on.  If we only give attention for what they are doing wrong that behavior will continue.  If we can somehow still see the good and comment on that while correcting the disrespectful behavior, we have a chance for change.  This is also very important in helping to build a high level of self-esteem in our youth in general.  It’s also important to not hang on too tightly because eventually you will launch them into this world.  The goal is to plant seeds by teaching lessons that will eventually be applied toward their adult lives.  As parents we hope and pray these seeds will take and that our adult children will put more into this world than they take out and be good people!!!!!

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

Steak Fajitas

with Kiwi Salsa and Crispy Beans

By Hello Fresh  Hello Fresh

Yep, you read that correctly. We’ve incorporated kiwis into one of our beloved Tex-Mex recipes. A refreshing fruit salsa contrasts the crisp fried beans and kick of spice, all of which are wrapped up for a fajita grand slam. We’ve partnered with Jack’s Quality organic, low sodium beans to make these fajitas both healthy and delicious.

Cooking Time: 30 min.

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

  • Beef Sirloin Tips- 12 oz.
  • Flour Tortillas- 4
  • Jack’s Quality Kidney Beans- 1 Box ( ~13.7 oz)
  • Kiwi- 1
  • Roma Tomato- 1
  • Red Onion- 1
  • Scallions- 2
  • Red Bell Pepper- 1
  • Lime- 1
  • Southwest Spice Blend -1T
  • Oil- 1T

Preparation:

  1. Prep: Wash and dry all produce. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Halve, peel, and quarter the onion. Finely dice one of the quarters and thinly slice the remainder. Core, seed, and thinly slice the bell pepper. Core, seed, and dice the tomato. Zest and cut the lime into wedges. Peel the kiwi with a vegetable peeler and finely dice. Thinly slice the scallions. Drain and rinse the beans.
  2. Make the kiwi salsa: In a medium bowl, combine the kiwi, lime zest, tomato, and as much diced onion as you like. Add a few squeezes of lime juice (to taste) and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Sear the steak: Pat the sirloin tips dry with a paper towel before cutting into bite-sized pieces. Season on all sides with the Southwest spice blend, salt, and pepper. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over high heat before adding the sirloin tips. Cook 3-4 minutes, turning to brown on all sides, until cooked to desired doneness. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  4. Char the vegetables: Add the bell pepper, sliced onion, and a drizzle of oil to the same pan over high heat. Cook, tossing occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, until slightly charred.
  5. Crisp the beans: While the vegetables cook, heat a drizzle of oil in a medium pan over high heat. Add the beans and scallions. Cook, tossing, for 3-5 minutes, until slightly blistered. Season with salt and pepper. While the beans cook, wrap the tortillas in foil and place in the oven to warm 3-4 minutes. Alternatively, you can wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave 30 seconds.

Assemble the steak fajitas: Fill each tortilla with sirloin tips, charred vegetables, kiwi salsa, and crispy beans. Serve any remaining beans on the sid

3 arrested during Blue cut Fire evacuations

Staff Reports  

Photo courtesy: SBSD

Photo courtesy: SBSD

Diamond Bar- During the Blue cut Fire on August 18, a Diamond Bar resident was one of three suspects who attempted to steal on the 8600 block of Swarthout Canyon of the San Bernardino area during the time of mandatory evacuations.

The SBSD deputies responded to suspicious activity at a home that was located within the evacuation areas. Once deputies arrived, they made contact with the suspects who had brought a flat bed truck and were attempting to leave.

The three suspects were identified as 29 year-old Riverside resident Trevor Sanchez, 27 year-old Diamond Bar resident Natasha Rovinsky, and 27 year-old  Jurupa resident Daniel Mervine. They had informed the deputy that they were picking up property for a friend that resided on that property.

According to SBSD, “Deputies made contact with the property owner who advised that he did not give anyone permission to take his property.”

The three suspects were then taken into custody without further incident and will be booked for Looting and Grand Theft Auto.

