Golfing Fore The Kids

By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

I enjoy playing golf.  It requires skill, luck, and perseverance.  Many life lessons are found in golf:   how to overcome adversity; how to build character; how to help and encourage your fellow players.

Another nice thing about golf is that you can play the game throughout your life.  I enjoy seeing a mom or dad spending time on the putting green with their young children.  My son and I started playing golf together when he was in middle school and we still enjoy playing golf together today.

It is also nice to see golf teams from local high schools on the golf course.  Although each player keeps his or her own score, they compete as a team against other schools.  In fact, my own son is the boys’ golf coach at his high school.  This is his third year.

This year I am the co-chairman of our annual Walnut Valley Rotary Club – Diamond Bar Community Foundation golf tournament.  These two service organizations put this annual golf tournament together to raise funds that benefit children and youth in our local community.

The DBCF contributes funds for youth sports fields, academic scholarships, fine arts programs and much more.  The Rotary Club of Walnut Valley supports youth speech and music competitions, youth leadership camps and holiday food and toy distributions.  Both organizations make contributions to our local schools and both give away thousands of dollars each year to benefit children and youth in Diamond Bar, Walnut, and Rowland Heights.

Our annual “Golfing Fore The Kids” tournament will be on Monday, May 8th at the beautiful Western Hills Golf Course.  We are looking for more golfers to participate in this event.  The cost is $150 per player.  This includes 18 holes of golf plus Subway breakfast sandwiches, Chick- Fil-A chicken sandwiches, and a mid-afternoon dinner in the Western Hills dining room.

Participants will have the opportunity to win a new Car at the Hole in One par three.  Numerous raffle items will be given away at the end of the tournament.  It will be a great day to enjoy with your fellow golfers on this luxurious private golf course.

In addition, we are looking for more sponsors to support this community event.  Over the years, many local businesses and corporations have given financial support to this event.  Individual sponsors have also contributed to Golfing Fore the Kids.

You can learn more about “Golfing Fore The Kids” at the Diamond Bar Community Foundation web site.  Golfers can register online, too.

Please mark your calendar now and register this week to enjoy a wonderful day of golf on May 8th at the Western Hills Country Club. Check out our web site for all the information.  Invite some fellow golfers to join you for a memorable golf experience.  They will be glad you did and you will too!

 

History 101

Photo Courtesy: National Geographic

Billy The Kid Convicted of Murder

By History.com

After a one-day trial, Billy the Kid is found guilty of murdering the Lincoln County, New Mexico, sheriff and is sentenced to hang.

There is no doubt that Billy the Kid did indeed shoot the sheriff, though he had done so in the context of the bloody Lincoln County War, a battle between two powerful groups of ranchers and businessmen fighting for economic control of Lincoln County. When his boss, rancher John Tunstall, was murdered before his eyes in February 1878, the hotheaded young Billy swore vengeance. Unfortunately, the leader of the men who murdered Tunstall was the sheriff of Lincoln County, William Brady. When Billy and his partners murdered the sheriff several months later, they became outlaws, regardless of how corrupt Brady may have been.

After three years on the run and several other murders, Pat Garrett finally arrested Billy in early 1881. Garrett, a one-time friend, was the new sheriff of Lincoln County. On this day in 1881, a court took only one day to convict Billy of the murder of Sheriff Brady. Sentenced to hang, Billy was imprisoned in Lincoln’s county jail while Sheriff Garrett gathered the technical information and supplies needed to build an effective gallows.

On April 28, while Garrett was out of town, Billy managed to escape. While one of the jail’s two guards was escorting a group of prisoners across the street to dinner, Billy asked the remaining guard to take him to the jail outhouse. As the guard escorted him back to his cell, Billy somehow managed to slip a wrist through his handcuffs. He slugged the guard and shot him with a pistol either that he took from the guard or that a friend had hidden in the outhouse for him. Hearing the shot, the second guard ran back to the jail, and Billy killed him with a blast from a shotgun he found in Garrett’s office. Reportedly, Billy then smashed the gun and threw it down on the dead guard, yelling, “You won’t follow me any more with that gun!”

After murdering the guards, Billy seemed in no hurry to flee. He armed himself with two pistols and, according to one account, “danced about the balcony, laughed and shouted as though he had not a care on earth.” Apparently, the people of Lincoln were either too fearful or too admiring of the young outlaw to act. After nearly an hour, Billy rode off.

