Category Archives: The Weekly News

Back-To-School Checklist For Families With Asthma

By StatePoint  

Photo courtesy: StatePoint

Photo courtesy: StatePoint

For the more than six million children living with asthma nationwide, gearing up for another school year involves much more than picking out a new pencil case and backpack. Asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization among children in the U.S. under the age of 15 and one of the main reasons that students miss school due to illness, with more than 10 million lost school days every year.

With better asthma management, children are able to feel healthy and safe, and are ready to learn. For a full toolkit and free resources, visit Lung.org/asthma-in-schools.

To get ready for a successful school year, the American Lung Association also recommends this back-to-school checklist for families with asthma:

  1. Schedule a check-up with your child’s physician.

Use your yearly check-up to create or revise your Asthma Action Plan, check the effectiveness of asthma medication and dosage, and get prescriptions for back-up medications for your school nurse, coaches, after-school programs and other individuals helping with your child’s care.

  1. Assess your child’s readiness to self-carry medication.

All 50 states have laws that allow children to self-carry and use their asthma inhalers at school. Use the American Lung Association’s Self-Carry Assessment Tool to see if your child is ready to carry and self-administer his or her asthma medication, which can save precious time, as well as ease concern if your child has an asthma episode at school.

  1. Set up an appointment with your school nurse.

Remember to bring in your updated Asthma Action Plan and back-up medications. Take this time to sign all required medical forms and talk about whether your child can self-carry his or her own quick-relief inhaler, and how to manage any asthma emergencies that may happen during the school year.

  1. Talk to your classroom teacher.

Take a moment to talk to your child’s teacher about his or her asthma, what triggers might bring on an attack and what to do in an emergency — whether that is to head directly to the school nurse or use a quick-relief inhaler.

  1. Introduce yourself to the PE teacher and any coaches.

Kids with asthma shouldn’t have to miss out on playing outside or participating in gym class! You can quickly put minds at ease by talking about exercise-induced asthma, ways to manage symptoms and what to do in an emergency.

  1. Have fun!

There’s a lot to do at the start of the school year, but it can also be exciting to see old school friends and prep for a whole new year. Make sure to take a deep breath an

NNO Against Crime

Staff Reports

Chino Hills- On August 2, many community members participated in the Chino Hills National Night Out (NNO) against crime! It’s a nationwide community event that commemorates crime and drug prevention.

The event is designed to heighten awareness and to strengthen police-community relationships. In which, will give the neighbors an opportunity to gather, get acquainted, and discuss ways you can make your neighborhood safer.

City of Chino Hills residents organized an outdoor evening activity in the neighborhood for the event. Together, they planned a neighborhood barbeque, potluck, or dessert social.

Events that were registered online received visits by the City Council Members, Deputies, Firefighters, Citizens on Patrol, and even McGruff the crime-fighting dog will be taking place.

For additional information, you may call (909) 364-2713.

National Merit Winners In Walnut Valley

12 seniors named National Merit winners

By Kelli Gile

Diamond Bar – Two distinguished 2016 Diamond Bar High School grads have joined the ranks as National Merit scholarship winners. Angela Song (Pomona College – History) and Melody C. Guo (Northwestern University – Science/Research) are among over 800 additional winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by colleges and universities announced on July 18.

These Merit Scholar designees join approximately 3,000 other college-sponsored winners who were selected in June. College-sponsored awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years for undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. The final group of winners brings the number of 2016 National Merit Scholars to more than 7,300.

This year, a total of 12 Diamond Bar and Walnut High School seniors were named National Merit winners for demonstrating exceptional academic ability and potential for success in college studies. Congratulations again to previous 2016 DBHS and WHS winners: Crystal Tin-Tin Chang, Eric Chen, Charlene L. Hsu, Betty Jung Hyun Kim, Letitia So, Jonathan Sun, Miriam Hsuan-Te Sun, Margaret Wang, Dalton Trinh, and Angel Wong.

 

Officer Involved Shooting In Chino

Staff Reports

Chino- An officer involved shooting took place on the night of July 23 after a citizen contacted the Chino Police Department to report suspicious activity in the 12100 block of Central Avenue.

