Category Archives: Weekly News Columns

See the Miracles

By Melody Kraemer

Do you ever wish for a miracle? Do you ever hope things would change? Do you dream about how things could be better? I use to. Every day I would pray for a miracle that my child with autism would understand and have a full conversation with me. When I asked about his day he just repeats my words back. I have an idea how his days go at school yet I have no clue if he was happy, sad or even cried during the day.

Some days I wish, with every ounce of my being, he would express something to me. I have hoped for a miracle on many occasions for him to please share with me and talk to me. When he cries, I hurt because I know he can’t express himself fully and tell me why. I kept thinking one day a miracle will happen and he will walk up to me and say, hey mommy, guess what we did at school today or mommy I made a friend today.

Sometimes it makes me cry to think about him locked in his world. I hold onto that miracle that one day he will converse with me. The only conversation we do have is, first that then this. “Yes honey, I find myself saying every morning as he repeats himself, first school then home.”

Every day I search for that miracle and hold onto that glimmer of hope. Then one day as I was looking into his little face, seeing those beautiful little eyes it dawned on me. I shouldn’t be looking for a miracle when one was standing right in front of me. I have my miracle, in fact, I have four miracles.

Melody Kraemer is the Editor and Publisher of Macaroni Kid- Jurupa Valley- Eastvale as well as Macaroni Kid- Riverside. Visit her on the web at https://jurupavalley.macaronikid.com/ or https://riversideca.macaronikid.com/. For information or general encouragement feel free to email her at: autismmomofboys@gmail.com.

Entertainment

By Mark Hopper

 

My wife and I have eight grandchildren.  The oldest is ten and the youngest will be two in November.  It has been a wonderful experience watching them grow up.  There have been a number of milestones like taking their first steps and saying their first words.  I actually got my name from our first granddaughter.  She couldn’t quite figure out how to say grandpa so she started saying “Pop Pop”.  That has been my name ever since!

Some of our grandchildren live out of the area, so we did not get to experience some of these milestones firsthand.  However, the youngest of the eight lives nearby and we actually babysit her and her older sister once a week.  So we have been able to see some of her first steps and hear some of her first words. In the past few weeks, this little one has started saying a lot of new words and putting some of them into sentences!  She repeats words that she hears from us and her parents and from her olde sister.  We are continually amazed at the words and phrases that she comes up with.

One day we were startled to hear her count from one to ten.  One, two three….and on she went!  I don’t think she actually understands the counting part of what she was saying, but there were the words in the correct order – one to ten!

Another time I asked her to say the word “entertainment”.  I don’t remember where we were, but I just said, “Janie, can you say the word entertainment”?  She did not hesitate.  She repeated the word exactly as I said it!  I think there are three or four syllables in that big word and she got every one of them right.  I should also add that she has leaned some other words quite early – words like “no” and “mine”.  I suspect that your kids and grandkids learned these words too. It is amazing to hear the words that come out of the mouths of young children.  But, I wonder what kind of words do they hear from your mouth?  Do they hear harsh words of criticism and anger?  Or, do they hear kind words and compliments?  Do your words strengthen their confidence or do they sow seeds of insecurity?

There is a verse in the Bible that says, “Do not let any unwholesome words come out of your mouths, but only words that are helpful for encouragaging others” Ephesians 4:29).   I hope your vocabulary is filled with words of affirmation, appreciation and encouragement.   I hope that the words you say to others are not selfish and critical, but kind and thoughtful.  Let me encourage you to watch your words this week.  I hope you will add some new uplifting words of praise and thanks to your vocabulary.  You will be glad you did and others will too!

This article was written by 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

 

 

 

Stuck in Your Home?

BW.Nef

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

One of the factors driving California housing prices higher is that there are many people stuck in their homes because they cannot afford to sell the home where they live and move to another comparable one, or even one of lesser value. A large number of Californians purchased their homes more than 3o years ago, and their homes have appreciated in value substantially since then.

Many of these homeowners (and Diamond Bar has its’ share) have been able to stay in their homes because of Prop 13.  Since California voters approved passage of Prop 13 on June 6, 1978, a homeowner in the state is able to have their real estate property taxes on their home capped where the tax rate cannot increase more than 2 percent annually. (The effective tax rate cap is a result of the property re-assessment being capped at 2 % annually).