He was not able to ride far enough. Upon his return to Lincoln, Garrett immediately formed a posse and set off to recapture the outlaw. On July 14, 1881, Garrett surprised Billy in a darkened room not far from Lincoln and shot him dead.

Pan-Seared Chicken With Herbs De Provence

Photo courtesy: Hello Fresh

Over a Warm Farro, Mozzarella, and Tomato Jumble

Courtesy of HelloFresh

Ingredients 2-person | 4-person

Shallot • 1 | 1

Farro • ½ Cup | 1 Cup

Grape Tomatoes • 4 oz | 8 oz

Fresh Mozzarella • 4 oz | 8 oz

Chicken Breasts • 12 oz | 24 oz

Herbs de Provence • 1 TBSP | 2 TBSP

Balsamic Vinegar • 1 TBSP | 2 TBSP

Honey • 2 tsp | 4 tsp

  1. Cook farro Halve, peel, and mince shallot. Bring 2⅓ cups water and a pinch of salt to a boil in a medium pot. Once boiling, add farro and shallot. Lower heat and reduce to a simmer. Cook until tender, 25-30 minutes. TIP: If there is still water in pot after cooking, drain farro and return to pot.
  2. Prep Wash and dry all produce. Halve tomatoes lengthwise. Cut mozzarella into small cubes.
  3. Butterflychicken With your hand on top of one chicken breast, cut ¾ of the way, parallel to cutting board, stopping before you slice through completely. Open it up like a book. Season all over with salt, pepper, and herbs de Provence. Repeat with remaining chicken breast
  4. Make dressing In a small bowl, whisk together 1 TBSP balsamic vinegar (we sent more), honey, and a large drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Cook chicken Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over high heat. Add chicken in a single layer. Cook until browned and no longer pink in center, 3-4 minutes per side.
  6. Finish and plate Add tomatoes, mozzarella, and half the dressing to pot with farro and toss. Season with salt and pepper. Slice chicken into strips. Divide farro mixture between plates, then top with chicken. Drizzle with remaining dressing.

Remembering Motor Officer Carlo Poggetto

Courtesy of Pomona PD

Pomona – Motor Officer Carlo Poggetto was killed in an on-duty motorcycle collision on March 11, 1957, while attempting to stop a vehicle. He was in the process of conducting a traffic stop when he observed another serious violation take place. As he attempted to catch up with the suspect, another vehicle turned left in front of him causing a collision.

Motor Officer Carlo Poggetto was involved in various youth activities and was a key figure in the construction of the Pomona Valley Quarter Midget Track in 1956, which was located near First St. and East End Av. Officer Poggetto saw the track as another way to get boys and girls involved in something positive in the City of Pomona.

The first official race event was held December 30, 1956. After his unfortunate death, the track was renamed the Carlo A. Poggetto Memorial Track on March 31, 1957, at a dedication attended by over 4000. In memory of Officer Poggetto, the first club race of the season was dedicated to him. When the Pomona track closed and the Orange Show track was created, the tradition continued.

Straight Talk With Danice

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

“Spoiled Sister”

By Danice Akiyoshi, N.D.

 

Dear Dr. Akiyoshi:

Both of my parents passed away two years ago.  My sister was very dependent on both of them.  Now that they’re gone, she looks to me to entertain her at every holiday and birthday, as if she were still a child, and bail her out financially when she makes stupid mistakes.  She never pitches in for anything that doesn’t directly affect her.  She makes comments like “mom and dad would want you to take care of me.  I’m the baby of the family and you make more money than me,” (she is 47).  Neither of us is married, but I don’t want her to think that she can lean on me for the rest of her life.

-Fed Up

 

Dear Fed Up:

Your sister has a sense of entitlement.  Make it clear that you have no interest in acting out the role of her parent or spouse.  I’m guessing that your parents did her a major disservice by allowing her to arrive into middle age with this degree of emotional immaturity.  Make it clear that your role is that of a sibling and not a caretaker.   Be honest about the fact that you no longer even see her as enjoyable company because of the way she takes you for granted.  If you have feelings of guilt, or have trouble standing up to her manipulation tactics, I would be happy to assist you.

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

Remember You Are Dust And To Dust You Shall Return

EV - Father PatrickBy Fr. Patrick Kirsch

“Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.”  This admonition, graphically emphasized by the imposition of Ashes on our foreheads, sets the theme of Lent reminding us of our mortality and that one day we will go home to our Creator.  Just as God originally made humanity in grace, finding his creation “very good” we are called to conversion and to return to God in that same goodness.  Although sinners, we are able to regain that state of grace as we prepare for the Paschal Mystery by turning to God for help, asking him to cleanse us of our iniquities and renew within us a steadfast spirit.

