Staff Reports SGV – Walnut, Diamond Bar, and Chino Hills are among the best places to live, with the City of Walnut previously voted as one of the 50 best small towns to live in America, and Diamond Bar and Chino Hills recently ranked among the top 20 safest large cities in California. After CNN Money Magazine looked at over 3,200 towns throughout the nation with populations ranging from 5,000 to 50,000, the magazine ranked Walnut number 49 in the top 50 best small towns to live in America. The list was announced in August after the magazine used public school performance records, housing costs, commute time, poverty, safety information, the number of households with children, education level of adults in the community, unemployment levels, median income and diversity, in order to decide which cities would make the list. This week, Diamond Bar and Chino Hills were ranked among the 20 safest large cities in California, according to patch.com’s analysis of the FBI’s Annual Uniform Crime Reporting program. Diamond Bar was ranked number 16 and Chino Hills was ranked number 11 out of the top 20 large cities. The FBI figures are based on violent crimes per 1,000 residents. The ranking of the top 20 safest large cities is as follows: 1. Irvine – 0.51 crimes per 1,000 residents 2. San Ramon – 0.61 crimes per 1,000 residents 3. Murrieta – 0.66 crimes per 1,000 residents 4. Pleasanton – 0.68 crimes per 1,000 residents 5. Laguna Niguel – 0.73 crimes per 1,000 residents 6. Eastvale – 0.74 crimes per 1,000 residents 7. Mission Viejo – 0.76 crimes per 1,000 residents 8. Palo Alto – 0.80 crimes per 1,000 residents 9. Yorba Linda – 0.81 crimes per 1,000 residents 10. Rocklin – 0.83 crimes per 1,000 residents 11. Chino Hills – 0.84 crimes per 1,000 residents 12. Camarillo – 0.92 crimes per 1,000 residents 13. Temecula – 0.94 crimes per 1,000 residents 14. Orange – 0.97 crimes per 1,000 residents 15. Cupertino – 0.97 crimes per 1,000 residents 16. Diamond Bar – 0.97 crimes per 1,000 residents 17. Arcadia – 0.99 crimes per 1,000 residents 18. Menifee – 1.09 crimes per 1,000 residents 19. Simi Valley – 1.11 crimes per 1,000 residents 20. San Clemente – 1.15 crimes per 1,000 residents Violent crimes are defined as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The FBI report stated that with a population of 56,470, Diamond Bar had a total of 55 violent crimes, 1 forcible rape, 17 robberies and 37 aggravated assaults. With a population of 76,632, Chino Hills had a total of 65 violent crimes, 2 forcible rapes, 22 robberies and 40 aggravated assaults. Figures used in the original FBI crime report were submitted voluntarily by law enforcement agencies throughout the country, according to fbi.gov. The FBI warns that when rankings are created, they provide no insight into the numerous variables that mold crime in a particular town, city, county, state, tribal area, or region. They also state that rankings often create misleading perceptions adversely affecting communities and their residents. For more information about the FBI Crime Report, visit http://www.fbi.gov.

Staff Reports Walnut – Several streets will be closed in the City of Walnut on Sat., Oct. 12, 2013, due to the 37th Annual Walnut Family Festival, a very well-known community event that you don’t want to miss out on. The closures start off on Pierre Road from La Puente Road to Meadowpass Road, which will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to approximately 8:30 a.m. for the 5K and 1K runs. City of Walnut officials stated that adjoining streets will be closed by Sheriff cars as runners pass by, and re-opened when safe. The closures should be relatively short, but you will be directed to go south to La Puente Road during the races. The northbound lane on Meadowpass Road will also be closed from 6:30 a.m. to approximately 8:30 a.m., due to the races. The Family Festival Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on La Puente Road and will proceed east from Lemon Avenue to the end of the route at Suzanne Road. The following roads will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to noon, due to the parade: La Puente Road east from Lemon Avenue to Morningside Drive; Lemon Avenue northbound from Vejar Road to Meadowpass Road; and Meadowpass Road will be closed for the safety of the children, adults and horses that are participating in the parade. All four lanes of Meadowpass Road will be closed from the driveway of St. Lorenzo Ruiz Church to Lemon Avenue. Vehicles must travel east on Meadowpass Road from Pierre Road to Amar Road to exit the area. Please exercise caution when driving on Meadowpass between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., as there may be school buses and children moving about on that road. In addition to major road closures at La Puente, Lemon and Suzanne, there will be no (non-emergency) vehicular traffic allowed to enter La Puente from San Vincente, Old Post Road, Citadel Road or Southcoast Drive during the parade. If you think you may need to leave the area between 8:30 a.m. and noon, the City of Walnut asks to please make arrangements to move your vehicle prior to 8:30 a.m. that morning. Suzanne Road will also be closed from La Puente Road north to Fuerte from 4 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 11 through midnight on Sat., Oct. 12. Marcon Drive will be closed Sat., Oct. 12 from 6 a.m. to midnight. Please use caution when driving in Walnut during these hours. There will be children, adults, horses, carriages and other vehicles participating in the parade and runs. The City of Walnut hopes you will join the community in attending the Family Festival, which will include a pancake breakfast, live entertainment, a variety of food, crafts, business, game and community awareness booths, and an amusement area for children. The pancake breakfast is sponsored by the Walnut/Diamond Bar Lions Club, and they will be at Suzanne Park from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. serving pancakes, sausage and juice. The Walnut Family Festival main event will be held at Suzanne Park, 625 Suzanne Road in Walnut, with the grand opening at 10 a.m. and festivities concluding at 6 p.m. The theme this year is “Cruzin’ Around the World”, which focuses on all the wonderful places residents of Walnut lived before. In addition to the traditional Family Festival favorites like the jump booths, dunk tank, and a variety of game booths, committees added a petting zoo and horse rides by Walnut Valley Riders. There will also be a large variety of foods to satisfy all of your taste buds. There will be Italian ice, pizza, hot dogs, chili-dogs, tri-tip sandwiches, nachos, churros, snow cones, funnel cakes and more. Over 30 booths were secured for this year’s Family Festival, including the Arts & Crafts booths, Community Awareness booths, and a Business Expo that allows you to get acquainted with many of the local businesses available in Walnut. Make sure you stop by this awesome event this Saturday! For more information regarding the Walnut Family Festival or the road closures, please call (909) 598-5605.

