Straight Talk With Danice

Danice Akiyoshi

Danice Akiyoshi

By Danice Akiyoshi, N.D.

 

An Anonymous Letter

Q:  My husband is overbearing.  When he thinks someone has done something unfair to him, he overreacts.  Yelling, finger pointing, arm waving.  Intimidation is his answer to almost all problems.  He has even had tantrums on my behalf when I do not feel offended.  He has become a real bully.  I am embarrassed, but I don’t know how to tell him to knock it off.  In other areas he is a really nice man.

A:  Having adult tantrums, and using intimidation as a form of communication is a sign of immaturity and low self esteem.  Perhaps he is really hurting about something and feels it would be weak to address his suffering, so he masks it with anger.  I don’t know your husband or his issues, so I will address your situation.  Whenever your husband displays a behavior in your presence that you find unacceptable, it is your right to tell him not to act that way in front of you again.  If he decides to test you and does it again, remind him that you have communicated clearly once before, then leave his company immediately.  Walk away, call a cab, do whatever it takes to set a new boundary.  Do not nag, plead, or repeat yourself again.  Make your statement, and then act on it.  Since you say he is basically a nice man, he should catch on quickly and soften his approach when he’s with you.  Good Luck.

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 atstraighttalk@candidcoachingservices.com. You can also visit her website at http://www.candidcoachingservices.com.

Pomona: Police Explorer Is Optimist Youth Of The Year

Photo Courtesy: PPD

Photo Courtesy: PPD
Optimist Youth of the Year, Serena Grajeda and Officer Ernie Rios.

Staff Reports

Pomona – The Pomona Breakfast Optimist Club has selected Pomona Police Explorer, Serena Grajeda, as their Youth of the Year. She was nominated and selected by her Explorer Post as the most outstanding Explorer in 2015. Grajeda was recognized at a recent dinner with formal Certificates of appreciation from the City of Pomona and State Assembly.

According to the Pomona Police Department, Grajeda was required to attend a 22-week Explorer Academy in order to complete the requirements of her Post – which is affiliated with the Boys Scouts of America.

Since completion of the Academy, Grajeda has served hundreds of volunteer hours in the community at special events, parades, campouts and safety checkpoints. She has worked tirelessly to develop her self-confidence, leadership and law enforcement skills through regular exercises, drills and competitions.

Grajeda plans to seek a career in law enforcement after college. She has expressed a strong desire to serve the Pomona community as a Pomona Police Officer.

Grajeda is currently a 10th Grader at Pomona Catholic High School, and enjoys her family, playing basketball and, of course, being a Police Explorer.

The success of the Explorer Program has been made possible through the support of the numerous hours of mentorship and training by the Police Officers that volunteer as Explorer Advisors. Officer Ernie Rios has been an exceptional resource for Grajeda and the other explorers.

The Pomona Police Department thanks the explorers and advisors for their unwavering commitment to the community.

 

Celebrate With The Whole Enchilada!

diamondbar-CMYKBy Claire Lewis

Diamond Bar – Looking for a reason to enjoy delicious Mexican cuisine?  Come celebrate Mexican Independence Day on Wed., Sept. 16 with The Whole Enchilada – where you can get a taste of authenticity and enjoy a wonderful experience in a family atmosphere.

From delicious platters and entrée meals to taco bars, The Whole Enchilada offers fresh, authentic Mexican recipes their resident chef brought from their homeland.  They guarantee you will enjoy your dining experience – on Independence Day, or any day!

“All our food is made fresh daily,” says Lil Palmer of The Whole Enchilada.

The restaurant has been in business for over 30 years, and there is a reason it is a favorite with locals.  The Whole Enchilada offers a variety of delicious Mexican dishes ranging from enchiladas and burritos to carne asada and fajitas – and don’t forget their Mexican Kaluha Flan or Rio Grande Mud Pie after your meal!

The Whole Enchilada can help cater any event you have planned featuring their delicious handmade tamales, which are available year round. This traditional holiday dish is sold by the dozen and is available in pork, beef, chicken, green chili and cheese.  Other menu items, such as the taquito or street taco platters, are available for catering as well.

Whether it’s a celebration of Independence, a business meeting or catered Grand Opening, a fundraiser or birthday party, or even just a wonderful excuse not to cook, The Whole Enchilada will dazzle you with their excellent customer service and delicious food.  They look forward to helping you celebrate the special moments in your life.