LENT:  A LIST OF “GIVE UPS.” Give up Bitterness; Turn to Forgiveness, Give up Hatred; Return Good for Evil, Give up Negativism; Be Positive, Give up Pessimism; Be an Optimist, Give up Complaining; Be Grateful, Give up Harsh Judgments; Think Kind Thoughts, Give up Worry; Trust Divine Providence, Give up Discouragement; Be full of Hope, Give up Anger; Be more Patient, Give up Pettiness; Be more Mature, Give up Gloom; Enjoy the Beauty around you, Give up Jealousy; Pray for Trust, Give up Gossiping; Control your Thoughts, Give up Sin; Turn to Virtue.

 

Blessed Oscar Romero: http://www.BlessedOscarRomero.com

Don’t Let Life Pass You By

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops

When we are young, we can’t wait to turn eighteen.  When we are eighteen, we can’t wait until we are twenty-one.  Now that we are adults, we can’t wait to graduate college and get married.  Now that we are married we can’t wait to have a family and buy a house.  We now have it all, the family, the big job, and the big house, now we can’t wait until we retire.  Why is that we have such a hard time just living in the present?  It’s as if we are literally wishing our lives away.

People seem to believe the future holds the happiness that the present just doesn’t.  I always hear people say things will be different when I get passed that.  So time moves along and they do indeed get past that, and from nowhere something else comes along.  Now they are thinking things will be so much better when I get passed this. And so it is that this just keeps reoccurring.  Do you see a pattern here?  It’s called life and it seems as if it is always giving us something that we must get through.

Life is not a neat little package, it involves a lot of hard work and challenges.  Even then, there are times that we don’t get what we thought we really deserve.  Maybe these are the times to look at what we did end up with and realize it is even better.  We spend so very much time looking at what we don’t have and feeling sorry for ourselves.  Life has a way of giving us what we need, if just pay attention.  Things seem to work out if we are patient and willing to accept life’s challenges and live each day to the fullest!!!!!!!!!!!!

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.

 

.

 

 

Continue To “Put Your Best Fork Forward”

By StatePoint

Are you finding it difficult to keep up with your healthy New Year’s habits? Tackle those resolutions with renewed energy in March during National Nutrition Month and remember that small changes, made over time, can add up.

The 2017 National Nutrition Month theme, “Put Your Best Fork Forward,” encourages everyone to start small — one forkful at a time. Whether you’re planning meals to prepare at home or making selections when dining out, it’s crucial to develop a healthy eating style that you can maintain.

“To make lasting, healthful changes to your eating habits, it’s important to start small,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson Caroline Passerrello. “Registered dietitian nutritionists can help you develop personalized solutions that will keep you healthy and allow you to still enjoy your favorite foods throughout your entire life.”

Passerrello offers these ways you can “Put Your Best Fork Forward.”

• Choose Healthier Options When Cooking at Home. “Eating a variety of healthful foods across and within all food groups helps reduce the risk of preventable, lifestyle-related chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity,” says Passerrello. “Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy, lean proteins and oils.”

• Find Healthful Options When Dining Out. “Finding healthful options at restaurants is easier today than it ever has been,” says Passerrello. “Most restaurants offer healthful options. Look for items that are steamed or roasted, and ask for sauce, dressing and cheese on the side. To-go boxes can help control portions. Eat half your meal at the restaurant and take the other half home.”

• Set a Good Example for Your Children. Parents are the most important role models for their children. “Modeling healthful eating habits starts in the kitchen,” Passerrello says. “Involving your kids in the cooking with age-appropriate tasks, serving balanced meals with a variety of nutrient-rich foods and enjoying dinner together as often as possible are among the many things you can do to help your family be mindful of their eating habits.”

• Consult a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. “A healthy lifestyle is much more than choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables. While that is important, it’s also essential to make informed food choices based on your individual health and nutrient needs,” Passerrello says. “A registered dietitian nutritionist can educate you and guide your food choices while keeping your tastes and preferences in mind. They are able to separate facts from fads and translate nutrition science into information you can use.” To find a registered dietitian nutritionist in your area, visit eatright.org.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ National Nutrition Month website, eatright.org/NNM, includes articles, recipes, videos and educational resources to spread the message of good nutrition and an overall healthy lifestyle for people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. You can also follow National Nutrition Month on social media using #NationalNutritionMonth.

This National Nutrition Month, keep up the good work you began in January by recommitting to health and wellness in March.

