Give the Gift of Sight for the Holidays

Walnut Hills Optometry is conveniently located at 18736 Amar Road. You can reach them at (626) 965-3878 or (909) 594-1153. For more information, visit their website at www.walnuthillsoptometry.com

Walnut Hills Optometry is conveniently located at 18736 Amar Road. You can reach them at (626) 965-3878 or (909) 594-1153. For more information, visit their website at http://www.walnuthillsoptometry.com

Staff Reports

Walnut – Give someone special the gift of sight during this holiday season. Walnut Hills Optometry considers vision to be a precious gift, and their office takes pride in providing comprehensive eye exams.  For many years, Walnut Hills Optometry has taken great care of the vision needs of its community, serving patients from Walnut and Diamond Bar, to Chino Hills and Rowland heights.  Because of the quality of service provided, as well as the trusting care given by the doctor, patients travel from the Los Angeles and Inland Empire areas as well.

They believe that quality eye care involves consistent care by a professional.  Carmela Larino, O.D. and her loyal staff will give your eyes the personalized care and attention they deserve.

Dr. Larino is proud to serve the community she grew up in.  She attended Rowland Unified schools from elementary through high school, and then attended UC Irvine before receiving her doctorate degree from the Southern California College of Optometry.  In 2002 to 2004, Dr. Larino was honored at her alma mater – Nogales High School – by being inducted onto their Wall of Fame.  She is a member of the American Optometric Association, California Optometric Association, and the Rio Hondo Optometric Society, where she stays current on the latest in eye care.  As a local resident, you might find Dr. Larino eating at your favorite restaurant, shopping in a local store, or attending a community event.

Walnut Hills Optometry offers personalized eye examinations, diabetic and eye health exams, and the management and care of a multitude of eye and vision concerns.  A wide variety of eyewear is also available, from progressive and polarized lenses, to silicone high-oxygen contacts, even designer frames. They also offer Lasik Surgery co-management. If you have used eyeglass frames scattered around the house, bring them to our offices and we will donate them to those in need of frames.

Walnut Hills Optometry is conveniently located near the 10, 60 and 57 freeways, on the border of Walnut and West Covina, at 18736 East Amar Road (at the corner of Nogales Street and Amar Road, next to Papa John’s Pizza).  Their hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  You can reach them at (626) 965-3878 or (909) 594-1153.  For more information visit their website at www.walnuthillsoptometry.com.

A Great-Full Heart

Tim Eaton

Tim Eaton

By Pastor Tim Eaton

Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Are you ready for it? I don’t mean do you have all the trappings of a fabulous turkey dinner or your plans all set to see family and friends.  I mean are you ready to give thanks?  Have you started already, or do you not yet have enough to be thankful for?  As Thanksgiving approaches do you have a grateful heart or are you continually seeking more?

It’s hard to be grateful when it seems we don’t have enough.  It may seem like there is never enough time, money, resources, or help.  It’s not only hard to be grateful, it’s easy to be scared; scared that there isn’t enough, we won’t have what we need, and won’t get what we want.  When a lack of stuff scares us it isn’t long before we lash out at others – afraid they will take, use, or loose what should be ours.  It’s no wonder that an attitude of scarcity grows like a hunger in us that can never be satisfied.

But is it possible we actually have more than we need?  Maybe we have so much we don’t even realize it could be put to better use.  Perhaps it could be better appreciated instead of squandered.

King David wrote Psalm 23 while he was clearly in danger of being killed by his enemies.  It may have been written during one of the many times he fled his own kingdom to find safety (“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…in the presence of my enemies”).  It is likely he took little with him for the journey.  From the attitude of scarcity he seems to have nothing.  But David sees life from an attitude of abundance saying things like: “I lack nothing” and “my cup overflows.” His heart is Great and Full, not because of what he has, but because he trusts that God will graciously provide all that he truly needs.  A Great and Full heart is the antidote to the hunger of scarcity.  Have your heart filled every Sunday at Edgewater.

P.S. – Mark your calendars, Comedian Nazareth will be at Edgewater, January 2 and 3.

Edgewater Lutheran Church meets Sundays at 10 a.m., worshiping at Harada Elementary, 12884 Oakdale Street, Eastvale, CA, 92880;http://www.EdgewaterLutheran.org.

Everyday Heroes

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

By Nancy Stoops, M.A., M.F.T.

