Tag Archives: City of Diamond Bar

Fundraising Opportunity for Nonprofits

By City of Diamond Bar

DIAMOND BAR–The City of Diamond Bar’s popular Winter Snow Fest event will again provide local nonprofits a fun way to raise awareness of, and cash for, their causes.

Nonprofits have until Monday, December 12 to apply to work the event as a food vendor, game booth operator or craft area monitor. In exchange for their participation, nonprofits that staff the entertainment areas will receive a portion of proceeds from the wristband and game/craft cards sales; food vendors keep all their profits.

Winter Snow Fest event takes place on Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Pantera Park. For additional details and a copy of the application, visit www.DiamondBarCa.gov/wsf or call 909.839.7067.

Free Sandbags and Holiday Tree Collection

By City of Diamond Bar

Diamond Bar– During the rainy weather season, most County of Los Angeles fire stations double as free self-serve sandbag stations.

Diamond Bar residents whose home are prone to flooding when it rains may stop by local station 119 (20480 Pathfinder Road – 909.598.4290.) or 121 (346 Armitos Road – 909.396.0165) to pick up free sand and sandbags, while supplies last.

There are a maximum of 25 sandbags allowed per household, and residents should bring gloves and shovels to fill their own sandbags. For more information, call the City’s Public Works Department at 909.839.7040.

Holiday Tree Collection- Waste Management and Valley Vista Services will be collecting live trees collection from December 25 until January 6.

Trees must be free of the stand, ornaments, tinsel and lights be stripped of ornaments and stand, and placed at the curb or designated collection point on the regularly scheduled trash collection day.

For more information, contact Waste Management at 800.266.7551 or Valley Vista Services at 800.442.6454.

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 12.24.16

2016-dec-24-weekly-coverThe Weekly News covers community news for Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: 2016-dec-24-weekly

Diamond Bar’s City Council Recap

By Natalie Kim 

Diamond Bar – The December 6 Diamond Bar Council meeting began with the closing with the exciting reorganization of the City Council. Mayor Nancy Lyons formally handed down the gavel to mayor pro tem Jimmy Lin. Council member Ruth Low was then nominated and appointed the mayor pro tem. The Council then gave a presentation honoring outgoing mayor Lyons, thanking her for her hard work and the dedication she has given to the City as mayor. Following a brief reception and the public comments, the Council announced the schedule of future events, which is as follows: the Holiday Diamond Ride will shuttle Diamond Bar residents 18 years or older to or from Diamond Bar Shopping centers for free from November 25 to January 1, 2017; a Traffic and Transportation meeting on December 8 has been cancelled; a Planning Commission meeting on December 13 has been cancelled; and the next City Council meeting on December 20.

The Council then approved all items on the consent calendar, including the minutes from the City Council meeting of November 15; the Parks and Recreation Commission minutes from the meeting of October 27; the Traffic and Transportation Commission minutes from the meetings of July 14 and SEptember 8; the Planning Commission minutes from the meeting of October 11; the ratification of a check register totalling $2,597,356.20; the Treasurer’s Statement for the month of October, 2016; approval of adjourning the December 20 City Council meeting to January 17, 2017; a resolution amending the 2016-17 Fiscal Year Budget in the Public Works Department, eliminating the Park Maintenance Inspector classification, and establishing the facilities and assets maintenance technician and maintenance worker job classifications and salary grades effective December 10; appropriation of $8,507 from the General Fund Reserves and approval of amendment no. 8 to the contract with Brightview Landscape Services Inc. for landscape maintenance services at Diamond Canyon Park for the December 3, 2016 through June 30, 2017 period in an amount of $20,377; and an authorization for an approval of expenditures up to $60,000 payable t Alliant Insurance SErvices for the purchase of tenant user liability insurance and special event insurance for fiscal year 2016-17.

Following individual reports and comments, the Council adjourned to January 17, 2017.