At approximately 9:21 p.m. the citizen informed officers that the subject was driving a car and stopped her to ask a question. The citizen did not want to engage in conversation, and reported the man had a gun in his vehicle. The citizen directed the officers to the nearby business area where the man had parked his car.

Once an officer arrived on scene and approached the vehicle, the suspect got out of his car and refused to cooperate with the officer. Other officers were alerted once the suspect started to run on foot.

According to the Chino Police Department, “The suspect ran to an adjacent shopping center and encountered another responding officer. The suspect pointed his gun at the officer and the officer fired upon the suspect.”

The officers conducted CPR until the Chino Valley Fire District arrived at the scene. The male suspect was identified as Bernard Wells III, 31-year-old resident of San Diego. Wells was transported to the Chino Valley Medical Center where he died from his wounds.

Wells was on parole with warrants for his arrest, as well as had an extensive criminal history.

The City of Chino Police Department says, “The officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave per department policy. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is conducting the investigation.” The Department also said, “The name of the officer involved will not be released at this time due to the on-going investigation.”

Anyone who has information regarding this incident is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Investigations Unit at (909) 387-3589.

Tickets Available For Chino Hills Wine Walk

Staff Reports

Chino Hills- On Saturday, Oct. 8 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Chino Hills Wine Walk returns for the sixth year. The event showcases premiere wine with food pairings from some of the best Chino Valley restaurants.

Early bird tickets are available through August 7th for $40. The ticket prices increases to $45 on August 8th. Each guest will receive 12 tickets to sample wine and small bites at a wine garden in the central courtyard and at numerous retailers throughout The Shoppes at Chino Hills. If tickets are available at the event, the price will be $55. The EnCork after-party takes the evening into the night with a full dinner and a live auction. EnCork tickets are an additional $60 ticket per person and are limited.

“The event sold out last year, and we are expecting another banner event this year,” said Chino Hills Community Foundation Chair Peter Rogers. “It’s a great evening for people who enjoy food and wine.”

All proceeds from the event benefit the Chino Hills Community Foundation, which is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the City. The Wine Walk will directly benefit new Foundation projects that include purchasing playground equipment for a future park in the Los Serranos neighborhood, beautifying trails in Chino Hills, and providing recreation scholarships for families in need.

Founded in 2008, the Chino Hills Community Foundation has awarded about $575,000 to a variety of programs and facilities that benefit all citizens. Most recently, the Foundation board voted unanimously to earmark $150,000 for a playground at a new City park in the Los Serranos neighborhood.

Tickets for the 6th annual Chino Hills Wine Walk may be purchased online at http://www.chinohillswinewalk.com or by visiting Chino Hills City Hall, the Community Center or the kiosk at The Shoppes at Chino Hills. For additional information, please

Recent Recalls

Staff Reports

Here is the recent list of recalls this week:

  1. Frigidaire and Kenmore Wall Ovens recalled by Electrolux due to Fire Hazard- The thermal switch on the ovens can malfunction due to improper manufacturing, posing a fire hazard to consumers
  2. Lorex recalls Video Baby Monitors due to Burn Hazard- The video monitor’s batteries can overheat, swell and expand and cause the battery cover to open or come off. This can expose hot batteries.
  3. Nu Skin recalls Mist Diffusers due to risk of Mold Exposure- Mold can develop on the product, posing a health risk to individuals with compromised immune systems, damaged lungs or an allergy to mold.
  4. General Mills Expands Retail Flour Recall– Due to four new confirmed illnesses, General Mills is adding additional flour production dates to the previously announced U.S. retail flour recall that was originally announced on May 31, 2016. The illnesses reported to health officials continue to be connected with consumers reporting that they ate or handled uncooked dough or ate uncooked batter made with raw flour.
  5. Ghiringhelli Specialty Foods, Inc. Recalls Poultry Products due to Mislabeling and Undeclared Allergens- Ghiringhelli Specialty Foods, Inc., a Vallejo, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 2,444 pounds of chicken Caesar salad products due to mislabeling and undeclared allergens: soy, wheat, and fish (anchovies).

 

Garden Library

With the recent opening of the Chino Community Garden, “The Little Free Library” is now available for you to stop by to check out or donate a book!