There is so much good left in our world. I run into wonderful people daily. In my eyes you don’t have to acquire super powers or wear a cape to be a hero. For me, a hero is somebody that models all the good characteristics one should have. A hero is a person that lives up to their potential and strives to be better each and everyday. A hero is a person that gives fully of themselves because it is the right thing to do and doesn’t expect anything in return.

Look around and you will see plenty of everyday heroes. You will find them teaching our children, protecting our community, mentoring others, saving lives, putting out fires, giving grants and scholarships and modeling who we are intended to be in this world.

Giving unconditionally is one of the greatest gifts one can offer to this world.  It is the stuff that can make another understand, just how important their existence is to this world. It can literally save the life of another.

Sometimes people just need a break and being an everyday hero can offer that break for another human being. Don’t take your life for granted instead strive to be an everyday hero. Being an everyday hero doesn’t require lots of letters after your name or a fancy college degree. You can make a huge influence by just being the wonderful person you already are and by sharing your kindness and compassion with another.

Our youth need heroes and a sense of hope in a very chaotic time in our world.  It is our job to be everyday heroes and guide them. Strive to be your best, each and everyday.  If you do this I’m sure your inner most everyday hero will be unveiled for the world to see!

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 stoopsshecter@earthlink.net.

9 Wins for Ayala High Band and Colorguard

Courtesy of CVUSD Ayala HS Band

Courtesy of CVUSD
Ayala HS Band

By Julie Gobin/CVUSD

CHINO HILLS – For the ninth time, Ayala High Band and Colorguard has earned the title of Regional Champion by winning the Bands of America Regional Championship on Oct. 24 in Long Beach.
The nine wins are the most ever won by a California band, according to Ayala band director Mark Stone.
Ayala also won Regional Champion in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014. There was no regional competition in 2011, Mr. Stone, who was recently chosen as an instrumental staff director for the Bands of America Honor Band Tournament of Roses Parade in 2017, said.
Ayala Band and Colorguard (BAC) also won all caption awards at the Oct. 24 competition for outstanding music, performance, outstanding visual performance, and outstanding general effect. Twenty-one high school marching bands — representing California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas — competed at the 2015 Bands of America Regional Championship.
In addition, Ayala High Band took first overall in the large band division at a Western Band Association contest on Oct. 10 at Vista Murrieta High in Murrieta. The band also took first place caption awards in general effect, music, visual, and percussion. The band’s color guard took fourth in the auxiliary category.
Chino’s Don Lugo High Band also went home with honors during the Oct. 10 competition. They came in first place in a smaller band division. Don Lugo also took first place caption awards in general effect, music, and auxiliary; second place in visual; and third place in percussion.

Stone said the 235 students in the Ayala BAC have been working hard since June to prepare themselves for their busy marching band season. The band even missed trick or treating on Halloween to perform at a competition at Mission Viejo High School. The Halloween spirit was in full swing with Booster members offering students candy from the trunks of their vehicles and a couple of students in costume.  The students began competing in October and continue this month.
Ayala will compete Saturday, Nov. 7 in the Mira Mesa High School Field Tournament in San Diego. It will also compete Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Riverside City College Big Orange Classic Field Show Tournament in Riverside, and Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Western Band Association Championships in Fresno.

Calling All Diamond Bar Photographers!

Photo Courtesy: City of Diamond Bar Alfred Bertulfo's beautiful 2014 entry of "Diamond Bar Center From Above" won the Grand Prize for that year.

Photo Courtesy: City of Diamond Bar
Alfred Bertulfo’s beautiful 2014 entry of “Diamond Bar Center From Above” won the Grand Prize for that year.

Diamond Bar’s “Through My Lens” Photo Contest

Staff Reports

DIAMOND BAR– Think you have what it takes to be named the City of Diamond Bar’s “Through My Lens” prized photographer? Now is the time to choose a photo from your existing collection or take a brand new one before the Nov. 16 deadline.

The five categories that make up this year’s contest are people, pets, places, nature and digitally-altered.

“Through My Lens” was started in 2008 as a means to celebrate the various facets of Diamond Bar living and the photographic talents of community members; it is co-sponsored by the Diamond Bar Community Foundation (DBCF).

The contest is open to photographers of all ages and levels of experience, with youth and adult entries judged separately. To qualify to enter, the contestant must reside in Diamond Bar and the photo subject must also be within city limits.

