Chino Hills Gets A Dog Park
(Photo Courtesy: SSPCA)
STAFF REPORTS
Chino Hills – Chino Hills’ dog-lovers have long desired a community dog park, and it looks like their wish will be coming true.
The Kramer family – long time owner/operators of the Los Serranos Golf Course and Country Club – has donated a parcel of land at the southeast corner of Los Serranos Country Club Drive and Los Serranos Road. This land was originally intended to house a tennis club, but times have changed and the land has been vacant for some time.
Local attorney and City Council candidate, Rossana Mitchell, who is the dog park committee president, said they are working with a budget of approximately $42,000 to bring this park to life.
“The construction should take approximately four to six months, depending on the processes with the City,” said Mitchell. “We will start clearing and cleaning up the land right away, and then there will be the site review and the environmental review. The land is already zoned for commercial/recreational purposes, so the hard part is done.”
Mitchell says that the design will be very straightforward and simplistic. The park will be divided into two areas, for large and small dogs, and will include a safety release gate with two openings, iron rod fencing, grass areas (irrigated with reclaimed water), and regular drinking water for the dogs and their humans.
“We may even invite some student involvement with architectural designs from Cal Poly, and choose from one of their ideas,” says Mitchell.
One of the most time consuming parts of construction will be the parking facilities and making sure they are in compliance with City standards.
Mitchell said that they have waited two years for this project to come to fruition, and everyone is really excited about it.
“The Kramer family has really stepped up and they have been so gracious. They are great animal advocates and are really excited about the project. And the best part, they will be able to name the park after their parents, Jack and Gloria Kramer, who have passed away.”
Chino Hills dog lovers, get ready for the “Jack and Gloria Kramer Dog Park,” coming in 2015.
Straight Talk With Danice
By Danice Akiyoshi, N.D.
Dear Dr. Akiyoshi:
Dr. Danice Akiyoshi
My husband was not invited to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding. She chose a close family friend instead. My husband and his ex-wife had a horrible relationship which made it impossible for him to have a decent relationship with his daughter. He is very down on himself and feeling depressed. I don’t know how to help him. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
-Ali V.
Dear Ali:
Maybe your husband’s ex-wife was able to influence his daughter when she was a child, but most women who are getting married are adults. Certainly he had access to his young adult daughter without the influence of her mother. In my experience, no one can keep a good parent away from their child (especially an adult child). If the bride is not interested in a relationship with her father, he should do his best to find out why. Everyone is an adult now. Try for a fresh start when they return from their honeymoon. Do not add any additional stress to their lives before the wedding.
-Danice Akiyoshi, N.D.
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.
Not Again
BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER
Pastor Mark Hopper
Many years ago, my wife suggested that we add a small mint plant to our vegetable garden. We had a beautiful bed of strawberries and never thought the mint would be a problem. But over the next few years, the mint completely took over the garden. We discovered that mint is like a weed. It grows quickly and spreads rapidly.
I actually wrote an article about this problem and asked for advice on how to get rid of the mint in my garden. One person sent me an email with a simple solution: Never plant mint in your garden in the first place!
The only way I was able to get rid of the mint was to dig up every square foot of my garden and sift every shovel of dirt through a screen. It took many weeks and many hours to completely remove every small twig and root of mint.
That was several years ago. Since then I have planted a variety of vegetables in my garden. This year we have enjoyed fresh tomatoes, bell peppers and zucchini squash. But, a few days ago I saw something that I never expected to see again. Several small twigs of mint appeared in my garden. I had not seen any mint for years. How could this be?
It reminded me that there may be old habits and sins in our lives that we think we have conquered and defeated, but they reappear when we least expect it. I wonder if there are things from your past that might resurface and invade your peaceful life unexpectedly.
All of us are vulnerable to temptation and sin. All of us have our weaknesses. All of us can fall back into some old habits if we are not careful and prayerful.
If you see a small “twig” of mint resurfacing in your life, don’t ignore it. Ask God for help and strength to face the temptation. Ask a friend to help keep you accountable and have the freedom to speak into your life. Don’t try to handle it alone.
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.
Love at Sublevel
BY PASTOR ROB NORRIS
Love one another, even as I have loved you (John 13:34).
Pastor Rob Norris, The Crossings
Danny Akin, a seminary president with the bold audacity to write a book on sexual intimacy, shares this true, touching story:
A woman had been diagnosed with breast cancer so severe that the doctors had no choice but to do a radical mastectomy. And like most any woman who awakens from this unsettling surgery, the blow to her self-esteem was deep and profound. Not only was she dealing with the loss of her breast, but she could see in the mirror how her hair was matted and her face was swollen from reaction to the antibiotics.
One day during her hospital stay, when her husband entered the room, she burst into tears. “Look at what I look like!” she moaned through her sobs.