If anyone has additional information related to the suspects who were involved, you are urged to contact Sheriff’s Central Station at (909) 387-3545. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call the WeTip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may also leave information on the WeTip Hotline at www.wetip.com

 

History 101

Hurricane Katrina slams into Gulf Coast

By History.com  History-101-WEB

On this day in 2005, Hurricane Katrina makes landfall near New Orleans, Louisiana, as a Category 4 hurricane. Despite being only the third most powerful storm of the 2005 hurricane season, Katrina was the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States. After briefly coming ashore in southern Florida on August 25 as a Category 1 hurricane, Katrina gained strength before slamming into the Gulf Coast on August 29. In addition to bringing devastation to the New Orleans area, the hurricane caused damage along the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama, as well as other parts of Louisiana.

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin ordered a mandatory evacuation of the city on August 28, when Katrina briefly achieved Category 5 status and the National Weather Service predicted “devastating” damage to the area. But an estimated 150,000 people, who either did not want to or did not have the resources to leave, ignored the order and stayed behind. The storm brought sustained winds of 145 miles per hour, which cut power lines and destroyed homes, even turning cars into projectile missiles. Katrina caused record storm surges all along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The surges overwhelmed the levees that protected New Orleans, located at six feet below sea level, from Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River. Soon, 80 percent of the city was flooded up to the rooftops of many homes and small buildings.

Tens of thousands of people sought shelter in the New Orleans Convention Center and the Louisiana Superdome. The situation in both places quickly deteriorated, as food and water ran low and conditions became unsanitary. Frustration mounted as it took up to two days for a full-scale relief effort to begin. In the meantime, the stranded residents suffered from heat, hunger, and a lack of medical care. Reports of looting, rape, and even murder began to surface. As news networks broadcast scenes from the devastated city to the world, it became obvious that a vast majority of the victims were African-American and poor, leading to difficult questions among the public about the state of racial equality in the United States. The federal government and President George W. Bush were roundly criticized for what was perceived as their slow response to the disaster. The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Michael Brown, resigned amid the ensuing controversy.

Finally, on September 1, the tens of thousands of people staying in the damaged Superdome and Convention Center begin to be moved to the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, and another mandatory evacuation order was issued for the city. The next day, military convoys arrived with supplies and the National Guard was brought in to bring a halt to lawlessness. Efforts began to collect and identify corpses. On September 6, eight days after the hurricane, the Army Corps of Engineers finally completed temporary repairs to the three major holes in New Orleans’ levee system and were able to begin pumping water out of the city.

In all, it is believed that the hurricane caused more than 1,300 deaths and up to $150 billion in damages to both private property and public infrastructure. It is estimated that only about $40 billion of that number will be covered by insurance. One million people were displaced by the disaster, a phenomenon unseen in the United States since the Great Depression. Four hundred thousand people lost their jobs as a result of the disaster. Offers of international aid poured in from around the world, even from poor countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Private donations from U.S. citizens alone approached $600 million.

The storm also set off 36 tornadoes in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, resulting in one death.

President Bush declared September 16 a national day of remembrance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

 

School nurse helps Buena Vista High students thrive

By CVUSD  

Photo courtesy: CVUSD : Buena Vista Continuation High School Nurse Sherry Ma listens as Board of Education President Andrew Cruz reads a commendation, honoring Ma for her work with students.

Photo courtesy: CVUSD  Buena Vista Continuation High School Nurse Sherry Ma listens as Board of Education President Andrew Cruz reads a commendation, honoring Ma for her work with students.

 

 

Although Buena Vista Continuation High School nurse Sherry Ma was being honored at the Aug. 18 Board of Education meeting, she took the opportunity at the podium to thank district officials for helping to keep the Chino school’s Infant and Toddler Center open. The center, which cares for the babies and young children of teen parents attending Buena Vista, was facing closure at the end of the school year in 2012 when the recession forced the district to make difficult budget cuts. But district officials crunched the budget numbers and reopened a scaled-down version of the center that fall. Ma, who was being honored Aug. 18 for her outstanding work with students, said she has seen the good that the center has done when she spots the Buena Vista High graduates working in the community. “If we teach them they’ll teach their children,” Ma said. “And we will see their children in the district.” Ma has served as school nurse at Buena Vista since the late 1990s. She also served as a school nurse at Glenmeade, Litel, Oak Ridge, and Butterfield Ranch elementary schools. Prior to that, she was a public health nurse for HIV and tuberculosis patients at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Ma was named Chino Valley Unified School District’s Nurse of the Year in 2008. Board trustee James Na told the audience at the Aug. 18 board meeting that Ma once saved a toddler’s life when she recognized that his symptoms were extremely serious and called an ambulance. The students under her care have said Ma is easy to talk to and provides them with good advice. One girl had built such a close relationship with Ma that the teen called the school nurse first following a traffi