Without Prop 13, many “longtime” homeowners would not be able to stay in their homes because of annual property value re-assessments, and therefore, increases in their property taxes.  A homeowner who purchased their home for $100,000 in 1980, for example, would have had property taxes (based on Prop 13) of $1,000 annually, or about $83 per month, with a maximum increase of about $1.70 per month annually. Without the benefit of Prop 13 limits, that homeowner would have a home now worth approximately $750,000, and consequently, much higher property taxes.  Assuming the 1% cap (without the annual 2% cap on property re-assessment), this homeowner would be paying at least $7,500 in taxes annually, or approximately $625 per month.

The obvious benefit of lower property taxes and maintenance of affordable payments for homeowners who purchase many years ago is now constricting or inhibiting their ability to move to more appropriate housing.  The restriction is the cost of increased property taxes based on the sale of one’s residence, and the purchase of another.  There are a few counties in the state of California that allow for the transfer of the lower tax base for a homeowner 55 years or older, under Proposition 90, from one county in the state to another.  Out of 58 counties in the State of California, only 8? Have approved it for their counties.

Proposition 5 in this years November election proposes to equalize Prop 90 across the entire state. A homeowner otherwise qualified for Prop 90 benefits would not be limited to only one of the 8 counties that have approved it, but be free to move to any of the 58 counties in the State of California and be able to receive the benefits of Proper 90.

 

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

 

Be Who You Want to Become

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

Change is something that doesn’t happen overnight.  Just for a moment I want you to think about who you long to be.  For me I always want to be happy and peaceful.  The way that I work on this is by trying to smile, laugh and appreciate every day and then I am happy.  I also try to do the things that I enjoy and always have some type of adventure planned.  This is a good recipe for happiness for me.  As far as being peaceful, I meditate daily and try not to let things irritate me too badly.  I also must always remind myself that I am only in control of myself and of my responses.  I don’t have the power to control others.  This seems to be an equally good recipe for inner peace.  Now I must keep in mind I am human and that there will be very difficult days that maybe my recipes struggle but must pat myself on my back for tying my best.

Now it’s your turn to think about who you want to be.  Get out a piece of paper and write down one characteristic that you would like to obtain.  My example to help you will be living a healthy life style.  This doesn’t mean a crash diet and working out so hard for a couple of days that you can’t move.  It means that you will eat a well- balanced meal, exercise consistently, drink lots of water, get plenty of rest, quit smoking, learn to drink alcohol in moderation, and manage your stress daily.  This plan may differ for each individual because it will need to be balanced around the demands of each individual’s lives.  My point is we eventually become what we do and how we behave!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909)229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

Three Generatons

By Mark Hopper

My wife and I grew up in the Phoenix area. When we were young, our parents took us to Southern California for summer vacation. We didn’t know each other at the time, but our families went to a lot of the same places like San Diego, Mission Beach, Sea World and Disneyland.

After we got married and settled in Tucson, Arizona, we brought our own children to Southern California, too. It was a big deal for us to take our four kids to San Diego, Mission Bay and the San Diego Zoo. On a few special occasions, we brought them to Disneyland. One of our favorite family memories was packing their suit cases while our kids slept and then picking them up at school and driving out of town as they tried to guess where we were going. We will never forget their shouts of excitement when they discovered we were going to Disneyland.

Now, there is a third generation of Hopper kids and grandkids that have enjoyed going to Disneyland together. Recently we went with six of our grandchildren and their parents to the Magic Kingdom.  It is fun to see the excitement and wonder in their eyes and in their voices. There is no place like Disneyland!

The younger members of our family prefer rides like Dumbo, Peter Pan and the Tea Cups. Their parents like to try more adventurous rides like Indians Jones, Runaway Mine Train and Star Tours. The grandparents enjoy more mellow rides like the Monorail, Mark Twain steam boat; it’s a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Everyone enjoyed the Pixar Parade and the Fireworks display. My wife and our daughters managed to do a little shopping and we found time for some good food and snacks, too. It was a memorable day for our family.