Staff Reports Walnut – The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA) prohibits the hunting, killing, capture or harassment of any marine mammal, or the attempt at such, and enacts a moratorium on the import, export and sale of any marine mammal, part or product in the United States. But this protection didn’t keep a Walnut couple from allegedly selling millions of capsules of seal oil and other illegal products from 2007 until 2010. According to Harpseals.org, Lin Liang and Denian Fu, a married couple from Walnut, were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on Thursday, October 3, with eight counts of smuggling seal oil from China, and selling it as a nutritional supplement via mail order in the U.S., China and Vietnam. They face fines of more than $1 million and five years in prison. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a federal agency focused on the conditions of the oceans and atmosphere, and helping to improve our stewardship of the environment, was responsible for bringing an end to the illegal import and export transactions of the Walnut-based Nu-Health Products, after a lengthy investigation. Liang and Fu are also reportedly charged with falsifying documents, labels, and customs declarations, and the importation and falsification of lamb placenta, honey bee royal jelly and propolis products. Harp seals, indigenous to the eastern Canadian seaboard, are the victims of the largest slaughter of marine mammals in the world. Mainly killed for their pelts, their oil is also used as a supplement with deceptively marketed health benefits. Due to the high levels of toxins in their blubber coming from the food they ingest (which can be high in heavy metal, PCB, and DDT), their oil benefits are often falsified as omega-3 supplements . There are as many marketing lures for the oil as there are warnings of toxicity. More than 90,000 harp seal pups were killed this year in Canada alone. They are shot or bludgeoned to death for products that are illegal under MMPA. To find out how you can help put an end to this tragedy worldwide, visit http://www.harpseals.org for more information.

By Raymond Mendoza Eastvale – In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of “pot houses” in Eastvale, City Council members held a first reading of Ordinance number 2013-13, which would allow the city to inspect Eastvale rental properties to ensure the properties are not being used for illegal activity. According to the City Council agenda, Ordinance number 2013-13, titled the “Single-Family Residential Rental Registration, Inspection and Crime-Free Rental Housing Program” is meant to crack down on the number of homes being used to illegal marijuana grow house activity by allowing the city to inspect their rented properties to ensure a crime-free environment. Mayor Ike Bootsma stated that the idea behind the registration and inspection act was to ensure the safety of all Eastvale residents, as well as the illegal bypassing of electric meters to obtain stolen electricity. “It’ll bring in better renters and make a safer neighborhood because when (criminals) bypass the Edison meters and things like that, we have fire hazards,” said Bootsma. “One of these days we’re going to have a major problem with a house burning down.” While the safety of Eastvale citizens is a major concern to all members of the council, Council Member Jeff DeGrandpre noted a bit in hesitancy of adopting the ordinance due to the possibility of infringing on the privacy of Eastvale residents who rent their homes. “I want to make sure if we’re doing something like (Ordinance 2013-13), it’s going to have an impact and not break any laws either,” DeGrandpre said. DeGrandpre stated his belief that the Eastvale police are handling the situation with great success and that Ordinance 2013-13 would not be as effective as other City Council members might think. “At this point I’m not convinced that will happen,” said DeGrandpre. “I think our police department is doing a great job of closing (the pot houses) down. I think the word is out that Eastvale is not a place to go (for criminals).” City Manager Carol Jacobs was adamant that the ordinance would not allow city officials to obstruct anyone’s privacy and that inspection requests can be denied by both the renter and landlord. Jacob’s noted that there needs to be a reasonable amount of evidence in order to enforce an inspection and that the process for enforcing an inspection would be similar to a police officer getting a court ordered warrant to search a home. “People have a right to say ‘no’,” said Jacobs. “We’re not going to barge into somebody’s home- we aren’t barging into anywhere. Unless the tenant and or the property owner gives consent for us to do the internal inspection; we will not do the internal inspection.” Jacobs, like Bootsma, also believes that the ordinance’s main goal is to ensure a safe community for all residents of Eastvale and that these inspections could prevent potential fire hazards, theft of electricity, and the illegal, dangerous structural modifications caused by illegal grow house activity. DeGrandpre, who was concerned about the rights of the residents, was the lone vote against imposing the ordinance. “I voted against it because I felt the ordinance wasn’t enough,” he said. “It needs more teeth! It needs more than a renter saying ‘no’ to an inspection.” According to Eastvale Police Sgt. Justin Rowan, the Eastvale Special Enforcement Team have arrested 12 individuals in 2013 as a result of shutting down 22 illegal grow houses. “With the 22 residences we investigated, we’ve seized approximately 10,000 marijuana plants, approximately 200 pounds of processed marijuana and in the course of those investigations we’ve determined that approximately $3.5 million worth of electricity have been stolen related to those investigations,” Rowan said. Within the last two years, 45 grow house operations have been brought down by the Eastvale Police Department and all 45 of those illegal grow houses were rental properties. “This is truly a public safety ordinance,” said Jacobs. “It’s not about stomping on people’s rights or wanting to get into people’s homes: I have no interest in being in people’s homes. I have an interest in stopping illegal activity, dangerous illegal activity, before somebody blows up a residential block…that is the purpose of this ordinance.”