Photographs by the winners and finalists will be featured on the City’s website, in the Windmill magazine published by the DBCF, and a print of the Grand Prize image will be showcased inside the City Hall building on wall space dedicated to the photo contest. Also, winners will be recognized during an upcoming City Council meeting and receive a cash prize, courtesy of the DBCF.

Complete contest guidelines and the entry form are available online at http://www.diamondbarca.gov/

photocontest.

Corona PD Seeks Help Finding Stolen Toy Hauler

City of Corona

CORONA – On Sunday, Oct. 25, at about 5:15 a.m. a 32-foot Weekend Warrior trailer with California license plate number 1LL3041 (model FS3200) was stolen from the area of E. Sixth Street and El Sobrante. The trailer was kept in a secured area behind a business. The trailer was used for a child’s go-kart racing program, and stored a go-kart and all the equipment necessary to race. The trailer is missing the cover for the propane tanks and has black “plasti-dripped” wheels.
The Corona Police Department is seeking the public’s help to identify the suspect(s) and the suspect’s vehicle. The pictures below are of the suspect’s truck pulling the stolen trailer at E. Sixth St. and Rimpau Avenue. The truck is believed to be a late 1990’s to early 2000’s model Chevy truck with collision damage on the driver’s side. The truck and trailer were last seen heading west on Quarry Street.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Corona Police Department at 951-736-2330 option 3.

Trailer 1

Photo courtesy: City of Corona

trailer 4

Photo courtesy: City of Corona

Trailer 2

Photo courtesy: City of Corona

Corona: Nightly Closures For E. Grand Blvd.

Courtesy of RCTC

CORONA-The contractor for the 91 Project in Corona began removal of the newly constructed bridge deck over East Grand Boulevard On Oct. 28. The future 91 eastbound bridge may have sustained damage during a bridge lowering operation that injured nine workers on Oct. 9. Atkinson/Walsh Joint Venture (AWJV) has decided to remove the bridge deck and rebuild the bridge to ensure its long-term durability after opening to traffic. Full closures on East Grand Boulevard between Third Street and Joy Street will be required for bridge removal and false work placement from Monday, Nov. 2 to Sunday, Nov. 8, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. Motorists should expect intermittent nightly closures during the next four weeks as crews replace the bridge deck and work on additional bridges over Grand Boulevard. The contractor will use a “build in place” method to rebuild the bridge deck, rather than the bridge lowering construction that was previously used. This will require reduced clearance under the bridge during construction, and high-profile trucks will not be able to travel under the bridge.
The cost of the demolition and reconstruction will not be borne by taxpayers and the additional work will not cause a delay to the overall 91 Project, which is expected to be completed in 2017.
“This is a wise and prudent decision by the contractor to rebuild the bridge. While it’s in a safe condition now, we need to ensure the long-term durability of the bridge, and the confidence and support of the public,” said Anne Mayer, Executive Director of the Riverside County Transportation Commission.
Of the nine workers hospitalized that night, five have been released. The cause of the accident is currently the subject of three independent investigations including Cal OSHA, Caltrans and KCE Structural Engineers.
Donations are currently being accepted for six of the injured workers, who have signed up for Workers Assistance Funds with the California Transportation Foundation at http://www.transportationfoundation.org/donate.

Less Stress this Thanksgiving: 7 Easy Steps to Your Best Turkey Yet

Courtesy of StatePoint

Selecting, preparing and cooking the centerpiece of your family’s Thanksgiving meal can pile on a lot of stress. However there are some easy ways to simplify the process.

“There are a lot of great choices, but they can certainly be overwhelming during a busy holiday,” says Theo Weening, Global Meat Buyer for Whole Foods Market.

Here are seven basic rules to ensure you have the perfect turkey for your holiday meal.

1. Plan ahead: Frozen turkeys can take several days to fully thaw. The safest method is by placing it on a tray in its packaging to catch drips, and put it in the refrigerator on the lowest shelf. Plan for one full day of thawing for every five pounds of turkey. If you’re short on time, put your turkey in a leak-proof wrapper and submerge it completely in cold tap water. The water should be changed every 30 minutes. Plan for 30 minutes of thawing time per pound.