A Simple Spring Cleaning Checklist

By StatePoint

It’s the time of year to roll up your sleeves and do some spring cleaning. Experts point out that it’s helpful to streamline the tools you use to do the job and the tasks you seek to accomplish.

“An all-purpose cleaner and a tough degreasing agent can be used in so many areas of the home,” says Jeff Devlin, a licensed contractor who’s appeared on several home improvement television shows. Devlin’s first tip: look to reduce the number of products in your cleaning arsenal. “Along with high-quality sprays and cloths, I use one all-purpose cleaner that also contains degreasing ingredients.”

Devlin, along with Mean Green and its line of heavy-duty, all-purpose cleaners offer these different strategies for critical areas of your home.

  • Stove and range hoods: While you should be cleaning these areas regularly after food preparation, take this opportunity to conduct a more thorough cleaning. Spray cleaner directly on the mess for up to two minutes. Wipe clean with a sponge or cloth. Then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  • Sinks and countertops: Sinks and countertops can be a trap for food, grease, grime and soap scum. Generously spray non-porous surfaces with your cleaner then rinse with clean water.
  • Stove exhaust filter: The grease buildup that collects on the stove’s exhaust filter can be a tough nut to crack. In a sink basin, mix 8 ounces of a concentrated multi-surface cleaner and 1 gallon of hot water and submerge the filter. Place the filter in a sink or dishpan and pour in concentrated cleaner to cover. Allow the filter to soak for 30 minutes. Drain the dishpan and rinse thoroughly with hot water.
  • Floors: Give your floors a mopping. Mix 4 ounces of cleaning solution with 1 gallon of warm water. Apply with mop or sponge.
  • Garbage cans and diaper pails: Bags often leak nastiness into the bottom of the garbage can, which can easily be missed when quickly replacing the bag. Turn your cleanser’s nozzle to spray and generously cover the can. Wipe or brush any areas that have any residue. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  • Showers, tubs and tile: Use your cleaning agent at full strength and generously spray surfaces directly. Allow it to penetrate the soap scum for up to two minutes. Do not allow to dry. Wipe away with a coarse sponge or cloth. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  • Toilets: Let’s face it. This isn’t anyone’s favorite job but it has to be done. Turn that nozzle to spray and generously spray the outside of the toilet. Wipe clean with a paper towel, then give a quick rinse.
  • Patio: For patios, outdoor furniture, concrete, vinyl fences and siding, use the same cleaner outdoors: simply spray, then wipe clean with a cloth or sponge and rinse surfaces with clean water. While you’re at it, consider removing grease and grime from tools, engine parts, tires, sports gear and lawn equipment.

For efficiency, consider cleaning solutions that don’t require pre-cleaning, such as Mean Green Super Strength Cleaner & Degreaser, the strongest all-purpose cleaner available. More tips for getting your spring to-dos completed can be found at meangreendegreaser.com.

“Make spring cleaning simple and effective by using smart strategies on every surface of your home,” said Devlin.

Deputy Myers Tips

EV - Deputy Myers.jpgDear Deputy Myers:

Bicycle/Skateboard Helmet requirements…what is the law?

The California Vehicle Code  Section 21212, which pertains to helmet laws, is as follows: (a) A person under 18 years of age shall not operate a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard, nor shall they wear in-line or roller skates, nor ride upon a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or standards subsequently established by those entities. This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.

Did you know every year in California alone, over 100 people are killed and thousands are injured in bicycle collisions? All too often these injuries are head related and could have been prevented. Where there is a responsibility on both the bicyclist and the motorist to maintain control and stay alert, the devastating injuries could be prevented by just wearing a helmet.

As the operator of the bicycle/skateboard and being under the age of 18, it is your responsibility to not only wear your helmet, but to also wear it properly. Consult the packaging of the helmet or your local first responder for assistance if you are unsure. Also consider taking a bicycle safety course to learn the proper hand signals to effectively communicate your intentions to other drivers on the road. Know that wearing a properly fitting helmet is the law and you could be cited for not wearing one. Don’t get caught without it!

There are four basic safety tips to follow when operating a bicycle or skateboard while on the street or in an enclosed skate park. 1) Maintain control of your bicycle/skateboard; 2) Protect yourself – Always wear your helmet; 3) Be visible, alert, and communicate your intentions clearly; and lastly 4) Ride with traffic. We at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are committed to your safety and encourage you to continue to keep yourself and your families safe.