Our budget doesn’t allow us to go to Disneyland very often and your budget may not either. But, I do think it is priceless to make some memories with our family from time to time. They were glad we did and we were too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

 

Be Grateful if You Know How to Love Well

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

Believe it or not, not everybody is raised with knowing how to love well.  My patients sometimes wish they had a different kind of heart that wouldn’t cause them so much pain.  I always tell them how lucky they are to have the capacity to love with such depth and compassion.  They tell me that their hearts can cause them so much pain.  I tell them how lucky they are to have loved so fully and yes that such deep loving can cause us pain.  Pain can be caused when we love that fully and we lose people to death, divorce or anything that causes that person to leave us.  I always remind them how lucky they were to have experienced that kind of love even for one second.  I remind them not everybody gets that.

The trick is to be grateful for every second you have with the people you love and create lots of memories.  Those wonderful memories will be with you even when the person or people are no longer here with you.  Please don’t close your heart off because you have been hurt because you have experienced some type of loss.  Keep your heart opened because you never know what you might find.  Don’t put up barriers and become cold and distant instead smile and feel the warmth of those memories.  Also be grateful for all that you have left.  This idea is also very important in successful grieving.

Now close your eyes and find the best memory of a loved one that is gone.  Don’t you find it impossible not to smile and maybe even cry some happy tears?  In order to keep experiencing this keep you heart opened to love and to all that is wonderful about this amazing thing we call life!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at 909 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net  You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

Proposition 5 and Taxes Affect Me How?

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

Whether or not you are a homeowner, get familiarized with California’s Proposition 5 regarding property taxes.  In one form or another, this measure will affect you or your family members.  As usual, during the elections, you will be hearing about the pros and cons from interested parties as to how they recommend you place your ballot vote.

In a nutshell, as per California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.): A YES vote on Proposition 5 “will allow seniors (55+), the disabled, and victims of natural disasters to move to a home suited to their needs without facing drastically higher property taxes”.

In more detail, this proposed Proposition 5 has to do with the transfer of taxes when seniors have to downsize, move, and sell their property.  When seniors face these life situations, they do not want to be penalized as a result of having to make such moves. Due to health needs or personal desires, seniors are having to move closer to their children who may reside in other counties within the state. Currently, if the senior wants to or has to move to another county, there is difficulty finding another county that does accept the transfer tax base rate. It is therefore difficult to make moves because of the high cost of the new tax rate that exists because only about 8 out of the 58 counties in the state accept a transfer of the tax base of the seller’s previous home.  The ability of a homeowner needing to make this kind of move is restricted, and the move is financially “penalized”.

Proposition 5 expands the benefits of transferring tax base within the State of California.  According to C.A.R., this would provide appropriate relief by allowing those eligible the ability to transfer their current property tax base to the purchase of another home in any of California’s 58 counties.  C.A.R.  believes that this would help boost the housing inventory, facilitating more transactions throughout all counties in the State of California.

As always, before you make your next move, should you sell your home, consult with your tax/certified public accountant as to how current legislation would affect you and your property taxes.  Also, you may find more detailed information from legislative analytical agencies on the internet on the topic of Proposition 5.

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

Love And Work

By Mark Hopper

One of our daughters and her husband bought a house in Orange County about a year ago. They were thankful to be able to purchase a house to raise their two young daughters.

Our son-in-law and daughter worked hard to get settled and make their house into their home.  They purchased new furniture, new curtains and attractive decorations to hang to the walls.  Their house looks very nice.

However, the garage was cluttered with a variety of things that needed to find a place in their new house. I helped them hook up their clothes dryer in the garage and worked with my son-in-law to hang drywall in unfinished areas of the garage.

One thing that my daughter wanted was a shelf over the washer and dryer to hold laundry soap and other things. It seemed simple enough. I actually had some left over shelving material in my garage and some sturdy metal brackets to hold it up.

As I was gathering tools and materials to work on their project, I realized that my wife might want a shelf over our washer and dryer in our garage too. When I asked her about it, she was thrilled with the idea. I’m sure she wondered why it took so long to suggest this. We’ve only lived in our house for 30 years. That is a long time to wait for a small shelf in the garage.

I already had the material. It didn’t take very long to cut the wood and attach the brackets to the wall. It took less than an hour to measure, cut, drill and mount the shelf. It looked pretty nice. I was impressed with my work. My wife was too.

She was really excited to have a new shelf.