The celebration doesn’t stop with just one visit.  The Whole Enchilada has gift cards available for purchase in person or online. And be sure to ask about the Combo Punch Card, Enchilada Bucks, and Kids Club.

Whether you live near or far, come be a local at The Whole Enchilada.  Your taste buds will thank you!  The Whole Enchilada is located at 1114 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., (at Grand Avenue, in Diamond Bar). They are open Mon. – Thurs., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sun., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can reach them at (909) 861-5340, and visit their website at www.wholeenchilada.com.

 

Eastvale Town Hall Meeting

By Emily Aguilar

 

Eastvale – The Aug. 25 Town Hall Meeting at Rosa Parks Elementary promoted many exciting projects for Eastvale, ranging from bills that are anticipated to be passed for the benefit of the City, to the much awaited STEM school that will soon begin construction.

The evening began with Mayor Ike Bootsma’s brief City update, including the mention of the JCSD app, available to citizens who want to report on non-emergency issues such as graffiti and water waste; and the upcoming 5th Anniversary for Eastvale.

Tyler Madary took the stage to represent Senator Richard Roth, announcing that the Senator is looking to pass three bills through the Assembly.  The first is SB75, which will help bring funds to Jurupa Valley, Riverside, and Eastvale; another bill that will hire two new judges in the county of Riverside; and SB251, the reform bill which will help small businesses handle ADA issues. These bills have been passed by the Senate, and are pending further consideration.

Lieutenant Scott Forbes then provided a Police Department update.  Statistics year to date included 207 traffic collisions, 131 non injury reports, and the issuance of 1,000 citations for moving violations and 700 for parking violations. Forbes introduced Deputy Deanna Meyers as the new Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for Eastvale.  He also stated that the Department hired a new motor officer.

The JCSD update was given by Rick Welch, who announced the group’s near-completion of the plans for the second phase of the Eastvale Community Park, and the condition of the Desi House.

Officer Allynn Evans then provided an update on Code Enforcement speaking on street cleaning every other Tuesday and Thursday.  They have also retrieved 38 missing shopping carts and removed 811 signs to help keep the City beautiful.

Sharyn Link elaborated more on the upcoming festivities for the City’s 5th Anniversary.  Schools and City staff members are collaborating on the event to be held on Sat., Oct. 3, which will include a 5K run, a parade and a street fair.  There are still openings for volunteers.  For more information, please visit the city’s website.

Finally, Dr. Michael Lin from CNUSD gave a presentation on the anticipated construction of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) school, and the benefits it will provide for Eastvale.  City Manager, Michele Nissen, joined Lin on stage for a brief discussion on the traffic safety plan.

CNUSD’s Dr. Gina Boster continued the presentation, stating that the STEM school would not include an elite program; but that anyone would potentially be eligible (an application system has not yet been developed).  The curriculum is designed to stimulate critical thinking in real-world applications. The students will have access to technology-based equipment and mobile desks and chairs to create space for projects. By moving away from traditional schooling, students will experience in-depth, rigorous programs to help prepare for desired STEM careers.

Lin tackled questions regarding the potential population at the new school, and the challenges of hiring the appropriate staff, ideal class size, and the adjustment to a “school within a school” mentality.  He ended the presentation by ensuring the audience that the new STEM school will provide a very beneficial education to students.

 

The Mindset Of The Successful Student

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

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

I know many of you helped your child get ready to start school again, or maybe even for the first time.

As parents, we bought them new clothing, backpacks, notebooks, organizers and all of the other necessities that they needed for school.  We believed that in buying these things for them, we were helping start the year the right way – and that is a correct belief.

We started planning lunches (whether they were buying or bringing), and we made transportation plans for getting them to and from school.  Finally, we helped them ease into a bedtime that is appropriate for school, because summer is over.

Even though we believe we have done all of the right things, we may be wondering why our children don’t do well in school.

I think it’s important to help your child adjust their mindset about school and about how they will do.  What I’m suggesting is that we help our children prepare in so many ways for school, but we forget the emotional component in getting them ready.

It’s very important that as we are helping them physically prepare for school, we must remind them of how very capable we believe they are.  We must remind them and also give them the tools they may need to get through their long school days.  We must teach them how to deal with bullies and help them find the inner confidence to be successful and happy students.

