Eastvale: Happiness Is…

BY PASTOR DENNIS MORALES

Pastor Dennis Morales Calvary Chapel CrossBridge

Pastor Dennis Morales

You fill in the blank. Happiness is what so many are trying to determine in life.  Some may ponder “what is happiness?”

Believe it or not, but my two boys love when I do yard work or clean out the garage.  Why? You say.  They love it because they have an opportunity to help me and it gives them a chance to hold a broom.  Yes, hold a broom.  I have a photo of my son Noah holding a push broom the day of his first birthday with such intrigue and joy.  It actually brought him joy and fulfillment to help his dad.  This was another glimpse of the Lord teaching me through my son.

In the Upper Room, Jesus took a towel and wrapped it around His waist.  He then took a basin and began to do the work of a servant as he washed the disciple’s feet (John 13).  Jesus then said “if you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17).  The word “blessed” here is translated “happy.”  Jesus shares with us the source of real happiness in this scene.  Jesus essentially shows us that happiness cannot be defined by prestige or power, only in terms of knowing and doing God’s will for our lives.  To my son, pushing a broom may not be the most exhilarating experience in itself, but when it’s connected to blessing his dad, it makes him happy.

Life without God is empty, shallow, and lacks purpose. When you allow Christ in your life, He makes it worth living.  Serving the Lord and others in His name adds a dimension of happiness.  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD” (Jer 17:7).

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays 11:30 am at Clara Barton Elementary 7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale. www.CalvaryEastvale.org.

Rowland Heights: RUSD Seeks New Superintendent

STAFF REPORTS

Rowland Heights — At this week’s regular Rowland Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education meeting, the Board and Superintendent shared that Ruben Frutos, District Superintendent, has expressed a preference and recommended that the Board commence a search for a new Superintendent. The Board directed staff to gather information and proposals from qualified search firms. A report back to the Board is expected at the March 25 Study Session.

Frutos continues to serve as the District Superintendent. His current contract remains in effect through June 30, 2014.

It was also reported at the meeting that the Superintendent proposed a return to the Deputy Superintendent of Administrative Services position starting in July.  The Board of Education is expected to consider and take action on these matters at the next regular Board Meeting, scheduled on April 16.

RUSD serves the communities of Rowland Heights, Walnut, La Puente, City of Industry, and West Covina.  For more information, visit www.RowlandSchools.org.

Eastvale: Crime Recap

STAFF REPORTS

 Eastvale -– The following crime incidents have been reported by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the City of Eastvale, and eyewitnesses throughout the community. Here is a recap of the local crime for last month.

Crime ImageOn Tuesday, Feb. 25, a search warrant was obtained at the 6400 block of Gold Dust St., Eastvale, where Eastvale Police seized 921 marijuana plants, one pound of processed marijuana and packaging material. Yongchao Huang, 32, of San Gabriel, was arrested for cultivation of marijuana and grand theft of utilities. He is accused of bypassing the home’s electricity meter, stealing about $7,600 worth of energy per month and causing a serious fire hazard.  Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Officer Javier Morando at the Jurupa Valley Station at (951) 955-2600.

On Feb. 19, at around 7:45 a.m., a 17-year-old female was struck by an oncoming vehicle while riding her bike eastbound on the north side of Citrus St.  Fortunately, the victim was able to walk away with only a scraped knee. The vehicle that struck the victim and fled the scene was reported to be a silver Volkswagen, according to eyewitnesses. When the suspect fled the scene, a witness followed the suspect’s vehicle and contacted the Eastvale Police Department. However, deputies were unable to identify the vehicle when they arrived. They are asking the community to contact the Eastvale Police at (951) 776-1099 if they see a silver Volkswagen with damage to the front or side.