Immediately, he left the room and returned soon thereafter with a cart of shampoo, creams, and lotions. He picked her up in his arms, carried her to the sink, and set her down on his lap. Then leaning her head back over the basin, he washed her hair. He combed it out. He blew it dry. Then with unsteady hand, he applied her makeup the best he could—blush, lipstick, mascara.
She looked at herself in the same mirror that had earlier sent her into convulsions of vanity, and saw someone she recognized: herself. She was back again. All because her man had loved her well through those crucial moments when her world had been crumbling around her.
Today, even though this woman’s experience with breast cancer qualifies as perhaps the lowest point in her life, one of her favorite moments from all of her marriage has become those few precious moments in her hospital room – when her husband loved her in a way any woman would have understood.
“Husbands . . . , live with your wives in an understanding way” (1 Peter 3:7).
Live It: Tell each other about a time when your spouse’s love spoke volumes to you.
Pray: Pray that God will always keep you sensitive to the exact expressions of love your mate needs from you, at any individual moment.
The Crossings meets Sundays, 10 a.m., at River Heights Intermediate, 7227 Scholar Way, in Eastvale. For more information call (951) 847-6836, or visit http://www.atthecrossings.com.
Walnut: WV School Board Approves New Administrative Positions
BY KELLIE GILE
Walnut – The Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees has approved the following administrative positions for the 2014-2015 school year. Congratulations to the following team members!
- Sergio Canal is the new Director of Pupil Personnel Services/Secondary Education in the Educational Services Division. Canal brings 18 years of expertise in the K-12 educational system. Most recently, he served as principal at Nogales High School. He has also been an elementary teacher, middle school assistant principal, and a high school administrator.
David Suarez was approved as Director of Maintenance, Operations, Transportation and Facilities. Suarez comes highly recommended and brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the District. For the past five years, he supervised over 300 employees as director of maintenance at Foothill Transit. Suarez is also a retired Air Force E-7 Technical Sergeant and served our country for 20 years.
Jeanette Koh is the new principal at Quail Summit Elementary School. Koh brings 22 years of experience in education to her new post and she has been in Walnut Valley for the past 18 years. Last year, Koh served as Assistant Principal at Suzanne Middle School. Previously she was the Title I Coordinator at Vejar Elementary and a teacher at Maple Hill Elementary. Koh is the GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) trainer for the district and was honored as the Outstanding Contributor to Literacy by The American Literacy Corporation. She spent 19 years as a teacher and earned the prestigious National Board Certification.
- Resma Chamadia-Byrne has been approved as the new principal at Castle Rock Elementary School. She brings 19 years of experience in several school districts including Pasadena Unified, Ontario-Montclair, and Corona-Norco. Chamadia-Byrne has taught several grade levels, served as a teacher on special assignment, and worked with various school programs and parent groups, and most recently served as assistant principal for one of the largest elementary schools in Southern California serving nearly 1,800 TK-6th Grade students on a multi-track calendar.
Jennifer Alcazar is the new Assistant Principal at Chaparral Middle School. For the last three years Alcazar has implemented technology with staff and students as a Technology Coach at Chaparral. Jen has been a science teacher for 19 years, with ten of those years at Chaparral. Alcazar has been implementing professional development for the past decade through the University of California, Irvine.
Amy Smith has been approved as the new Assistant Principal at Suzanne Middle School. For the past four years, Smith was a teacher at Vejar Elementary School. She has taught at several schools during her career, including Quail Summit Elementary. Amy began her career as a middle school teacher and brings 14 years in education to her new post.
Fall In Love With Autumn
BY: K.P. SANDER
This is one of the hottest summers that I can remember. The barometer hasn’t even glanced toward anything less than 90 degrees in what seems like months. Being of British descent, it’s in my DNA to appreciate downright cold weather. It’s invigorating! As of late, however, I’m feeling a bit lazy. Normally one to enjoy dressing the part, I am reduced to t-shirts, shorts and a wet pony tail. The thought of getting out the blow dryer is, well, ewww.
The hissing of summer lawns is overshadowed by the whirl and whine of air conditions trying to keep one step ahead of the sweltering heat and humidity. Like me, you’ve probably had the electric company reduce your ability to run the A/C at peak times – and rightly so. At 106 degrees, a hot community could bring a grid to its knees.
So you try to enjoy the slightly cooler temperatures of the evenings by sitting outdoors, but then those little darlings of the West Nile [virus] start sipping on you like you’re a piña colada. Back indoors you go and make an attempt not to sweat and sleep at the same time.
But enough complaining, already. Let us turn our thoughts to all things autumn. Ah, sweaters, scarves, warm fires, hot chocolate, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, trips to local mountains, colors changing, the baking of pies and breads, apple cider, and jack-o-lanterns. It’s no longer hot, but most wonderfully cool. The word ‘Crisp’ comes to mind (although a friend who lived in Wisconsin once told me I didn’t know the meaning of the word).