I think it can start with a conversation regarding what was good and what was bad about the last school year.  Or perhaps what was easy and what was hard about the previous year.

Help remind your child of the tools they already have and take time to help them clean and sharpen them. Talk to them about what they are nervous about and calm them down by reminding them of all of their previous successes – and how proud you already are of them!

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, including 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, or via email at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  Nancy’s books, “Midnight the Therapy Dog,” and “Live, Heal and Grow,” are available at Amazon.com.

Eastvale National Night Out

The City of Eastvale comes together with pride

NNO Collage-CMYK

By K.P. Sander

Eastvale – On Tues., Aug. 11, the Target parking lot in the Gateway Shopping Center was transformed into a “Night Out Against Crime.”  It was the perfect opportunity for residents to become acquainted with the phenomenal individuals that keep our City safe, get a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes, and make new friends while enjoying a sense of community.

Law enforcement, Firefighters, City personnel and a variety of booths dedicated to the betterment of the City were on hand to give an up close and personal glimpse into the resources available to Eastvale.  Big and little kids alike were able to speak with members of the Bomb Squad, SWAT Team, Hazardous Materials Unit, Paramedic Squad, Mounted Posse, K-9 unit, as well as Firefighters and Police Officers. Wide eyes watched as the hook and ladder truck reached for the sky and future Sheriff’s Deputies donned SWAT gear and sat in an assortment of vehicles.

The evening was rounded out with carnival games, face painting, a rock wall and bounce houses full of fun, and it was great to see a wide range of neighbors, City Council and Staff, business owners and people from surrounding communities come together on a unique and memorable night. There is a formidable force working behind the scenes for the City of Eastvale, and we should be proud to know we are in excellent hands.

If you’d like to know more about National Night Out, visit NNO.org.

Walnut: $400K Marijuana Seizure

Staff Reports

Walnut – On Wed., Sept. 9, at approximately 7 p.m., Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) narcotics investigators assigned to the Walnut/San Dimas team, utilized investigative resources that led them to a residence believed to be involved in the operation of an illegal marijuana grow and electrical theft.

Investigators conducted a surveillance operation and subsequently obtained and served a search warrant at a residence located in the 20200 block of Burnt Tree Lane, in the City of Walnut.

According to LASD, an elaborate and dangerous marijuana grow system was discovered at the location where approximately $2,000 in U.S. currency and 403 marijuana plants at various stages of growth were seized.  Equipment used in the production of illegal marijuana and other equipment used to attempt to prevent the odor from filtering out of the residence were also documented at the location.

The illegal marijuana grow was precariously wired, creating an extremely dangerous fire hazard due to the large amount of electrical energy which could become overloaded.

Southern California Edison employees were notified of the dangerous fire hazard created by the illegal wiring.  After quickly responding, they turned off the power to the residence and rendered it safe.

Two male adults were arrested. The combined street value of the marijuana plants is estimated at close to $400,000.

The investigation is on-going and there is no additional information available at this time.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Walnut Station, Detective Mertens, at (909) 595-2264. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Local Women’s Group Donates Army Of Stuffed Animals

Photo By: Raymond Mendoza GFWC Federated East Valley Women’s Club President Mary Matson (center) stands with her members and their donation of stuffed animals, which was given to Volunteer Chaplain Carol Gardner (fourth from the left) for San Antonio Regional Hospital's program of comforting hospital-ridden children and the elderly.

Photo By: Raymond Mendoza
GFWC Federated East Valley Women’s Club President Mary Matson (center) stands with her members and their donation of stuffed animals, which was given to Volunteer Chaplain Carol Gardner (fourth from the left) for San Antonio Regional Hospital’s program of comforting hospital-ridden children and the elderly.

By Raymond Mendoza

SGV – Going to the hospital can be a scary experience for anyone, but for children and the elderly it can be especially daunting and seemingly unfriendly.  To help keep their minds off their ailments, the Federated East Valley Women’s Club is donating more than 100 stuffed animals to provide some much needed comfort.

According to Mary Matson, President of the Federated East Valley Women’s Club – which is also a part of the General Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC) – her group heard about the need for these stuffed animals from Volunteer Chaplain, Carol Gardner, at San Antonio Regional Hospital in Upland. Matson said this is the first time the club has ever donated stuffed animals to a hospital, but that the cause was seen as worthwhile and uplifting.

