Tag Archives: Diamond Bar

Diamond Bar City Council Recap

By Natalie Kim

Diamond Bar– The February 16 Diamond Bar City Council meeting began with an announcement from a representative from the Diamond Bar Public Library. The representative announced two upcoming events that will be held at the library, including a Chinese Calligraphy workshop on February 23 from 3-4 p.m., and an event for Black History Month, on February 20, from 2-3 p.m. that will feature an African drum circle.

Following the public comments, the schedule of future events was read.  The schedule includes: the Third Annual Bridal Show on February 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Diamond Bar Center on 1600 Grand Avenue; the next Planning Commission meeting on February 23 at 7 p.m. at 21810 Copley Drive; the next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on February 25 at 7 p.m. at 21810 Copley Drive; and the next City Council meeting on March 1 at 6:30 p.m. at 21810 Copley Drive.

The Council then approved the City Council minutes from the meeting of February 2; the Parks and Recreation Commission minutes from the meetings of October 22 and November 19; the ratification of a check register totaling $1,015,874.50; appropriation of $137,747 of Prop A funds to the 2015/16 fiscal year CIP budget; a resolution approving plans and specifications and establishing a project payment amount and a construction contract award for the traffic signal infrastructure upgrades project to Elecnor Belco Electric Inc; and approval of contract amendment with David Evans and Associates Inc. to provide landscape plan checking services for three fiscal years with an option for two one-year extensions. Two items were tabled until the March 1 Council meeting.

The Council then adopted a resolution amending the 2015-16 fiscal year municipal budget, and confirmed Council appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission, and the Traffic and Transportation Commission.

The meeting adjourned with plans to meet again on March 1 at 6:30 p.m. at 21810 Copley Dr.

Four Arrested in Diamond Bar Burglary

Staff Reports
Diamond Bar– On Wednesday, February 10, Pomona Police Department officers observed a white 2007 Toyota Camry being driven in to the American Inn Motel parking lot at 310 East Foothill Boulevard.  Officers ran the license plate and found that the car had been reported stolen out of Diamond Bar, during a residential burglary.  The lone driver was arrested for Grand Theft Auto.  Investigators then found three more suspects in a motel room, along with stolen property from the Diamond Bar home burglary. Officers were able to recover and return multiple stolen items.

Four suspects were arrested:  Daniel Torres, 23, of Pomona; Deserie Villa, 38, of Pomona, Victoria Ahedd, 19, of Pomona and a 17-year-old juvenile.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Pomona Police Department at 909-620-2085. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Chaparral Grand Reopening Set

Photo By Carol Heyen

Photo By Carol Heyen

By Kelli Gile

DIAMOND BAR– After eight years of construction projects on campus, which have included relocated athletic fields, the construction of a new gymnasium, the building of 14 classrooms dedicated to science and Design Based Learning, Chaparral Middle School is set to celebrate the completion of the last of its remodeling and modernization projects.

On February 25, Chaparral Middle School will be “reopening” its main building to the public and officially debuting its new music education building, the “Cougar Conservatory”, along with its new food services building, the “Cougar Kitchen.”

The school will be holding a grand reopening ceremony, along with a ribbon cutting, starting in the school’s multipurpose room, promptly at 6 p.m.  Immediately after, the entire campus will be open to the public for its annual Open House in which teachers will be on hand in their classrooms and student work will be displayed.

Please plan on stopping by and attending along with other members of the Chaparral Middle School learning community as we concurrently celebrate Chaparral’s remodeling and modernization along with the school’s 40 years of providing education to the children of Diamond Bar.

Construction and modernization projects were made possible by community support of Bond Measures S & Y.  Chaparral Middle School is located at 1405 S. Spruce Tree Drive in Diamond Bar.