Deanna Myers is the Volunteer and Programs Coordinator for the Jurupa Valley Station of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that services the Eastvale Police Department.  She has been with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for about nine years, and most recently was assigned to patrol within the City of Eastvale before moving into her current position where she is in charge of the Neighborhood Watch program for the City of Eastvale.

 

Getting Fit

3864.jpgCourtesy Women’s Health Mag.com

Getting stronger is a beautiful thing. It’s what helps you see more definition and build more metabolism-boosting muscle. But according to new research in Current Biology, it also causes you to burn fewer calories during each workout.

For the study, researchers examined 300 men and women, specifically their levels of physical activity and the number of calories they burned each day. They found that while moderately active people burned about 200 more calories per day than the most sedentary participants, the most physically active people didn’t burn any more calories than those who were only moderately active.

“Think about your job. When you first started, there were some learning curves, it took more energy and more time, but you became more efficient,” he says. Exercise works the same way. Your body adapts to a specific demand. So you naturally become more efficient, and use less energy [a.k.a. calories] to meet that demand.” says California-based trainer Mike Donavanik, C.S.C.S.

But that’s no reason to forgo exercise in the name of weight loss or, more importantly, fat loss. After all, you want to lose fat, not muscle. Right? One obesity study of 439 women found that those who ate healthy and exercised lost considerably more body fat than those who stuck with dieting alone.

So how do you make sure every sweat session helps you burn more? Follow these rules of exercising for weight loss

Get FIIT
When it comes to making sure your body never gets too comfy with your workout, you’ve got to cozy up to the FIIT principle. It stands for frequency, intensity, time, and type—the four factors that determine the exact stress you put on your body during a given workout, says Donavanik. Changing up any one of them “surprises” and challenges your body in a new way. Remember, as long as your body is forced to adapt to progressively challenging workouts, it’s going to burn more calories during every workout. It’s when your body gets used to your current workouts that things start to plateau. “Look to change one to two of these variables every four to six weeks and you’ll keep losing weight,” he says.

And HIIT
In one 2013 study from Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, people who performed a 20-minute HIIT workout torched 15 calories per minute—about twice as many as they did during long runs. Plus, with HIIT workouts, you benefit from the “after burn” effect, which a steady-state cardio just won’t give you. “So instead of burning 250 calories from your 30-minute session, you can burn up to 40 percent more throughout the next day or so as your body recovers,” says Donavanik. Follow the study’s lead: Perform all-out effort for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, and repeat until you’ve hit four minutes. Rest one minute, then repeat to complete a total of four rounds.

Prioritize Clean Eating
Eating junk can make your workouts feel more difficult, so even if you think you’re pushing yourself to the max, you’re not, he says. And sub-max workouts, as you might have guessed, burn fewer calories. He recommends limiting added sugar and focusing on eating lean protein, healthy fats, and whole carbs from fruits, veggies, and whole grains.

Don’t Forget to Fuel
While everyone thrives on a slightly different pre-and post-workout nutrition plan, research published in Sports Medicine shows that eating carbs before you hit the gym improves your performance during HIIT and endurance workouts alike. And tougher workouts burn more calories—both during and after your workout, Donavanik says.

That explains why recent research published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism found that downing coffee (or any caffeine) an hour before your workout can boost your post-workout caloric burn by 15 percent. After your workout, Donavanik recommends eating a meal that’s about 40 percent carbs, 40 percent protein, and 20 percent fat. The combination will help your muscles recover, get your energy levels up, and have you burning more calories as your body repairs…and, yes, adapts.

Textual Criticism

EV - Ed Moreno.jpgBy Pastor Ed Moreno

Have you ever heard someone say: “How true to the original can the Bible we have today be?  I mean, it was translated from Greek to Latin, and then from Latin to German, and then from German to English, and so on.  By now our modern translations have surely been corrupted.  There’s got to be a lot of mistakes, alterations, and distortions.”

Is this objection correct?  No!  You see, our current Bible is not the end of some long chain of translations from one language to the next.  Rather, it is a direct translation from ancient manuscripts in the original language – Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament.

Now, as is the case with all ancient writings, the original handwritten documents themselves no longer exist because they were written on papyrus, and those have disintegrated.  This is true of the writings of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and every other ancient work – including the original handwritten letters and books by the apostles.

But what we do have are very old reliable copies of these ancient writers.  And there is a science called, “Textual Criticism” that has methods and means for determining if the current text of an ancient work is pure or if it has been corrupted over time.   Please note that this science is applied in the assessing of all ancient writings.