A Penny For Your Thoughts

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

In my last article, I shared my story of finding a penny at a local Hardware store.

It was a “Wheat Penny”.  It was dated 1914.  It was over 100 years old!

I smile when I think about where that penny has been over the past 100 years.  I wonder who has held it in their hand.  I wonder how many purchases it has made?  I wonder in what stores and in what states that penny has been?

No one can know for sure the answers to these questions, but here are some of my thoughts.  I’m sure you can add more.

That penny probably went as a shiny new coin from the US Mint to a large bank on the east coast.  I think there were three US Mints in the early 1900’s in San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia.  I think this coin was made in Philly.

The First World War started in 1914 although our nation was not drawn into the war until 1917.  In those days, a few pennies could purchase a gallon of gas.  Maybe the penny ended up in the cash register of a local gas station?

That penny survived through the “Roaring Twenties”.  It may have traveled to Chicago during the days of prohibition.  It probably changed hands many times to pay for many things.

In the 1930’s, that penny was probably kept in a small tin box as people struggled to survive during the Great Depression.  A penny was probably worth a lot more than we can imagine today.

I wonder where the penny was during World War Two?  During the war, pennies were not made of copper because the copper was needed to make bombs and bullets.

I suspect that in the 1960’s that old penny may have ended up in an old cigar box of a young newspaper delivery boy in Arizona.

Or, maybe that middle aged penny stayed in circulation during the second half of the twentieth century.  It may have found its way to In N Out Burger, a local movie theater or a snack bar at the beach.  That penny probably helped purchase groceries and prescriptions at the local market.

I wonder how that coin got to California?   Did it get lost between the cushions of a couch or under the floor mat of a car?

With the use of debit cards and credit cards, that penny was probably used less and less. Who needs coins when you can buy things with a plastic card?

I wonder how that 1914 penny ended up at a local hardware store in Diamond Bar, California?  Did someone use it by accident or was a family member cashing in the coin collection of a relative that died?

It is fun to dream and imagine where a coin has been over the past 100 years.  We will never know the answer.

Let me encourage you to take a look in your purse or pocket.  See what coins have found their way into your life.  They may have a lot of stories to tell!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd.  Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.  For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit Efreedb.org.

 

 

 

Illegal Marijuana Plants Seized

Staff Reports

San Bernardino- A search warrant was served on August 9 at 8068 Sunnyside Avenue in San Bernardino for the cultivation of marijuana. Deputies from the Central Station responded to calls for service in the area and discovered the illegal marijuana growth when they notified the Gangs/Narcotics Division.

Once the search was conducted, suspect Camilo Farias-Rodrigues, 33-years-old, was found in the rear yard tending to the marijuana plants.

Once Farias-Rodrigues was detained, deputies secured the area and began an investigation. According to SBSD, “He was being paid to care for the plants by an unknown individual. Investigators seized over 2300 marijuana plants in various stages of growth from the location.”

In the investigation, it was determined that Farias-Rodrigues had been hired to care for the plants and was staying on the property to do so.

It was also found that the suspect was not in compliance with the California medical marijuana laws and local ordinances. The County of San Bernardino has an ordinance prohibiting marijuana dispensaries, mobile marijuana dispensaries, delivery services, and outdoor cultivation of marijuana within the unincorporated areas of the county.

Farias-Rodrigues was booked into the Central Detention Center for Cultivation of Marijuana and given a bail of $25,000. The property owner may also face civil and/or criminal charges at a later date.