Avoiding Apartment Rental Scams

BY Walnut/DB Sheriff’s Department

Walnut-Diamond Bar-The Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Department has offered the following tips when looking for apartments to avoid rental scams.
Finding an apartment can often be time consuming and emotionally frustrating. Time constraints and financial considerations can often place the apartment seeker in a vulnerable position where they can fall prey to Apartment Rental Scammers.
While Apartment Rental Scams come in a variety of schemes, they basically boil down to two types: Either the scammer has no authority to offer an existing apartment for rent or the scammer is trying to rent a fictitious apartment. In either case, the goal of the scammer is to get the victim to pay money upfront for a list of available apartments in the area or to arrange the rental of a particular apartment.
The following tips from Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information Page: Rental Listing Scams: 
How Rental Scams Work
Scammers know that finding the right apartment or vacation rental can be hard work, and a seemingly good deal is hard to pass up. They’ve been known to game some vacation rental websites and bulletin boards. The take-away: when you’re looking for a rental, its caveat renter renter beware.
Hijacked Ads
Some scammers hijack a real rental or real estate listing by changing the email address or other contact information, and placing the modified ad on another site. The altered ad may even use the name of the person who posted the original ad. In other cases, scammers have hijacked the email accounts of property owners on reputable vacation rental websites.
Phantom Rentals
Other rip-off artists make up listings for places that aren’t for rent or don’t exist, and try to lure you in with the promise of low rent, or great amenities. Their goal is to get your money before you find out.
Signs of a Scam
Being savvy when you’re in search of a rental is well worth the effort. Here are some signs you may be dealing with a scam:
They tell you to wire money
This is the surest sign of a scam. There’s never a good reason to wire money to pay a security deposit, application fee, first month’s rent, or vacation rental fee. That’s true even if they send you a contract first. Wiring money is the same as sending cash once you send it, you have no way to get it back.
They want a security deposit or first month’s rent before you’ve met or signed a lease. It’s never a good idea to send money to someone you’ve never met in person for an apartment you haven’t seen. If you can’t visit an apartment or house yourself, ask someone you trust to go and confirm that it’s for rent, and that it is what was advertised. In addition to setting up a meeting, do a search on the owner and listing. If you find the same ad listed under a different name, that’s a clue it may be a scam.
They say they’re out of the country
But they have a plan to get the keys into your hands. It might involve a lawyer or an “agent” working on their behalf. Some scammers even create fake keys. Don’t send money to them overseas. If you can’t meet in person, see the apartment, or sign a lease before you pay, keep looking. What if the rental itself is overseas? Paying with a credit card or through a reputable vacation rental website with its own payment system are your safest bets.
How to Report Scams
If you find yourself the target of a rental scam, report it to your local law enforcement agency and to the FTC. Contact the website where the ad was posted, too.

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 12.17.16

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The Weekly News covers community news for Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: 2016-dec-17-weekly-full2016-dec-17-weekly-cover

Diamond Bar Welcome’s New Sheriff’s Captain

By City of Diamond Bar

Diamond Bar-Walnut Sheriff’s Station has a new leader. Captain Al Reyes, a 32-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, took over command of the station this past October.

Captain Reyes’ career with the Sheriff’s Department began in 1984. After graduating from the Sheriff’s Academy as a Deputy Sheriff, he was assigned to the Hall of Justice Jail as a custody deputy, and then as a patrol deputy at both East Los Angeles and Norwalk Sheriff’s Stations. In November 2000, Captain Reyes was promoted to the rank of sergeant and supervised patrol functions at both Century and Lennox Sheriff’s Stations. He was also an Operations Sergeant at Norwalk Sheriff’s Station. Seven years later, Captain Reyes was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station where he worked as a shift watch commander and Service Area Lieutenant for the unincorporated areas of South and West Whittier. He also served as an Operations Lieutenant for Norwalk and Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Stations.

In 2015, Captain Reyes was assigned to Sheriff’s Headquarters where he served as the aide to the chief of East Patrol Division. Captain Reyes has an associate degree in liberal arts from Mt. San Antonio College, and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in leadership at Trident University International. The Diamond Bar-Walnut Sheriff’s Station serves Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights and unincorporated areas of Covina Hills and West Covina.

For more information about the station and services available, visit http://www.walnut.diamondbar.lasd.org.

 

Evergreen STEAMS Ahead as Golden Bell Award Winner

By WVUSD  

PLTW in action! Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor visits with Evergreen third grade engineers designing a vehicle to rescue a trapped zoo animal. Photo courtesy: WVUSD

PLTW in action! Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor visits with Evergreen third grade engineers designing a vehicle to rescue a trapped zoo animal.
Photo courtesy: WVUSD

Walnut/Diamond Bar- Engagement and excitement are key ingredients in making Evergreen Elementary a great place to learn!

The school’s innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Programs are developing globally competitive citizens with character, problem solving skills, and social skills.