One of the things Textual Critics do to determine the purity of an ancient work is to compare several of the oldest copies of that ancient work, if several copies are available.

If there is agreement, consistency and continuity between the oldest copies, then the original document is considered to have been kept in tact by the copyists who transmitted it and, thus, the current copy is considered to be pure and uncorrupted.

And the rule is that the more ancient copies the science of “Textual Criticism” has to work with, the greater the ability of Textual Critics to determine if the text we have today is true to the original or not.

Well, just for the New Testament alone, there are over 5000 more ancient copies than its closest competitor, which happens to be Homer’s Illiad with just 643 ancient copies for Textual Critics to examine.

So guess what the science of “Textual Criticism” has determined?  It has determined that the Bible is the most accurately transmitted ancient work of all time!   In other words, the Bible we have today is the same as the one early Christians used.  So you can trust it, folks.  It is trustworthy and reliable.  Read it.  Live by it.  You’ll be glad you did!

 

The Clock On The Kitchen Wall

By Mark Hopper

We have clocks all over our house.  There are clocks in the bedrooms and in the living room.  There are also digital displays that show the time on our cable box and kitchen applicances.  Everyone who has a smart phone not only has a clock but also a calendar!

In our house, there is a clock on the kitchen wall.  It is simple and helpful.  It is round with a white trim and black numbers.  It even has a “second hand” if you remember what that is.

I can’t tell you haw many times a day I look at that kitchen clock.  When I am walking in from the garage, I usually look at the clock.  When I am eating my lunch or grabbing a snack, I look at that clock.  When I am rushing out the door to a meeting or appointment, I glance at that clock to see how late I am.

I love that clock.  I know it is old fashion and that there are many other places in our house where I can find out what time it is, but I find myself frequently looking across the room at that old, plastic clock in the kitchen.

Recently the unthinkable happened.  The clock in the kitchen stopped working.  The hands on the clock were not moving.  The “second hand” was not moving.  It was like time stood still.

The obvious solution was to replace the AA battery.  I used several old batteries that I found in a kitchen drawer, but they did not help.  I assumed that they were too old and probably had no battery life in them.

So, I went to the store and bought a new pack of AA batteries.  I knew this would fix the problem.  When I put in a fresh AA battery I was surprised to see that it was still not working.  Bummer!  Could it be that the new batteries that I just bought were not good?  I realized that was unlikely.  The logical conclusion was that our faithful kitchen clock was dead.

Our faithful friend was gone.  Every time I looked at the kitchen wall, I was reminded that the clock was gone.  I laughed at myself for how many times a day I looked in that direction wondering what time it was.  I didn’t think to look at the kitchen appliances.  I just kept glancing over looking for that old clock.

Today, we purchased a new clock for our kitchen.  The blank space on the wall is filled with a new clock.  It looks just like the old one and it cost less than five dollars (battery non included)!

Now I can look over my shoulder and find out what time it is.  There is something comforting having a clock on the wall.  I don’t need to buy a watch.  I don’t need to look at my smart phone.  My faithful friend on the wall always has the correct time.  And, if the power goes out at our house, that kitchen clock will keep on ticking.

March is daylight savings month. It is time to “spring ahead” one hour. This would be a perfect time to buy a clock for your kitchen, too.

Efree Church of Diamond Bar 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd (909) 594-7604 Christmas Eve services: 4:30 & 6:00 PM Christmas Sunday services: 9:30 & 11:00 AM 

Intergenerational Art Show “AMERICA”

Walnut – The City of Walnut’s Community Services Department in collaboration with Mount San Antonio College will host the 13th Annual Intergenerational Art Show, “America.” This group exhibition will feature mixed medium pieces from throughout the community. The show will run from April 24 through April 28, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the Walnut Senior Center, 21215 La Puente Road.

We invite you to join us on Saturday, April 22, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, for our Artist Reception and Live Auction. Meet the artists, take home a beautiful work of art and enjoy appetizers and refreshments, all compliments of Brookdale of Walnut Senior Living.

The show is open to all ages. For submissions or more information please contact the Walnut Senior Center at 909-598-6200. You may also email Gabriela Encinas at gencinas@cityofwalnut.org.

 

Inland Christian Home: Quality Environment For Seniors

Ontario- Inland Christian Home, was founded by a number of local churches and began providing services in 1978. The primary mission of the community is a reflection of the heritage of its founders: to provide quality affordable individualized care to seniors in a Christian environment, it’s a place you can feel right at home. The community’s non-profit status promotes this mission as there are no owners who profit from its operation and all the revenues received are reinvested into the operations of the facility.