On Tuesday, Feb. 13, Julie Kalberg, 34, of Eastvale, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, felony abuse and child engagement in Riverside Superior Court. Kalberg was convicted after she babysat 1-year old, Caitlyn Jolley, in her Eastvale home on Elias Street back on April 30, 2010. She was reportedly a friend of the Jolley family and had previously babysat for them. The child was injured and taken to a Corona hospital where she was reportedly found to have major head trauma and signs of shaken-baby syndrome.  The results of the medical examination led to the arrest of Kalberg the following day.  Jolley was transferred to Loma Linda University Medical Center for more advanced care; however, she died four days later as a result of her injuries. On Feb. 13, after the jury deliberated for two days, Kalberg was found guilty of causing the fatal injuries.  Kalberg has been held at the Robert Presley Detention Center for the last four years.  At her hearing on Feb. 28, she was sentenced to time served and the court did not impose any additional jail time.

On Monday, Feb. 10, at 6:25 p.m., the Eastvale Fire Department responded to a home fire in the 12000 block of Craigburn Circle in Eastvale. The fire was extinguished and the Eastvale Fire Department discovered that the residence contained an indoor marijuana grow operation.  A search warrant was obtained and served by officers assigned to Eastvale’s Special Enforcement Team.  Officers were able to seize 1,103 marijuana plants and 35 lbs of processed marijuana. Electricity was also being bypassed around the meter, which may have been the cause of the fire.  Anyone with information about this incident is requested to contact Officer Javier Morando at the Jurupa Valley Station at (951) 955-2600.

Over the last several months, there have been several incidents of graffiti at Orchard Park located at 5900 Festival Way in Eastvale, and the surrounding neighborhood near the park, according to the City of Eastvale.  Sheriff’s reports state that spray paint and markers were used to deface property at Orchard Park, including the toys at the playground.  Deputy Avila, who is assigned to patrol the parks in the City of Eastvale, began an investigation regarding the graffiti. On Feb. 6, at 4:55 p.m., after several leads, Deputy Avila received information that a juvenile was seen at the Eastvale Community Center with graffiti on his backpack. The juvenile, who is a 14-year old resident of Eastvale, was contacted while riding his bike. The graffiti on the juvenile’s backpack matched the graffiti at Orchard Park; therefore, the juvenile was detained.  Several pieces of evidence connecting him to the graffiti were located at his residence. A second juvenile was identified during the investigation, a 17-year old resident of Eastvale.  After searching the juvenile’s residence, additional evidence was located linking the juvenile to the graffiti at Orchard Park and surrounding areas. Both juveniles were arrested for felony vandalism and released into the custody of their parents. The total amount of damage caused by the suspects was $9,192.24. The Jurupa Community Services District will be seeking reimbursement to repair the damage from the juvenile’s parents.  This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about this incident is requested to contact Deputy Avila at the Jurupa Valley Station at (951) 955-2600.

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 4:58 p.m., Eastvale officers responded to the 6000 block of Wells Springs Street, in Eastvale, where a burglary had occurred and numerous items were taken from inside.  Sheriff’s Deputies obtained information stating a gray Pontiac Grand-Am was used during the commission of the crime. Officers spotted the vehicle driving in the area and a traffic enforcement stop was conducted.  The driver of the vehicle was identified as Victor Saizholguin, a 19-year old Hispanic male from Eastvale. Property belonging to the residence on Wells Springs Street was located inside the Pontiac, as well as additional items of stolen property from at least one other residential burglary.  Saizholguin was arrested for residential burglary, possession of stolen property, and possession of burglary tools.  He was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center and is being held on $35,000 bail.  Additional suspects are sought and anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Deputy Michelle Shamhart at the Eastvale Police Department at (951) 955-2600.

Between November 2013 and January 2014, there have been several incidents involving the theft of amplifiers from cable company boxes within Eastvale and the surrounding areas. These cable boxes are located in most neighborhoods, and the thefts are typically occurring between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.  It is believed the suspects responsible for these thefts may have a professional appearance and may be driving utility trucks.  If you observe individuals working on, or removing parts from these cable boxes, or have information which may assist with the investigation, you are asked to contact your local Law Enforcement agency immediately.  Crime reporting tips should include a description or photo of the suspect vehicle and license plate, description or photo of the suspect(s), direction of travel of the suspect(s) after theft, and determining if the suspect(s) is known to the area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact one of the following numbers:  For an in-progress crime, call 911; for a crime in Eastvale, call (951) 955-9240; Jurupa Valley, call (951) 955-2661; and for a crime in Norco, call (951) 270-5673.