“It means comfort for all of our patients,” Gardner said. “Just to hang onto something fluffy – it reminds them of home and it brings them peace.”

Gardner also noted that she was glad the club got donations like stuffed animal snakes, pigs and tigers, because young boys are sometimes less enthusiastic about stuffed animals that are meant for girls.

Gardner said she and the hospital staff were thrilled with the donation from the Federated East Valley Women’s Club, and that the group has agreed to give an annual donation of stuffed animals to continue to provide comfort to various patients.

“These (stuffed animals) will be given to children when they come into emergency, and they will take them home when they leave,” Matson said. “They will also be given to ambulances drivers to carry on their truck, as well as to an accident scene. We know that this will be a heartwarming experience for us, in knowing that we are helping calm a scared child.”

On Thurs., Sept. 3, the club met at the Peppertree Café in Glendora for anything but a normal meeting, since this time they were hauling their bags of stuffed animal donations with them – all ready to be used as comfort devices.

Matson said that the organization has a myriad of different charitable prospects and that currently the group donates to Relay for Life, Operation Smile, various academic scholarships, Chips for Kids, Military shelters, Read Across America, forest restoration, USO and Wounded Warriors, Ronald McDonald House, Roosevelt Elementary School with Box Tops for Education, Hope Partners, UNICEF International, eyeglasses for the Lions Club, cell phones for Soldiers, Domestic Violence Projects, and Santa’s Helpers for Villacorta Elementary School in La Puente.

Matson noted that they most recently raised $2,290 for the American Cancer Society at Diamond Bar’s annual Relay for Life event, and received a thank you note from UNICEF for their Nepal Earthquake relief donation.

The club shows no signs of slowing down after their most recent donation since Matson said they have their sights already set on a new venture – helping homeless veteran women and their children by donating to the National Veteran’s Organization.

Matson said her club jumps at any chance to help out the needy and that they will continue to help various organizations in the San Gabriel Valley area, in any way that they can.

“There are many more projects that we have and will do, depending on the need.”

Matson invites anyone in the area interested in joining the club to call her at (909) 418-0418.

The Weary Need To Rest

Mark Lee NewBy Pastor Mark Lee

Physical exertion is vital to the success of any athlete.  However, allowing the body to rest is of equal importance.  When we exercise, our muscle tissue is torn and our energy is depleted.  The human body needs the time between workouts to repair and strengthen itself.  For this reason, many athletes build recovery time into their physical regimen.  In fact, pushing yourself too hard can be detrimental to your physical health.

Much like athletes, accomplished artists and musicians fall into a daily routine of intense practice and periods of recuperation.  The truth is that while hard work is definitely a fundamental element of achievement, it is also imperative that we give ourselves regular breaks.   Study after study regarding the habits of office workers, the benefits of vacation, the importance of meditation, and the advantages of spending time outdoors have all revealed that many important mental processes seem to require downtime.

As the summer comes to an end and the kids return to school, many of us find ourselves falling into the pattern of being “too busy.”  Work, technology, family obligations, and household chores eat up much of our time.   In order to fulfill our responsibilities, we fail to take breaks.  Ironically, this can actually reduce our effectiveness.  When we go without rest, our productivity decreases, our ability to concentrate is impaired, and our creativity suffers.

The Bible is not silent about our need for rest.  In Psalms 127:2, David wrote, “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for He grants sleep to those He loves.”  God intended rest to be a gift. When we allow ourselves to occasionally “be still,” life becomes much more enjoyable!

 

VantagePoint Church meets at Roosevelt High School on Sundays at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Transition

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

On Sun., Aug. 30, I passed the baton to a younger pastor at our church.

I have had the privilege of serving as the senior pastor at the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar for over 27 years.

As of Sept. 1, the church has a new senior pastor.  His name is Tim Park.  He has served as an associate pastor at our church for several years, and is well liked and very qualified to take on the leadership of our church.

Our church leaders have been working on this transition plan for many months.  We presented this proposal to our church family in March, and it was unanimously approved at our church business meeting in April.

Actually, there was one “no” vote.  Since the vote was by secret ballot, we don’t know who cast it.  Some suspect it might have been my wife!  Just kidding!   But it was encouraging to see the strong support for this plan.

Different denominations have different traditions and procedures when they transition from one senior pastor to another.  Some reassign their pastors to new churches every few years.  In other churches, the local Bishop or Presbytery appoints new leaders to each church.