These programs have earned the enthusiasm of those involved and the admiration of the experts in education.

This month, the California School Boards Association (CSBA) selected Evergreen to receive the prestigious 2016 Golden Bell Award.

The Golden Bell recognizes innovative and sustainable programs that are making a demonstrated difference for students. A total of 56 public schools received the state’s leading educational honor.

“STEAM and PLTW are game changers! Our students are engaged and having fun learning,” said Principal Carolyn Wills. “We have fun down to a science. With community and staff support, our Evergreen Eagles are STEAM-ing toward their future!”

Evergreen’s Golden Bell marks the 3rd time a Walnut Valley Unified School District program has received the honor in the past decade.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor announced the award during the Board of Trustees meeting on October 19.

“We couldn’t be prouder of this well-deserved recognition for Evergreen. In all my years in education, I have never seen a school move so far, so quickly. I have witnessed a dramatic change in student engagement at Evergreen in the past four years with the advent of STEAM and PLTW,” Taylor said.

Evergreen has become a flagship school for the District’s STEAM vision, with six additional elementary schools launching the PLTW program this year.

“PLTW provides the foundation that allows students to be critical thinkers and collaborators – skills that will impact their entire life,” said Board Member Cindy Ruiz.

“We are creating global citizens of the 21st century,” added Board President Helen Hall. “I think we are very fortunate to have seven of our elementary schools implementing PLTW. It’s definitely the way of the future!”

Evergreen will receive its award at the annual CSBA Golden Bell Awards Luncheon December 3 in San Francisco.

New Company Opens In Old Bob’s Big Boy Spot

Mike Armijo  

Photo courtesy: Mike Armijo

Photo courtesy: Mike Armijo

Diamond Bar – A year ago this month, Bob’s Big Boy in Diamond Bar closed for business after a 35 year stint on the corner of Golden Springs and Brea Canyon Roads. Now a new era begins: Pho Ha Plus, Vietnamese Cuisine, will be filling that iconic spot, and has announced their opening for later this month.

Facing rising costs, expensive rehab and landlord disputes, restaurant owner James Tsaic, closed the place he’d owned since 1992.

“We tried all we could to keep our doors open,” Tsai said.”We came to a point where we needed to end this land fighting. But ultimately it became an unfair fight where the landowner won.” Tsai said he tried negotiating with the building’s landlord over the remaining years on the Bob’s Big Boy lease but to no avail.

The former diner-style eatery, featuring a long, curved counter with wooden bar stools and small booths scattered throughout the dining room, went through a number of chefs, general managers and culinary styles as the owner repeatedly worked to capture an audience in the ever-changing demographics of the city, located on a busy intersection on Golden Springs Road and the 60 and 57 freeway.

“There are three reasons that changed our minds in closing our doors,” Tsai said.”First, there was a spike in the rent. Then, the demographics had changed. Finally, the 57/60 freeway construction started and moved a lot of businesses in the area.”

“Diamond Bar has always been good to us. The city council has also supported us but there was nothing they could do because of the landowners,” Tsai added.

The restaurant attempted a historical landmark petition campaign back in 2012, but failed to reach the 20,000 required signatures, Tsai said. The building first opened in 1979, and is 15-years short of being considered for the national historical landmark status, he said.

Now only two Bob’s Big Boy locations remain in California – Norco and Burbank.

Though it was no secret that business wasn’t exactly booming. It was also in dire need of costly repairs, according to customers and employees.

No word on when Pho Ha Plus will be officially opened.

Castle Rock students cast their votes!

BY WVUSD  

Castle Rock Elementary students joined a mock election. Photo courtesy: WVUSD

Castle Rock Elementary students joined a mock election.
Photo courtesy: WVUSD

DIAMOND BAR, CA—This week, Castle Rock Elementary students put their International Baccalaureate (IB) skills into action by participating in a mock election with students around the nation.

Through the online website, Studies Weekly, students were able to participate in an online voting activity called Every Kid Votes.

A total of 15 participating classrooms totaling 429 students cast votes for their top candidate.

Students were able to vote in the “Polling Place” and received an “I Voted!” sticker to conclude their experience.

What a great way to teach civic responsibility!

 

America Recycles Day Nov 12

Staff Reports
Diamond Bar- Do you have old electronics just sitting in the corner? Take advantage of America Recycles Day! Diamond Bar residents will have the opportunity to rid their homes of obsolete electronics, unwanted textiles and unneeded confidential documents when the City holds its annual Eco Expo event in celebration of America Recycles Day.