Walnut: WVUSD Schools Shine at 2014 Science Olympiad

BY KELLI GILE

Walnut — Five schools and over 100 students from the Walnut Valley Unified School District distinguished themselves during the 28th Los Angeles County Science Olympiad Competition held Feb. 22 at Occidental College.

 

2014 Science Olympiad

Quail Summit Elementary School 2014 Science Olympiad Team (Photo Courtesy Kelli Gile)

2014 Science Olympiad

South Pointe Middle School 2014 Science Olympiad Team (Photo Courtesy Kelli Gile)

2014 Science Olympiad

Chaparral Middle School 2014 Science Olympiad Team (Photo Courtesy Kelli Gile)

2014 Science Olympiad

The Walnut High 2014 Science Olympiad Team (Photo Courtesy Kelli Gile)

2014 Science Olympiad

Suzanne Middle School 2014 Science Olympiad team (Photo Courtesy Kelli Gile)

The competition was fierce with over 135 elementary and secondary schools ready to show their scientific prowess.  A total of 140 schools were represented in the competition, which is the largest region in the nation. Several thousand students, teachers, and parents attended the all-day event.

For the first time, two Walnut Valley elementary schools sent teams to the competition. Teams from Quail Summit and Westhoff competed and took home silver medals. Most of these young scientists competed in 4 to 6 thirty minutes events. There is no state contest for the Elementary Division A tournament.

In Division B, Walnut Valley middle schools took three of the top six-team trophies.  Of the 39 middle school teams, South Pointe earned 3rd place, Suzanne earned 4th Place, and Chaparral earned 6th Place.  Because of their outstanding performances, all five WVUSD middle school and high school teams have been invited to the State Championships on April 5.

These students worked in teams of two to prepare for 23 events in the categories of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science Physics, Technology, Engineering, and Inquiry.  Most students competed in three or four team events.  Some teams were focused on topics of anatomy, heredity, entomology, rocks/minerals, forensics, water quality, experimental design, solar system, and meteorology.  Other teams pursued engineering and created helicopters, a wheeled vehicle, rotor egg drop machine, a cantilever, and musical instruments.

“The Science Olympiad experience is a culmination of dedication, commitment, sacrifice and passion on the parts of the students, parents and coaches.  The Science Olympiad requires not only head work, but heart work,” said Susan Warren, Suzanne Middle School coach and science teacher.

“Just as in the recent Winter Olympics, every minute spent in actual competition represents hours spent in preparation and hard work.  I am so proud of this group of talented young scientists, who were willing to take risks and pursue advanced studies.  I am thankful for everyone who helped make this experience possible for them,” she said.

Both Walnut High School and Diamond Bar high school earned trophies in the coveted top team placements for Division C.  Of the 39 high school teams, Walnut High earned 2nd Place and Diamond Bar High earned 4th Place.

Walnut High School received two 1st Place medals, three 2nd Place medals, five 3rd Place medals, two 4th Place medals, one 5th Place medal, and one 6th Place medal. There were 23 events and the Mustang team placed in the top six in 14 of these events.

“We may have had the largest representation there, medaling and receiving the top six place finishes, of any district,” said Tony Goossens, who coaches the Mustang team.  Goossens describes the events as extremely difficult and beyond what is taught in the classroom.

“Each student has spent countless hours studying for exams in such topics as anatomy and physiology, astronomy, chemistry, diseases, entomology, forensics, genetics, geology, material science, planetary science, problem solving, circuitry, water quality, as well as building gliders, magnetic levitation, boomilever (structure stress designs), scrambler cars, and compound machines,” he said.

Special thanks to parents Anne and David Sonner who have spent countless hours to make the Walnut High School Team such a success.

Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous, academic, interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of individual and team events in which students prepare for during the year. There are approximately 23 challenging and motivational events that are drawn from the various disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology.  There is a balance between events requiring knowledge of science facts, concepts processes, skills and science applications.