Fall Festivals start cropping up and electric bills go down. Wardrobes change, dinner menus start to include casseroles and turning the oven on is no longer a crime. Lawns start perking up as they feel able to muster up a bit more green, and if you’ve planted a summer vegetable garden, you’re gathering the last of the harvest.
Soon, Halloween costumes will be selected and Thanksgiving plans will start to formulate. It seems the whole color palette around us changes to burgundies, golds, reds, greens, and plums. As leaves begin to drop and decorate the neighborhoods, the air feels fresher, and life just seems a bit cozier. People, in general, seem to generate a warmth, and appear a little friendlier.
As the poet, Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote, “…Pile high the logs till the flame be leaping; at bay the chill of the autumn keeping; while pilgrim-wise, we may go a-reaping – in the fairest meadow of memory!”
‘Tis autumn, at last!
Walnut: Mt. SAC Art Gallery Revisits Exploration of Figurative Art
BY MIKE TAYLOR
Walnut – The Mt. San Antonio College Art Gallery will kick off its 2014-15 season with, “The Way of Flesh II,” which runs Sept. 18 through Oct. 16, at the Art Gallery. This exhibit is free and open to the public.
“The Way of Flesh II” displays the legacy of figurative art through the eyes and hands of three generations of contemporary artists, without geographical limitations. By contextualizing, juxtaposing, and challenging the limitations of traditional media, this exhibition offers the audience a complexity of inventive approaches to rendering the figure in the classical tradition. “The Way of Flesh II” picks up 20 years later, after the original “The Way of Flesh” exhibit at the Mt. SAC gallery in 1994.
Participating artists are Sigmund Abeles, Sharon Allicotti, Juliette Aristides, Steven Assael, Ron Brown, Dawn Butler, Thomas Butler, Wes Christensen,Domenic Cretara, Dirk Hagner, F. Scott Hess, Jared Linge, Pamela Diaz Martinez, Daina Mattis, John Nava, Odd Nerdrum, Ryan Schroeder, Robert Schultz,Luis E. Serrano, Betty Shelton, Richard Shelton, Cynthia Sitton, Thomas Stubbs, Ruth Weisberg, Jerome Witkin, and Peter Zokosky.
A special opening reception will be held Thurs., Sept. 18, 4:30 to 7 p.m., in the Art Gallery, Building 1B. An artists’ panel for the exhibit will be held Sun., Sept. 28, 1 to 4 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Tuesday nights, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
For more information, call the Art Gallery at (909) 274-4328. .
9-2014 IE Community News
The Inland Empire Community News covers community news for Chino, Chino Hills, Eastvale, Ontario, Corona, Riverside and surrounding areas of the Inland Empire and portions the San Gabriel Valley and northern Orange County. Click this link 2014-09-IEcommnewsAll to access the complete issue in pdf format.
9-2014 SGV Community News
The San Gabriel Valley Community News covers community news for Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of the San Gabriel Valley and portions of the western Inland Empire and northern Orange County. Click this link 2014-09-SGVcommnewsAll to access the complete issue in pdf format.
Walnut: WVUSD Seniors Named Semifinalists in Scholarship Program
BY KELLIE GILE
Walnut – 42 Diamond Bar and Walnut High School seniors have been named Semifinalists in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. The nationwide pool of about 16,000 Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors in each state.
The following students have been recognized for demonstrating exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies:
Diamond Bar High School: Kyu Seo Ahn, Saakib Akbany, Athena Chen, Zhen H. Chen, Matthew Chiu, Justin J. Choi, Kali A. DeCambra, Sophia Y. Deng, Gregory J. Gunadi, Shyam F. Hassan, Jeannie C. Huang, Mandy Hung, Christopher L. Ivanoff, Rena Jiang, Catherine H. Larcheveque, Young D. Lin, Michelle Lyu, Alvin R. Ma, Alexander J. Song, Emily K. Wong, and Jordan C. Wong.
Walnut High School: Ao Henry, Bobbie Chen, Jackson T. Deng, Joanna Hao, Jefferey S. Huang, Mindy A. Huang, Yu Ting Kuo, Andrew S. Lee, Xiang Li, Rhea Lin, Theresa T. Lo, Ethan Ma, Johnny Mok, Christopher Qian, Allison Y. Tang, Yun-Ta Tsai, Rachel Wang, Brian S. Weng, Manyue Zhang, Xin Zhang, and Ted N. Zhu.
About 1.4 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools across the country entered the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
These academically talented seniors will now go on to compete as Finalists for 7,600 scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, private companies, colleges, and foundations. Students submit detailed applications, recommendations, essays, and SAT scores. All National Merit Scholarship winners are selected from the group of Finalists on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.
Congratulations students, parents, and teachers on this outstanding accomplishment!
City of Industry: Football Stadium? Not Yet.