Quail Summit Loves on Local Seniors

By Kelli Gile

DIAMOND BAR-Quail Summit Elementary students delivered hundreds of handmade valentines to Diamond Bar senior citizens on February 9.
About 25 students, representing every class on campus, traveled by bus to the meeting at the Diamond Bar Center. The children carried a total of 649 simple messages of kindness, one from every student on campus.
“I think it will make them feel really happy and valued,” shared 4th grader Violet Kieta before the children began mingling from table to table while passing out the Valentine’s Day gifts.
Many of the pink and red heart-shaped cards included read “Be Mine,” “You are Very Special,” and “Have a Great Valentine’s Day” and included sweet personal notes and artwork from the children. The seniors were thrilled to receive the love messages.
“I’ve been looking forward to this,” exclaimed Marjorie Fair. “I’ll put the valentines on my refrigerator!”
“They’ve been so good to us again this year!” said another senior admiring his new cards.
The young visitors are members of the Character Crew leadership group. Elementary learning specialist Leann Legind and teachers Kathy McLean and Pam Leslie work with students during school and community service activities that promote good character. This year, Leslie’s fifth grade class volunteered to make a batch of cookies, including chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, Snickerdoodles, and s’mores, as a gift for the seniors.
“The kids brought in recipes and got a chance to practice math skills while calculating measurements during the baking session,” Leslie explained.
The Diamond Bar Senior Citizen’s Club provides generous support to the school each year, funding recent activities including an author visit, tree dedication, mix-it-up day, and blanket donations for foster children. The Valentine’s Day cards were the perfect way for students to show their appreciation.
“Thank you for being so kind and generous to us and being amazing role models,” Legind said. “You have impacted us in so many ways, and because of you we were able to impact others.”
“It was special seeing all the senior citizens smile!” said 5thgrader Janiyah Hunsaker.
Quail Summit continued spreading a message of kindness and love during an 11 a.m. assembly marking the beginning of a new event. Mr. John’s Day of Kindness will now be held each year in honor of the school’s beloved custodian John Bisaha, who passed away last fall. Bisaha worked at Quail Summit for 25 years and made lasting connections with students, staff, and parents.
“He left ripples of kindness on our campus and we want to remember him,” Principal Jeanette Koh said. “To honor Mr. John, we’ll always have a day in February, near his birthday, as a day of kindness.”
Several family members were on hand for the unveiling of a portrait created by gifted artist and former parent, Margot Bloom. The school will display acts of kindness along with the painting inscribed “The Heart of Quail Summit.”
“Mr. John exemplified that every day,” Koh added.
The student body demonstrated compassion on its first official day of kindness by collecting five boxes of donations for furry friends at the Inland Valley Humane Society. Character Crew members also created cat toys from socks, batting, and cat nip, and painted “You are Paw-Some” and “Adopt Me!” messages on dog bandanas to help touch the heart of someone wanting to adopt a new pet.
“We encourage our students to spread kindness every single day,” Koh said.

Diamond Bar City Council Recap

By Natalie Kim

The February 2 Diamond Bar City Council meeting began with a crime report from Sheriff’s Captain Jeff Scroggin. According to Scroggin, the vast majority of Diamond Bar crimes are theft and burglary, which can be prevented through simple acts such as locking doors on cars and homes and investing in home security systems.

During the public comments, a representative from the Diamond Bar Public Library announced several events coming up, including a Chinese New Year celebration, an etiquette workshop for teens on February 6 from 2-3 p.m., and a Landlord/Tenant informational workshop on February 18 from 6-7 p.m. Another resident announced an Evening of Colors on March 18 at 7 p.m. at the Diamond Palace.

The schedule of future events was read, which includes the Planning Commission meeting on February 9 at 7 p.m.; the Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting on February 11 at 7 p.m.; and the next City Council meeting on February 16 at 6:30 p.m. City offices will be closed on February 15 in observance of Presidents Day.

The Council then approved all items on the consent calendar, including minutes from the City Council meeting of Jan 19; the Traffic and Transportation Commission minutes from the meetings of September 10, October 8, and November 12; Planning Commission minutes from the meeting of January 12; ratification of a check register totaling $1,452,378.07; the Treasurer’s Statement for the month of December 2015; an ordinance amending penalties and civil remedies for offenses pertaining to animal regulations; notice of completion for the Ronald Reagan and Peterson Park parking lot rehabilitation projects; a resolution approving CalRecycle grants to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery; and a contract amendment with Tait Group for professional consulting/advocacy services.