Anaheim Hills: Pharmaceutical Company Receives Bad Report

BY EMILY LUNDBERG

Anaheim Hills — Anaheim Hills-based pharmaceutical company, Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., appears to be making a recovery after a damaging report from the stock commentary website, Citron Research, was published last week.

Health IconThe 24 page report, released on Feb. 27, alleged that Questcor’s flagship drug, Acthar, contains little to none of the main active ingredient, Corticotropin. Citron Research accused the company of mislabeling their product and raising a health risk from the lack of potency and other unknown factors associated with the drug, which is prescribed to patients with difficult to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Prior to the release of this report, Citron turned over their research findings to the FDA, urging them to investigate.

Shortly after the release of the report, Questcor’s chief operating officer, Steve Cartt, responded by telling Bloomberg’s First Word that Acthar is still not fully understood and that the drug still meets all FDA mandated specifications. The FDA is currently reviewing lab results to see if that is the case.

In a follow up to Cartt’s response, Citron published a statement saying they are “astonished” by what Cartt said and questioned both the legality and ethicality of Questcor’s lack of concrete knowledge about the drug they are currently selling for $28,000 a vial. To conclude the statement, they warned “cautious investing to all.”

Since the release of the report, Questcor’s stock (NASDAQ: QCOR) dropped 18.4% between Feb. 26 and Feb. 28, according to Yahoo Finance. In spite of this, some companies, including Mizuho Financials, have made statements in support of Questcor. The stock has since regained some of its momentum and has risen 6.83% since its fall on Feb. 28, although future trends remain uncertain while the company undergoes investigation from the FDA.

San Bernardino: New Mayor Sworn In

BY TIANA GOEGEBUER

San Bernardino’s new mayor, Carey Davis, was sworn into office on March 3.  The inauguration ceremony was held inside the City’s council chambers, with a large crowd to bear witness.

San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis

San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis (Courtesy City of San Bernardino)

Davis, 61, was born and raised in San Bernardino.  He has been married for 40 years, and is a local church leader.  He is a Certified Public Accountant and has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.  Davis is a longtime corporate controller at Hehr International, but is s

till fairly new to the political world.  His review of San Bernardino’s financial statements before San Bernardino was forced to file for bankruptcy is what sparked his personal interest in the City’s politics.

Carey Davis’s goal as mayor is to restore San Bernardino to a “prosperous and industrious community.”  His plan to achieve said goal consists of three main steps.  The first step will be to fix the City’s budget and finances.  Next, he plans to work with the local businesses and the Board of Education to discuss the best way to educate and train a skilled workforce.  Finally, he plans to keep the citizens up to date, informed, and involved in the City’s projects, as well as the progress being made.  Davis’ vision for San Bernardino includes a place where the council and the people work together for the betterment of the community, and join forces to help the City regain the financial stability it once knew.

Business Feature – Corona Regional Medical Center

2014-02-corona-regional-800The Corona Regional Medical Center is set apart from other hospitals. Committed to quality and the community, this hospital is comprised of a 160-bed acute care hospital and a 78-bed rehabilitation campus. Not only does this facility have more than 1,000 trained healthcare workers at hand but also approximately 300 physicians representing over 40 specialties. The Corona Regional Medical Center is also one of only 37 hospitals in the nation to receive both the HealthGrades Maternity Care Excellence Award and the Health Grades Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award two years in a row. With costumer service being a top priority, Corona Regional makes sure that while seeking to be the leading community healthcare provider available customers are treated with the utmost courtesy, recognition and respect they need and deserve while visiting. Located at 800 S. Main St. Corona, CA 92882, Corona Regional Medical Center is open 24/7 and can be reached at (951)737-4343. Additional information can be found at http://www.coronaregional.com.

Eastvale: Police Conduct Daytime Curfew Checks

BY STAFF REPORTS

eastvale police curfew

(Image courtesy : City of Eastvale)

In an effort to decrease juvenile truancy rates, the Eastvale Police Dept. in collaboration with the Corona Norco School District conducted a city wide daytime curfew enforcement operation. The “sweep” took place on Friday, March 07, 2014,between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. According to a press release, the deputies patrolled the city of Eastvale in search of students who failed to report to school or left the campus without having permission to do so. While patrolling the city, deputies also checked several areas where juveniles are known for congregating, including parks, shopping centers, washes, and convenience stores. During the enforcement, several individuals were contacted, two of whom were found to be truant and were issued a citation for violating Riverside County Ordinance 9.12.030(a).