BY GLENN FREEMAN
Architect’s model of the proposed NFL stadium in the City of Industry. (Photo Courtesy: http://www.losangelesfootballstadium.com)
City of Industry – In early 2008, the NFL proposed a new stadium coming to Southern California, slated for the City of Industry. Now, six years later, we seem to be no further along in the process.
In April of 2008, Ed Roski, Jr., the billionaire head of Majestic Realty Co., announced his plans for the $800 million, 75,000 seat stadium, to be constructed off Grand Avenue near the interchange of the 60 and 57 freeways. The location seems ideal for its centralized access to 15.5 million people across four counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino.
Roski’s plan to bring an NFL team back to greater Los Angeles was contingent upon receiving the necessary approvals. After 20 years without a team, the NFL appears to be no closer to returning to Los Angeles other than saying they would like to. Perhaps Commissioner Roger Goodell has his hands full with the recent public relations crisis centered on player domestic/child abuse allegations.
In recent queries to the City of Industry, Senior Planner, Troy Helling, stated that the only actions proceeding on the 600 acre site at this time are the mass grading, landscaping, and installation of the major infrastructure, as part of the former Redevelopment Agency’s obligations – as the State dissolved all such agencies.
“This will in essence create a table top onto which one of two approved projects will be developed in the future [the NFL stadium, and industrial/commercial use],” said Helling.
Local fans will have to continue to focus on their television screens, or travel to Phoenix, the Bay area or San Diego to get a taste of live action football.
Who Determines Our Path?
BY MICHAEL ARMIJO
While driving one day, I noticed a young man sitting on a park bench. You could tell he was in despair, the way he was just sitting there, staring at the ground. He looked like he had given up.
The man was wearing a muddy shirt, dirty tan pants, a large trash bag that he used as a backpack, and a pair of almost unrecognizable tennis shoes. His hair was filthy and matted, and he sported an untrimmed beard that looked as though it had been chopped in sections with a dull pair of scissors.
He sat there as though he had no place to go. His head hung down; his eyes seemingly entranced on the ground. The scene reminded me of a small child, bored, thinking he didn’t have a friend in the world. I could see hopelessness and sadness in this man’s demeanor.
As the cars sped by on the street, the man got up and walked in a slow-paced journey to nowhere. Had he stepped into oncoming traffic, I would have been horror-struck, but not surprised. It would have appeared as though another tragic life had ended without a cause, without a clue, and without a care.
He didn’t look angry, but had he been I could have imagined him attacking. Why not lash out at society if you don’t care what happens to you? Why not “get even?” This is a sad logic, but as one who watches the news, its today’s reality.
As I looked at the man, I wondered if society had failed him; but how much truth does that hold? How responsible is society for the ones that are lost? I believe we have to ask ourselves, who determines our path? Who maps out our life? We’ve heard so many excuses about responsibility through blame and denial that we allow ourselves to label our lives as dysfunctional. And then we wonder why we turn out differently than others.
After the experiences I’ve had in life, I now believe we are the creators of our own destiny. We determine where we go, who we are, and who we become. After pointing the finger at society for too long, we need to take responsibility for ourselves. HOWEVER, I will add that as parents, we ARE responsible for providing an honest and fair life, a loving and caring environment, a responsible and healthy example, and a thorough and extensive education for our children. Of course, we shouldn’t condemn ourselves if our children do not turn out the way we had hoped. As human beings, there comes a point in time where we need to look ourselves in our own eyes and say; “I honestly did the best I could, with no regrets.” Why wish for the chance to do things over, when that is not a possibility? You can only change who you are right now, and move forward doing your best.
I believe that there will be a day of judgment. And on that day we will be forced to look into our own souls and really see who determined our path. So to that young man on the park bench, I hope you are happy with your path.
San Gabriel Valley: Community Events
STAFF REPORTS
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Prescription Drug Take-Back Event
When: September 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Upland Police Department, 1499 W. 13th Street, Upland
Details: The Upland Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its ninth opportunity in four years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs (the DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches). The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Last April, Americans turned in over 780,000 pounds of prescription drugs at nearly authorized 6,100 sites.
Citizenship Information Session
When: September 27, 11 a.m. (with a follow up workshop on October 25)
Where: Azusa City Library, Auditorium
Details: Azusa City Library and Central American Resource Center have partnered to strengthen citizenship education efforts in the San Gabriel Valley.
Contact: (626) 812-5273, or email evilla@ci.azusa.ca.us.
Walnut High Presents, “The Understudy,” by Eddie McPherson
When: October 1 – 4, 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on October 4.
Where: Walnut High School Performing Arts Center, 400 N. Pierre Road, Walnut
Details: Acting can be murder! The Walnut High School Drama Department is bringing this charming murder-mystery comedy to theatre-in-the-round. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door.
Contact: Tickets may be purchased online at www.seatyourself.biz/walnutdrama, or at the door. For more information, call (909) 594-1333, extension 34212.
Wheel Food Fest
When: 1st Friday of the month through October 3; 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Walnut Valley Unified School District, 880 S. Lemon Avenue, in Walnut.