In our church, the lead pastor and Elders make recommendations to the congregation on major issues like budgets, building programs and the selection of the senior pastor.  I’m thankful that this proposal was so well received and supported by our church members.

There are many examples in the Bible where an older leader “passed the baton” to a younger person.  Moses passed the baton to Joshua; Elijah passed to Elisha; and the Apostle Paul to his young disciple, Timothy.

It is not uncommon for businesses to follow a similar practice where an older leader passes the baton to a younger member of their staff.  This can provide a smooth transition for the company or organization and help maintain their values and priorities.

I hope you will visit our church in the coming months and meet our new senior pastor.

We sure like him, and I think you will, too!

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 09.12.15

2015-Sep12-Weekly-COVERThe Weekly News covers community news for Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills, 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-Sep12-Weekly-WEB

How To Naturally Prevent Headaches

By StatePoint

Pain in your brain can be a real headache. To avoid getting hit with a doozy, consider these easy tips.

  • Drink water. Dehydration causes headaches, and most Americans are not drinking enough water. Drink your eight 8-ounce cups of water every day to drastically lower your risk of getting a headache.
  • Cut back on the coffee. Coffee is one of the largest headache triggers, but most people like to begin their days by drinking at least one cup. Instead, try some peppermint or ginger tea — both of which you can also drink to cure a headache if it sneaks past your defenses.
  • Relax. Stress is on the rise, according to the American Psychological Association. So it’s no wonder we get headaches so often. Put aside time every day to do something you enjoy. Some low-stress, rewarding options are taking a yoga class, volunteering at a charity or playing with a pet.

Headaches aren’t pleasant, but these prevention techniques will make your days better — not only by improving your health, but by increasing your happiness.

Liposuction Without The Suction

Premier Body Sculpt Before-After

Premier Body Sculpt is located at 141 W. Foothill Blvd #5 in Upland. You can reach them at 1-(855) 8-SCULPT or visit their website at http://www.premierbodysculpt.com.

By Michael Armijo

Upland – Body Sculpting is best described as an alternative way to lose body fat in specific areas that are hard to reach, including under the arms, love handles, inner thighs, or even the breast area on a man. The procedure seems to be relatively new, but it’s actually an old technique that is revised.

Upon visiting the Premier Body Sculpt Center in Upland, I was a bit skeptical about their amazing new technology actually working. The combination of Ultrasonic Cavitations and Radio Frequency was said to show amazing results without the inconvenience, pain and down-time of surgery. But the skepticism is over.

This non-invasive, liposuction technology works by using sonic energy and vibration to destroy and collapse fat cells, thereby facilitating the body’s natural process to metabolize and move fat out through the lymphatic system. Unlike liposuction – and for a fraction of the cost – results can be seen immediately with no bruising, swelling, or scars.

The best way to describe it would be: imagine getting a huge bag and placing small water balloons inside. Then imagine tapping the bag until the water balloons break. This same concept is applied to Body Sculpting. It liquefies the fat and then the body processes the fat through the urine. Sounds different, but the body processes fat this way, and the results are immediate, with further results seen throughout the week.

When I experienced Body Sculpting myself, all I had to do was lie down and sit up while the three step process was administered. The ultrasound radio frequency was a bit different, as sound waves emitted through my body.  That’s what ultrasound is, an emission of sound waves. But this is at a higher rate, and this is how fat is broken down. And during the process, I could actually hear sound coming out of my ears. It took a moment to get used to, but eventually it didn’t faze me a bit.

When it comes to my health, I am on it. I need to know all the facts, the downsides, and the repercussions. I am a diabetic, so I always have some type of risk. But what gave me confidence was that the technician was an RN, BSN, and Aesthetic Specialist – who also worked in an emergency room at a local hospital (yes, I checked).

I could not find anything negative about the procedure and I did see results right away (the before and after pictures were amazing). I completed three sessions, and I am pleased with the results so far.  I would go back to do more.

I recommend Premier Body Sculpting, and I also recommend you check out their website, watch the video, and make the best decision for yourself.

Premier Body Sculpt is located at 141 W. Foothill Blvd., #5, in Upland. You can reach them at (855) 8-SCULPT, or visit their website at http://www.premierbodysculpt.com.