2. Research: There are many different types of turkey to choose from. Some grocers carry a variety of birds and additionally have in-house butcher experts behind the counter to help you choose what is right for your taste and budget. Here are the five types of turkey found at Whole Foods Market:

• Organic: fed organic feed (that means no GMOs, among other things) and given access to the outdoors.

• Classic: known for their trifecta of flavor, quality, and value.

• Heritage: rich, succulent, old-world breeds cherished for flavor.

• Heirloom: robust flavor with a higher percentage of dark meat.

• Kosher: certified kosher.

3. Size matters: A good rule of thumb is to buy 1.5 pounds of turkey per person, providing everyone a healthy portion while allowing for those sought after leftovers.

4. Read the label: The best birds are raised with the highest standards. This means no antibiotics, no animal by-products in their feed, no added solutions or injections and no added growth hormones. To make it simple, shop at a store that only carries turkeys raised with these standards, such as Whole Foods Market. Their turkeys are also 5-Step Animal Welfare rated.

5. Brine: Soaking turkey in a saltwater solution for four to 24 hours before roasting keeps it tender and juicy. Try a brine kit for a simple and easy recipe.

6. Time it: It takes approximately 13 minutes per pound to cook a turkey at 350 degrees, and the turkey is done once it reaches 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the thigh (without hitting the bone) to test the temperature.

7. Rest: Wait 30 minutes before carving the turkey. Giving the turkey time to rest allows the juices to redistribute for better flavor.

More turkey tips are available at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/turkey.

When it comes to choosing and cooking your holiday turkey, preparation is key. Do your research, know what you like, and enjoy the rest.

What Did You Say?

By Pastor Mark Hopper

I have had the privilege of serving as the lead pastor of two churches for a total of 40 years – 27 years in Diamond Bar and 13 years in Arizona.

As the lead pastor, I was responsible for preparing and delivering most of the sermons on Sunday morning.  For many of those years, we had two Sunday services.  If I preached 40 Sundays a year (deducting vacations, guest speakers, special programs, etc.) and spoke twice each Sunday, I have probably preached over 3,000 sermons in my life.

That is a lot of sermons and a lot of words!  So, I wonder, what are some of the things that people remember from all those sermons?  What words or catchy phrases do you think people remember?

Here are a few that I have heard people say they remember:

“Your ministry begins in the parking lot”.  Since we have a limited number of parking spaces on our property, we have rented spaces from businesses near our church.  We encourage people to “Park and Walk” to church from the off-site lots so that older adults, families with small children, people with special needs and new visitors can park on site.

When people park off-site, they are enabling others to use the available on-site parking spaces.  This is a very practical and helpful ministry to others.  Ministry at our church doesn’t just happen in the buildings and classrooms. It begins in the parking lot.

Another phrase that I often used with our leaders is, “Who and how many”?  I have found this question very useful in a variety of leadership settings.

At an Elder meeting many years ago, one of our leaders said that he had heard that a number of people were upset with something we had changed in our Sunday morning service.  You could sense the concern in the room.  What had we done that upset a lot of people?

Thankfully, before we launched into an extended discussion on the issue, I simply asked “Who and how many”?  How many people were we talking about and who were they?

It turned out that there were actually only two people that had complained and they tended to complain about everything!  Suddenly the mood of the meeting relaxed when we realized that there really were not “a lot of people” but actually only two.  Yes, we should consider their concerns, but we should also keep this in perspective and not be alarmed.

Another phrase that I often repeated through the years at our church was, “God uses people to bring other people to Himself”.  As you read throughout the Bible and especially in the New Testament, there are many examples where God used individuals to tell other people about Him.   In John 1, Andrew brings Peter to meet Jesus.  In Acts, God uses Peter to tell many more people about Jesus.

Certainly God does use a variety of ways to bring people to Himself.  I have heard stories of people coming to faith by reading a Bible in a hotel room placed there by the Gideon ministry.  I have met people who came to believe in Christ through a radio ministry or TV program.

But I believe that most of the time, people come to faith in Jesus through the words and friendship of other people.  God can use you to bring other people to Him.  You can invite a neighbor to church or talk with a co-worker at lunch.  You can lend a hand to stranger or spend time answering spiritual questions with a classmate.

I also believe that some of the people that God uses the most are children.  Children and grandchildren connect us with non-church people.  Kids are something that many of us have in common.  Through children, you meet their parents and grandparents.  These connections often lead to conversations about God, church and the Bible.