Staff Reports Chino – A Diamond Bar woman was arrested, along with two other women, for allegedly taking part in a prostitution service at a Chino massage parlor. Last week, Ting Kang, 30, of Diamond Bar, was arrested on suspicion of pimping, pandering, and maintaining a place of prostitution. Mie Ja Sim, 61, of Hawaiian Gardens, was booked for allegedly aiding in prostitution and Xochitl Garduno, 25, of Moreno Valley, was arrested on suspicion of engaging in prostitution. The women were arrested and booked into the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. The prostitution investigation started when detectives received a tip that Nana’s Massage Therapy, located in the 5400 block of Philadelphia St. in Chino, was possibly being used for prostitution. The business was said to be found on an adult erotic massage parlor website. The officers obtained a search warrant and seized evidence associated with prostitution and pimping. This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Chino Police Department (909) 628-1234.

By Sarah Armijo Walnut/Diamond Bar – An exciting new Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale program is in town and community members of ALL ages are encouraged to audition. This brand new program was designed for the many talented community members we have in the Walnut Valley. The Walnut Valley Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale is a passionate, talent-based ensemble committed to make music at the highest level of creativity. Ensemble members will have the opportunity to work with world-renowned concert artists and participate in a wide variety of performances. Founder of the program, renowned conductor and musician, Dr. Nové Deypalan, says that the Walnut Valley Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale program can really benefit the community. “There isn’t a program like this in the area,” said Executive Director Cristina Pacheco. “There are youth programs in Walnut Valley, but there isn’t a community program like this one.” “Now community members don’t have to travel far to be a part of a community Orchestra and Master Chorale group,” said Dr. Deypalan. “This program is something that the Walnut Valley can really embrace. Having an Orchestra and Master Chorale will help the city thrive even more,” he added. The group will work under the direction of Dr. Deypalan, who is a two time-winner of the International Conducting Workshop and Competition. He has performed and led his ensembles abroad and in prestigious concert venues, including Carnegie Hall. His higher education began at the College of Music, University of the Philippines. He completed his Bachelor of Music in Conducting Performance at Chapman University in Orange, California, and obtained a Master of Music in Choral Music from the University of Southern California. Dr. Deypalan also received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. He is also the Music Director at local church, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, in Walnut. Both Dr. Deypalan and Pacheco encourage the community to sign up for this new program. The symphony is open to community members of all ages. The chorale is open to participants 16 years or older. They encourage anyone who is passionate about making music to audition. “Our hope is to gather the talent in this area,” said Pacheco. “They will have an opportunity to share their talent with the community.” This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the formation of a wonderful musical endeavor in the Walnut Valley. Sign up for an audition now! Orchestra Auditions are on Sat., Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Walnut Senior Center, located at 21215 La Puente Rd. Walnut CA 91789. Master Chorale Auditions are on Sun., Oct. 6, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., also at the Walnut Senior Center. There is a $20 application fee and scholarships are available upon request. To sign up for auditions, please visit: http://www.walnutvalleysymphony.org. The program’s first show is scheduled to be held on Dec. 18 and 19, at 7 p.m., at the Mt. SAC Performing Arts Center. For more information, you may call (909) 907-4237 or visit the website listed above.

Photo By Raymond Mendoza
Tina Javid, Public Affairs Manager for Southern California Gas Company, at the DB City Council meeting.

By Raymond Mendoza Diamond Bar – The Diamond Bar City Council meeting for Sept. 17 introduced residents to a newly appointed planning commissioner, safety tips from the Southern California Gas Company and the approval of five items on the agenda for the final council meeting of the month. Southern California Gas Company Public Affairs Manager Tina Javid started off the City Council meeting with a brief slideshow to inform Diamond Bar residents of the potential hazards of dealing with gas leaks, as well as free services offered by the gas company in preparation for winter. Javid stated that SoCalGas is attempting to inform citizens about what to do in case of a damaged pipeline. Information concerning the location of gas transmission and high pressure distribution pipelines in each city and neighborhood can be found at socalgas.com. Since Diamond Bar has a high volume of residential homes, the federal government takes special consideration since a gas pipeline problem could have major consequences in concern to the safety of citizens. “(In the nation) Every 3 minutes there’s a gas line that’s damaged,” said Javid. “And it’s typically by third party contractors that are doing work for cities, businesses to get that work done.” After Javid’s presentation, public comments were started off by resident Nancy Lyons discussing the problem of vacant storefronts in Diamond Bar, specifically the former Ralphs supermarket. Library Manager Pui Ching Ho used her public comment time to invite residents to take part in a wide variety of activities at the Diamond Bar library. In response to Lyons’ concerns of the loss of jobs and sales tax revenue along with the vacant lots being a public eyesore; City Manager James DeStefano noted that while Diamond Bar fared well during the recession, it was not completely immune to the loss of businesses. “The good news is that a national grocery store operator is going to be moving into that space in 2014,” said DeStefano. “They’re not quite ready to announce who they are just yet.” City Council members then quickly motioned to approve all five items on the agenda in one motion. City Council members unanimously approved all items on the agenda, which included the City Council minutes for Sept. 3, 2013 and Ordinance No.07 (approved amendments to the development code and official zoning map for the affordable housing land use and zoning designation project) also approved, was the payment of two median modification construction contracts; the first at Grand Avenue and Summitridge Drive for $35,518.20 and the second at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Silver Hawk Drive for $41,659.55. Both construction contracts were awarded to L.M.T. Enterprises dba Tyner Paving Company. Once the council approved all the agenda items, Mayor Pro Tem Ron Everett stated his recommendation for the appointment of the new planning commissioner following the resignation of Steve Nelson and the process of deciding between nine applicants. “After careful review of the candidates, it is my privilege and pleasure to recommend the City Council confirm the appointment of Ashok ‘Ash’ Dhingra to fill the unexpired term of former Planning Commissioner Steve Nelson,” Everett said. The City Council members then unanimously approved Dhingra for the job of planning commissioner and followed the approval of his new position with a short speech, promising his best work to the residents of Diamond Bar. The final item on the agenda saw a brief comment section for each City Council members, in which members spoke about various aspects of Diamond Bar life, including Diamond Bar community day at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona, services offered by Foothill Transit and the inaugural football game at Diamond Ranch High School.