Details: The Walnut Valley Educational Foundation is sponsoring a family fun night with a variety of gourmet food trucks. This is a delicious way to support your students, schools and community. There are no entry fees, and there is plenty of free parking. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy! Food trucks may include: The Slummin’ Gourmet, Macho Nacho, Rolling Sushi, Cup Cakery, Crepes Bonaparte, White Rabbit, and Dos Chinos. Please leave your pets at home, and do not bring alcohol, outside food or drinks.
Friends of the Taylor House Artist on the Porch Summer/Fall Series
When: October 12; 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Heritage Gardens Park, 3510 East Cameron Avenue, West Covina
Details: September event will feature craftsman period stained glass with Renn Hjellum-Lim.
Contact: For this and future events, visit facebook.com/taylorhousecraftsmanhome
The Chino Hills Historical Society Presentation
When: Monday, October 13
Where: Chino Hills Community Center, 14250 Peyton Drive
Details: Local historian, Allen P. McCombs will give a presentation on, “Chino Valley’s Role in How the West Was Won.” This event was previously scheduled on Sept. 15.
Contact: Call (909) 597-2051, or email chhistory@aol.com
City of Hope Blood Drive
When: Thurs., Oct. 16, 12:45 to 7 p.m.
Where: Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church and School, Gymnasium, 23300 Golden Springs Drive, Diamond Bar.
Contact: Call (909) 861-2740 for appointments, and be sure to bring your ID to the event.
Bark For Life 5K
When: Saturday, October 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Boys Republic High School, 1907 Boys Republic Drive, Chino Hills
Details: The American Cancer Society Bark For Life honors the care-giving qualities of canine companions. Bring your best Canine Friend and join the non-competitive walk around the track, followed by demos, games, contests, awards and dog adoptions. $25 per dog; $5 per person. Raise funds and awareness in the fight against cancer.
Contact: Visit www.relayforlife.org/barkchinoca, or email Jennifer Rudin at bflchinoeventchair@gmail.com.
Free Intervention Information Sessions
When: Third Tuesday of each month, 6 p.m.
Where: Charter Oak Hospital, 1161 E. Covina Blvd., Covina
Details: Free information sessions about the intervention process, a powerful tool to combat alcoholism and addition. Open to the public, space is limited and reservations are recommended.
Contact: Aurora Charter Oak Hospital, (626) 859-5269, or visit http://www.charteroakhospital.com.
Free ESL and Citizenship Classes
When: Monday through Thursday, 9 to 11 a.m.; or Monday through Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: 2100 Lerona Avenue, Rowland Heights
Details: Rowland Adult & Community Education is now offering free English as a Second Language and Citizenship courses to adult students this summer due to a grant received from the Majestic Reality Foundation in the City of Industry.
Contact: Call (626) 965-5975, or visit http://race.rowland.k12.ca.us.
WEEKLY EVENTS:
Bookstore Blowout
Where: Twice Sold Tale Bookstore located at the Walnut Library, La Puente Road, Walnut CA 91789
When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Details: All books and media: Any four items for $1 ($1 minimum purchase).
Contact: (909) 595-0757 or email the.walnut.library@mac.com.
Resources for the Classroom Days at Basically BOOKS
When: Second Tuesday of every month.
Where: Basically BOOKS locations: at 23447 Golden Springs Road, Diamond Bar and at the Diamond Bar Library: 21800 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar.
Details: Books and education videos will be offered at special discounts for teachers at all levels. Teachers can sign up at either Basically BOOKS locations or email BasicallyBOOKS@aol.com to join these special teacher appreciation afternoons.
Free Acupuncture for Veterans, Active Military, First Responders
When: Every Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Where: 12598 Central Avenue, Unit 113, Chino, CA 91710.
Cost: Free
Contact: (909) 590-4183 or http://www.healingcirclecommunityacupuncture.com
Jack Newe’s Farmers Market sponsored by SGV Regional Chamber of Commerce
When: Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Mt. San Antonio College Campus, Parking Lot B, 1100 N. Grand Avenue, Walnut CA 91789
Cost: Free Admission/Parking
Features: Seasonal organic produce, breads and cakes, olive oils, cheese and spreads, a variety of nursery plants, hand-crafted items and jewelry, fresh-popped Kettle Corn and grilled food plates.
Contact: (909) 869-0701
San Bernardino: Woman Arrested For Unlawful Sex With Minor
STAFF REPORTS
Amy Corinne Bramlett (Photo Courtesy: SBSD)
San Bernardino – The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBSD) has issued a news release that on Sept. 11, detectives assigned to the Specialized Investigation/Crimes Against Children Detail were contacted by the Highland Police Department regarding the investigation of an inappropriate relationship between a 17-year old male victim and a Program Manager at the Indian Springs High School in the City of San Bernardino. Detectives conducted an investigation and identified the suspect as Amy Corinne Bramlett, a resident of Highland.