 

Eastvale: College Athletics – What Families Need To Hear

Photo Courtesy: Recruiting Realities Jack Renkens

Photo Courtesy: Recruiting Realities
Jack Renkens

By B.B. Beard, Chicago Blog Company

Eastvale – National keynote speaker, Jack Renkens of Recruiting Realities, brought his unique, no-nonsense presentation on college athletic recruiting to Eleanor Roosevelt High School on Aug. 31.  His presentation, “It’s a Game… Know the Rules,” served as a reality check for families of student-athletes looking to get their degree and play at the college level.

Entering his 18th year touring the United States, Renkens has established himself as one of the top athletic/motivational speakers in the nation, presenting at state athletic conferences, football clinics, college financial planning groups, sports camps and high schools from coast to coast. His speaking tour includes over 170 high schools each year, with enrollments from 250 to 2,500 students. As a former high school/college coach and athletic director, Renkens has written 14 books on the recruiting process.

Renkens’ message is never sugar-coated. “It may not be what some parents want to hear, but it definitely is what they need to hear. I’m primarily trying to get families to be realistic about the opportunities that are available and to get them to understand it’s about getting your education, not about hitting the ball, kicking the ball, throwing the ball. It’s about finding the right match academically.”

One of the many realities Renkens details are the high expectations of athletes and parents when it comes to having sports pay for a college education.

“There are a lot of student-athletes out there and less than one percent are going to a Division 1 school,” he said. “However, you’ve got 99 percent of kids out there that can play at the college level in divisions other than D1. The key is finding the right school and financial aid package.”

“Student-athletes need to come to terms with three basic realities,” Renkens said.

 

  1. “You don’t get to pick the school. They pick you.
  2. “A college coach can’t recruit you if he/she doesn’t know who you are. Student-athletes need to market themselves.
  3. “Don’t get hung up on the words ‘athletic scholarship.’ Focus on ‘funding’ comprised of academic money, merit money, grants, endowment and achievement money.”

 

At the presentation, parents had an opportunity to hear the truth about college athletic recruiting, the role of their high school coach, the impact of today’s social media and where parents fit into the process.

If your son or daughter is serious about getting a college degree and passionate about the sport they play, and you were unable to attend the event, visit the Recruiting Realities website at www.recruitingrealities.com. To see him in action, search Jack Renkens on YouTube.com

Pomona: Bright Prospects At PUSD

Photo Courtesy: PUSD Garey High 2015 graduate, Juan Ledesma

Photo Courtesy: PUSD Garey High 2015 graduate, Juan Ledesma

Staff Reports

Pomona – On Fri., Sept. 4, Garey High School hosted a special program highlighting one of their college programs.

According to the Pomona Unified School District, Garey High Class of 2015 graduate, Juan Ledesma, shared his inspiring story of how Bright Prospect helped him realize his dream of pursuing a degree in political science at UCLA.

Now in its 13th year, Bright Prospect empowers high potential, low-income students to gain admission to, succeed in and graduate from four-year colleges and universities by providing a comprehensive support system that begins in high school and continues throughout college, resulting in a 91 percent college graduation rate.

Every student receives college readiness programming, one-on-one coaching, application assistance, and ongoing mentoring from peers and professionals from 10th Grade through college graduation. The program serves students ages 14 to 26, from all seven high schools in Pomona Unified, as well as high schools in the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. The program currently serves more than 1,200 Pomona Unified students.

In addition, the ceremony included a $7,500 donation to the college-readiness program from Los Angeles County Supervisor, Hilda Solis, and speeches from Garey High Principal, Stacey Wilkins and PUSD Superintendent, Richard Martinez.

Pomona Police Department Honors Officer

Lt. Ron McDonald celebrates 50th year of service to the City

Photo Courtesy: PPD 50 year Police veteran, Lt. Ron McDonald

Photo Courtesy: PPD
50 year Police veteran, Lt. Ron McDonald

Staff Reports

Pomona – Lt. Ron McDonald was sworn in as a Pomona Police Officer by Chief Ralph E. Parker on Sept. 1, 1965.  Tues., Sept. 1 marked his 50th year of continuous service to the City of Pomona as a sworn Officer.  Prior to his service in Pomona, McDonald was a Reserve Officer and Dispatcher with the City of West Covina for two years.

According to the Pomona Police Department, McDonald currently serves as a Watch Commander in the Department’s Operations Division, where he oversees two Patrol Squads consisting of Sergeants, Corporals and Officers.  He is also responsible for overseeing the Community Service Officers who staff the front desk in the Main Station’s Lobby.