Following Council reports and comments, the Council adjourned until February 16 at 6:30 p.m. at 21865 Copley Dr in Diamond Bar.

South Pointe Named California 2016 ‘School to Watch’

By Kelli Gile

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD South Pointe 8th Graders Enjoy STEM activities

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD
South Pointe 8th Graders Enjoy STEM activities

DIAMOND BAR—South Pointe Middle School has been designated as a model middle school in the 2015-16 Schools to Watch–Taking Center Stage program.

A total of 11 high-performing middle schools in California will receive this year’s award for academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, and social equity.

South Pointe is now among a select cadre of 78 schools in the state and more than 450 around the nation that are Schools to Watch.

“We are thrilled to have received this recognition,” said Principal Susan Arzola. “Our school community has worked very hard to create an exciting and challenging middle school program that inspires students to achieve their potential and look to their future!”

Schools to Watch, which are recognized at both the state and national level, become examples for middle schools across the country.  South Pointe becomes the first school in Walnut Valley USD to receive the prestigious award.

“South Pointe is committed to providing students with a strong academic foundation to foster success as they move toward high school, college, and careers,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor.

On Thursday, February 18 at 8:00 a.m., students, staff, administrators, board members, and community members will celebrate the selection as one of California’s newest Schools to Watch in the school’s multipurpose room.

South Pointe prepares students to be globally competitive through the integration of science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM).  “We are proudly preparing the next generation of leaders,” added Arzola.

All of California’s Model Schools will also be formally recognized in Sacramento and Washington D.C.  The schools will have an opportunity to showcase their accomplishments and network with other middle grades educators from around the state.

South Pointe applied for the designation and was chosen among schools from across the nation.  In order to become a School to Watch, applicants must have met or exceeded the Academic Performance Index (API) school-wide growth target for three of the previous five years.  School administrators must conduct a self-study evaluation and complete an extensive narrative application.  Each site is then reviewed by a team of middle grades experts. In order to retain the designation, each school is re-evaluated every three years.

The California Department of Education and the California League of Middle Schools are the lead agencies in the program, with the support of the California Middle Grades Alliance, a collaborative dedicated to providing policy assistance and encouragement for California’s 1.5 million middle grades students.

California’s Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage program uses a competitive, rigorous review process to identify high performing, high impact middle schools so that all middle schools may have models of real-world success

 

Treat Your Valentine To The Whole Enchilada

Eastvale News Business Feature The Whole EnchiladaStaff Reports

Diamond Bar – Valentine’s Day is upon us, and what better way to show your love for your sweetheart than a delicious dinner at The Whole Enchilada!

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

“All our food is made fresh daily,” says Lil Palmer of The Whole Enchilada. The restaurant has been in business for over 30 years, offering a variety of Mexican dishes ranging from enchiladas and burritos to carne asada and fajitas.

Planning a Valentine’s Day party?  The Whole Enchilada can help cater your event with handmade tamales – which are available year round. This traditional holiday dish is sold by the dozen and is available in pork, beef, chicken, green chili and cheese.  Other menu items, such as the taquito or street taco platters, are available for catering as well.

Whether it’s a Valentine’s fiesta, business meetings or parties, promotions, fundraisers, birthdays, or just an evening out, The Whole Enchilada will dazzle you with their excellent customer service and delicious food.  They look forward to helping you celebrate the special moments in your life.

If you are looking for a sweet Valentine’s treat after your meal, try The Whole Enchilada’s Mexican Kaluha Flan, Rio Grande Mud Pie, or popular Deep Fried Ice Cream.  Valentine’s Day never tasted so delicious!

The celebration doesn’t stop with just one visit.  The Whole Enchilada has gift cards available for purchase in person or online.  It’s the perfect gift for your Valentine, or anyone you are gift-shopping for; it’s always the perfect color and size.  And be sure to ask The Whole Enchilada about the Combo Punch Card, Enchilada Bucks, and their Kids Club.  With a wide variety of reasons to visit, it’s obvious that The Whole Enchilada wants to become your favorite restaurant.

Don’t deny your taste buds this Valentine’s Day, visit the Whole Enchilada soon!