Detectives learned the crimes were committed between the dates of January 2014 and June 2014, while Victim #1 was 17 years of age. These crimes took place in the 7200 block of Sunrise Court in Highland. Victim #1 was a former student of Bramlett.
On Sept. 12, further investigation led detectives to discover a second victim. Victim #2 was 16 years of age when Bramlett victimized him, also in the City of Highland.
On Sept. 14, Bramlett was arrested at a residence in the 3400 block of Parkside Drive in San Bernardino. She was booked into the Central Detention Center and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. Bramlett was scheduled to appear in court on Tues., Sept. 16.
Detectives have released Bramlett’s booking photo as they believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to please contact Detective Lisa Guerra at the SBSD Specialized Investigations Division/ Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 387-3615. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Diamond Bar: City Council Recap Sept 16 Meeting
BY ARIEL CARMONA, JR.
Diamond Bar – Local homeowners are angry over the Millennium Development. At their Sept. 16 meeting, the
Diamond Bar City Hall
(Photo Courtesy: Google Images)
Diamond Bar City Council heard from members of an exclusive gated community consisting of 751 home sites and more than 800 homeowners. They are concerned with an ongoing development project which dates back to 2005, which residents say was not properly advertised by City officials and could result in environmental hazards, as well as disturbances to homeowners adjacent to the construction.
At an informational meeting held on Sept. 9, City officials presented information to residents on the Millennium Tentative Tract 53430 project, a residential development of 48 single family custom lots inside the gates of the Country Estates on 80 acres at the terminus of Alamo Heights Drive and along Horizon Lane.
Although the City granted approvals for a conditional use permit, tree permits and an Environmental Impact Report to the developers, Millennium Road Partners, a geotechnical report, as well as on and offsite stability assessments of the site are currently under review, according to documentation made public by City officials.
Members of the Homeowners’ Association spoke during the public portion of the council meeting voicing concerns over the project. Citing the possible wear and tear of streets, noise and pollution, and the danger of heavy vehicles losing control on hillside streets, City officials were accused of arbitrarily granting the tentative tract map without considering the proper impact, and of not properly notifying all the association members.
“Eight plus years later, and many [homeowners] are just finding out they have been hoodwinked by the City that refers them back to a Board of Director which knows little or nothing about this development,” said association member Cassandra McGuiness.
“It is time to readdress this tentative tract map. Eight plus years have seen much change in protecting habitat for humans and plant life. The cost to the homeowners will be staggering and we are not prepared to support staggering costs,” said McGuiness.
Mayor Pro Tem, Steve Tye, overseeing the meeting for the absent Mayor, Carol Herrera, said, “I think it’s important for people to understand that this City Council (or any previous City Councils) didn’t hoodwink anybody.”
Other members said many questions had yet to be addressed, including a switch from a 26-foot wall along Alamo Heights Drive to two 15-foot walls, and how the development would geographically affect the location of the wall as well as the debris basin.
City Manager, James DeStefano, said the City held a meeting on Sept. 9 to inform residents about the details of the project and received feedback from them. “This project was processed over many years; it was noticed to 180 property owners in late 2005 into early 2006. The project was advertised and discussed in multiple public meetings at the time,” he said.
Association members speculate the development is being revisited as a result of a healthier real estate market, as well as the resolution of other complications facing the developers.
DeStefano added, residents and homeowners were notified of the project and were engaged in the planning, and members of the Association’s board knew about the project as far back as ten years ago when signs were posted on the property and advertisements were carried out as required.
“Back in 2005-06, the Planning Commission advised the City Council that the wall heights should not exceed 15 feet,” DeStefano said in reference to the retaining wall.
City officials indicated there was a substantial turnout for the informational meeting held Sept. 9, with more than 250 people in attendance. The purpose was to provide residents information to help them understand the project. DeStefano said the City is moving through all the questions they received in writing and will respond to them accordingly.
“The more we learn about this, the more we realize it’s a disaster,” said Association member, Michelle Yi. “The City of Diamond Bar owes us, every one of us should have been notified,” she said, adding that the area was a region that didn’t lend itself to development because of the disruptions to wildlife and other regional impacts.
In other matters, the Council was informed by Public Works Director, David Liu, that the City was notified that a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant (TIGER) was awarded to Diamond Bar by the federal government in the amount of $10 million for the 57/60 freeway confluence construction project.
According to staff, the program was created by the 2009 Economic Stimulus Bill, which allows states and cities to apply for funding for transportation projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area or a region.
Liu said the application process was an incredibly competitive process. This is the sixth year of the grant program, and the City’s second try in pursuing this grant. $600 million in grant dollars were appropriated in the current grant cycle. 72 projects were selected from the U.S. Department of Transportation, with grants awarded from applications in 49 states. Liu added that the award validates the project as a national priority.