I hope you realize that God wants to use you to tell others about him.  Look around you this week.  Are there some people you know, work with or live near that you can help on their spiritual journey?

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

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 11.07.15

2015-Nov07-Weekly-COVERThe Weekly News covers community news for Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format:2015-Nov07-Weekly-WEB

The Carpenter

By Michael Armijo

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Technology Can Help Small Businesses Thrive

Courtesy of StatePoint

Only half of U.S. small businesses survive more than five years, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. This data underscores that small business ownership is no cakewalk.

Beyond the classic entrepreneurial challenge of making and sustaining a profit, small business owners now struggle to find time and resources to adapt to new technology, say experts.

“The pace of technological development is as staggering as the ever-changing ways that consumers engage and utilize it. To stay competitive to consumers and to employees, small businesses need to adopt and incorporate online technology into their everyday business operations,” says Seong Ohm, senior vice president of merchandise business services at Sam`s Club.

To help entrepreneurs navigate new technology and embrace the evolving business operations landscape, Ohm offers six tips for small business success:

• Speed up payroll: New mobile and tablet apps make tedious tasks easier and more efficient. For example, online payroll apps allow employers to run payroll in under a minute, pay workers by direct deposit, and e-file taxes.

• Protect your sales: The latest payment processing technology can better protect your business at the point-of-sale. To avoid bearing liability for fraudulent credit charges, businesses must upgrade terminals to accept EMV chip-enabled credit cards, which more securely protect consumers. Small business owners can rely on merchant services experts to become EMV chip card-compliant, affordably and without hassle.

• Be visible: Even if your business is centrally a brick-and-mortar operation, the importance of having an online presence cannot be overstated.

It’s not enough to simply have a website, you need to be discovered. Google frequently changes the way it determines search results rankings. Invest in search engine optimization (SEO) not once, but periodically, to conform to Google’s make-or-break formulas.

A solid social media strategy and mobile capacity for your site will also positively impact your search ranking. Put the marketing books away and lean on digital marketing experts to audit your current online presence and build a strategy that works for your budget and grows your customer base.

• Stay connected: You may be the one pulling the trigger on big decisions, but that doesn’t mean you are expected to know it all. Seek advice from trusted industry peers or a local SCORE mentor through LinkedIn and social media. Make time for webinars and networking events. Most importantly, stay connected to friends and family during times of stress.

• Get smart about taxes: Set up a legal entity for your business online. This will allow you to hold on to more of your income and increase your asset and liability protections.

Business taxes can be more expensive and complicated than personal filing, so find an accountant that gets your business. You can greatly benefit from the assistance of online accounting experts. They will help you take advantage of deductions and tax credits and assist you in filing your frequent, varied deadlines on time to avoid penalty.

• Safeguard your data: Small businesses are often targets of identity theft. Create sophisticated passwords to protect sensitive information. Consider investing in a protection service with round-the-clock threat monitoring and recovery support in case of fraudulent activity.

To tap into these resources that will create efficiencies when starting or running a business, visit SamsClub.com/benefits.

Don’t let the adoption of new technology overwhelm you. Many of these services are more affordable than you think, are easy to update and offer anytime, anywhere access to experts. These tech tools can swiftly fuel your business operations, streamline processes and save you time and money.

Eastvale Ranks No. 2 in State for Families

Affordability and Kid-Friendly Amenities Earn Bragging Rights

Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale Facebook page

Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale Facebook page


By Monique Valadez

EASTVALE – With high-quality schools, pristine parks, and affordable neighborhoods, Eastvale is the No. 2 in the top California cities for families. It was the only Southern California city that ranked in the top five.

Eastvale earned a final score of 77.76 compared to Folsom’s 77.91 score for the No. 1 best California city for families.

Councilmember Clint Lorimore said that the recognition is honorable and a good indicator of Eastvale’s progress.

“We are constantly striving to improve upon the foundation of a family-friendly environment already established here in Eastvale,” Lorimore said. “Whether talking about our great schools, award-winning parks or our strong sense of community, we feel Eastvale sells itself in terms of being attractive to young families.”

The report of 2015’s Best & Worst Cities for California Families was done by the personal finance website WalletHub.com. The site compared 240 cities in California across four key dimensions: family life & fun, education, health & safety, affordability and socioeconomic environment. Number of fun attractions, divorce rate and unemployment rate were also considered.