As the baby boomer generation continues to age, it is important to know they have options. The aging process is not always an easy one and, at times requires the assistance of others. Inland Christian Home offers a community that assists in many ways. Its primary mission is to provide quality, affordable, individualized care to seniors in a Christian environment, making it a place you can feel right at home.

Inland Christian Home, being licensed as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) through the Department of Social Services, provides many different levels of care which include Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Adult day care, Skilled Nursing and Rehab and Custodial Home care Services. The availability of different levels of care and service arrangements on the same grounds, offers seniors very unique advantages. Our philosophy is to encourage our residents to live as independently as possible at the lowest level of care. Our residents’ individual needs and desires are always considered in the arrangement of these services. We want Inland to be their home, not the facility in which they live, where all are treated as individuals and they participate and are given choices in how they live.

The availability of different levels of care and service arrangements on the same grounds offers residents some very unique advantages. Residents can continue to reside at the community even though their abilities may change. Resident and their families have the comfort in knowing that their needs will be met. Inland Christian Home is a close-knit community that promotes the maintaining of social relationship residents have with other residents, friends, and family.

Inland Christian Home also provides services to those who prefer to stay in their own homes. Custodial Home Care services make it possible by providing assistance with housekeeping, cooking, shopping, meal preparation, bathing, and dressing through educated caregivers.

Inland Christian Home is here to promote aging in place, and gives seniors the ability to live at the lowest level of care even though their abilities change and their families have the comfort in knowing their needs will be met; making it a place you can feel right at home.

Lean Mean Chicken And Greens

with Rosemary Potatoes and Gremolata

 

By HelloFresh

Cooking Time: 30 min.

Servings: 2

Nutrition: Calories: 659

Ingredients:

  • Lemon- 1
  • Garlic- 2 Cloves
  • Shallot- 1
  • Rosemary- ¼ oz.
  • Parsley- ¼ oz.
  • Yukon Gold Potatoes- 12 oz.
  • Chicken Breasts- 12 oz.
  • Arugula- 4 oz.
  • Dried Cranberries- 1 oz.
  • Walnuts- 1 oz.

Preparation:

  1. Prep and Boil potatoes. Wash and dry all produce. Cut potatoes into ¾-inch cubes. Place in a medium pot with enough salted water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 10-12 minutes, then drain. Meanwhile, zest and halve lemon. Mince garlic. Halve, peel, and mince shallot. Strip rosemary from stems. Chop leaves until you have 1 tsp. Finely chop parsley.
  2. Butterflychicken. With your hand on top of one chicken breast, cut ¾ of the way, parallel to the cutting board, stopping before you slice it completely. Repeat with other breast. Place chicken in a medium bowl with juice of one lemon half, half the garlic, and a large drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat and set aside to marinate.
  3. Make gremolata. In a small bowl, combine parsley, lemon zest, and a pinch of the remaining garlic. Stir in a large drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Cook chicken. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess, and add to pan. Cook until browned and no longer pink in center, 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from pan and set aside to rest 5 minutes. TIP: Cover chicken with aluminum foil to keep warm.
  5. Crisp potatoes. While chicken rests, toss together potatoes, rosemary, shallot, remaining garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Cook until fragrant and starting to brown at edges, 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  6. Make salad and serve. In a medium bowl, whisk together a squeeze of lemon juice and a large drizzle of olive oil. Add arugula, cranberries, and walnuts. Toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Divide salad between plates, then add chicken and potatoes. Spoon gremolata over chicken.

Meatballs On Top of Cavatappi

With Broccoli and Pesto Cream Sauce

By Hello Fresh

30 min.

Cooking Time: 30 min.

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 880 Calories

Ingredients:

Lemon- 1 whole

Ground Turkey- 16 oz.

Pesto- 6 oz.

Panko Breadcrumbs- 1/2 Cup

Cavatappi Pasta- 12 oz.

Broccoli Florets- 8 oz.

Sour Cream- 8 Tbsp.