Photo courtesy: City of Chino
With the recent opening of the Chino Community Garden, “The Little Free Library” is now available for you to stop by to check out or donate a book!

Straight Talk With Danice

No intimacy after lumpectomy – A letter from Claire

 

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

By Danice Akiyoshi

Q: I have noticed that my husband doesn’t approach me romantically since I had a lumpectomy in my breast.  I have been fully healed for three months and my doctor said everything was fine.  I am too embarrassed to ask him why because we are both kind of shy.

 

A: This is a fairly common question.  Since you’ve admitted that you are shy and not able to have sensitive conversations very easily, I’m wondering if your husband is worried about hurting you in some way.  I hear this quite often from men whose wives are recovering from medical issues.  If you do not have any other problems, try buying him a card that tells him how much you missed him while you were healing.  Tell him you would like a date with him and extend the invitation to take him out for a special evening.  Try your best to gently get the ball rolling to encourage romance.  If my thoughts are correct, this should be enough to put his mind at ease.

 

13 Year-Old Arrested

Staff Reports

Highland– The Adult Protective Services (APS) contacted the Highland Deputies on July 25 to report in reference to an elderly female who had been assaulted by a thirteen-year-old male on the 7000 block of Lynwood in Highland.

The Deputies made contact with the 80-year-old elderly woman, who reported an incident that happened on July 17.

The woman walked out to her front yard to hear the suspect arguing with his sister. She describes him as a neighborhood kid; she asked the suspect and his sister to stop arguing in front of her residence. The 13-year-old suspect picked up a brick from her yard, in which he threw it towards her, striking her in the leg. He caused a significant injury to the elderly woman who had to be treated at the hospital.

After the boy assaulted the elderly woman, he picked up another brick and shattered the window to her vehicle.

The 13 year-old has been arrested and booked at Juvenile Hall for Elder Abuse.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Highland Police Department at (909) 425-9793.

If you are in San Bernardino County and want to know how to report elderly abuse, you can contact the Department of Aging and Adult Services, located at 686 East Mill Street San Bernardino, CA  92415. You may also call the 24 Hour Abuse Hotline:  (877) 565-2020 or you can fax at (909) 388-6718. Or you may visit courts.ca.gov for additional information and steps to obtain a restraining order.

 

Quality Hair Care At Supercuts

Staff Reports  

Supercuts is now open at Suite G in The Village West Shopping Center. You can reach them at (909) 475-0888. Check out their ad on page 12 of the Weekly News for great deals.

Supercuts is now open at Suite G in The Village West Shopping Center. You can reach them at (909) 475-0888. Check out their ad on page 12 of the Weekly News for great deals.

Walnut – Walnut residents have a new option for all of their hair care needs! Supercuts is now open in Walnut at Suite G in The Village West Shopping Center. To celebrate its grand opening, the salon is offering $12 haircuts until Aug. 5.  Some discounts will also continue until Sept. 5.

Supercuts is ranked the top hair care franchise in the U.S. in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2015 Franchise 500. They offer professional haircuts, color services and facial waxing options to keep guests looking sharp.

The new Walnut Supercuts is locally owned and operated. They have hired an outstanding team of 6 stylists from the area, all of whom are passionate about delivering an exceptional guest experience. Ongoing training and certification allows the stylists to stay current on the latest looks so they can help guests with their existing style or give them a fresh new cut.

Haircuts at the Walnut location will finish with a relaxing Hot Towel Refresher to clean away stray hairs, starting at $18 for adults, $16 for children (12 and under) and $16 for seniors (65 and older).

Supercuts accept all major credit cards and cash. Salon hours are:

  • Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Walnut salon joins over 2,300 Supercuts across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico that provide consistent, high-quality hair-care services and professional products to its guests at convenient times and locations with reasonable prices. Supercuts offer a broad selection of professional hair care products including: Paul Mitchell, American Crew, TIGI, Redken, Biolage and more.

Supercuts salons are owned and franchised by Regis Corporation (NYSE:RGS), the leader in beauty salons and cosmetology education. Supercuts is a salon industry leader in hair care services, with over 33 million guest visits per year for haircuts, hair color services and more. Supercuts primarily targets male guests who want a current look at an affordable price. Supercuts’ proven technique, highly trained stylists and nationally recognized professional brands of hair care products offers an exceptional guest experience.