A friend used to say, “To a wife…a house means love. To a husband…a house means work”! The longer I have been married the more I agree with that statement. Women love it when their husband works on the house. Wives always have a wish list with more projects in mind. Men often avoid working on the house because they know that after one project is completed there are ten more waiting to be done.

There is a passage in the Bible that says, “Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loves His church” (Ephesians 5:25).  Jesus modeled love by serving and helping others and laying down His life for us. You can read more about this in New Testament books like Mark, John and Romans.

The Apostle Paul instructed husbands to love their wife. You can express your love with your words and by your works.  You can purchase expensive gifts and give her thoughtful cards. But, when you work on projects around your house, you send a clear message that you love your wife.  Even the simple act of putting up a small shelf is a reminder that you love her.

Let me encourage you to send a message to your wife this week. Fix something around your house. She will get the message! She will be glad you did and you will too!

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

 

A Bad Day Doesn’t Make You a Bad Mother

By Melody Kraemer

Have you ever had one of those days where you couldn’t wait for bedtime? How about one of those days where nothing seems to go right? Maybe today was one of those days where you think you had the entire day planned out perfectly and not one thing you planned happened?

Or It could be one of those days where you lose your cool, and now you feel guilty for feeling the way you do? How about one of those days where your patience is so thin, even though you try with every ounce of your being to have patience, it’s just not coming easily? What about a day where you just plain feel agitated?  I am feeling each and every one of these things today.

The more the day goes on, the more I wish it was bedtime.

Everything has seemed to go wrong, even though I am trying hard to stay positive. Of course I believe my children sense when I am feeling this and view this as a challenge to see how far they can push me.

It is now late in the afternoon, and I’m rushing out the door to get my autistic children to their speech and OT classes. I see the clock, and it’s on the hour we are to be there.

Great, just another late arrival, I open the front door and my youngest bolts out and down the street while the other one is chasing him.  I raise my voice, sure that the next neighborhood over could hear me saying, “Get in the car!”

Feeling horrible inside and feeling like the worst mother ever I drive them to their classes. As they walk inside, I take this moment to feel relief and take a deep breath, I can’t help this overwhelming feeling of mommy guilt. I have raised my voice and have had no patience with my boys. I sit down in the waiting room and take out my computer to catch up on work since I now have to sit here for 2 hours.

I open up my laptop, and the first thing  I see is a post on Facebook, “Just because you are having a bad day, doesn’t make you a bad mom.”  Wow, I needed to hear that. That’s so right, we as moms are allowed bad days just as kids are allowed bad days, but it doesn’t make us a bad person. What it does do is remind us that we are only human. Next time I’m having a bad day I must remind myself, it’s a bad day and this bad day does not make me a bad mom. My children love me unconditionally even through my bad days just as I love them through theirs.

Melody Kraemer is the Editor and Publisher Macaroni Kid Jurupa Valley- Eastvale

and Macaroni Kid Riverside. For any information or general encouragement feel free to email me at: autismmomofboys@gmail.com

 

 

Saying Goodbye

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

My family and I are very sad to say “Goodbye” to an old friend.  Actually the friend is not a person but a restaurant in Diamond Bar.  The word began to circulate this week that the Whole Enchilada restaurant is closing. It has been a part of our family for 30 years.

 

On one of our first visits to Diamond Bar in1988, we were taken out to lunch by some church families to the Whole Enchilada.  We enjoyed the food and the warm atmosphere.  Little did we know then that we would become frequent guests over the next three decades.

 

As our children grew up, we would often celebrate their birthdays at the Whole Enchilada.  For many years, they offered a free meal and dessert to guests on their birthday. They would let the birthday guest wear a large Sombrero and the waiters would sing “Happy Birthday” (“It’s the Whole Enchilada and we are here to say…”). They would take a Polaroid photo, too. We could probably fill a whole wall in our house with those birthday photos from the Whole Enchilada.

 

I still remember the day when we were at the Whole Enchilada and learned that one of our daughters was pregnant.  She lived out of the area but she asked one of her sisters to take us to “the Whole” and present us with a small gift – a pair of baby shoes. Then she called to tell us that she was pregnant with our first grandchild!

 

We have enjoyed many meals with friends, neighbors, church members and out of town guests.  Whenever we asked ourselves, “Where should we eat dinner”, the answer was always the same – the Whole Enchilada!  We live so close we could actually walk there. It has been part of our family for many years.