Parmesan Cheese- 1/2 Cup

Preparation:

  1. Preheat and Prep. Wash and dry all produce. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Zest lemon until you have 1 tsp zest, then cut lemon into wedges.
  1. Shape meatballs. In a large bowl, mix together turkey, 2 TBSP pesto, panko, and a pinch of salt and pepper until just combined. Gently shape mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs with hands- you should have about 12. TIP: Splash a little water on your hands to keep meat from sticking.
  1. Bake meatballs. Place meatballs on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake in oven until fully cooked through and no longer pink in center, 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  1. Boil pasta and broccoli. Meanwhile, add cavatappi to pot of boiling water. Cook 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add broccoli to pot. Continue cooking until cavatappi is al dente and broccoli is tender, about 3 minutes more. Carefully ladle out and reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain. Return cavatappi and broccoli to pot.
  1. Drain and combine. Add sour cream, remaining pesto, and meatballs to pot. Stir to combine, adding enough pasta cooking water to create a thick sauce that coats everything.
  1. Plate. Divide pasta mixture between plates. Sprinkle with Parmesan and lemon zest (to taste). Serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.

God Listens

EV - Dennis Morales.jpgBy Pastor Dennis Morales

Psalm 54:2  “Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth…”

A young boy was saying his prayers before bed with his mom and dad one night.  He began to pray in a loud voice  “Lord, thank you for my family, thank you for my teachers, and bless my grandma.  Also, please make sure she remembers that I would like the brand new red bike we saw today for my birthday!!”  His parents told him he didn’t have to pray so loudly and that God can hear him just fine.  The boy answered “I know, but Grandma is in the next room and she can’t hear very well.”    David in Psalm 54 is running from a jealous king and is calling out to God for help (1 Samuel 24).  God eventually delivers him in miraculous fashion as only God can do.  David had confidence that God would hear and come through.  This is one of the reasons that God calls David a man after His own heart.  Davids prayer ignited his faith to see beyond impossibility.  If it seems that God isn’t listening to you, maybe He is prompting your faith.  Remember God’s delays aren’t necessarily his denials.  Faith sees what our physical eyes can’t.  Remember God is always working through the details and God is never hard of hearing.  The answer is around the corner.  Have peace knowing that God know every detail of your prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays 8:30 & 10:30 am, Wednesdays at 7pm at Clara Barton Elementary School (7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale).  Visit their website at www.calvaryeastvale.org.

 

 

Chino Hills Standouts Home Burglarized

Photo by: SI.com
Lavar Ball speaks to his son, LaMelo Ball, at UCLA game.

Staff Reports

Chino Hills– Chino Hills Sheriffs Department is looking for two males “wearing dark clothes” after a possible burglary was reported at the home of three basketball standouts while they played in a nationally televised game.

The Sheriff’s Department received a “possible burglary” call last week and were called out to the 16000 block of Aquamarine Court after a neighbor reportedly heard glass breaking next door.

A search of the area on foot and via helicopter was inconclusive as the two suspects were not found.

The home is owned by Lavar Ball, father of three standout basketball players who have made national headlines. UCLA forward Lonzo ball and brothers LiAngelo Ball and LaMelo Ball who both attend Chino Hills High. The two brothers were playing in a nationally televised playoff game.

LaMelo Ball recently gathered national attention after scoring an astounding 92 points after dedicating his play to fellow classmate Lexi Anderson, who just underwent a successful heart transplant last week.

The burglary occurred while the family was attending LiAngelo and LaMelo’s televised high school playoff game. Since no suspects were caught, its not known whether the burglars knew the family would be in Lawndale for the game.

Police found a pile of the homeowners possessions stacked up in the home, indicating a burglary was most likely interrupted.

LiAngelo Ball was quoted as saying the door was messed up and things were outside the closet, local reports said.

Anyone with information about this burglary can contact the Chino Hills Police Station’s detective bureau at (909) 364-2000.

Gas Prices Are Dropping In Diamond Bar

By Marissa Mitchell

Diamond Bar – Gas prices have dropped for the 11th consecutive day in the San Gabriel Valley, according to AAA.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles County gas prices dropped another half-cent to $3.036. This is following a nine-day consistent decrease in prices, adding to 2.7 cents.

While the average price per gallon is 2.4 cents less than a week ago, it is in fact 4.9 cents more than just one month ago, and a whopping 24.7 cents higher than a year ago, quotes AAA and Oil Information Service.

In Orange County, the cost of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline decreased for the 11th consecutive day Wednesday. This decreases regular gasoline another half-cent, to $3.019.

Orange County reflects a similar gas price pattern to that of Diamond Bar. Gas prices in Orange have dropped 3.8 cents over the last 11 days, which is 2.5 cents less than a week ago. Yet, still, the same gallon of gasoline is approximately 2.8 more than a month ago in Orange, and another 24.5 cents higher than one year ago.

So the new figures beg the question: are gas prices getting better, or are they getting worse?