Anyone with any information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909) 890-4840. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you can also leave information on their website at http://www.wetip.com.

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 8.27.16

The Weekly News covers community news for Chino, Chino Hills,2016-Aug27-Weekly-COVER
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: 2016-Aug27-Weekly-FULL

Four Table Legs

By Sarah Sanchez

I work with the youth ministry at our local church, so I’m around teenagers about twice a week, in addition to talking to them almost daily. As I’ve worked with the local youth, I’ve begun to understand that they have a lot more to deal with than when I was in school.

It’s a lot easier for a teenager to feel overwhelmed with the pressures of today’s society. To us adults, their problems may not seem like a big deal because we know there is so much more to life and so many more responsibilities that our teens haven’t even dealt with yet. But a teenager doesn’t understand that.  When something significant happens, their whole world can feel like its falling apart – which can lead to serious depression or even suicide.

I like to think of a teenager’s life as a table with four legs. If you knock out one leg of the table, it will begin to fall.  In comparison, one leg represents one part of a teenager’s life. When you take a part of it away, their world starts to feel as if it’s falling apart, just like the table. If you knock down all the legs, they can feel as if there is nothing worth living for, which is what triggers the depression and suicidal thoughts. So understanding your teenager’s table legs is crucial to being able to help them.

Based on my experience, a teenager’s world consists of the following four table legs (typically in this order of importance):

Leg #1: Friends/Dating Relationships. I put these two in the same category because it’s usually one or the other. If a teenager is in a relationship, it means they are spending all their time with their boyfriend/girlfriend and aren’t spending much time with their friends. But if they aren’t in a relationship, all their free time goes to their friends. Of course, there are a few exceptions.

If your teenager was just dumped or is being excluded from his/her group of friends, it’s a big deal to them because this is their number one priority in life. They can’t just go off and sit with new friends. Haven’t you seen the movie “Mean Girls”? (“You can’t sit with us!”)  I remember sitting in the bathroom and eating my lunch by myself when my high school friends were mad at me, because that seemed better than walking up to a group of strangers to eat with. It doesn’t make sense, but a teenager’s thought process doesn’t always make sense.

Leg #2: School. This is where your teenager spends most of his/her day, so it’s actually pretty important. If your teenager is a junior or senior, they have a lot of pressure with SATs (these are insanely hard now!), graduation, and college applications.

If that’s not enough, what also falls under the school category is social status, which is everything to a teenager. A lot of my students struggle with self-esteem issues because they care so much about what their peers think of them. And with teenagers on five different social networks at a time (yes, there are now at least five of them), it’s a lot easier for their life to be made public. If something in their life is posted on social media by a peer, it can not only jeopardize their social status and cause them to be isolated from their peers, but a mistake can even haunt them for the rest of their life (said in the dramatic voice of a teenager).

An example might be if your teenager decides to go drinking with their friends (oh, don’t act surprised; you were a teenager, too), and someone records them being drunk – that video can end up on any or all social media avenues. One click of the “Post” button can share the unfortunate incident with friends, who can share it with their friends, and so on – perhaps even going viral worldwide.  One post can change your teen’s life.

Or maybe they are even the ones posting the fate of someone else.  The guilt associated with either action can really affect a teenager.

Leg #3: Extra Activities. This category is for anything outside of school and friends, whether its sports, theater, work, or volunteering. These activities are very important to a teenager because they’re spending their free time doing them. So whether they are doing it for fun, money, or for their college applications, they are getting something out of it. But with the perks, comes the stress of succeeding in whatever they are pursuing. And don’t forget the stressful competition that goes along with that.

Leg #4: Family. Yes, sadly, family is usually last on the priority list (it’s nothing personal). With school, activities, and friends taking up most the day, there’s not much time left for family. However, even if you hardly see your teen, they are very aware of what’s going on at home. It’s probably my most popular prayer request: parents fighting, financial struggles, family feuds; the list goes on and on – I’ve heard some crazy stories. So imagine your teenager struggling with friends and the pressure of school or extracurricular activities, and then you top it off with them hearing about your marital or family problems. All this can push them over the edge with stress that they don’t need. If they are around this turmoil enough, it could affect them more than any of the other categories.