 

We were able to go to the Whole Enchilada one last time before they closed.  It was packed!  People were standing outside waiting for an empty table.  We saw a number of old friends and neighbors.  It was like a reunion with current and former residents gathered one last time to enjoy the food and fellowship at Diamond Bar’s most famous restaurant.

 

Managers and waiters were personally expressing their thanks to loyal customers and customers were expressing their thanks to the staff, too.  At the end of our meal, several of us stood up and invited fellow guests to join in singing the famous Whole Enchilada Birthday song one more time.  It seemed like a fitting way to honor and express our thanks to our old friend.

 

 

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

 

When Life Gives You Lemons

By Melody Kraemer – Autism Mom

Have you heard that saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?” Don’t you think that’s just way too easy? When life gives me lemons, I make a cake or cupcakes. I may even make a drink with alcohol, but I never settle on lemonade.

What does it really mean when someone says; If life gives you lemons make lemonade?  Are lemons that bad, or is it because they are just sour? Isn’t lemonade just as sour as lemons? So why just make lemonade? Sometimes when you buy a car, and it’s not the best of shape, people will say, you bought a lemon!  Basically, they are saying you purchased a sour car.

When life hands me lemons or even throws them at me I don’t just make lemonade I make the best of it, whatever that may be.

My daily life consists of life giving me lemons. I don’t dwell on that sourness, I embrace it.

Life with two autism boys can get pretty sour, but that’s the autism. My boys are the sweetest, kindest, loving, little guys. I love and enjoy them. My boys are silly, caring, and full of life.

So, the next time someone says make lemonade out of those lemons that life is giving you, tell them no thank you, I think I am going to make the best darn lemon cake or whatever my heart desires.

Making lemonade out of lemons is just too easy and still sour. Embrace the sourness life offers and turn it around into something sweet. There’s no time in life to be sour no matter how many lemons life gives you. Stay sweet

 

Rents Still Skyrocketing?

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

I have reported on home values rising fast in Diamond Bar. Today, we take a look at how fast rents are increasing as well.

Home values typically follow the pattern of economic recessions, with prices increasing as the economy improves, and peaking at about the same time or slightly after the economy has reached its zenith.  Rents, however, appear to be immune to the rise and fall or cyclical nature of home prices or home values.  The predictable thing about home rental values is that over the years, they have consistently trended upward.

As an example, where home values took a dive of almost 30-40% during the Great Recession, rents maintained a level or flat trendline.  Since the end of the Great Recession in 2009, property values across the United States have come roaring back to their current heights.  The median sales price of a Diamond Bar single family residence (SFR) in the First quarter of 2018 reached a level of $735,000.  That represented an increase of 56% from the median sales price of $470,000.00 in the first quarter of 2010.

The Diamond Bar median rental rate for a Single Family Residence (detached) in the first quarter of 2018 stood at $2,860.00. This represented an increase of 30% from the median rental rate of $2,200.00   where it was in the middle of the aftermath of the Great Recession.  This represents an increase of $660.00 per month, which is not an insignificant number, but it is not the “stratospheric” increase seen in the  single family resale market values.  The rate of increase of rentals (30%) in the same period has been almost half of what the rate of the median price increase of homes values (56%) from 2010 to 2018.

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

Being Okay With Letting Go

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

We hang on to our stuff so very tightly.  It seems as if our stuff actually becomes part of who we are.  I think it becomes the part of us that we don’t like very much, yet we have such a deep rooted sense of fear about letting go of all of it.  It’s almost as if we fear getting healthy, because our disfuction has truly ruled our lives for so very many years.  I think we actually fear living without all of it.

I understand what you are feeling and are so very afraid of, but I also know it’s what is getting in your way everyday of your life.  It gets in the way of what can turn an unhealthy relationship, into a healthy one.  It gets in the way of getting what you want for yourself from this dream, we call life.  It gets in the way of everything we seem to come in contact with.  It’s as if we are going though our lives numb, with a dark cloud hanging over our heads, always threatening to rain on us once more, for what seems like the thousandth time.  It feels like we’re in this never ending battle and there is no such thing as winning in sight.