The few juveniles found to be in violation of the daytime curfew ordinance is a good indication of the positive effects the Corona-Norco Unified School District in Eastvale is having on their students by stressing the importance of regular school attendance.

The goal of this daytime curfew enforcement was to take a proactive approach to daytime curfew violators. Deputies also counseled juveniles and explained the importance of attending school on a regular basis and how failing to do so could significantly impact their future. This enforcement operation met expectations and future operations of this type are planned.

Eastvale: March Madness

Pastor Mark Lee Vantage Point Church

Pastor Mark Lee of Vantage Point Church in Easvale

BY PASTOR MARK LEE

For sports fans, March is a month known for madness. During the exciting final weeks of the college basketball season, teams across the country battle for the national championship. This rapid succession of single elimination games is commonly referred to as “March Madness.” However, anyone who has ever driven a Southern California freeway can tell you that madness is not exclusively reserved for the month of March.

According to the 2008 Mental Health Organization report entitled “Boiling Point,” 32 percent of people say they have a close friend of family member who has trouble controlling their anger. At the same time, more than one out of every four people admits to occasionally worrying about their own anger.

The unfortunate truth is that we live in the age of rage. This becomes exceedingly evident during a trip to any sporting event, shopping mall, or elementary school parking lot. People are angry. But, this doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. Anger, if channeled properly, can be a source of motivation.

Anger can encourage you to work harder, persevere longer, and move faster. It can also result in significant change. After all, it was anger that led to the American Revolution and the Civil Rights Movement. It is anger that drives us to find cures, enact social reform, and make a difference in the world.

Ephesians 4:26-27 says “In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” The Bible does not condemn anger. Instead, it advises us to control our behavior when we are angry. It is okay to get mad, but it is not okay to act bad.

VantagePoint Church meets at Roosevelt High School on Sundays at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.

San Gabriel Valley: Your Presence Is Valued In Our World

BY NANCY STOOPS

I bet you don’t think you matter or make a difference. I’m here to say you’re wrong. Every interaction we have with each other matters. Every time we smile or share a greeting we make a difference. Those very interactions can literally change the way another feels about their day. We still have the power to make the world a better place and to make somebody feel good. I’m always given hope during those brief but powerful interactions with others. An exchange of a smile can literally fill me with warmth and a wonderful glow inside. Just for that brief second there was a very nice exchange of good energy between two humans.

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

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

Take a minute or two out of your day to say hello, smile, hold a door open, help somebody cross a street or perform any act of human kindness. These acts really go a long way and can help you understand that you matter. I value these acts and the people that have the social graces to perform them. Please understand how much power you have each day to help make this world a better place. I hear heartwarming stories about people doing good deeds and I think about how much I value these people and their presence in our world.

Every time somebody thanks me for my work, their kind words seem to wrap around me and hug me and fill me up with such appreciation for my life and my work. I so value the presence of the people in my practice and in my groups. My group members are so supportive of each other and make a huge difference for each other. I walk through my neighborhood and Midnight and I have many very brief but meaningful interactions and I am reminded of how valuable humans can be if they want to.

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 conducts 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 also e-mail Nancy at stoopsshecter@earthlink.net.

Where Are You?

BY MICHAEL ARMIJO

It felt like a chill. Like a tingling inside my skull. As though I had missed something extremely important. Or something devastating. It was the shrill in her voice that really impacted me.

“Where are you? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for over an hour!”

I was a bit confused, a bit nervous about what I was about to hear, but I had to ask the question:
“Why? What happened? What’s so important?”

I was pretty shocked to hear the outcome of the question why I was being sought out so drastically.
“I couldn’t get a hold of you.”

That was it. I felt the shrill, the panic, the worry for ‘I couldn’t get a hold of you.’
I was left trying to figure out when did it happen? When did we get to a point in our lives that our whereabouts are necessary at all times? Or the flip side, when did those who are close to us become so dependent that they need to know where we are, constantly?