Call the Walnut Supercuts at (909) 475-0888 today for more information. Or download the Supercuts mobile app for iOS or Android, visit Supercuts.com to check-in for a same-day haircut, text 667788, or simply walk in when it’s convenient for you. For additional information about Supercuts, give them a follow at Facebook.com/Supercuts and Twitter.com/Supercuts. For more information about Regis Corporation, please visit RegisCorp.com.

Walnut Valley Board Honors Gifted Young Artist

By Kelli Gile  

Young artist Michael Wu was recognized by the Board of Trustees on July 13. Shown with teacher Seema Bagai, family members, and Board President Helen Hall.

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile
Young artist Michael Wu was recognized by the Board of Trustees on July 13. Shown with teacher Seema Bagai, family members, and Board President Helen Hall.

Walnut—Walnut Elementary student Michael Wu was lauded for his exceptional artistic talent by the WVUSD Board of Trustees on July 13.

The fifth grader recently garnered national attention as the grand prize winner in the Missing Children’s Day poster contest sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Michael, age 11, entered a drawing of a young boy hugging a teddy bear in the “Bring Our Missing Children Home” competition that aims to create awareness and promote child safety.

As national winner, Michael, his parents, and teacher Seema Bagai were awarded a trip to Washington D.C. to be recognized during the National Missing Children’s Day ceremony on May 25.

Getting Ready To Start School

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

In just a few weeks, our care free summers will end and school will begin. The lazy late nights will be replaced by endless hours of homework and studying. Very soon, sleeping late during the week will come to an end and we will be setting the goal of rising early and on time. But, don’t wait until the evening before to change behavioral patterns.  Start right now on adjusting sleeping schedules and give your child or teen an advantage.  It’s really hard to make that sleeping change all at once and in one evening.

Getting organized correctly can be such a help for creating an organized student.  A good notebook with tab dividers and a separate folder for each subject within the dividers can be very helpful.  A pouch with the necessary writing implements, such as a hole puncher, stapler, etc., is also very necessary.  I think some type of planner or organizer to write assignments down can really help as well.

You should also help your child or teen figure out why they didn’t meet the academic goals they had for last year.  Teach them to set daily, weekly, semester and annual goals that are realistic and obtainable.  It’s important to understand that many times just doing class and homework isn’t enough and that studying is an important part of academic success.  I work with many young people in my practice and they seem to have a hard time asking their teachers for help because they don’t want to appear stupid in front of their peers.  Help your student find ways to get the help they need and in a way that they are okay with.  Remind then to tell you right away before they are failing and can’t raise that grade.  I wish you success this year!

 

Hoisin-Glazed Meatballs

with Roasted Sweet Potato and Broccolini

By Hello Fresh   

Photo courtesy: Hello Fresh

Photo courtesy: Hello Fresh

We’re big fans of baking, rather than frying, our meatballs for a healthier alternative to this dinnertime staple. But don’t worry, the dish is still jam-packed with flavor thanks to a sweet hoisin glaze, roasted sweet potatoes, and crispy veggies. One bite and you’ll be hooked.

Cooking Time: 30 min.

Servings: 2

Nutrition: Calories: 580 cal, Fat: 22g, Sat. Fat: 7 g, Protein: 35g, Carbs: 64 g, Sugar: 19 g, Sodium: 451 mg, Fiber: 10 g

Ingredients:

  • Ground Beef- 10 oz.
  • Sweet Potatoes- 1
  • Broccolini- 6 oz.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs- ¼ cup
  • Ginger- 1 Thumb
  • Scallions- 2
  • Hoisin Sauce- 2T
  • Lime- 1
  • Sugar- 1t
  • Oil- 1T

Preparation:

  1. Prep: Wash and dry all produce. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Halve the sweet potato lengthwise, then thinly slice into ¼-inch half moons. Peel and mince the ginger. Thinly slice the scallions, then chop until finely minced.
  2. Roast the sweet potatoes: Toss the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Place in the oven for about 20 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown.
  3. Make the meatballs: In a medium bowl, combine the ginger, scallions, beef, panko, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Season with salt (we used ¾ teaspoon kosher salt) and pepper. Form into 1-inch meatballs, and place onto one side of a lightly oiled baking sheet.
  4. Roast the broccolini: Place the broccolini on the opposite side of the baking sheet with the meatballs. Toss with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Place in the oven for 15 minutes, until tender and slightly crispy.
  5. Glaze the meatballs: After 15 minutes, glaze each meatball with a little hoisin sauce. Remove the broccolini from the baking sheet, then return to the oven for about 5 minutes.
  6. Finish and serve: Cut the lime into wedges. Serve the meatballs with the broccolini and sweet potatoes on the side. Squeeze over a lime wedge and enjoy!

Missing Woman Found Dead

Staff Reports   laura-johnson-WEB-v2

Chino– On July 17, Chino Police Department released information of a missing woman, Laura Johnson, 68 year-old resident of Ontario.

The missing person report was made on July 16 to Chino Police personnel, stating that Johnson had last been seen July 15 when she had left her mother’s residence in Chino to run errands. Chino PD also received information that Johnson had been suffering from memory loss and disorientation.

An alert was issued by the California Highway Patrol describing her and the vehicle she drove. The vehicle had been described as a 1982 Toyota Corolla Sedan.

The following updated information on this incident was released on July 21: at approximately 3 p.m. on July 20 the Chino PD was notified that Johnson and her vehicle had been located in an area near the City of Niland. The area belongs to a Navy Seal bomb training facility; therefore a range master had discovered Johnson deceased near her vehicle.

Chino PD states, “The preliminary investigation indicates there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. The autopsy is pending by the Imperial County Coroner’s Office.”

However, anyone with information regarding this case may contact Detective Girasek at (909) 334-3015 or you may email him at mgirasek@chinopd.org

 

History 101

Texans Head For The Thrills At Six Flags

History-101-WEB

By History.com  

On August 1 in 1961, amusement park lovers “head for the thrills” as Six Flags Over Texas, the first park in the Six Flags chain, opens. Located on 212 acres in Arlington, Texas, the park was the first to feature log flume and mine train rides and later, the first 360-degree looping roller coaster, modern parachute drop and man-made river rapids ride. The park also pioneered the concept of all-inclusive admission price; until then, separate entrance fees and individual ride tickets were the standard. During its opening year, a day at Six Flags cost $2.75 for an adult and $2.25 for a child. A hamburger was sold for 50 cents and a soda set the buyer back a dime.

The park, which took a year and $10 million to build, was the brainchild of Texas real estate developer and oilman Angus Wynne Jr., who viewed it as a short-term way to make a buck from some vacant land before turning it into an industrial complex. Wynne reportedly recouped his personal investment of $3.5 million within 18 months and changed his mind about the park’s temporary status. With 17.5 million visitors in its first 10 years, the park became the Lone Star State’s top for-profit tourist attraction. Today, average annual attendance at the park is over 3 million.

One of Six Flags’ unique aspects was that it wasn’t just a random collection of rides; it was developed around a theme: the history of Texas. The park’s name was a nod to the six flags that had flown over the state at various times–France, Spain, Mexico, the Confederacy, Texas and the United States. The park’s rides and attractions were grouped into six themed sections that represented the cultures of these governments and enabled visitors to experience everything from cowboy culture to Southern belles and pirates. Originally, the park was to be called Texas Under Six Flags, before it was decided that Texas should never be under anything.

Angus Wynne sold Six Flags in 1969 and in the coming years, the company expanded and was resold. Today, Six Flags, Inc. is the world’s largest regional theme park company and owns and operates 30 theme, water and zoological parks in North America. In 2005, almost 34 million people spent a combined 250 million hours at Six Flags parks.

Concerts And Movies

Staff Reports

Walnut – Walnut residents have enjoyed the annual Summer Concerts and Movies in the Park this summer. The event is coming to end as the last day of the series will be Aug. 2. The concerts are from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the movies begin immediately after.

Local residents are invited to this last Concerts and Movies in the Park but make sure to bring a picnic complete with blanket and lawn chairs. A nice selection of food is also available for sale by local food trucks.