I think as we get healthier, the people we are closest to, want to get healthier as well.  I hope you see that learning to let go of your stuff, as scary as it may be, is a win win situation for everybody in your life, as well as for yourself.  Decide, this will be the year you finally let go and stop living in the past, so you can enjoy today and all the days to come!!!!!!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to page her at (626) 9353818.  You may e-mail Nancy at stoopsshecter@earthlink.net.  You may purchase Nancy’s latest book Live, Heal and Grow at Amazon.com.

A Cup of Coffee

By Mark Hopper

There are a lot of coffee places in Diamond Bar. We have at least two Starbucks; the It’s A Grind and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.  Plus McDonalds has the McCafe.  I’m sure that the possibilities are endless.

 

My wife likes me to bring home a cup of coffee for her from one of these local shops. It is called Julie’s Cafe. It is near our home and located in the Walmart – Crunch Fitness shopping center at Diamond Bar Blvd and Grand Avenue.

 

Since I don’t drink coffee, I can’t compare the tastes and flavors offered at Julies with other coffee shops in town.  But I know that my wife prefers the Hazelnut coffee with two packets of sweetener and a lot of cream.  I have memorized the formula.

 

I think that one of the things that make Julie’s so popular is the hospitality. The setting is peaceful and comfortable. I have seen Julie (the owner) personally trimming the potted plants on the patio and tending to the flowers that enhance the atmosphere.

 

They serve a variety of breakfast items and they have a large lunch menu. They prepare each item with great care on site. They are not open for dinner and are closed on Sunday and Monday. Julie’s Cafe is often filled with people of all ages enjoying good coffee and great food.   Guests enjoy the pleasant atmosphere and warm hospitality.

 

There are a number of verses in the Bible that emphasize the importance of hospitality.  You can examine a few for yourself like Romans 12:13, First Timothy 3:1, Hebrews 13:2 and First Peter 3:9. All of them highlight the importance of welcoming others into your home, church, business or office and treating them as your guests.

 

I wonder how you are doing in this area of your life.  Do people feel welcome and comfortable in your home or business?  Do you greet them with a warm welcome and friendly smile?  Do you make an effort to learn their name and how you can help them?

 

I think we could use more emphasis on hospitality in our culture today. Let me encourage you to do more to exercise hospitality to your clients, friends and strangers, too. You will be glad you did and they will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

909-594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

 

Housing Prices Declining?

Nef Cortez

By Nef Cortez

I reported last week that the Diamond Bar Condominium and Townhome market saw an increase of almost 11% year over year (2nd quarter 2018 as compared to 2nd quarter 2017) in its Median Sales Price (MSP). What happened to the price of detached homes in Diamond Bar for the same period? According to the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS) the Diamond Bar Single Family Detached Home (SFDH) market also saw an increase in the Median Sales Price.  The 2nd Quarter 2018 saw the MSP number for this segment of the housing market go up to $750,000 for all of Diamond Bar, as compared to $720,000 for the same period in 2017. The $30,000.00 increase in one year translated into an annualized rate of increase of 4.2%. It did not increase at the same rate as Condo/Townhome MSP.  The 4.2% increase was approximately 40% of the rate of increase in MSP for the Condo/Townhouse segment of the market.

The number of sales of Single Family Detached Homes also saw a decrease of approximately 20%, going down to 101 from 125 for the same period of time the previous year. The Condo/Townhouse sales transaction numbers went up almost 21%, with 64 closed sales in the 2nd quarter 2018 versus 53 for the same period in 2017.

It is evident from the statistics as reported by the MLS, the home prices overall continue to climb here in Diamond Bar, although the rate of increase is slowing down, and the housing sales numbers have definitely seen a slowdown.  Before prices can start to decline, they must first plateau, and before they plateau or flatten out, they must first start to slow down in their rate of increase.  We are at that stage in the housing cycle now.

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca DRE lic # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

Being Back In School

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

I work with so many young people that have recently started school again.  They are all feeling a lot of stress due to the transition from summer to school.  The homework is coming at what seems to be a rapid pace. It’s important for these students to take one day at a time and to not overwhelm themselves.  Going back to school after summer break has been hard on every generation.  It’s important for these students to be well organized with a good notebook and a separate folder for each subject.  It’s a good idea for them to have a folder for work and papers that need to come home and another for what needs to be turned in or go back with them.  A place for pens and other necessary supplies is essential.