The Whole Enchilada is located at 1114 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., (at Grand Avenue, in Diamond Bar). You can reach them at (909) 861-5340, and visit their website at www.wholeenchilada.com.  See their ad on the back page of this publication.

 

City Commission Vacancies

Staff Reports

DIAMOND BAR– Do you want to help your city be better?  Office terms are set to expire next month for members of the City’s three commissions; the Parks and Recreation Commission, Traffic and Transportation Commission, and the Planning Commission, and seats are up for grabs. These commissions serve as advisory boards to the City Council in their designated areas.

Each commission is made up of five members who serve two-year terms that expire on February 28 of even-numbered years. Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Traffic and Transportation Commission receive a stipend of $45 per meeting, while the members of the Planning Commission receive a stipend of $65 per meeting.

The Planning Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of the month; it is responsible for helping direct the short- and long-range growth and development of the city through the implementation of the City’s General Plan and Municipal Code.

The Parks and Recreation Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month; it is responsible for helping coordinate all the recreation and leisure activities of the city and providing for the establishment and maintenance of sound recreation and parks programs.

The Traffic and Transportation Commission meets on the second Thursday of the month; it helps with the review and development of systems, facilities, plans, policies and programs concerning rail, bus and other forms of private and public transportation with the city and affecting the city.

Diamond Bar residents who are at least 18 years of age, registered to vote, and interested in serving on one of the City Commissions should obtain an application from the City Clerk’s Office by calling 909.839.7010 or visiting City Hall during the operating hours of Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The deadline for submission of applications is 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 8, 2016. Diamond Bar City Hall is located at 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA.

Diamond Bar City Council Recap

By Natalie Kim

DIAMOND BAR– Mayor Lyons began the January 19 Diamond Bar City Council meeting by announcing the winners of the “Through My Lens” Photo Contest of 2015. In the youth division People category, Hamzah Daud won first place, and Clarissa Hui won Honorable Mention. In the Pets category, Huanxi Liu won first place, and Hannah Trinh won Honorable Mention. In the Places category, Nathaniel Liu won first place, and Nicole Trinh won Honorable Mention. In the Nature category, Evelyn Dai won first place, and Ashley Chen won Honorable Mention. In the Digitally Altered category, Rachel Ahn won first place, and Huanxi Liu won Honorable Mention. In the adult division People category, Allan Le won first place, and Rae Lasko won Honorable Mention. In the Places Category, Bruce Davis won first place, and Teresa Wang won Honorable Mention. In the Nature category, Han Mook Kim won first place, and Bruce Davis won Honorable Mention. In the Pets category, Tony J. Wu won first place, and Jeff Braun won Honorable Mention. In the Digitally Altered category, Tony J. Wu won first place, and Tommy Zeller won Honorable Mention. The grand prize was awarded to Tony J. Wu for his piece “Sunset Over Beautiful Diamond Bar,” submitted for the Digitally Altered category, for scoring the highest overall marks.

During the public comments, some residents expressed concern over the housing development that is beginning construction on Larkstone Drive.  A representative from the Diamond Bar Public Library announced upcoming events, including an Adult 101 Etiquette Workshop on January 23 from 2 to 3 p.m.; an acting and improvisation workshop for kids on January 27 from 4 to 5 p.m.; and a workshop to help you get organized that will take place on January 30 from 2 to 3 p.m. A representative from the Diamond Bar Women’s Club announced the club’s third annual Roarin’ Twenties Casino Night Charity Fundraiser on February 6 from 6:30-11:00 p.m. The Diamond Bar Community Foundation also announced a 1K Fun Run/5K Run/Walk on March 20, which will help raise awareness for the Fields for Kids Program and raise funds for a Diamond Bar sports field. The Foundation is looking for both sponsors and participants, and more information can be found at www.thedbcf.org.

The schedule of future events includes: a Los Angeles County Park Needs Assessment Public Meeting on January 21 at 7 p.m. at the Diamond Bar Center on 1600 Grand Ave; a celebration for Alex Morgan on January 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pantera Park on 738 Pantera Dr; a Planning Commission meeting on January 26 at 7 p.m. at 21810 Copley Dr; and the next City Council meeting on February 2 at 6:30 p.m. at 21865 Copley Dr.