They will be accepting the following:

  • Computers
  • Tablets
  • Laptops
  • Smartphones
  • Televisions
  • Printers
  • & more

Set to take place on Saturday, November 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the AQMD parking lot, this environmentally-themed event will feature a variety of information booths, collection areas and activities centered on green living and recycling.

AQMD is located at 21865 Copley Drive in Diamond Bar. For more information, visit www.diamondbarca.gov/greendb or contact the City’s Environmental
Services Division at 909.839.7015

 

Autumn Leaves

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

My wife and I have dreamed for many years of going to New England to see the autumn colors.  This year we finally did it!

We flew into Boston and drove to a small town in southern Vermont.   We stayed at a cozy Bed & Breakfast hosted by a delightful couple.

The next morning, we were excited to see the many colors of autumn leaves right outside our bedroom window.

After a homemade breakfast, we drove north along state highway 100 up into the Green Mountains.  We learned later the name Vermont is the French word for green mountains!

We enjoyed a casual drive along the country roads.  The colors were amazing!  We took picture after picture but they did not accurately.capture the fabulous scenery.

After two nights in Vermont we drove on to northern New Hampshire.  We chose the famous Kancamagus Highway which threads its way from the Vermont border to Conway, New Hampshire.

This is one of the most popular scenic highways in New England.  The small, two-lane highway was lined with trees in full color.  They were bright red, sparkling yellow, brilliant orange and autumn gold.

During our two days in New Hampshire, we drove further north into the White Mountains and were amazed to see complete hillsides filled with color beyond description.  It was amazing!

It was like a symphony of color as far as you could see.  Every turn in the road revealed more spectacular beauty.  The hills really were alive with color and beauty.

We were fortunate to have great fall weather, too.  The clear blue skies and bright sunlight added to the vibrancy of the colors.

My wife and I ran out of words to describe the beauty of what we saw during those few days in New England.  It is a time we will never forget.

As we reflected on the beauty of the fall leaves, we were reminded of the creativity of God.  The Bible says that God created the universe and the world we inhabit.  His infinite power created the changes of the seasons and the beauty of our world.

In Psalm 19, it says, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the earth is His handiwork”.  I realize you may not have the opportunity to visit New England during the fall.

But, I hope you will watch for some autumn leaves in your neighborhood this year.  Take a moment to appreciate their beauty.  They remind us of His handiwork!

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

Turn On Your Headlights

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Mark Hopper

I have noticed that more and more cars are on the road with their headlights off.  This is especially dangerous in the early evening and as it gets dark outside.

I saw another car this evening driving dangerously with its headlights off and the driver seemed totally unaware.

Apparently, newer cars have a feature that turns the dashboard lights on inside these new cars, but the outside lights do not come on automatically.

In the good old days, the inside dashboard lights only came on when the driver turned on the outside headlights.  If it was dark inside the car, the driver realized that his headlights were not on either.

This new technology has created some very dangerous driving conditions.  I have seen many people driving with their headlights off.  But, because their inside lights are on, they don’t realize their headlights are not!

There is a passage in the Bible that relates this problem to our own lives.  In Matthew chapter seven, Jesus says that before we try to take a speck out of someone else’s eye, we need to remove the log in our own eye (Matthew 7:1-5),

In other words, before we point out the faults in the lives of other people, we should take a careful look at our own life and examine the faults in our own life

It is easy for us to notice when another car does not have its headlights turned on.  But, often we are not aware that our own headlights are off!

Two things cause serious problems in marriage.  The number one problem is a selfish attitude.  When people are selfish, a marriage will suffer.

The second major problem in many marriages is a critical attitude.  When one spouse focuses on the faults of the other, their marriage will suffer.

Before you start criticizing your spouse, stop and look in the mirror and see if there are things that you need to change in your own life.  As Jesus said in Matthew chapter seven, take the log out of your own eye first!

Let me encourage you to pay closer attention when you are driving.  Make sure your headlights are on when you drive in the evening and night.  For your safety and the safety of others.

And, when you are experiencing conflict in your marriage or other relationships, check your headlights first.  Are your headlights on?  There may be  some changes that you first need to make in your life!

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

 

C&C Family Insurance Services

By Racine Guajardocc-bus-feat-web

Diamond Bar- C&C Family Insurance Services was founded on the goal of advising individuals needing government health coverage, and providing resources and guidance to agencies in the healthcare field. They lead by educating the community to make informed choices about their healthcare.