By Raymond Mendoza Walnut – Political mudslinging is a well known tactic to the general public during Presidential elections; however the perils of negative campaigning can also threaten the validity of elections for city government, such as elections for City Council or the Board of Trustees for a school district. For small cities like Diamond Bar and Walnut, negative campaigning might seem like an impossible feat for such friendly communities, yet no election is without some form of controversy. With the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees’ elections on the horizon for November 5, candidates and citizens are aware of the negative campaigning that is being directed toward some of the candidates running for re-election. WVUSD Clerk Cindy Ruiz chose not to focus on the bad aspects of local government and negative campaign slurs and instead believes in each candidate showing their value and work ethic to the city they represent. “I’m a believer in running a positive campaign and not tearing somebody else down,” said Ruiz. “Run a positive campaign, run on my own merit and not do anything negative against another candidate.” WVUSD President Helen M. Hall, on the other hand, stated that politics are much less harsh in comparison to other higher forms of government and claimed that there is less conflict since school boards are non-partisan, making each candidate’s political party a null topic. “At the school board level typically we don’t see (negative campaigning),” said Hall. “It’s a non-partisan race meaning it’s not Republicans and Democrats it’s just all students in a district… so in that sense, no: in the School Board level, I’ve never had the opportunity to be part of (negative campaigning). It really hasn’t happened in our district.” After assuring that negative campaigning rarely happens for Board of Trustees elections, Hall did mention that elections for City Council can sometimes be “more cut throat.” And “cut throat” could very well be an applicable term for former Diamond Bar City Council Member and former Mayor Eileen Ansari, whose 2001 bid for Diamond Bar City Council re-election was lost following claims that she was linked to terrorist activities due to her marriage to a Muslim man. “Well it was post 9/11 and as you know my family and my husband are Muslims, so some really nasty stuff was put out about me,” said Ansari. “It cost me the election and it was such negative things.” Even though Ansari’s City Council election was almost 12 years ago, she still claims that the negative campaigning against her is what made her lose the election and that political muckraking was the only way she could have lost her seat as a City Council member. “That would be the only way to get me out of office,” said Ansari. “I was liked and I think that was the only way they could get me out of office was to do something about 9/11 to me, and as it turns out it was really horrendous how they could do something like that to somebody.” So while Ansari’s election is now a thing of the past, the former City Council member hopes that the upcoming WVUSD election will be free from political lies and negative campaigning.

By K.P. Sander Diamond Bar – How does the environment affect the learner? There are studies upon studies available that show the effects of light, temperature, noise and visual settings. Comfortable surroundings and beautiful environments can stimulate learning. The world’s most amazing high school campuses seem to have the common thread of providing stunning, motivational learning spaces toward higher learning. BestEducationDegrees.com, dedicated to helping you find the best school possible to further your education, has included Diamond Ranch High School among the world’s most amazing campuses. Serving students from Diamond Bar and Phillips Ranch, Diamond Ranch High School is operated by the Pomona Unified School District. The California Department of Education named it a California Distinguished School in 2003 and 2007 and the school has won many other awards, including named as one of America’s Best High Schools. It is said to be one of the most academically challenging schools in the United States. Diamond Ranch was designed by architect Thom Mayne, in an expressionist modern design working with the environment’s steep hillside. The beautiful architecture and location have earned it credit in movies such as Live Free or Die Hard, Serenity, and The Cell, and several television commercials. The school was also featured in the book Morphosis/Diamond Ranch High School. The World’s Most Amazing High Schools features visually inspiring campuses including several in Los Angeles, more throughout the United States, and on to England, Scotland, France, Portugal, Denmark and around the world. California is very proud to have eight schools listed in the top 30. For more information visit pusc.org/diamondranch or besteducationdegrees.com

Left to Right: Capt. Jeffrey Scroggin, Deputy Aaron Scheller and Lieutenant Anthony Tachias

By K.P. Sander Diamond Bar – The City of Diamond Bar contracts with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for all law enforcement services, and currently has more than 20 full-time personnel assigned to serve the city. In addition, the Diamond Bar Volunteer Patrol has 25 individuals dedicated to helping assist the department by observing and reporting crimes and suspicious activity. The Sheriff’s team is involved in drug and crime awareness programs, as well as their regular responsibilities. Lieutenant Anthony Tachias, Team Sergeant Marc Saunders, and Deputy Aaron Scheller are the core of the Diamond Bar team under the direction of Captain Jeffrey Scroggin. A recent retirement and department reorganization welcomed Captain Scroggin, Lieutenant Tachias and Deputy Scheller to their new positions. Jeffrey Scroggin, who has a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, recently became captain for the Diamond Bar/Walnut station. He has been with the Sheriff’s Department for 28 years. He started his career back in 1984, working his way to sergeant at the Industry Station in 2000. Five years later he was promoted to Service Area Lieutenant for the City of Bellflower at the Lakewood Station, and then Lieutenant for the Norwalk Station in 2008. In 2012, Captain Scroggin was the Undersheriff’s Executive Aide for the Executive Offices of the Sheriff. Anthony Tachias, a U.S. Navy veteran, was appointed this past May to Service Area Lieutenant, and will oversee the Diamond Bar Law Enforcement Team and the Diamond Bar/Walnut Station. He also began his career with the Sheriff’s Department in 1984, working in various capacities. Lieutenant Tachias was promoted to the position of sergeant in 1996, and lieutenant in 2003. His most recent position was as Detective Bureau Lieutenant at the Lakewood Station. Deputy Aaron Scheller recently was assigned to the Community Relations/Crime Prevention position focusing on special projects for the community, including Neighborhood and Business Watch Programs, and the promotion of Disaster Preparedness. He completed the Sheriff’s Academy in 2000, and began his career at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles. Deputy Scheller has been working at the Diamond Bar/Walnut Station as a Patrol Specialist since 2006. . For more information regarding the Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Department, contact the Diamond Bar/Walnut station at 21695 E. Valley Boulevard, Walnut, CA, 91789; (909) 595-2264 or (626) 913-1715, or visit http://www.Walnut.DiamondBar.lasd.org.