There was a time, not too far in the past, when we had privacy. We had time alone. Time for ourselves. Technology, in this day and age, seems to have given away that right. Those moments of reflection, moments of inner thought. Those moments of peace, or serenity, gone. We seem to continue to be clouded, distracted, or have the need to be entertained, constantly.
There are times we must shut the computer, the iPad, the phone, the internet, and the TV off. To take a walk, to sit outside. To talk, read, share, to listen. To learn how to communicate without a keyboard or a text message.

As I watched a TV series based in the 60’s I couldn’t help but notice the calm in people. The “I wonder when she’ll get home” attitude. When you were gone, you were, well, gone. And you’d just have to wait until we see one another again.

But our demise for instance isn’t just technology’s fault, we too are to blame. We are constantly allowing others to rely on us to a point of severe dependency. Our thirst for technology and our constant obsession only shows our loved ones that it’s important to obsessively see all, and to know all, every minute of the day. Our behavior has taught them to react in a shrilling tone, in a panicked voice. Until we are pinpointed, marked, labeled, or GPS’d until the question is answered: “Where are you?”

Eastvale: Police Conduct Sex Offender Compliance Check

BY STAFF REPORTS

Image courtesy : City of Eastvale

Image courtesy : City of Eastvale

Press Release Courtesy of Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept.

On Thursday, March 06, 2014, from the hours of 5:00 pm – 10:00pm, investigators from the Eastvale Police Department conducted compliance checks of thirty-two registered sex offenders.

Section 290 of the California Penal Code requires persons convicted of specific sex related crimes, to register with local law enforcement in the city or unincorporated area of their specific residence. During today’s operation, the offenders were contacted and found to be in compliance with the terms of their registration.

The Investigators assigned to the Eastvale Police Department are responsible for conducting random visits of all registered sex offenders living within the city to ensure the safety of the community. The Eastvale Investigators will take all enforcement measures against any subject found to be willfully out of compliance with the terms of their mandatory registration.

San Gabriel Valley: Straight Talk With Danice 03.07.14

Dr. Danice Akiyoshi, Naturopathic Doctor, Coaching, Counseling

Dr. Danice Akiyoshi

Dear Dr. Akiyoshi:

I am an esthetician. Every year I give my three best girlfriends a facial for their birthday gift. They each book their appointment for the week of their birthday like clockwork. If our schedules permit, I also take them out for lunch or dinner afterward to continue the celebration. For the last three years, one of my friends has ignored my birthday completely. If it was a financial hardship I wouldn’t give it a second thought, but it’s not that for sure. I am not a materialistic person, so it’s not about a physical gift. I would be sincerely happy with a card or a phone call. I am even mad at myself for having these thoughts. This friend means the world to me; I just don’t understand why the birthday wishes don’t go both ways. I have never mentioned this to anyone. I am just wondering what this means, if anything.

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous:

If your friend books an appointment with you for her birthday facial like clockwork, she probably looks very forward to your services. I must say that I am at a loss about why she does not make it a point to remember your birthday. This is a new year, so when your friend calls to book her annual birthday facial, let her know that you’ve decided to discontinue that routine. Wish her a wonderful year and suggest getting together for a visit. I say this, because giving a facial is a lot of work, and in your case, a labor of love. If you are feeling taken for granted in any way, then this is not the appropriate gift to be giving. If your friend is showing you that she is not really into gift ‘giving,’ then she should not really be into gift ‘receiving’. Keeping it simple will help you return to enjoying your friend without this weirdness between you. If she brings it up, you can honestly say that it was obvious to you that she was uncomfortable with gift exchanges.

I wish you a Happy Birthday, in advance.

Danice Akiyoshi, ND

Danice Akiyoshi is a Naturopathic Doctor and the head of Candid Coaching Service. She has a great passion for alternative healing and has over 20 years of experience in this field. She provides a form of energy psychology called The Emotion Code, where she helps people literally get rid of their emotional baggage. She also 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.