It’s important to understand how any of these falling legs can affect your teenager’s life. I suggest that you talk openly with your teens, even share your own experiences with them; and don’t take their depression lightly.

In my group of about 15 girls, almost all of them have admitted to being bullied, eight have suffered from major depression (53.3%), and four have admitted that they have either attempted or thought about suicide (26.6%). These are just freshman girls. They just entered high school and have already struggled with serious issues. Luckily, they are getting professional help now.

Is your teenager suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts, too? Are they receiving the love and professional help they need? Have you taken a step back from your busy life to notice if they’re handling theirs?

Growing up, my dad used to tell me that no matter what I did, he and my mom would never stop loving me. He told me this to make sure I knew that there was nothing in this world that was worth committing suicide for because I always had two people who would love me no matter what mistakes I made. That statement meant everything to me. Yes, I still struggled with depression and even suicidal thoughts growing up, but when it came down to it, I knew it wasn’t worth it because my parents would love me no matter what I did.

So, please, try to understand your teenagers (and their table legs) and show them unconditional love.  You never know if one day it might be too late.

 

New teachers learn about CVUSD’s Area of Emphasis

By CVUSD

Chino- Chino Valley Unified had the pleasure of welcoming 80 new teachers to the district on Tuesday, August 9 at a training session in the district’s new Professional Development Center building in Chino. New teachers for the 2016-2017 school year were comprised of both elementary and secondary teachers. Approximately half are coming to the district with prior teaching experience from another district or charter school, and half are new to the teaching career.

The day began with a welcome from Director of Professional Development Grace Lee, a message about district’s mission and vision from Deputy Superintendent Norm Enfield, and ended with Associated Chino Teachers (ACT) President Todd Hancock and ACT Vice President Kelly Larned sharing about the support teachers receive from the union. Talented facilitators, Cal Aero Preserve Academy Instructional Coach Emily Lao, Eagle Canyon Elementary Instructional Coach Janine Milligan, and Liberty Elementary Assistant Principal Dawn Zwack shared strategies to implement Critical Thinking, Common Core ELA Shift 1 & 2.

They also talked about the importance of strong classroom procedures and positive expectations for all students throughout the year. “Teaching is one of the most valuable careers,” Lee said. “It is exciting to open our new Professional Development Center with our New Teacher Training.

Chino Valley views teachers’ life-long learning as a partnership between teachers and the district. Teachers in Chino Valley are provided with multiple professional development opportunities from various experts throughout their career with Chino Valley.” The new teachers continued their professional development with site orientations on Wednesday, August 10.

Chino Hills Lights It Up Blue

Staff Reports

Photo courtesy: City of Chino Hills ): Sergeant Venegas, Deputy Arden, Juan Isas, Mayor Art Bennett, Deputy Franco, and Sonia Martin Del Campo

Photo courtesy: City of Chino Hills: Sergeant Venegas, Deputy Arden, Juan Isas, Mayor Art Bennett, Deputy Franco, and Sonia Martin Del Campo

Chino Hills– City of Chino Hills wants you to shine your porch light blue for those who protect you!

Residents at the Chino Hills Concert in the Park on Wednesday night lined up for a free blue light bulb distributed by the City of Chino Hills and their project partner, the Lowes store at The Commons shopping center.

According to City officials, representatives of Lowes, and several Deputies from the Chino Hills station shook hands with residents as they handed out the blue light bulbs.

Photo courtesy: City of Chino Hills Deputy Franco and Deputy Arden share school supplies with kids.

Photo courtesy: City of Chino Hills
Deputy Franco and Deputy Arden share school supplies with kids.

The idea is to shine a blue light bulb in the porch light to show support for the Chino Hills Police Department. All 500 light bulbs were distributed at the concert.

Residents who would like to show support for the Chino Hills Police Department can stop by the Lowe’s on Chino Hills Parkway to purchase a blue LED light bulb to install in their porch light.