L-R: Brandon Randall, Andrew Graciano, and Jeremy Beck,. Photo courtesy: Jennifer Madrigal.

By: Jennifer Madrigal Eastvale – The ERHS Cross Country Team and Track Team sent athletes to Illinois at the end of June to compete in Nationals. Brandon Randall, a Junior, ran the 800M with a winning time of 1:58:36 and the 1500M with a winning time of 4:04:63. He is now the National Champion. Andrew Graciano, Junior, also competed in the 1500M and the 3000M. Jeremy Beck, also a Junior, ran the 1500M and the 3000M and came in 4th in the Nation. The ERHS Cross Country team is currently ranked 6th in the County and 61st in the State.

Photo courtesy: Kelli Gile
Fourth graders Miriam Abdelnaby, Denise Abbasi, Julio Abcantara, Jeremy Tsu and Alex Castillo with their teacher Cynthia Riggio at Cyrus J. Morris Elementary School.

By Kelli Gile Walnut – Over 14,650 students began classes as the 2013-2014 school year began in the Walnut Valley Unified School District on Monday, August 19. They came in carrying backpacks filled with pencils, erasers, notebooks and other tools to support their learning. The first day of also marked the re-opening of the completely remodeled Cyrus J. Morris Elementary School. Before construction began, the entire school (students, staff, books, supplies and furniture) temporarily relocated to the former Ron Hockwalt Academies on Lemon Avenue in Walnut during the 2012-2013 school year. Staff and students were thrilled to be back home in the new state-of-the art campus to begin the new school year. Brand new modernized classrooms feature state-of-the art equipment, facilities, utilities and lighting, along with wonderful storage cabinets and teacher stations. The beautiful newly modernized multipurpose room was formally an outdoor atrium. “I love it!” said 5th grader Sarah Mitchell about the re-modeled school. “This new classroom is the best,” exclaimed classmate Damien Rama. “One of the things I’m really excited about is that we have new beautiful storage. And the ceiling mounted projectors allow us to teach close to the board without blocking the information on the screen,” said fourth grade teacher Tara Noelte. Teacher Lisa Peterson has a grouping of neon-colored chairs that students use during reading centers in her third grade classroom. Peterson said she loves the process of helping guide her students to become inquirers at the prestigious IB School. “They even sit with their iPads and create movies in these cozy chairs,” said Principal Donna Hunter. An official Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Cyrus J. Morris Elementary was held on Thursday, August 22. Diamond Bar High School students entered doors for their math classes in a brand new two-story math building. The 20-classroom modular also includes a grade level coordinator office, teacher workroom and restrooms. “Our 600 Building features the latest technology including wireless connectivity, digital projection, document cameras and surround sound,” said Instructor Dean David Hong. Buildings around the Brahma campus are numbered clockwise beginning with the 100 Administration Building. Construction and modernization projects of school facilities, made possible through voter support of Bond Measures S & Y, are laying out the framework for 21st century learning. A Monsters University-themed pep rally was presented on the first day of school by the United Student Body (USB) and was held in the DBHS gym. Chaparral Middle School’s new 14-classroom science building features the “best classes I’ve ever seen,” said Principal Ron Thibodeaux. Staff will now be able to easily incorporate labs and design challenges into day-to-day instruction. The new building also facilitates higher level thinking in accordance with the hands-on learning objectives that are prevalent in Design-Based Learning (DBL) and Science classrooms, and are in accordance with STEM philosophies. A ribbon cutting ceremony is being planned for the school’s Family Science/DBL Night in October.

Staff Reports Walnut – The Employment Development Department (EDD) reported that unemployment in Diamond Bar and Walnut has decreased from June to July. Diamond Bar is down from 7.9 to 7.7 percent. Walnut is down from 5.9 to 5.3 percent, giving it one of the lowest unemployment rates in L.A. County. In an EDD Press Release on Friday, August 16, 2013, the state’s unemployment rate was listed at 8.5 percent, a 1.1 percent decrease since January. The unemployment rate for Los Angeles County was shown at 10.8 percent. Since last year at this time, non-farm-related jobs have increased by 61,800 in the county, which is encouraging. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows California ranking 45 out of 51 in the U.S, at 8.7 percent for July. North Dakota ranks first, with 3.0 percent. Rates are estimates based upon an equal percentage of the labor force, and these estimates provide key indicators of local economic conditions. According to the EDD, unemployment rates are based upon place of residence – where people actually live, regardless of where they work. Individuals working more than one job are only counted once. The California economy is continuing to improve, a change we slowly started seeing back in 2010. Increases in the stock market and home prices, as well as growth motivated by technology, foreign trade and tourism have brought about improvements.