On Aug. 2, Cold Duck (Top 40’s) will provide live entertainment and The Avengers, Age of Ultron (PG-13) will play afterwards.

Follow the City of Walnut on Facebook for more information and to find out which trucks will be in town at the concert.

Let’s Go Shopping

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently, my wife heard that a clothing store was having a clearance sale.  Everything was on sale because the store was closing.

The friend that shared the news said that she had found some good bargains.  It sounded like a shopping opportunity.

I asked my wife if she wanted to go, but I was surprised that she said “no”.  She said that she really didn’t need anything.  But I encouraged her to go.  After all, everything was on sale!

It seemed a little ironic.  Usually my wife is the one who wants to go shopping and I am the one who wants to stay home and save money.

But, here I was encouraging her to go even though she said she didn’t want to!  I finally persuaded her and I offered to go with her.

The store was not as crowded as I expected and there was still a lot of merchandise on the racks.  My wife headed to the women’s section and I went looking for some new socks in the men’s department.

I found some socks pretty quickly and had time to look at some of the golf shirts on sale.  It took my wife a little longer to try on a number of items and decide which ones she could not live without.

One of the nice things that many clothing stores provide is a place for men to sit while the women are trying on clothes.  The marketing department knows that the longer the men sit, the more the women will buy!

When we finally got to the check-out counter, we had managed to buy more items than we had planned on.  I guess that is what happens when everything in the store is on sale!

Not only did my wife purchase several items, but I ended up with socks and a new golf shirt too.   How did that happen?

When we got home, I think we both agreed that we were glad we went shopping together.  The next time your husband says, “Let’s go shopping”, make sure you say “yes”.  You’ll be glad you did and he will too!

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

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 7.30.16

2016-Jul30-Weekly-COVERcompleteThe 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:2016-Jul30-Weekly

SB County DA Named President

Staff Reports  

Photo Courtesy: San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office

Photo Courtesy: San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office

San Bernardino– On July 18, San Bernardino County released that District Attorney Mike Ramos was sworn in as President of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA).

This ceremony was held in Boston, Massachusetts and Ramos was honored during the NDAA’s 2016 Summer Conference and National Victim’s Right Summit.

The former NDAA President, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, administered the oath of office to Ramos and the Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker was a main speaker for the ceremony and conducted the “Passing of the Gavel.”

As Ramos made his inaugural speech, he states, “I am honored to have earned the support of my colleagues and given the opportunity to represent the thousands of elected District Attorneys across our great nation,” and also stating, “My intent is to work with my fellow District Attorneys and utilitize this position to continue to fight for justice and victims’ rights at a national level.”

According to SB County District Attorney’s office, Ramos also promised to continue working cooperatively with all local, state, and federal partners in the law and justice community and to help further develop the functions and valuable services NDAA has to offer.

His previous leadership roles for the organization have included vice president and current co-chair of NDAA’s Training and Education Committee. He currently is serving his fourth term as District Attorney of SB County and previously served as president of the CA District Attorneys Association, as well as currently one of three members appointed by the Governor to the CA Victim Compensation Board.

Memberships include District Attorneys from across the United States for NDAA, formed in 1950 and represents the interests of prosecutors and influences federal and national policies affecting law enforcement and prosecution across the country, which is based in Arlington, Virginia.

 

The Carpenter

By Michael Armijo

I received an email a while back that has always resonated with me.  I find myself thinking about it from time to time, as the words it contained often remind me to work hard and be proud of what I’ve accomplished.  It has encouraged me to continue to keep my heart within my work, as you never know what life will bring you. It is good advice, no matter who you are or what you do, and I share it with you now.

The Carpenter:  An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife and extended family.  He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

The employer, who was sorry to see his good worker go, asked if he would build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

When the carpenter finished his work the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you for all of your hard work and dedication.”

The carpenter was shocked; what a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we’ve built. If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently. But we cannot go back.

You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. “Life is a do-it-yourself project,” someone once said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the “house” you live in tomorrow. Build wisely, and remember:  Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like no one is watching. Enjoy life like it’s your last day on Earth.