Carlos Carillo is the founder, President and CEO of C&C Family Insurance Services, who has over 28 years of experience in managed care. His first 24 years are in Marketing Medi-Cal and Healthy Families, and has spent the past 5 years marketing Medicare products.

They have directed and managed Community Outreach teams in Fresno, Tulare, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties promoting these lines of services. Overall, they are passionate and committed about helping people and their communities.

C&C Family Insurance Services’ mission statement is “to improve the lives of our community members by presenting and educating them on the best possible solutions to their healthcare needs so they may maximize their coverage.” They value consumer satisfaction, commit themselves to always being compliant, and work hard to ensure they may retain you as a client.

The process of navigating through enormously complicated healthcare system can be time consuming and overwhelming for any individual or agency. They understand receiving accurate information and/or access to adequate medical services and benefits is hard to come by because of the complexity of the healthcare system.

C&C Family Insurance Services specializes in guiding individuals and agencies through the complex maze of rules and regulations involved in obtaining government benefits. As trusted experts in the healthcare field, they understand how to simplify a complicated process in order to maximize health coverage, and we tailor plans to the specific needs of individuals. They provide priceless knowledge and sound guidance. C&C Family Insurance Services can help you gain the upper hand by empowering you to confidently make the best healthcare decisions that are right for you.

Carlos Carillo states, “We do NO-COST to you IN-HOME analysis of your Medicare Benefits. Medicare Open enrollment started October 15th and it ends December 7, 2016.”

You can visit their website at www.ccfamilyinsurance.com or call for any questions at (877) 520-2746.

General Plan Website

By City of Diamond Bar  

DIAMOND BAR– The early phase of a three-year effort to update Diamond Bar’s 1995 General Plan is now underway, and the City wants to encourage all residents to get involved and stay informed throughout the process.

Also referred to as a city’s “constitution” or “blueprint” for development, the General Plan is a policy document mandated by the state that addresses and serves as the basis for a number of land use planning activities and decisions related to such areas as housing, transportation, environmental quality, economic development, public services, and park and open spaces.

To facilitate participation and communication, the City of Diamond Bar recently launched an all-encompassing website – www.diamondbargp.com – exclusively dedicated to the Diamond Bar General Plan Update.

Housed on the website is extensive information about this significant effort, including a description of the current project, a frequently-asked-questions section, an at-a-glance project status, and a list of public participation and input opportunities. There is also a library section that currently contains a copy of the 1995 Diamond Bar General Plan, and will be supplemented with meeting presentations, studies and reports as they become available.

The www.diamondbargp.com website will remain live until the project is completed and the City Council has adopted the Diamond Bar General Plan Update, in late summer 2019. Questions or comments about the plan and process are welcome at any time, and you can subscribe to an email newsletter by using your computer mouse to hover over the link “Participate” on the top right corner and clicking on the “Submit Comments and Join Email List” button.

 

DB City Council Meeting

By Natalie Kim

Diamond Bar – The October 4 Diamond Bar Council meeting began with several presentations. First, the Council presented Captain Jeff Scroggin with a City Tile, thanking him for his years of service at the Diamond Bar/Walnut Sheriff station. Although the Council was disappointed to bid farewell to the Captain, they wished him well in his future. Captain Scroggin introduced his replacement, Captain Al Reyes. Captain Scroggin praised the new Captain’s devotion, hard work, and ability. Captain Scroggin also assured residents that, as Captain Reyes lives very nearby, his ideals and the ideals of residents will be very much in line. The Council also presented See’s Candies with a City Tile, recognizing the store as the City’s Business of the Month for the month of October, 2016.

Next, the City Manager introduced Deputy German Perez, also a new addition to the Diamond Bar/Walnut Sheriff’s station. The City Manager also updated the Council on Diamond Bar’s Restaurant Week. Twenty restaurants are participating in the City’s Restaurant Week, featuring a wide variety of cuisines and special deals only available from the week of October 8-24.

Following the public comments, the City Manager read the schedule of future events, which consisted of Diamond Bar’s Restaurant Week from October 8-24; a Planning Commission meeting on October 11; the first meeting of the General Plan Advisory Committee on October 12; a Traffic and Transportation meeting on October 13; Barktoberfest on October 15; and a City Council meeting on October 18.