Photo Courtesy L.E.A.F.F.
L.E.A.F.F. members Rigo Arrellano, Stan Sniff and Rob Medrano

By: Jennifer Madrigal Eastvale – The City of Eastvale is home to the only organization of Law Enforcement and Firefighters in the entire nation. Law enforcement AND Fire Fighters (L.E.A.F.F.) is a group founded in April of 2010 by local Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters who wanted to ensure that Eastvale remained a great place to live. According to L.E.A.F.F. President, Rigo Arrellano, “We run our organization like a union with a President, a VP and a Board to ensure that everything runs smoothly.” In 2010, the estimated number of Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters living in Eastvale was 1500 and in 2013 that number of L.E.A.F.F. members has grown to around 2500. With the large number of Police Officers and Fire Fighters who call Eastvale home, the group started small and grew to include representatives from virtually every department in four counties and includes: Deputy Sheriffs, Police Officers, Corrections Officers, Parole Agents, Highway Patrol Officers, INS Agents, FBI Agents, Paramedics, as well as all assignments in the various Fire Departments. The Mission Statement of L.E.A.F.F. is a simple one: To maintain a high quality of life within this community, with the goal of Eastvale achieving the status of #1 safest city. L.E.A.F.F. achieves this by supporting proactive law enforcement, fire safety and code enforcement. They support the community as a whole, especially as it relates to the safety of its citizens. In fact, you will find L.E.A.F.F. members all over the community: starting Neighborhood Watch Programs, calling in suspicious activity, helping raise funds for fallen firefighters or families in need, etc. L.E.A.F.F. tries to help the community out whenever possible and as a non-profit group they have been able to raise funds through donations and fundraisers that have helped local schools, athletic programs and scholarships for individuals interested in law enforcement or fire fighting. Its members also try and help out by backing up the City Council, Mayor and State encouraging a “pro-active” approach to community. “While members do not engage in doing the actual police work or investigations, their training helps them to keep an eye out for the community and their neighbors,” Arrellano states. Many L.E.A.F.F. members are subject matter experts and lend their expertise to helping the City with everything from traffic to reporting incidents, helping out with scene security and effectively reporting suspicious activity directly to local law enforcement. New L.E.A.F.F. President, Rigo Arrellano, wants to let the community know that L.E.A.F.F is here to help out the community and to make Eastvale an even better place to live. “We believe in being present and active members of the community. I like to get out there and shake hands, pound the pavement and make sure people know who we are and why we are here.” Arrellano also brought up the City of Simi Valley. While it was voted one of safest cities to live in California, partly due to the fact that it is home to a large number of Fire Fighters and Law Enforcement, imagine how great it would have been if those Fire Fighters and Police Officers would have formed a group together. When State, City and local agencies all unite toward a common goal and have a common mission in mind, the possibilities are endless. To find out more about L.E.A.F.F., visit their website at http://www.eleaff.org or email them at info@eleaff.com

Paul Castaneda

Marie Rosario

Allisonne Crawford

By Jennifer Madrigal Eastvale – Local Resident Debuts at The Candlelight Pavilion Allisonne Crawford, 32, of Eastvale will be making her debut appearance at The Candlelight Pavilion in Claremont. Allisonne has been singing since she was 4 and has appeared in numerous college performances. She is an accomplished vocalist of classical, contemporary and sacred style music. She received her Bachelor of Music-Vocal Performance from Chapman University. Allisonne is extremely excited to be a part of the cast of “The Sound of Motown,” which will run at the Candlelight Pavilion from August 8, 2013 to September 8, 2013. Eastvale Semifinalists SOCAL ICON 2013 This year’s all female semifinalists include the following Eastvale residents (by age): Dylan Hoffman, 8, Eastvale Nerieida Casillas, 14, Eastvale Alexandra Hove, 13, Eastvale Martha Rosario, 15, Eastvale The Semifinals took place in Eastvale at Eleanor Roosevelt High School’s theater as two ticketed events. There were three age divisions (7-10, 11-14 and 15-18). The judges for the semifinals round included music educators and industry professionals. The Final Concert Event (featuring the top seven in each age division) will take place on Saturday, August 31, 6:00pm, at the Margaret Webb Theatre in Santa Ana. ERHS Student Receives National Leadership and Service Award Marie Rosario was chosen as the United States National Leadership and Service Award winner by the United States Achievement Academy in Kentucky, upon the nomination of her honors Chemistry teacher, Patricia Bickel. “Marie always demonstrates patience and maintains a positive attitude even in the face of frustration. Her congenial personality and commitment to serving her fellow classmates is reflected by the many organizations she has been actively involved in,” said Bickel. She shows her leadership skills by taking on the position of Secretary for the California Scholarship Federation. Marie also enjoys mentoring her younger peers in the community. She serves as a Link Crew Leader for the freshmen at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, and volunteers as a tutor at the local community elementary and intermediate schools.” Paul Castaneda Advances to CrossFit Regionals In Southern California, over 7700 men and women registered for the CrossFit Open to test their fitness. Out of 4800 men, Paul Castaneda, finished in 20th place in week five. The top 48 received an invitation to compete in the next step of competition, the Regionals, in Del Mar, California. After seven live, head-to-head events, Paul finished in a tie for 13th place. The CrossFit Games Road to the Fittest requires athletes to be skilled and proficient in several disciplines of fitness including strength, speed, power, and endurance. At 32 years old, Paul Castaneda, head coach of CrossFit Inland Empire, is teaching the young guys a thing or two. If you would like to share an accomplishment or special achievement with us, please send a short description with picture (if applicable) to jenniferanapr@hotmail.com. We will share what we can as space allows.