The Council then approved all items on the consent calendar, including City Council minutes from Dec 15; ratification of check register totaling $2,939,893.61; the Treasurer’s Statement for the month of November 2015; an agreement between the City and the Discovery Cube, Orange County for the Eco Challenge Education Program; a professional services agreement with Josue Espino to provide planning consulting services; a General Plan status report for 2015; and an ordinance amending Diamond Bar Municipal Code related to water efficient landscaping.

A first reading was approved for an ordinance amending the City Code relating to penalties and civil remedies for offenses pertaining to animal regulations, and the Council then adopted a resolution adjusting existing animal license fees.

The Council then adjourned until February 2, at 6:30 p.m. at 21865 Copley Dr.

Maple Hill Student Advances to Regional Spelling Bee

By Kelli Gile
DIAMOND BAR -After an exciting competition, fourth grader Eliana Rodarte was crowned the winner of the Maple Hill Elementary Scripps Spelling Bee on January 14. The nine-year-old won the school title by correctly spelling “smorgasbord” during a tie-breaking round.

Rodarte will now represent her school in March during the Scripps Inland Valley Regional Spelling Bee semifinals at Mt. San Antonio College. The regional winner wins a trip to “Bee Week” – the National Spelling Bee Championship in Washington D.C. in May.

“My cheeks are shaking from smiling,” shared the beaming winner after receiving the grand champion trophy.

Rodarte said she had been taking every opportunity to study her words for the past five weeks to prepare for the competition. “At night right after my homework, at the park, at school, or at recess – any time I have a chance,” she said. Her strategy: “For the tricky words, I make up tricks to remember the definition.”

In December, each first through fifth grade class at Maple Hill hosted a spelling bee using official Scripps words. The class winners then received grade-level study guides with 500 grade 1-8 level words to prepare for the finals. The contest was held in the multipurpose room and streamed live into classes.

The top winners from each grade level received medals and then vied for the grand prize in a nail-biting championship round.

Finalists included Jon Wong – 1st grade, Jeremiah Ng – 2nd grade, Bonnie Nien – 3rd grade, Eliana Rodarte – 4thgrade, and Allison Yuh – 5th grade

The savvy spellers breezed through tough words, including “hieroglyphic” and “impervious” from the 8th grade list.

“We had to do a tie breaker or we would have gone all night,” said elementary learning specialist Kelly Morris. “We are so proud of all of our spellers. You guys are warriors!” she added.

Diamond Bar High Water Polo Coach Dies After Practice

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe.com/AlanRuizFamily

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe.com/AlanRuizFamily

Staff Reports

DIAMOND BAR– An assistant coach for Diamond Bar High School’s water polo teams collapsed in the parking lot after Tuesday’s practice and died a short time later.

Alexander Ruiz, 45, a walk-on coach for the Brahmas water polo and swim teams, has been with the school since 2013.  An avid sports lover, Ruiz was also a martial artist and black belt student.

“He (Ruiz) was leaving campus late in the afternoon and he collapsed when he got to the parking lot,” Interim Principal Guy Roubian said. “He was with other assistant coaches who are trained in CPR and they initiated CPR until the paramedics came. He had a heartbeat when they transported him, but he died shortly after reaching the hospital.”

“It’s a terrible tragedy and it shook the whole school and the program,” Roubian said. “It has hit us all pretty hard. It was a shock to everybody.”

Ruiz leaves behind a wife and 3 children, including two sons who attend DBHS.  He was the sole breadwinner in the family, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with expenses. Donations can also be dropped off or mailed to: Diamond Bar High School, Attention: Water Polo – Coach Alexander Matal, 21400 Pathfinder Rd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.

Washing Windows

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

We decided to wash the windows around our house a few months ago.  It was surprising to see how dirty they were.  A little elbow grease and our favorite household cleaner produced some really clean windows!  I don’t think we realized just how dirty the windows had become until we began washing them.  Dust and dirt had collected over the past few months.  Summer rain storms and daily grime had coated the windows with a dirty film.