The Council then approved most items on the consent calendar, which included the minutes from the City Council meeting of September 29; minutes from the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of July 28; minutes from the Planning Commission meeting of July 26; ratification of a check register totaling $1,548,966.28; the Treasurer’s statement for the month of August, 2016; a joint resolution with the board of supervisors of the county of los Angeles, the City Council of the city of Pomona and the city of Diamond Bar, approving and accepting the negotiated exchange of property tax revenue resulting from  the reorganization of territory known as City of Pomona Reorganization 2015-14, consisting of detachment of territory of from the city of Diamond Bar and annexation to the city of Pomona and withdrawal from the County Public Library System; a professional engineering services contract for on-call soils and geotechnical engineering services with Leighton and Associates, Inc., Ninyo and Moore, and Willdan Geotechnical for a period of three years; and a on-call traffic and transportation engineering services contract with DKS Associates, Fehr & Peers, Iteris, Kimley Horn, Sasaki Transportation Services, and Stantec for a period of three years. The Council tabled the an item to appropriate traffic impact mitigation funds in the amount of $20,000 to the fiscal year capital improvement program budget, adopting a resolution approving plans and specifications for the construction of the Grand Ave./Diamond Bar Blvd. street clock and median improvements project  to CEM Construction Corp., to be resumed upon completion of the general plan update. Following a brief public hearing, the Council also adopted a resolution amending the City’s Community Development Block Grant Program for the fiscal year of 2016-17 to reprogram funds to the Morning Canyon ADA Parkway Improvements Project from the CDBG Unallocated Balance in the amount of $225,000.

After individual reports and comments, the Council adjourned until October 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the Government Center Auditorium.

Council Recap

Diamond Bar – Natalie Kim

The September 20 Diamond Bar Council meeting began with several presentations. First, the Council presented David Liu with a certificate plaque in recognition for 25 years of service to the City. Now the Public Works Director, Liu’s dedication and service to the City helped create the beautiful Diamond Bar residents know and love. The Council also proclaimed Sep 23, 2016 as “Vin Scully Day” in honor of Vin Scully’s 67 years of broadcasting for the L.A. Dodgers. Finally, the Council presented Smart and Final Extra at 240 Diamond Bar Blvd with a certificate plaque honoring them as the new business of the month.

Next, the City Manager updated the Council on the Diamond Canyon Park project. Although bureaucracy and paperwork delayed work on the project, the City Manager announced the good news that the project is scheduled to be complete by this coming December. The City Manager also announced Diamond Bar’s Restaurant Week, from October 8 to October 24. Diamond Bar will showcase its wide variety of restaurants and eating establishments, with participating restaurants offering special deals during Restaurant Week, and residents are encouraged to explore the many gastronomical options the City has to offer.

During the public comments, a representative from the Diamond Bar Public Library announced several upcoming events, including a celebration of Mexican culture and the chance to meet a police officer and his canine partner.

Following the public comments, the City Manager then read the schedule of future events, which consisted of the Parks and Recreation meeting on September 22; the Planning Commission meeting on September 27; the next City Council meeting on October 4; and the highly anticipated Diamond Bar Restaurant Week from October 8-14.

The Council then approved all items on the Consent Calendar, including the minutes from the Special General Plan Update Kickoff Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission of August 10 and the minutes from the regular City Council meeting of August 16; minutes from the Traffic and Transportation meeting of July 14; ratification of a check register totalling $2,131,130.81; the Treasurer’s Statement for the month of July, 2016; an ordinance revising the City’s purchasing system, amending the Diamond Bar Municipal Code and rescinding the previous ordinance in its entirety; an agreement with Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership, DBA Verizon Wireless, to construct a wireless communications site at Pantera Park; approval of full exoneration of a surety bond to complete in-tract private street improvement, reduction of 75% of a surety bond to complete landscape improvements, reduction of 75% of a surety bond to complete traffic signal improvements and reduction of 90% of a surety bond to complete sewer improvements for Willow Heights located at the Southeast Corner of Diamond Bar Blvd and Brea Canyon Rd; adopting a resolution amending fiscal year 2016-17 budget in the Parks and Recreation department; approval of an amendment to the consulting services agreement for stormwater compliance and environmental engineering services with John L. Hunter & Associates; adopting a resolution approving and ordering the summary vacation of a portion of a 50’ wide easement for a future street and a portion of a 20’-50’ wide easement for slope purposes located westerly of Timbertop Lane and Southerly of Lazy Meadows Drive; and fiscal year 2017 appropriation adjustments for carry forward expenditures, special revenue funds carryovers, capital project carryovers, fiscal year 2015-16 final adjustments and the establishment of a new fiduciary fund.