Did You Know

4 Key Factors That Can Improve Your Quality of Life As You Age

By Toni Tantlinger  Did-You-Know-WEB

When it comes to aging, Americans harbor plenty of concerns: Going broke, succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease, Spending the final lonely years in a nursing home, etc.

But there’s no need to think that grey hair and wrinkles automatically translate to a dreary existence.

“There are a number of things people can do right now that will increase the odds that their senior years will be healthy, productive and rewarding,” says Chris Orestis, a senior-care advocate and author of the books “Help on the Way” and “A Survival Guide to Aging.”

Orestis, CEO of Life Care Funding (www.lifecarefunding.com), has worked for years with families to help them afford the costs of long-term care, something that about 70 percent of people over 65 eventually need.

But he says it’s also important to help seniors and their families make the most of what should be the best years of their lives.

A healthy diet and exercise are two of the better known ingredients for improving the chances you’ll lead a long and fruitful life. Others include:

  • Attitude. Life hands everyone challenges, but it’s how you deal with those challenges that makes the difference. “Keeping a positive attitude is important,” Orestis says. “Do you approach each day with zeal or with dread? Are you active or sedentary? It’s critical to live life with a purpose because it will make you strive to be healthy of mind, body and in your attitude.”
    • Adaptability. People change as they age and so does the world around them. “You need to be prepared to manage a whole host of changes in a positive way,” Orestis says. “Your body changes. Your mind changes. There are changes in your career, in the community you live in and in the technology we all use every day.” Those who do the best job of adapting are the ones most likely to thrive, he says.
    • Relationships. People who nurture relationships are more likely to live higher-quality lifestyles. “As we age, relationships will change and it’s important to stay engaged, whether in person or from afar,” Orestis says. “We also need to build new relationships throughout our lives.”
    • Activities. Filling your time with activities – coaching a youth soccer team, learning guitar, traveling – can help give you a more meaningful and healthy life. “One of the keys to people who live long lives is that their life continued to have meaning,” Orestis says. “Hobbies, volunteer work, learning new skills or getting more involved with your family are all paths to an active and meaningful life.”

“Aging shouldn’t be a one-way ticket to poor health, loneliness, boredom and a declining quality of life,” he says. “The key to enjoying a long and fulfilling life is in your own hands.”

 

Sheriff’s Club Raises Funds

By Sarah Sanchez

Diamond Bar/Walnut – The Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club recently held their Annual Golf Tournament to honor over 100 Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff Department’s volunteers who give their time to improve the service and security to the cities of Walnut and Diamond Bar, and the unincorporated communities of Rowland Heights, Covina Hills and West Covina.

“Thousands of hours are donated annually by our department’s volunteers, explorers, reserves and disaster communication specialists,” said Captain Jeff Scroggin in a previous interview. The golf tournament was held to provide the needed uniforms and equipment to these volunteers.

Sheriff Booster Club President, Gil Rivera, previously stated that the golf tournament had a great community participation. There were a total of 127 golfers, which is the largest number of participants that they have ever had, according to Rivera. There were also 26 volunteers in attendance from the volunteer division of the Sheriff’s Department.

This is the only fundraiser the Sheriff’s Booster Club does annually so it’s really important to the club. Every year, the golf tournament makes a little more money than the previous year, according to Captain Scroggin. But he says that the Sheriff’s Booster Club does a really good job managing the money they receive.

“This is a very good club, a very specific club, and they raise funds for a charitable cause,” said Scroggin. The Sheriff Booster Club is a valid 5013(c) non-profit and all the board members are volunteers.

“The club has done a very good job under Gil’s presidency,” said Scroggin. “Gil and Andy [Lujan] have done a great job keeping us on track with all of our records.” The club also has an outside accounting firm that manages all their financials.

Scroggin added, “The club provides funds to give back to the folks who volunteer all these hours to the community.”

“Volunteers contribute about 20,000 hours a year,” Mark Saldeke said. This number doesn’t include explorers or reserve deputies. Some volunteers will spend up to 240 hours a month volunteering, according to Scroggin.