According to WalletHub, Eastvale was rated highly in having the most playgrounds per capita, most affordable housing lowest divorce rate and having the most families with kids.

City officials note that the key to their success is actively engaging residents in planning the city’s future and implementing policies that create a family-focused community.

The top five cities for families are Folsom, east of Sacramento; Eastvale, in northwestern Riverside County; and three cities in the East Bay Area — San Ramon, Dublin and Pleasanton, cited the WalletHub report.

Eastvale struck out in having the fewest amount of attractions such as museums, zoos and theaters.

City officials remarked that new developments such as the Leal Property will help bring more entertainment, shopping and dining options to the city.

“Remaining focused on improving traffic flow, public safety and attracting the amenities that residents desire are top priorities as we move forward,” Lorimore added.

The rankings of other neighboring cities included Chino Hills (35), Rancho Cucamonga (53 tied with Brea), Corona (72), Chino (103), Riverside (153) and Ontario (185).

The worst cities are San Bernardino in the 238 spot, Oakland in 239 and Huntington Park in 240.

You can find the full report here: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-families-in-california/15993/

Walnut Valley Honors Star Students & Community Members

Photos Courtesy of WVUSD

Photos Courtesy of WVUSD
Castle Rock kindergartener Eva Jorgenson received a Super Star Award during the October 22 Board Meeting. Shown with Board President Larry Redinger.

By Kelli Gile 

WALNUT— The Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) Board of Trustees recognized outstanding students and community members during the Oct. 21 meeting.

Castle Rock Elementary kindergartener Eva Jorgenson was honored as a Super Star Student. She recently came up with plan to raise money to help children, families, and communities in third world countries.

As an International Baccalaureate School, Castle Rock strives to develop global students. Teachers facilitate learning through units of study and students are encouraged to develop action plans to solve problems.

After learning that some children are unable to go to school due to limited resources, Ava wanted to do something to help. The kindergarten classes held a fundraiser to support World Vision and raised a total of $2,500.

“Eva has a heart and mind to touch the life of another,” said Principal Resma Byrne.

“We are honoring her because we want her to know it only takes one child, one thought, one question to make a difference in the world.”

Castle Rock parent Christina Munoz was recognized with the Partner in Education Award.

Photos Courtesy of WVUSD

Photos Courtesy of WVUSD
Castle Rock parent Christina Munoz, shown with Board President Larry Redinger, was honored with the Partner in Education Award during the October 22 meeting.

“Christina is dedicated, committed, and reliable. What I love about Christina is the fun that she brings to whatever project she’s spearheading,” Dr. Byrne commented.

“She is my balance and she is always ready with a solution. Christina is a great mother and a great Community Club president!”

CJ Morris Elementary student Nathan Tome received the Super Star Student Award.

“Every one of Nathan’s teachers agreed that he embodies the qualities of a star student!” said Principal Shehzad Bhojani.

The well-rounded fifth grader plays two sports, has a passion for science and social studies, and displays strong character and values, especially the IB Attitude of Integrity.

“Nathan is humble and kind, well liked by peers and the first to help a struggling student. He is an

Photos Courtesy of WVUSD CJ Morris Elementary fifth grader Nathan Tome was presented with the Super Star Student Award on October 22. Shown with Principal Shehzad Bhojani, Board President Larry Redinger, and family members.

Photos Courtesy of WVUSD
CJ Morris Elementary fifth grader Nathan Tome was presented with the Super Star Student Award on October 22. Shown with Principal Shehzad Bhojani, Board President Larry Redinger, and family members.

overall good kid!” Bhojani added.

CJ Morris Elementary selected Dr. James Lin as the recipient of the Partner in Education Award.

This year, Dr. Lin is donating his time to coach the school’s Science Olympiad team.

Lin is medical doctor by profession who now pursues his passion of writing and education. He created the non-profit Bio Agents organization, published several novels, and has helped many students win awards in writing and in science competitions.  He also volunteers as head coach of several middle and high school level Science Olympiad teams.

Dr. Lin is also a graduate of Chaparral Middle School and Diamond Bar High School.

“We’re thankful for his time and commitment in providing CJ Morris students the opportunity to experience the Science Olympiad,” Bhojani added.