I find so many students really struggle with time management and are starting homework much too late in the evening after they have already been up for ten to twelve hours.  It’s ideal for a student to come home and have a good snack and start their homework about thirty minutes after they have arrived home.  I think if they can get their homework out of the way they might actually have part of an evening to relax and renew to prepare the right mindset for the next day.  It’s hard to a successful anything if one is running on fumes. Another important essential is a designated place to study.

Learning is really a lifelong event and it’s important to help somebody be an effective learner.  Being organized, not becoming over whelmed, learning effective time management and having an environment conducive to learning can make a huge difference.  As parents it is our job to help our children with these things so they can be successful lifetime learners!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger.    For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancystoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

 

Fun With a Grandson

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

 

My brother and I grew up in Arizona. We didn’t have major league sports in the Phoenix area when we were young but there were several Major League Baseball teams that did their Spring Training in Arizona.

 

One of my memories as a little kid was going to a Major League Baseball game with my brother and our grandfather.  The stadiums were much smaller and we got to see some well known players in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.

 

Now, sixty years later it was my turn to take one of my grandsons to a Major League Baseball game at Angel stadium.  We have gone to several games with our whole family but this was the first time it was just grandpa and grandson. I wondered how the two of us would do on our baseball adventure.

 

We stopped at In N Out Burger for a quick dinner. We both enjoyed burgers and fries and shared a Milk Shake for dessert. We saw other Angel fans who were going to the game. We arrived at the stadium in time for the National Anthem.  As we entered the stadium we each received a free T-shirt marking all star player Mike Trout’s 27th birthday!  My grandson was impressed!

 

A friend had given us two tickets to the game. We didn’t realize they were near the Angel’s dugout less than 15 rows from the field.  My grandson and I were very excited to be sitting so close with a great view of home plate.

 

It was a great game to watch.  The visiting team got off to a quick start getting two runs in the first inning.  But, the Angels came back in the bottom of the inning scoring five runs. They would score six more runs during the rest of the game and win 11-5!

 

We brought some snacks with us to enjoy during the game and my grandson also brought his own baseball glove and hoping to catch a foul ball. A couple came in our direction but none were close enough for us to catch. We also did some shopping in the Angel’s team store. He selected a souvenir so he could remember this special time with Pop Pop.

 

I wondered how long my grandson would want to stay. I asked him a couple of times if he was getting tired and was ready to go home. To my surprise he said that he didn’t want to leave early but wanted to stay until the end of the game. So we stayed until the last out and cheered the Angel’s victory.

 

I took a lot of pictures with my cell phone and sent them to my wife and his mom and dad. In addition, we were on the Jumbotron during the game as a cameraman captured us and other enthusiastic fans in our section. My grandson was also excited to be part of the “Wave” where fans stand and cheer as the “Wave” sweeps around the stadium. And, we sang “Take me out to the ball game” in the 7th inning.

 

It was an eventful night at the ballgame.  I’m sure it is an adventure that we will remember for a long time.  I held his hand as we walked across the parking lot and I couldn’t help but smile – Grandpa and his grandson at a baseball game.  As we drove home, I asked my little buddy if he enjoyed the game.  He said “Yes”.  Then he asked, “Can I close my eyes now?”

 

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

 

Diamond Bar Condo Market Update

By Nef Cortez

The Diamond Bar Condominium and Townhome market continues to roll along! The Median Sales Price (MSP) of Diamond Bar condos and townhomes went up Year over Year by almost 11%. The increase of the condominium/townhouse MSP went up from $360,000 in the 2nd quarter (April-May-June) of 2017 to $399,000 in the 2nd quarter 2018 (The Median Sales Price is the price which was the mid-point between the highest and the lowest priced sale). The lowest priced condominium transfer was at $230,000, and the highest priced sale transaction closed at $855,000.00. In comparison, the lowest priced condo sale in the 2nd quarter of 2017 was at $200,000, with the highest sales price for the same period closing at $742,000.  The MSP price increase paralleled the Single Family Residence (SFR) Medium Sales Price increase in Diamond Bar as well.