The grant will be matched with $4.5 million in Los Angeles County MTA funds, $10.6 million in City of Industry funds, and $9.4 million in federal funds – for a total of $34.5 million – to be used for the ongoing project. The funds will be used to implement the first three phases of the project to accelerate the congestion relief, starting in early 2016.
“The folks that travel that every day probably would attest to the fact that it is the seventh most congested interchange in the United States,” said Mayor Pro Tem Tye. “It will get worse before it gets better, but now we know that the funding is there and it’s on the horizon to get better.”
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Diamond Bar City Council is on October 7 at 6:30 p.m., at the AQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.
Eastvale: Another Boy Scout Seeks Merit Badge
BY K.P. SANDER
Eastvale – It seems at least a couple of scouts in Eastvale’s scout troop 433 had the same idea. Not one to stand in the way of a young lad getting a Communications Merit Badge, I happily offer you the second in the “Boy Scout Seeks Merit Badge” series. Good luck, Dylan. I’m feeling pretty confident about my next Batman Video Game purchase.
Hello Editor:
My name is Dylan Pavone. I am 13 years old, a Boy Scout from troop 433 and this article is for the communication merit badge. I would like to thank you for reading this and if you would put this in as a newspaper article I would really appreciate it, thank you. My article is on the top 10 Batman games we have today. Batman games are better than any other because they are unique in all of their own ways from gadgets to story lines, and how there all different. Thank you for reading this letter.
-Thank you, Dylan Pavone
Top 10 Batman Video Games
Let’s start with a countdown. Number 10, Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes, what makes this Batman game good is that it does not just have Batman and Robin, but as well as the whole Justice League with him, along there are lots of recognizable places that you would see in Gotham.
To number 9, Batman Return of the Joker. What makes this video game good is that Batman has long ranged weapons although he does have a lot of guns, which is something he is not that big of a fan.
Alright Number 8, Revenge of Shinobi. This game may not feature Batman as the main character, but he does show up in it. So there you are on a train to go defeat Peter Parker himself until he turns to Batman which is pretty scary because NO ONE beats the great Bat, but after a short time he turns into Satan which is not that bad compared to Batman, but for his appearance in the game made it good.
Now to number 7, Gotham City Imposters. This game is completely different from what we know as Batman, because he works alone, but the entire thought of a multiplayer Batman game blew everyone away. Not just that, but it’s a 1st player shooting game along with grappling hooks and other gadgets, but you fight all over Gotham.
Number 6, The Adventure of Batman and Robin (SNES). This game is all about moving platforms, and what makes this one great is that you get to chose what type of gadgets you can bring to battle. Not only these, but you get to fight Gotham’s worst villains.
Half way there, now to number 5, Batman Returns (NES). What makes this game number 5 is that it took the side view to well beat them up like the Teenage Super Mutant Ninja Turtles along with flying kicks, super moves, and dash attacks.
Number 4, The Adventures of Batman and Robin (GENENSIS). Gadgets and move along with platforms, and you might need a game genie because this game is not that easy to beat, and the only things you need are batarangs and fists.
To number 3, Batman Returns (SNES). They made this Batman look like a beast, and not just that, but as well he is a tank and has Brutal strength. The best part about this entire game is that you get to throw bad guys into the wall like nothing.
Number 2, Batman (NES). What makes this Batman game close to 1 is the amazing wall jumping that you can do. With his rocket pistol, and his mighty batarangs this game is one of the best.
The one you’ve been waiting for, Number 1, Batman Arkham Asylum/Arkham City. These games are the greatest games of Batman history because all the many places you can go to, as well with fantastic game play, gadgets, stealth, and pure strength makes this game number 1.
-Dylan Pavone.
Pomona: Jay Walkers Beware
STAFF REPORTS
Pomona – Traffic Safety has been a topic in the news quite a bit lately. With the seemingly increased number of pedestrian and bicyclist accidents and deaths, cities are cracking down on the rules of the road that apply to everyone.
As the Pomona Police Department says, Be Safe, Be Seen, and Be Smart, schooling us with the encouragement of the “3 Es of Traffic Safety: Education, Engineering and Enforcement.” Pomona has been working tirelessly on their campaign to reduce collisions and keep pedestrians and bicyclists safer. They have deployed electronic message boards reminding drivers to be attentive with over 250 hours of messaging. The next phase is to enforce the teachings.
You may be aware of the recent “Three Feet For Safety” law that went into effect on Sept. 16, mandating motorists to allow at least three feet between their vehicle and bicyclists moving in the same direction, or slow down and wait until it is safe to pass. Keeping that safer distance in check will help to reduce the number of collisions.
We’ve all heard that pedestrians have the right of way, but there are rules for them, too. According to the Pomona Police Department, there were 79 pedestrian related vehicle collisions in 2013. These collisions resulted in 69 injuries and 3 fatalities. The causes of these collisions can be attributed to drivers not yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks as well as pedestrians who unsafely walk onto the roadway, not conscious of their surroundings.