Rotary Club of Walnut Valley received the WVUSD Partner in Education Award.

“Rotary has been a wonderful partner to the Walnut Valley Unified School District for many years,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

Most recently, the non-profit organization presented a $2,500 donation to support literacy needs across the District. They generously gave the same amount last year.

“We can’t thank them enough for the work they do with our students and all that they do throughout the community,” Dr. Taylor added.

The World Youth Education Foundation was also honored with a WVUSD Partner in Education Award for its matching $2,500 donation.

 

 

 

Diamond Bar Annual Eco Expo

Courtesy of City of Diamond Bar

DIAMOND BAR – Diamond Bar residents will have the opportunity to rid their homes of obsolete electronics, unwanted textiles and unneeded confidential documents when the City holds its annual Eco Expo event in celebration of America Recycles Day.
Set to take place on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the AQMD parking lot, this environmentally-themed event will feature a variety of information booths, collection areas and activities centered on green living and recycling.
Also as part of this event, Waste Management will be giving away up to 80 gallons of mulch to interested residents. This is a “self-serve” giveaway, so containers and tools for loading mulch are strongly recommended.
AQMD is located at 21865 Copley Drive in Diamond Bar. For more information, visit www.diamondbarca.gov/greendb or contact the City’s Environmental Services Division at 909-839-7015

Chino: Be Their Parents, Not Their Friends!

By Nicole Leiva

CHINO-On Oct. 22, the Chino Valley Unified School District hosted a Parent Information Forum, in the Chino Hills High theatre. This forum had about 100 parents in attendance and it covered a wide range of issues that are affecting our millennial’s in the Chino Unified School District.

Those issues range from drug trends, social media use, cell phones, privacy, teen driver laws, and knowing your rights as a parent.

Chino Police Officer’s and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s led the event by sharing their experience and knowledge about the issues at the forefront of junior high and high school students across the district. The law enforcement officers talked about teens as young as 12 are trying the gateway drug marijuana. They also spoke about the issue with the new trend of vapors and teens using the vapors to smoke marijuana. In addition teens are experimenting with mixing two different drugs together, which can be very dangerous.

Social media use is an extremely important topic because with the internet and texting, teens can connect with anyone or any subject of their choice. Teens use their phones to share nude photos with each other, which can be considered child pornography. Some teens communicate via text with codes referring to drugs, parties or sex. So if parents check their phones they won’t know what they are talking about.

The officers also spoke about teens using social media to meet strangers on websites that are looking for relationships with minors or terrorist groups like ISIS looking to recruit youth. Worst of all teens are using social media for bullying, which can cause stress, anxiety and lead to suicide.

The presenters wrapped up the forum with addressing teen driver laws and the importance of parents and teens knowing and applying those laws when teens begin to drive.

In the end, law enforcement made a strong plea to the parents, “Be the parent, not their friend! Know your rights as a parent.”

Officers also told the forum to maintain regular communication with their children and to discipline their children accordingly.

Your children do not have the right to privacy when it comes to their bedrooms, phones, or cars, because the parents are the providers to these priviliges and they can take away these priviliges when necessary to keep their children safe, officers said.

The parents in attendace were very pleased with the forum. After speaking to several parents, they all responded with a sense of great appreciation to the district and law enforcement for providing this eye-opening information. Some said they were hopeful. Chino Hills High School Principal Isabel Brenes was very pleased with the parent attedance and the positive response from the parents.

CHP Receives Federal Funding to Improve Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety

Courtesy of CHP
SACRAMENTO – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has received a federal grant to improve the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists throughout California. The grant furthers the Department’s mission to help save lives, with a focus on the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.
“We are asking drivers to be courteous and alert to pedestrians and bicyclists on the roadways,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “This grant will help us increase traffic safety by providing more education for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.”
California has seen an increase in the number of traffic-related pedestrian and bicyclist collisions. The most recent data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System reveals 752 pedestrians and 164 bicyclists were killed in collisions statewide in 2013, a 6.6 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities and a 10.6 percent increase in bicyclist fatalities from the previous year.
The California Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Enforcement and Education Project III grant runs from October 1, 2015, through September 30, 2016. During this 12-month statewide campaign, CHP officers will use pedestrian and bicyclist collision information to enhance enforcement and public education campaigns. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The CHP’s enforcement efforts will include California’s 3-Feet for Safety law, which requires drivers to keep a minimum distance of three feet between any part of a motor vehicle and a bicycle.
The CHP’s educational efforts will include presentations that promote safe pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist behavior; bike rodeos; and distributing pedestrian and bicycle safety materials.