The screens were dirty too, so we also took the screens off the windows and hosed them down with water.  The results were amazing.  We could see out of the clean windows.  The screens and glass looked great.  The before and after were amazing.  What a difference it made to invest a little time simply washing the windows!  Now, when we look out the windows, we see things so much more clearly.  The trees look greener and the patio looks cleaner.  It was like putting on a new pair of glasses – we could see everything much more clearly.

I wonder how much dust and dirt build up in our own hearts and lives.  Harmful habits and self-centered attitudes can creep into our lives before we even realize it.  We didn’t realize how dirty the windows had become at our house because the dust and grime built up slowly over time.

There are times that each of us could be helped by a little “window cleaning”.  Each of us needs to examine our own hearts and seek God’s forgiveness for the sin that accumulates in our lives.

There is a verse in the Bible that says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

We all need to spend a quiet moment with God each day to “clear the decks” and “clean the windows” so that His light can shine brighter through us.  The windows in our homes and the windows of our heart sure look a lot better when they are clean!

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 http://www.efreedb.org

Alex Morgan to be Celebrated in Diamond Bar

Photo courtesy: David Blair

Photo courtesy: David Blair

By Carol Heyen

DIAMOND BAR– Star soccer player and Diamond Bar High Alumnus Alex Morgan will be celebrated at an event held at Pantera Park, Sunday, January 24, 2016.  The event will be held from 10 a.m.-12 noon.

Alex was born in San Dimas, but was raised in Diamond Bar. She attended Maple Hill Elementary and Chaparral Middle School before graduating from Diamond Bar High School in 2007, where she was a three-time All-League pick and a NSCAA All-American.

Prior to graduating from U.C. Berkeley in 2010 with a degree in Political Finance, Morgan’s playing time for the Golden Bears was cut short after she was chosen as a member of the U.S. National Team.  She was the youngest player on the U.S. squad during the 2011 World Cup, and she helped the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team in their gold medal win over Japan at the London Games in 2012.

Alex now plays for the Orlando Pride Women’s Soccer Club, the newest team in the National Women’s Soccer League, where she is a forward.

DBHS Pathways Students get Advice from Fox 11 News Anchor

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD Fox 11 anchor Christine Devine shares career advice with Diamond Bar High Pathways students on January 8. She encouraged students to connect via social network.

Photo Courtesy of WVUSD
Fox 11 anchor Christine Devine shares career advice with Diamond Bar High Pathways students on January 8. She encouraged students to connect via social network.

By Kelli Gile

DIAMOND BAR – Fox 11 News (KTTV) veteran anchor Christine Devine slipped away from her news desk to chat with students at Diamond Bar High School on Jan. 8.

About 150 teens from the Pathways Communications Academy gathered in the theater offered an enthusiastic welcome as the television reporter took the stage.

Right off the bat, Devine asked students for something unusual – another round of applause.

“That wasn’t for me, it’s for you guys! Because you’re here today in school, doing your job as students,” she said. “Recognize that you are building the steps to be whatever you’re going to be one day.”

Devine told the group that life is much harder without an education.

“You want to finish this job and get your degree,” she advised.

Devine spoke about her arrival at the Los Angeles station 25 years ago, a typical day in the life of a reporter, and of the “good and bad” in the changing news industry.

When she inquired if students watched the 10 p.m. broadcast, only a few raised their hands.

People are getting the news all day long on their cell phones, Devine said.

“That’s the biggest challenge in our industry – to get you all to watch it and to still be relevant. We’re doing a lot more in social networking and branding.”

Devine’s typical day includes a staff meeting, writing stories, reading scripts, proofing, and fact checking before going on air for the 10 p.m. broadcast.

The news business has unusual hours, with no holidays or weekends off, she explained.

“My treat is taking Christmas off,” she said. “But I worked New Year’s Eve.”

“On every job, you’re going to have stuff you don’t like,” she added.

Devine admitted that she also doesn’t “love” all the violence covered on local news.

She’s found a balance by focusing on the positive, which includes her “Wednesday’s Child” segment that has helped foster kids get adopted for the past 20 years.

“My motto is being a cheerleader for children and youth,” she proudly said.