Lt. McDonald is the Area Commander for the Northwest Quadrant of the City (north of Holt Ave. and west of Garey Ave.).  As an Area Commander, he is the point man for the Department when it comes to solving chronic crime problems that are reported to the Police Department.  From gang issues to simple quality of life issues, McDonald is tasked with finding long term solutions for members of our community.

Over the years McDonald has served in the following assignments:

  • Patrol Officer
  • Alcoholic Beverage Control Enforcement Unit
  • Major Crimes Task Force
  • Burglary Task Force
  • Major Narcotics Sergeant
  • Internal Affairs Sergeant
  • Detective Bureau Homicide Sergeant
  • Crime Prevention Sergeant
  • Special Events Sergeant
  • Special Operations Lieutenant
  • Tactical Flight Officer – Helicopter Observer
  • Field Training Officer Coordinator
  • LA County Fairgrounds Liaison
  • LA County Fire Liaison

 

With the demands of police work, very few Officers work in the field for 50 years.  When asked about his time as a Pomona Police Officer, McDonald simply stated, “It’s been an enjoyable and fulfilling career.”

Orange County: Burglary Arrest Assisted By Airship “Duke”

Photo Courtesy: SAPD OC Sheriff’s Airship, “Duke,” assists Officers in burglary arrest.

Photo Courtesy: SAPD
OC Sheriff’s Airship, “Duke,” assists Officers in burglary arrest

Staff Reports

Santa Ana – On Mon., Aug. 31, at approximately 8:50 a.m., a resident reported seeing a suspicious male knocking on his neighbor’s door. When the male received no answer at the door, he went through the side yard to the rear of the residence and out of sight.

Responding officers requested the assistance of Orange County Sheriff’s Airship, “Duke.”

According to the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD), the suspect – matching the description provided by witnesses – was located by Duke in the rear yard of a residence where two window screens had been removed.

When Duke arrived on scene, the suspect observed the airship and ran out of the yard, entering the passenger side of a vehicle. Duke directed responding units to the vehicle, and a car stop was conducted. The male subject fled from the vehicle and ran through the apartment complex at the northeast corner of Fairview St. and Segerstrom Ave.

The female driver – Bianca Renee McNair, 25, of Santa Ana, was taken into custody without incident at the stop.

A SAPD motor officer located the suspect – Stephone Jawonn Fellows, 27, of Los Angeles – in the apartment complex and had to deploy his taser to take him into custody. Further investigation showed that Fellows had successfully forced entry into the garage of a residence in the 3000 block of South Griset Pl.; however, it appears the crime was interrupted by the arrival of Duke on scene.

Both suspects were arrested for Burglary and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime.

Glendora: It’s A Dirty Job

Photo Courtesy: Troy Case/LASD

Photo Courtesy: Troy Case/LASD
First responder, Deputy Noe Ramos

Staff Reports

Glendora – On Sun., Aug. 30, at approximately 8:40 p.m., a vehicle went 300 feet over the side of a cliff at Glendora Mountain Rd. and Glendora Ridge Mtwy., about six miles north of Glendora in the Angeles National Forest.

Deputies Noe Ramos and Jeff DeMooy of the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station were the first on scene. A first aid and CPR instructor, Ramos heard there were six people still in the Audi, so he scrambled over the side and made his way down the embankment to the car, assisted by DeMooy. Passers-by quickly joined in the effort to get help to the crash victims as soon as possible.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, it was soon discovered that two of the car’s occupants – the ones not wearing seatbelts – were ejected from the car. Ramos stayed with the six injured passengers for hours and medically triaged them until they could all be extracted from the crash site and taken to the hospital. Breathing dirt and helicopter fuel got him “a little dirty” said Ramos.
Ultimately, six people were rescued through the teamwork of numerous Los Angeles County Sheriff San Dimas Station Deputies, San Dimas Mountain Rescue Reserve Sheriff Deputies, Los Angeles County Fire Department Firefighters, Angeles National Forest Rescuers, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officers.
While there were no fatalities, some of the injuries were very serious.  The joint effort included the Los Angeles County Fire Department airlifting several of the crash victims to area hospitals. Two Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopters spent about two hours on scene in hazardous conditions, and a fire truck was used to add special lighting for rescuers. The incident is being investigated by the CHP.
Our local mountain roads lead to some beautiful vistas and excellent outdoor recreational activities. This incident is a stark reminder of the hazards of these challenging roads. The passengers in this car did not anticipate or appreciate this outcome for their Sunday evening drive. Please reduce your speed and wear your seat belts. The life you save may be your own.