But we’ve all come upon the pedestrian that takes their right-of-way status a little too seriously. They cross in the middle of the street, and seem to slow down upon your approach. Sometimes they even look you in the eye, daring you to move.
Pomona Police investigators have concluded that some of our pedestrian related collisions were the cause of pedestrians disobeying a lighted traffic signal, suddenly running or crossing into the path of a vehicle, misjudging the speed and distance of a vehicle and alcohol consumption by the pedestrian as a contributing factor. UC Berkeley researchers have found that 30% of all pedestrian fatalities are related to improper street crossing.
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) prohibits pedestrian crossings at very specific locations, which leads us to the concept of “jaywalking,” or crossing between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic signals. Pedestrians do have a requirement not to cross a roadway that puts them in an immediate and dangerous conflict with a vehicle, and must use due care for their safety.
The Pomona Police Department says that now, pedestrians who suddenly walk or run onto the roadway, which can make them a hazard to vehicles, can be cited per the CVC. Pedestrians are also obligated, when they are not in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, to yield the right-of-way to all vehicles so as to not become an immediate hazard.
Remember: Be Safe, Be Seen, and Be Smart. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists all must take steps to ensure safety by following traffic signs, signals and rules.
If you would like more information about traffic safety, contact the Pomona Police Traffic Services Bureau at (909) 620-2081.
Orange County: Silverado Wildfire Contained
STAFF REPORTS
A DC-10 drops retardant on the Silverado Fire in Orange County. (Photo Courtesy: WildfireToday.org)
Silverado – With extreme drought conditions and triple-digit temperatures egging on the wildfire in the Silverado Canyon area of the Cleveland National Forest, fire personnel fought to gain control of the blaze that blackened nearly 1,000 acres in Orange County last weekend.
The fire broke out on Fri., Sept. 12, allegedly due to a gardening accident. A local resident in the 30500 block of Silverado Canyon Road reportedly attempted to ban pests and small animals from his vegetables by making a barricade with sheet metal. The intense sun reflecting off the metal ignited the structure’s wood supports, and the fire quickly spread. The extreme conditions have made the hillsides like a tinderbox, and all the dry vegetation perpetuated the fire.
800-plus firefighters, and other personnel, have been working round the clock to take control of the fire. Initially, more than 215 homes near the critical area were evacuated for safety, but reports say residents were able to return to their homes on Sunday night when the U.S. Forest Service reported 50 percent containment.
Air support helped with control as helicopters and planes dropped suppressants on the flames, and the lines of containment helped firefighters block the fire and get a handle on the situation.
Several firefighters were injured over that weekend, mostly due to heat-related situations. At press time no structures were lost to this fire.
Eastvale: A Letter From The Editor-in-Chief
I recently received a letter from a local citizen in response to our “A Hero Falls In Eastvale” article (Eastvale Community News, Vol. 6, Is.6, Sept. 2014). He has challenged me on the article’s definition of heroism, and I present his letter for you now, exactly as received; and although he signed the letter, I’ll keep his identity confidential:
Although it is sad that an officer has passed it must be said that being a servent Of the people doesn’t even come close to being a Hero. This word is used to much out of Context especially from the Editor in Chief? Hero is for is for people like Bob Howard retired full Colonel [Ifc] Fred Zabitosky S. Sgt Franklin Miller and the like. This is land of the free and home of the Brave. Hero is reserved to a much higher calling. Look these names up so you will have an understanding of what Heroes are. Being a Public Servent doesn’t come close to be even considered. What you have written in your paper is an injustice to the Hero’s above. If your going to wright it then get it write.
To this citizen I say, thank you for your letter, but I feel I have a pretty good understanding of what a hero is. It is interesting how we interpret different things in our lives, and this writer is obviously very passionate about his stance.
So, I did what he suggested and I looked up his names. One in particular, Fred Zabitosky, is quite literally a hero. On his third tour of Viet Nam, Zabitosky – on fire, with a broken back and ribs – rescued his pilot and co-pilot from the burning wreckage of his downed helicopter, and dragged them to a rescue helicopter (among other things). He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1969, and quite rightly so. His is a great story.
However, I don’t see how Zabitosky’s story differs much from the 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement personnel, and many others – all public servants – who were running into the burning wreckage of 9/11 to save lives, while others were running away. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave and in 2001 when that freedom was threatened, they ultimately gave everything. They all lost their lives.
I don’t see how this differs from the public servants who put themselves in harm’s way, every day – to serve and protect – and put out the fires, give CPR, catch the bad guys, solve the crimes, take the bullets, and “pass away while on duty,” all so citizens can feel safer.
For me, anyone who puts someone else’s needs ahead of their own – even at the risk of great peril – is a hero. That’s the “higher calling.”
I leave it to you, dear readers, to determine your own definition of a hero.
Kimberley P. Sander
Editor-in-Chief
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