Devine encouraged the students to begin thinking about things that interest them for their own careers.

“There’s a saying you can be whatever you want to be – I’ll never say that,” she said.

She offered the example that a female could never play on the Los Angeles Lakers.

“But you can work with the Lakers,” said Devine, who has interviewed NBA stars Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

She even has one of Shaq’s enormous size 22 shoes on display in her home.

“So, I’m not a Laker, but I’m hanging with the Lakers!” she added.

Devine has walked through the doors that opened throughout her career.

Her message to students:  “If you don’t get the things you want, see what other opportunities are happening for you around that.”

Devine currently mentors DBHS sophomore Priscilla Gomez, who launched Full Broadcast Entertainment with interviews, photos, and behind the scene videos last summer.

Gomez reached out for advice after an introduction at a Los Angles event.

Now, the pair often communicates via text and phone calls.
“She’s always really helpful and supportive,” said Gomez, who joined the news anchor on stage during the Q & A session.

“It was an incredible opportunity to have Devine speak with our Pathways students,” English teacher Whitney Prenger said. “We wanted to provide them with the exclusive opportunity to meet a professional from the field. She went above and beyond, answering questions, taking selfies, and allowing the students to have access to interact with her on and off camera. It was a great day for our program.”

 

Create the Future of DB Parks

Jan. 21 Workshop Seeks Residents Input
Staff Reports

DIAMOND BAR– In a countywide effort to determine park and recreation needs, the city of Diamond Bar is asking residents to give their input in shaping the future of city parks during a public workshop Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.
“We know that access to parks is so important to the health and quality of life of all communities. And, it is so important for all LA County residents to attend these meetings and tell us what they believe the priorities for park and open space should be,” the Park Needs Assessment Project Director for the County Department of Parks and Recreation Rita Robinson said in a press release.
Held at the Diamond Bar Center, city officials say that the workshop will help decision makers and residents better understand Diamond Bar’s nine parks and recreational facilities, as well as community programs and services. Diamond Bar Center is located at 1600 Grand Avenue.
Comments and suggestions gathered from the workshop will be submitted to the County of Los Angeles as part of a Countywide Comprehensive Park and Recreation Needs Assessment. The assessment period will run through February.
According to county officials, the assessment will identify need based on park acreage, park access, park use, park condition, and the number and type of park amenities available in communities.
“It’s absolutely critical that all residents across Los Angeles County have access to thriving, high quality parks. For the first time, this assessment will allow us to truly understand the park needs of every community within the county,” Robinson added.
A two-question online survey is available on the county’s website, http://www.lacountyparkneeds.org/survey, for those unable to attend the workshop.
A final report with findings and estimated costs from the assessment will be presented to the County Board of Supervisors in May.

Snow Coming to Diamond Bar

Photo courtesy: City of Diamond Bar

Photo courtesy: City of Diamond Bar

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Snow days don’t come very often to sunny Southern California, but  the city of Diamond Bar has solved this winter dilemma by bringing snow – nearly 100 tons of snow – into their own backyard with the annual Winter Snow Fest on Saturday, Jan. 16.

City officials say that over 100 tons of snow will be hauled from local mountains and dumped at Pantera Park for Saturday’s winter wonderland from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Snow revelers will enjoy sledding down one of four snow hills. There will be plenty of snow for making snowballs, snow angels and snowmen in a designated area. Other activities include arts and crafts, game booths, and photos with Flurry the Sledding Penguin.

Admission and snow play is free; the cost to play up to four games is $1 and the cost for unlimited sledding is $5. Only cash is accepted.

Local nonprofits will be operating a number of food booths selling a variety of savory fares, drinks and snacks, while local schools and youth performance groups will be providing nonstop entertainment on stage.

Pantera Park is located at 738 Pantera Drive. As a reminder, dogs (except registered service animals) and other pets are not permitted. For more information, call 909-839-7000 or visit www.diamondbarca.gov/wsf.