Photo By: Kelli Gile
Diamond Bar High science teacher Angela Jensvold has been named a 2013 National Endowment for the Humanities Teacher Scholar.

By Kelli Gile Diamond Bar – Diamond Bar High School science teacher Angela Jensvold has been selected as a 2013 National Endowment for the Humanities Teacher Scholar. Angela was chosen from a competitive pool of outstanding teachers from across the nation to attend The Power of Place: Land and Peoples in Appalachia, a three-week institute exploring the rich natural and cultural history of the Appalachian Mountains from July 8-28. “It was an incredible experience to learn from such renowned experts in the field of Appalachian environmental history. I’m anxious to use the lesson plans I’ve created. I will be able to teach environmental issues in Appalachia with more passion now that I’ve been there and experienced the region firsthand,” Jensvold said. The award winning PBS series, APPALACHIA: A History of Mountains and People, set the stage for the three-week institute at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Angela joined leading scholars in the field, as well as some of the region’s most accomplished novelists, poets and filmmakers, for three weeks of intensive research into the intersection of natural history and human history in the Appalachian mountains. Topics for the 24 NEH seminars and institutes offered for teachers this summer include African history, African-American literature, Diversity, unity in the Pueblo world, China and India, Mind, meaning, and morality, Turkish history and culture, Thomas Jefferson, John Steinbeck, Native Americans of New England, Political and constitutional theory, Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Roots of the Arab Spring, and American history through song. The approximately 528 NEH Summer Scholars who participate in these programs of study will teach almost 66,000 American students the following year.

Staff Reports Diamond Bar – Three seats for the Diamond Bar City Council are open and six candidates have filled papers to run in the November election. Mayor Pro Tem Ron Everett, Council member Steve Tye and Council member Ling-Ling Chang are the three incumbents whose seats are up for election. However, they all plan to run for their seats in competition with three new candidates: Joseph Kim, Nancy Lyons and Martin Nakaishi. Below is a brief description about each candidate running: Ron Everett has been a resident of Diamond Bar for 35 years, served as Mayor in 2009 and is currently the Mayor Pro Tem. He has served on Walnut Valley’s Personnel Commission for 20 years, served on the city’s Public Safety Committee for three years and is the council liaison for the Walnut Valley Unified and Pomona Unified school districts. He says public safety and education are his top priorities if elected. Ling-ling Chang served as Mayor in 2012 and was named “Woman of the Year” in state Senator Bob Huff’s district. She said she should be re-elected because the council was able to balance every budget, built a new library, opened two new parks, and bank a $17 million reserve all without raising taxes and despite the decline in the economy, according to online reports. Chang is also running for a seat in the state Assembly 55th District. Joseph Kim is a businessman that grew up in Diamond Bar. Kim says he is running for City Council to do all that he can to continue to improve the community, including focusing on improving public safety, promoting stable economic development, harness new, cost-saving technologies that will promote long-term sustainability and growth, enhance the responsiveness of the city, and to be a responsible steward of city funds, according to online reports. Nancy Lyons is the Vice President of the Walnut Valley Unified Board of Trustees and a teacher. She has been on the school board for eight years, serves as a Parks & Recreation commissioner, been active in Diamond Bar Friends of the Library for 20 years, a volunteer in local schools for 22 years and taught Sunday school at her church. Her goals if elected include filling vacant store fronts, adding restaurants, increasing recreation facilities by working with the school district, working to develop Site D, and reducing morning traffic, according to online reports. Martin Nakaishi is a businessman and entrepreneur that has lived in Diamond Bar for 13 years and has worked as a federal government consultant and contractor for 25 years. He volunteers as a coach for a youth basketball team in Diamond Bar and serves as a member of the PTA in the Walnut Unified School District. He says that he is a dedicated citizen that is striving to give voice to and for all residents of the City of Diamond Bar. Steve Tye served as Mayor in 2007 and in 2011. He has been the chairman of the Planning Commission and the Parks & Recreation Commission, coaches soccer and Little League and teaches Sunday school at his church. He says he should be elected because he has demonstrated that he knows how to make tough decisions to keep the City’s finances in order, providing the City with a balanced budget every year in time, without raising taxes. The election will take place on Nov. 5, 2013. For more information, call 909.839.7010.

By Kimberley Sander Walnut – Make sure to slow down Walnut residents now that the City Council recently voted to decrease the speed limits for six segments in Walnut. The California Vehicle Code requires speed limits on roadways to be reviewed every five years in order to maintain radar accuracy and uphold court rulings in regard to traffic violations. It is also a matter of safety, and limits on roadways are often studied to help minimize traffic accidents and to help protect motorists and pedestrians. On July 24, the City Council recommended the approval of a Citywide Speed Survey to initiate the revision of speed limits on certain streets, and appropriate $15,000 of City funds to complete the project. The 2013 state-required survey was completed, measuring 67 areas of traffic for road characteristics, accident history, environmental factors, pedestrian activity and developments in the vicinity. As a result, Ordinance 13-05 was approved, and speed limits have been lowered on six street segments within the City of Walnut. The following street segments will receive new signs and pavement markers: • Amar Rd – Nogales St to Sunset Bluff Rd; Reduced from 50mph to 45mph • Amar Rd – Sunset Bluff Rd to Grand Ave; Reduced from 45mph to 40mph • Camino de Teodoro – Valley Blvd to Calle Baja; Reduced from 35mph to 30mph • Lemon Ave – Amar Rd to Creekside Dr; Reduced from 40mph to 35mph • Mountaineer Rd – Grand Ave to Sundowner Ln; Reduced from 35mph to 30mph • Pierre Road – Cardin Street to Vejar Road; Reduced from 35mph to 30mph The speed reductions are anticipated to help lower accident rates (Amar Rd and Lemon Ave both have a history of high accident rates); and help contribute to the safety of children around Suzanne Middle School and Walnut High School on the Pierre Road segment.