These volunteers are extremely important to the Sheriff’s Department. “Volunteers do provide a higher level of service every day,” said Scroggin. Volunteers will even go above and beyond by checking in with victims months after an incident happens.

Also, if a Deputy Sheriff has a high call volume, volunteers will be able to fill in where they are needed. For example, volunteers will do vacation home checks, which is where deputies will check on homes for break-ins when residents are on vacation. These are considered high priority to the volunteers.

The vacation home checks have been 100% successful after a recent survey revealed that 0 crimes were reported at those homes that were on vacation, according to Scroggin.

Dozens of volunteers and explorers will also help at local events when Deputies can’t be there. Volunteers attending events will benefit the Sheriff’s Department financially because they won’t need to pay multiple Deputies to be there. Scroggin said that they couldn’t have staffed a recent event without their volunteers. “We couldn’t do the job without them,” he added.

You can also see volunteers at the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Department front desk. They will usually be the ones greeting those in the lobby. Make sure to say hi to their oldest volunteer, who is 90 years old.

“There are jobs for everyone,” said Scroggin. Volunteers can consist of anyone from an intern to a patrol officer driving in a white car. In addition, working as a volunteer has many benefits. Three volunteer interns recently became Deputies.

Signing up to be a volunteer is easy. You can obtain an application at the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Department and turn it in to Deputy Saldeke. The only requirements are that you have to be at least 18, obtain a background check, and be briefly interviewed.

“This is an opportunity for the community to be a part of our team,” said Scroggin. “Volunteers are a big part of who we are and our department.”

If a resident under 18 wants to volunteer, they can sign up for the Explorer Program, which caters to ages 14-21.

“My niece participated in the Explorer Program,” said Sheriff Booster Club member Michael Armijo. “It really benefited her; it taught her about the consequences when teenagers don’t have guidance in their lives. It also gave her the guidance and structure she needed, and it gave her an interest in law enforcement.”

Armijo also talked about his friend’s son who joined the program. “It provided structure for him, especially since his father was away in the National Guard, serving our country in a foreign land.”

Don’t wait; sign up to be a volunteer or explorer today! “The more people who we have to volunteer, the more transparent the department is,” said Scroggin. “Volunteers give us ability to provide extra eyes and ears in the community.”

WVUSD To Place Bond Measure On Ballot

Endorsed by United Walnut Taxpayers, WVUSD Coordinating Council

By Kelli Gile

Walnut— The Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees has voted to move forward with plans to put a $152,880,000 general obligation bond measure on the November ballot.

The unanimous decision to approve the project list and resolution for the upcoming election was made during the August 10 meeting.

The WVUSD school improvement measure will upgrade classrooms, science labs, career-training facilities, libraries, and instructional technology to support student achievement in math, science, engineering, technology (STEM).  The measure will also be bringing repairs to our schools.  Such repairs include fixing deteriorating roofs, plumbing, and electrical, and improve student safety.

“We are so excited to move forward with the bond knowing that all of our schools will benefit from it,” said Board president Helen Hall. “It’s a ‘win win’ for our district.”

Two prominent groups proclaimed their support of the school bond during public comments, before the Trustees cast their votes.

United Walnut Taxpayers (UWT) members Layla Abou-Taleb and Mansfield Collins took to the podium to announce the endorsement of the community group.

Additionally, Lily Eibert, president of the WVUSD Coordinating Council, announced that the school parent groups have given their resounding approval.

Abou-Taleb and Collins said they have been happy with the transparency of the District’s plan and willingness of officials to work closely with the community.

“I am pleased to say that after reviewing the draft bond project list and resolution presented to the WVUSD Board of Trustees, UWT will be endorsing the bond measure come November,” Abou-Taleb said.

“We commend Dr. Taylor and his staff for being transparent and open to community input and involvement in the process.”

The representatives are Walnut residents and have been neighbors in the Timberline development for the past 30 years.

Abou-Taleb explained that they have worked hard to become bond experts in recent years.  Both attended a recent town hall meeting, held on July 7, where residents were encouraged to give feedback on the District’s vision on the potential bond.