Full Moon

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

I love the beautiful summer and fall evenings when the sky is clear and the full moon comes up over horizon.

Recently, the TV weather forecasters were alerting viewers to watch for the harvest moon.  In earlier times, farmers were able to work longer hours to harvest their crops with the aid of a bright, clear full moon illuminating the night sky.

In ancient times, people were apparently fearful of being “moon struck” by the light of a full moon.  In Psalm 121:5-6, the author writes, “The Lord watches over you, he is a shade on your right hand.  The sun will not hurt you by day and the moon will not harm you at night.”

I learned that the expression “Blue Moon” is when there are two full moons in the same month.  Apparently this does not happen very often.

When we hear the expression “once in a Blue Moon” it means that something is unlikely to happen or refers to something that does not happen very often.

I remember when the first men landed on the moon in July. 1969, there was a full moon filling the night sky.  It was amazing to look up at the moon and realize two men from our country were walking on the surface.

The moon influences our planet in a variety of ways.  The moon affects the changes of the ocean tides.

The orbit of the moon around the earth helps keep our planet’s rotation steady and prevents the earth from wobbling and becoming unstable.

In Psalm 19, King David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of His hands”.  The beauty of the full moon and the vastness of the star filled sky provide evidence of God’s existence.

Let me encourage you to take time to stop and gaze at the next full moon or look up at a clear evening sky filled with stars.  Take a moment to consider the majesty and wonder of the God who created it!

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

Diamond Bar High Ranked #1 in CA!

BY WVUSD

Diamond Bar — Diamond Bar High School has been ranked the #1 high school in California for college readiness, grad rates, and more.

The educational research group Start Class reviewed data from the some of the best high schools in the country to determine how student performance in the classroom impacts their future college applications.

The most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Civil Rights Data Collection was used to determine the top public high schools in every state.

The report released on September 21 was based on exam passing rates in math, reading and language arts over the last three years; college preparatory measures including the number of students who pass an AP exam, or take the ACT or SAT; student-teacher ratios; disciplinary actions; and graduation rates.

Diamond Bar High, with an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, received a 9.64 rating. Learn more about the rankings at:  www.public-schools.startclass.com/stories/19685/top-high-school-every-state.

“This recognition is tremendous and I am so honored to be at Diamond Bar High School serving our students, teachers, and staff,” said Principal Reuben Jones.

Diamond Bar High has also been ranked among the best public high schools in the nation in 2016 reports by Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, and the Washington Post.

Right Click

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

I have often said and I believe that you can find the answers to life’s problems in the Bible.  I believe that it records real events in history and demonstrates God’s involvement in human lives.  It offers hope, forgiveness and reconciliation through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

I have also said that the answers to many problems we face at home and at work can be found on YouTube!  I have repaired home appliances and solved gardening problems using YouTube.  I have repaired electric windows and replaced door handles on my cars using YouTube.  The answers are there if you can find them.

Now, I have discovered another great tool in this age of computers and technology.  It is the “right click”!  Let me explain.

Our daughter had downloaded some photos onto our lap top computer.  She wanted my wife to look through the pictures that our daughter had take of our recent family reunion with her camera.  The plan was for my wife and I to select a few photos and download them onto a flash drive so we could order some prints and enlargements.  That sounds easy, but my wife and I are technologically challenged.  Actually, my wife is better at using our computer than I am.  She does pretty well.

We bought a “Flash Drive” at a local electronics store so we could download a few of these Family Reunion photos on to it.  However, we did not exactly know how to actually do that.  It sounded so simple.  Just insert the flash drive, click on the pictures we wanted and press download on the computer.  It sounded easy, but we had no success.

Someone has said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  We kept doing the same things over and over again, but we had no success downloading the pictures we wanted.  Bummer!

Finally, I asked a friend for help.  He said, “Right Click”.  That was all I needed to do.  Instead of using the left click button on the mouse, I needed to “right click”.

I followed his advice when I got home and it worked!!  Problem solved.  Photos transferred!  I looked like a computer genius!

So, from now on when I have a computer problem, I am going to use “right click”.  I’m sure it will change my life!

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