Eastvale Community News Complete Edition November 2015

2015-11-EastvaleNews-COVERThe Eastvale Community News covers local news for Eastvale, Norco, Corona, and Chino. Click the following link to access the complete issue in pdf format: 2015-11-EastvaleNews-WEB

Walnut Goes Solar

New Expedited Solar System Permit Process Adopted

By Monique Valadez

WALNUT– Walnut homeowners and businesses looking to go solar now have a team of city officials backing them in their smart, energy efficient lifestyle. With the passing of a new state law AB 2188, all California cities and counties had until September to implement a state-standardized permitting process for the alternative energy systems.

The new law takes out the red tape and burdensome permit process allowing for an easier and faster process for residents and installers alike.

The Walnut City Council made it official on June 24 by adopting a new ordinance to help expedite and streamline a formal permit process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.

According to city officials, they hope to advance the use of solar energy by all its residents, businesses, and industries by providing an expedited permitting process to assure the effective deployment of solar technology.

According to the new state law, which builds on the Solar Rights Act of 1978, seeks to reduce permitting barriers by mandating cities institute a more accessible and straight-forward permitting process, and by reducing opportunities for local governments to delay and unnecessarily condition approvals.

Under the new law, the city must allow homeowners to apply for the permits online, and must make all required documents available on their websites. A standard plan and checklist must also be provided to homeowners that explains the local building and safety requirements for rooftop solar panels. Cities must also complete the application process including inspections in a timely manner.

This new permitting process is also expected to save homeowners and solar energy installers a significant amount of time and money. In the long-run, this is a win-win situation for both governing bodies and residents converting to solar energy as well as helping expedite California’s “Million Solar Roofs” initiative.

For more information about solar energy systems and inspections, contact your city’s building division. The Walnut City Building Division can be contacted at (909) 595-7543.

Eastvale: CDA Water Line Construction

City of Eastvale

The Chino Basin Desalter Authority (CDA) will be constructing water pipeline on Harrison Avenue & Bellegrave Avenue. Please be advised that traffic delays are to be expected.

Location: Harrison Avenue between 65th Street and north end of Harrison Ave (north City boundary) & Bellegrave Avenue (or along north City boundary) between Harrison Ave and Hamner Ave

Duration: November 4th 2015 thru March 31st 2016
Hours: 8:30am to 3:30pm

Traffic Impacts & Advisories during Construction: 

  • Intermittent Northbound lane closures on Harrison Avenue between Limonite Avenue and Blossom Way (north of Limonite)
  • Partial Northbound and Southbound lane closures on Harrison Avenue – between 65th Street and Limonite Avenue with one lane open in each direction at all times
  • Detour of traffic onto 65th Street for motorists going north from Schleisman Road
  • Local access to residences to be maintained between 65th Street and Limonite Avenue
  • Southbound Harrison Avenue will remain open at all times between Limonite Avenue and 65th Street
  • Intermittent Westbound lane closure at 65th Street
  • Traffic signal on flashing red at Harrison Avenue and 65th Street
  • Limonite Avenue at Harrison Avenue crossing
    The pipeline construction across Limonite Ave will be performed through an underground tunneling method (jack & bore), therefore the Eastbound and Westbound through traffic on Limonite Avenue will remain unaffected. At both sides of the crossing, however, there will be tunneling pits which will require the following:

·         4-week full street closure (except for emergency vehicles) on Harrison Avenue north of Limonite Avenue

·         Northbound lane closure on Harrison Avenue between 65th Street and Limonite Avenue

Please obey all posted construction signs (including the 25MPH speed limit), use alternate routes as advised, drive safely and do not enter the construction work zone.

For additional information, contact the City of Eastvale Public Works Department at 951.703.4470. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Note: Construction schedules are subject to change for various reasons including but not limited to: weather conditions, unforeseen emergencies and other acts of nature.

Additional Information
Following the water line project the Southern California Gas Company will be installing high-pressure gas lines within approximately the same vicinity. City staff has been coordinating these two projects closely in order to minimize impacts to traffic and the community. More announcements will follow.