Anxiety And Our Youth

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

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

 

I have been a psychotherapist for 15 years, and have worked with people of all ages with various issues.

I’m constantly amazed when I have a child or teen brought to me for anxiety issues. We seem to have created a generation that feels very inadequate and struggles with growing up and being successful.  The issues this generation worries about are things my generation didn’t have to deal with.

Our colleges are impacted and hard to get into.  Now kindergarteners have homework and are expected to read and know many more things.  Video games and television are replacing playing outdoors in the fresh air and getting much needed exercise – this outdoor playing is such a great way to reduce or eliminate stress.  Social media, unfortunately, has made this generation very lazy and childhood obesity and diabetes are on the rise.

As parents and community leaders, we have a social responsibility to help this generation find a healthy balance in their lives in every area.  We need to support and encourage our youth.  We need to provide them with the necessary tools to help them strive to become their best.  We need to have faith in our youth, as so many of them are diamonds in the rough.  We need to give them the guidance to help them shine and reach their full potential.

We need to teach our teens that problems can be worked through, and that drinking and drugs are not a solution.  We need to teach them how to meditate, not medicate, to quiet their busy minds.  We need to teach them how to relax by finding balance, getting organized, prioritizing and effectively managing their time and communicating what’s working and not working in their lives.

Please don’t assume that our youth are all pot-smoking, video-game-playing, lazy, worthless human beings.  They are just scared and need some help finding their way!

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, including 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, or via email at nancyjstoops@verizon.net.  Nancy’s books, “Midnight the Therapy Dog,” and “Live, Heal and Grow,” are available at Amazon.com.

Lost Something Lately?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

My wife is beginning to worry about me because I keep losing track of things.  Recently, I lost my cell phone and could not find it.  I could not remember where I had left it. It was very frustrating.

I started my search by trying to retrace my steps.  When was the last time I used my phone? Where was the last place I had my phone with me?

The first thing we did was to look around the house.  Did it fall between the cushions on our couch?  Did I leave my cell phone in a pair of pants?

I asked a family member to call my phone number and hope we could hear the ringer somewhere in the house.  No luck.  We didn’t hear a thing.

Then I looked in my car.  Maybe I left it there or it fell under the seat.  No luck there either.

Maybe I left it in my office.  But, a careful search of my office did not reveal anything either.

My son suggested we try to use the Apple phone search app.  I guess this can help guide you to your phone’s location.  A friend of mine had done this and actually recovered phone that had been stolen!  But, apparently my phone’s battery was dead and we were unable to locate it.

Now I was beginning to get desperate.  I have phone numbers and contact information that I frequently use on that phone.  I could go buy a new phone, but how would I recover this vital information?

I finally resorted to prayer.  I genuinely prayed, “Lord, please help me find my phone.”  I know this is not a deep, theological prayer, but I was sincere.  I needed help to find my lost phone.

The answer did not come immediately.  I did not hear an audible voice.  But, later that day a thought came to my mind that I had not considered before.

A few days before, a friend of mine had driven me in his pickup truck to buy some building materials at Home Depot.  Did I have my phone with me when we went to Home Depot?  Could I have left my phone in his truck or at Home Depot?

We drove to his house, knocked on his door and looked in his truck.  We found my cell phone under the passenger seat!  The phone is black and his interior is black, so he had not seen it.  You would not have noticed it for months unless you were specifically looking for it!

I was so thankful to find my lost cell phone.  It really was an answer to prayer.  I was ready to celebrate!

There is a passage in the Bible where Jesus tells a parable about a lost sheep, a lost shekel and a lost son (Luke 15).  There is a celebration at the end of each parable when the lost sheep and the lost coin are found and when the prodigal son came home.

Each of these stories illustrates how much God loves us and wants us to come back to Him.  The passage says that there is a celebration in Heaven every time a child or adult comes to Him.

If you have lost something and can’t find it, you might want to stop and pray and ask God for help.  If you want to start a celebration in heaven, open your heart to God.  Put your faith in Jesus today.

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.