Walnut: Ten Walnut Valley Schools Applauded for Student Achievement

Walnut Valley Unified School District logo

(Photo Courtesy: Google Images)

BY KELLI GILE

Walnut–Ten Walnut Valley Schools have recently been named 2013 Honor Roll Schools by the California Business for Education Excellence (CBEE).

Castle Rock, Collegewood, Evergreen, Westhoff, Maple Hill, Quail Summit, and Vejar Elementary Schools; Chaparral and South Pointe Middle Schools; and Walnut High School have been designated as Scholar Schools.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, Feb. 26 after an extensive analysis of student data for every public school in the state.

Once again, Walnut Valley Schools stood well above the rest in getting students to grade-level proficiency and beyond. Every Honor Roll School will even receive a free banner to display on their campus.

Each 2013 WVUSD Honor Roll School has been named to the roster in past years. It is a testament to their ongoing focus on students and their success.

The CBEE Honor Roll is a growing resource for schools to learn about best practices that increase student achievement. Visit http://www.cbee.org for more information.

Business Feature: The Family Limousine Service

El Monte – With ten years of experience in the limousine field, Luis Calderon knows a thing or two about customer service, “customers are our #1 priority and we offer them A+ service with affordable prices”. The Family Limousine transports their customers to airports, hotels, event, casinos, weddings, proms and many other exciting events. They also carry a TCP license, airport permits, First Aid/CPR certificates and are fully insured. All drivers are Dot approved; alcohol and drug cleared and have a combined 40 years of driving experience.

Call or Text Luis to schedule 626-246-2349

Call or Text Luis to schedule 626-246-2349

When Calderon was asked why he loves what he does, he happily replied, “ I love transporting customers to different destinations and feeling their excitement”. Customers love the quality service and clean limousines that the Family Limousine provides. In addition to the quality service, The Family Limousine is affordable and offers great discounts! Customers that use their services Monday through Thursday will receive a 10% discount. Returning customers can receive a 15% discount and if you mention their ad in this paper, you’ll receive a 15% discount.

The Family Limousine Service is located at 4835 Durfee Ave. El Monte CA 91732 Call or text Luis 626-246-2349.

Check out and like The Family Limousine on facebook at Facebook.com/thefamilylimousineservice

Diamond Bar: Grand Avenue Beautification

Diamond Bar – The City of Diamond Bar is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, March 19, to share information about a project that will improve the aesthetic character of Grand Avenue through a variety of streetscape elements concentrated near the intersections of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Longview Drive.

Diamond Bar City Hall

Diamond Bar City Hall
(Photo Courtesy: Google Images)

The Open House will be held at Diamond Bar City Hall, Windmill Community Room, 21810 Copley Drive, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Residents and businesses are encouraged to drop by between these hours to weigh in on the various design concepts proposed for beautifying Grand Avenue. Translation services will be available during the open house in Chinese and Korean.

Along with a sneak peek at the proposed conceptual streetscape renderings, attendees will obtain information about project milestones and potential traffic impacts once construction gets underway later this year.

The greater part of the funding for the Grand Avenue Beautification Project comes from a Federal Grant secured by the City under the SAFETEA-LU transportation bill for the restricted purpose of improving public rights of way along Grand Avenue. The intersections of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Longview Drive were selected for beautification because they serve as primary gateways to the City.

Concurrent with this beautification effort, the City is working on developing Citywide Streetscape Design Guidelines aimed at providing a unified, cohesive look through consistent, visually-appealing streetscape and pedestrian features in the public rights of way.

For more information on the project, streetscape guidelines, or the March 19 Open House event, visit http://www.diamondbarca.gov/grand, or call (909) 839-7040.

Eastvale: Did You Know…

Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch (Photo Courtesy: Bing Images)

STAFF REPORTS

Eastvale – Did you know that the City of Eastvale’s web page hosts a Persons of Interest connection page to help residents stay informed about crime in the City? There are a number of information sources at a glance, including a Crime Tip Hotline; photos of individuals possibly involved in or having knowledge of criminal activity; photos of persons recently taken in custody; and photos of recovered stolen property that has not yet been claimed.