During the August 10 Board meeting, they declared Walnut Valley’s plan as a “good” bond for the future of the schools and community.

Eibert, also a Walnut resident, attended Walnut Valley schools and is proud that her two sons are continuing the tradition of excellence.

“I’ve seen the improvements that school bonds have made from when I attended Walnut Valley Schools.  I think it’s important to continue investing in our schools’ infrastructures and facilities,” she said.

“The approved project list is the result of months of hard work and reflects a collaborative partnership with the community, WVUSD staff, parents, and other stakeholders,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

“We’re definitely grateful for their support. They helped us shape the bond we present to you today,” he said before the vote.

Taylor explained that the implementation of a facilities master plan, feedback from school site teams on every campus, town hall and small group meetings, school tours, and two years of community polling, helped guide the development of the project list.

“We’ve taken all of this information and created a potential bond plan and project list that addresses the needs of our students – our highest priority – and reflects the input and contributions of our community,” he said.

The approved project list is available on the District’s website at www.wvusd.k12.ca.us.

 

Recent Recalls

  1. Sauder Woodworking Chest of Drawers due to serious tip-over hazard; Sold Exclusively at Walmart.com. The recalled chests are unstable unless they are properly anchored to the wall.
  2. Dennis East International Whiskey Glass and Stone Sets due to Laceration Hazard-whiskey glass can spontaneously break during use.
  3. Kohler Power Systems Portable Generators due to Shock Hazard. The generators have a wiring error, which can result in an electrical shock risk if an electrical device is plugged into the generator.
  4. PharmaTech LLC issues Voluntary Nationwide recall due to Potential Risk of Product Contamination. PharmaTech, LLC of Davie, FL, is voluntarily recalling all liquid products from October 20, 2015 through July 15, 2016 as a precautionary measure due to a potential risk of product contamination with Burkholderia cepacia. If a product contains B. cepacia, its use could result in infections in patients with compromised immune systems and in patients with chronic lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis. Some of these infections may be serious or even life-threatening in the at risk patient population.
  5. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) certain model year 2015-2016 CBR300RA, CBR300R and CB300F motorcycles. The affected motorcycles may have an improperly machined crankshaft which may result in the failure of the connecting rod bearing retainer.
  6. General Motors LLC (GM) certain model year 2016 Malibu Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 27, 2015, to June 3, 2016. The affected vehicles have a shut-off switch for the high voltage battery for use when servicing the vehicle. This manual service disconnect switch (MSD) may not be properly installed and thus may not lock into position, unexpectedly disconnecting the high-voltage power while driving, effectively stalling the vehicle.

Walnut City Council

By Natalie Kim

Walnut – The August 10 Walnut Council meeting began with a presentation from the Southern California Gas Company.  A representative from the company discussed the Aliso Canyon reservoir leak.  The leak has finally been plugged and the company is no longer losing gas.  However, the site has not yet been fully repaired, and the reservoir at Aliso Canyon is currently unable to be used to store natural gas. As Aliso Canyon holds the company’s largest natural gas reservoir, the company asked the City to conserve energy.

During the public comments, the Council was invited to the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China.  The G20 Summit is focused toward global cooperation towards economic stability, and allows for a space for politicians from around the world to collaborate and work together towards a more stable economic future.

The Council then approved all items on the consent calendar, including a resolution allowing claims and demands in the amount of $17,748.21 for the fiscal year of 2015-16; a resolution allowing claims and demands in the amount of $59,755.87 for the fiscal year of 2016-17; a resolution allowing claims and demands in the amount of $110,010.19 for the fiscal year of 2015-16; a resolution allowing claims and demands in the amount of $247,752.98 for the fiscal year of 2016-17; designating Mayor Pro Tem Mary Su as the official voting delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference; and a resolution of the City of Walnut as Successor Agency allowing certain claims and demands in the amount of $125,000 for fiscal year 2016-17. The Council also approved the minutes from the July 27 City Council meeting.

Following individual reports and comments, the Council adjourned to August 24 at 7 p.m. at 21201 La Puente Rd.