Staff Reports Los Angeles County – Following is a listing of upcoming elections taking place in Los Angeles County. Visit http://www.lavote.net for additional information on candidates, polling places and election events. July 30, 2013 – LACERA Elections: The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association is seeking election for Safety Members. All L.A. County permanent employees working ¾ time or more in firefighting, forestry, and law enforcement (including District Attorney Investigators) are eligible to vote. All ballots must be received by 5:00pm on July 30 at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, County Clerk’s office at 12400 Imperial Highway, Room 2013, in Norwalk, 90650 September 17, 2013 – Special Primary Elections (Senate District 26 and Assembly District 45) September 24, 2013 – Assembly District Special General Election November 5, 2013 – Local and Municipal Consolidated Elections CITIES • Baldwin Park • Diamond Bar – Nominations are now being accepted through August 9 for the Diamond Bar City Council. The three seats open for election are now held by Mayor Pro Tem, Ron Everett, and council members Ling-Ling Chang and Steve Tye. Nomination papers are available at the City Clerk’s office, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, 91765, during normal business hours. Call (909) 839-7010 or email cityclerk@diamondbarca.gov for additional information. • Irwindale • West Covina – Nominations are open for City Clerk, City Treasurer and three City Council seats. All nominations must be received by 5:00p.m., August 9 to be considered. If no incumbents file, the deadline will be extended to 5:00p.m., August 14. Terms for Mayor Shelley Sanderson and appointees Andrew McIntyre and Rob Sotelo will also expire this year. McIntyre and Sotelo will run again; Sanderson has not yet made a final decision SCHOOL DISTRICTS • Baldwin Park Unified • Bassett Unified • Mount San Antonio College: The Board of Trustees will expand from five to seven members because of redistricting. • Pomona Unified • Walnut Valley Unified • West Covina Unified WATER DISTRICTS • La Puente Valley Districts 3,4,5 • Walnut Valley Water Districts 2, 3 November 19, 2013 – Special General Elections (Senate District 26 and Assembly District 45)

The City of Diamond Bar recognized volunteers who helped raise over $7,700 for the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station. Left to right: Michael Armijo, Dickie Simmons from Supervisor Don Knabe’s office, Councilwoman Ling Chang, Mayor Pro-Tem Ron Everitt, Marcos Granada, Gil Rivera, Sarah Armijo, Mayor Jack Tanaka, Councilmembers Carol Herrera and Steve Tye.

Staff Reports Diamond Bar – The Diamond Bar City Council recognized several volunteers who gave their time and money to help the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff Station raise money earlier this year. “We are honored to be part of such a successful event and hope to continue our efforts to raise money for needs that are not on the LA County Sheriff budget,” said Gil Rivera, who co-emceed the event. “All proceeds go toward helping the Sheriff Department Reserves, the volunteers, the Explorer program, and other necessities.” Those who were honored are: Michael Armijo from ABC Public Relations/Armijo News, Dickie Simmons from Supervisor Don Knabe’s office, Marcos Granada from American Pacific Mortgage, Gil Rivera from SellYourCasa.com, Sarah Armijo from SarahMariesCreations.com, and Alex Nigian from Walnut High School Performing Arts Center. The first and second Annual Sheriff Variety Shows were huge successes as community members, businesses, and local agencies raised a total of $7,700 for our local Sheriff’s station. This years show was held in May at Walnut High School, with the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff Booster Club managing the event. The Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) also sponsored the event that benefits the entire community. The three major donators to the event were: Supervisor Don Knabe’s office, the City of Diamond Bar, and Marcos Granda from American Pacific Mortgage. “We appreciate the Volunteer program, the Reserves, and the Sheriff Booster Club for their hard work and dedication,” said Walnut Sheriff Captain Jeff Scroggin in an interview earlier this year. Michael Armijo and Gil Rivera.com donated their time as the MCs for the Variety Show. Both are current board members for the Sheriff station. Sarah Armijo of SarahMariesCreations.com donated her time as event coordinator. All three have volunteered for both shows held in November 2012 and May 2013. In the lobby, a local artist Mat Sanchez of MatSanchez.com and a Z-Ultimate representative had tables displaying information about their businesses. For more information on Mt. SAC student and Pomona’s Visual Artist of the Year, Mathew Sanchez, check out Mathew’s ad on page 11. For more information on the Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studio in Walnut, go to zultimatewalnut.com. A variety of acts performed at this year’s Variety Show. A list of all the participants include: Dance Corner in Rowland Heights, local band Penny and the Jets, amazing singer Adanna Duru, WHS drama students Emma Aragon and Emi Tsukada, singer sensation Terrah Xtreme, duet singers Lisa Martinez and Natalie Martinez, members of the Baldwin Park Roadrunner’s Mascot Cheer Team, the MTM Band, and dancing sensation Luke Rivera. For more information about any of these acts, call (909) 464-1200. If you missed the show, JDC Cine Photos of jdcinephotos.com videotaped the entire show, which is available for purchase. DVDs are available for $30 and Blu-Rays for $35. Orders can be placed by email at jdcinephotos@jdcinephotos.com or through facebook message at http://www.facebook.com/jdcinephotos. The next variety show is scheduled for late October or early November. A venue is being secured and announcements will be out within a few weeks. If you are interested in donating or participating please contact Sarah Armijo at SarahAnapr@hotmail.com, Michael at WalnutValleyMike@msn.com, or Gil Rivera at Gil.rivera@verizon.net. You may also call 909.464.1200.