This information is another facet of Neighborhood Watch, whereby staying informed, you become additional eyes and ears to help the Eastvale Police Department in keeping our City safe. In addition, the Police Department page has links to brochures and videos that provide you with tips on Vehicle Burglary Prevention, Vehicle Safety, Personal Safety and Home Safety. The Eastvale Police Department, in contract with Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, is committed to providing the very best in public safety.

Visit http://www.eastvalecity.org and click on City Hall, Police Department, then the Persons of Interest link to see this page.

Ontario: Town Square Public Art Project

STAFF REPORTS

Ontario — The City of Ontario issued a Request for Proposal on Jan. 15, 2014 to solicit mural designs for the new Ontario Town Square. Artists can submit designs in various forms of media, such as drawing, painting, or photography. The artist whose design is selected will be paid a flat fee of $5,000 for their services, and will have their work featured onto the back wall of the band shell that is being constructed for the Ontario Town Square.

In order to have proposals considered, artists must first have attended one of two informational meetings that were held on Feb. 6 and 8 at the Museum of History and Art in Ontario. Prospective artists must also provide a statement describing their approach to their design that is no more than one page in length, a list of references from both past and current clients within the last five years, and five to ten images of the artist’s previous work. Proposals must be submitted online by Mar. 7 at 4:00 p.m., using the online Bid Portal on the City Website.

Submitted proposals will be judged on the quality and creativity of each artist’s previous work, and their recommendations or references. The designs submitted must be able to convey the character and identity of the City of Ontario, and demonstrate an obvious aesthetic quality. Finally, the designs will be judged on the reproducible quality of the artwork at the full scale of 6’ x 24’, as the winning design will have to be enlarged and printed onto 8 inch tiles before being installed in the Town Square. The final proposal will be selected on Mar. 14, 2014.

For more information on the Ontario Town Square’s Public Art Project, contact the Ontario Purchasing Department at (909) 395-2012.

The City of Ontario has another public art project planned for later this year. The theme is said to be related to conservation and recycling, and will involve the creation and installation of a sculpture.

Eastvale: My Disabled Brother: Reflections By A 5th Grade Big Brother

BY JENNIFER AND ANDREW MADRIGALjennifer stock photo

Recently, my middle son was asked to write an essay on a topic of his choice. Andrew, being the caring brother that he is, chose to write an essay on his little brother, Nicholas. While I have always known that the boys have been affected by their brother’s conditions, I never really realized how profoundly they knew what was going on around them. Andrew is in 5th grade and he wrote this essay all by himself. As I typed it up for him, I was shocked at the intensity of his perception. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

“Ding- dong!” The doorbell rang and then my mom, dad and little brother, Nicholas, came into the room. My mom looked like she was going to cry. My dad looked very mad. His face was red with sorrow. My mom said, “We have news.” And I asked, “What’s the news?” My mom explained that my brother was deaf and that he had autism, nystagmus, low tone cerebral palsy and a 3q genetic mutation. My nana who was watching us asked, “You’re kidding right?” My mom replied, “No, we are not kidding.”

I began to wonder what life was going to be like with a brother who had all of these problems. I thought it would be hard watching him. He would get bigger and I worried that people would make fun of him. I knew I wanted to protect him from harm. Then Nicholas started making his clicking sounds. “Click, click, click, click.” I thought that was how Nicholas was going to talk. To show him love, we crowded around him and noticed that all he was doing was smiling. This made me happy to know that after everything, he was still happy. I asked my mom, “Would Nicholas always be this way?” She replied sadly, “Yes.” I kept on asking questions so that I would know more about his case and maybe be able to help him. At this time, he was not able to put his head up by himself because his muscles were so weak. So, we had to hold his neck up.

As I looked down at him, I realized he was the cutest little baby in the world! He had a white face and an ear to ear smile. He looked very tired, but he still kept that smile on his face. He looked up at me and his eyes were fluttering side to side as he tried to focus on me. He smiled and I smiled back at him. I felt like he would be smiling for the rest of his life and never stop. I continued to look at him when my family left and was thinking about how much I loved him. I may not be able to do the same stuff with Nicholas as others do, but I will do what I can to make our lives together the best ever!