The sharp increase in the MSP was not accompanied by the same problem that has plagued the SFR market. Whereas there has been a decreased number of transactions in the SFR market in Diamond Bar for the 2nd quarter this year as compared to 2017, the condominium and townhome sales number saw an increase at the same time that the MSP increased.  The sales transactions number went up almost 21%, with 64 closed sales in the 2nd quarter 2018 versus 53 for the same period in 2017. In comparison, the SFR market saw transaction numbers drop by 19%, going down from 120 for the 2nd quarter 2017 to 97 in the 2nd quarter 2018 (data drawn from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service-CRMLS). It appears that as the Diamond Bar Single Family Residential Median Sales Price became less affordable (exceeding $735,000 in  the 2nd Quarter 2018), the buyers shifted over to purchasing the comparatively more affordable Condominium or Townhome. This is typical for  fluctuations that occur in the residential housing market.

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca DRE lic # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or website www.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

 

Help Make This Your Child’s Best School Year

By Nancy Stoops

School has just begun and you already feel worried.  You worry about your child repeating last year’s mistakes and you wonder just how to prevent this.  You tell yourself you did all you could to get them off to a good start and now you know most of it is truly up to them.

Maybe this year you need to get them some tutoring or maybe even some counseling.  It’s important for a student to feel good about him or herself.  It’s important for a student to believe that they can be successful if they truly try their best.  I know it’s hard sometimes to figure out the missing component but don’t wait this year until they are at the point of no return.

If your child is being bullied or having emotional problems I guarantee it will get in the way of their academic performance.  Think about how it feels to go to work when you’re emotionally struggling, it’s just as bad if not worse for your child.  Don’t be afraid to talk with your child or to ask for some help. You may have to learn to ask very specific questions to get them to give you more than a” yes” or a” no” or an” okay”.

There are so many pressures on our children and teens today.  So many of the children and teens I’ve had the honor of working with just feel so very alone and different.  These feelings can really get in the way of their academic performance and in the way of them being successful adults.  Many of our students get into drugs and other bad things because they think that’s the only way they can make it through their days.  Make this the year you don’t ignore the red flags.  I know you are vey busy but you only have the here and now to help your child grow into a responsible and proud individual.

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 atnancyjstoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

Special Day For Special Needs By Scout Pack 2017

Melody Kraemer – Autisim Mom

Eastvale – The 2nd annual Special Needs Game Day event in Eastvale was held on Saturday, August 4th at Harada Park. I was so excited for this day since both my boys are autistic. It was very special day that was made possible by Tom Donatoni and Scout Pack 2017.

It was a special gesture to have a free event that was designed just for them, the little heroes in our lives. The event ran from 4 pm to 8 pm and had over 1000 participants, approximately 3 times as many as the first year.

 

I had been excited for weeks waiting for this day, both my boys are autistic and participants in the games.

We all were given a wristband upon check-in, and the kids were given numbers on their wristband.  The numbers were for the groups they would be in for the games.

 

There was opening ceremony, it consisted of the pledge of alliance and a prayer from Mark Lee, the pastor of Vantage Point Church in Eastvale.

 

After the opening ceremony, an announcement was made about where to line up for the games according to the number that each child had on their wristband.

 

The games that were in the middle of the event consisted of Tug a war, an obstacle course, bean bag toss, foot races, water balloon toss and many more.

 

There were some very helpful vendors in attendance that had program and services information for the parents of special little heroes. They also had special activities for them to participate in. Pack 2017 thought of everything on this day, having three jumpers and a slide set up for the kids. (I think this was my youngest son’s favorite. He loves to bounce and bounce).

 

There were also many characters in cosplay costumes walking around interacting with the kids and posing for pictures.  My boys loved the Power Rangers, and the characters from the Star Wars universe and many others.

 

Water stations were set up, and free water bottles were given out to all that needed cold water. It was a very hot day, and that water was much needed and appreciated.

 

A BBQ Dinner was served to everybody in attendance and there was plenty of food to go around and was enjoyed by all.

 

The organization of this event was very well orchestrated and made possible by many wonderful volunteers who were in attendance.  I am so happy that we attended this event.  It was a great day, and my little heroes sure enjoyed themselves.

 

A huge thank you to Tom Donatoni and Eastvale Scout pack 2017 for bringing this unforgettable selfless event to our little heroes. It indeed was a fantastic day!