 

Coyote Attacks on the Rise

Photo courtesy of Christopher Martin Photography

Photo courtesy of Christopher Martin Photography

By Carol Heyen
DIAMOND BAR-Coyote spotting has become commonplace in Diamond Bar and the Inland Empire. Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and wild rabbits for food, but they have seemed to acquire a taste for our pets the last few years.
As wild spaces are developed, coyotes are being pushed out of their wild habitats and into our backyards. Attacks that have resulted in severe injury or death to pet cats and dogs have occurred all around Diamond Bar in the last few months, including near Pantera Park, off of Brea Canyon Road, and close to Golden Springs Drive.
Coyotes are opportunists by nature, and they will take advantage of every possibility for food that is presented. Coyotes are attracted to garbage cans, fruit trees (and the rodents who feed on the fallen fruit) and of course, our pets. What can you do to keep your beloved Fido and Fluffy safe?
Neighboring cities and the Inland Valley Humane Society have released lists of strategies to help.
• Securing garbage in tightly-closed containers
• Removing sources of water
• Locking pets inside at night
• Trimming shrubbery, as to not give the coyotes any hiding places
• Never let your dog off-leash in wild areas – Coyotes sometimes hunt in packs and have been known to lure dogs into ambushes
Other common-sense measures include not trying to tame the coyotes (or any other wild animal), and keeping your dog on a short leash while walking. Never leave small children or pets alone in your yard- coyotes can easily jump a 6-foot wall or fence, and there have been many dogs and cats in Diamond Bar and the surrounding areas that have been attacked while in their own backyard.
Coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk. They will be even more active in the next few months as they will need to find food and water for the pups that will be born this spring. If you come in contact with a coyote, raise your hands above your head, making yourself seem as large as possible, and shout loudly or throw something, like a rock, to scare it off. Garden hoses, air horns, pepper spray and whistles are also good deterrents, according to the website Indefinitely Wild.
If coyotes are afraid of human contact, and they don’t have any readily-available food or water sources, they may stay away from our neighborhoods. Until then, be vigilant to keep your pets and families safe.

Walnut Valley Symphony Orchestra Delivers Holiday Magic

Photo by Michael Armijo City of Walnut Mayor Bob Pacheco welcomed guests to an evening of “Holiday Magic” at Walnut High School Performing Arts Center.

Photo by Michael Armijo
City of Walnut Mayor Bob Pacheco welcomed guests to an evening of “Holiday Magic” at Walnut High School Performing Arts Center.

By Monique Valadez

WALNUT – More than 200 members of the Walnut Valley Symphony & Master Chorale (WVSO) and the Diamond Bar High School Symphony Orchestra entertained its audience with a winter concert “Holiday Magic” Dec. 29 at Walnut High School Performing Arts Center.

Walnut city officials in attendance said that the WVSO and Diamond Bar High School truly provided a magical night and remain true to their mission to create a community tradition of maintaining and fostering music at the highest level of creativity.

The annual holiday concert, led by Conductor Sey Ahn, sought to ring in the holiday season with festive holiday music from Christmas carols to holiday stories.

The concert hall was filled with sounds from “The First Noel,” “Away in the Manger,” “O Holy Night,” and “A Merry Christmas.”

The audience was also enchanted with dramatic versions of “Ave Maria,” performed by Bess De Guzman-Valenzuela and “All Is Well” performed by Cristina Elise Pacheco, founding board member and director of the Walnut Valley Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale.

“The pleasure of hearing the beautiful music [the WVSO] create makes our holiday period so special,” said Walnut Mayor Bob Pacheco, who is a WVSO board member and proud father of Soloist/Soprano Cristina Pacheco.

Guests were also treated to a special performance by the nationally-acclaimed Diamond Bar High School Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Steve Acciani. The Diamond Bar High School Orchestra recently won the National School Orchestra Finals at New York’s Lincoln Center and is composed of 9th through 12th grade student string players.

Diamond Bar city officials say that events such as this, which shine a spotlight on local arts and music programs and showcase our community’s young musicians’ talent, are of great value and importance as they contribute in a positive way to our quality of life.

Photo by Michael Armijo Soprano Cristina Elise Pacheco, founding WVSO board member, performs “All Is Well” during the annual winter concert Dec. 29.

Photo by Michael Armijo
Soprano Cristina Elise Pacheco, founding WVSO board member, performs “All Is Well” during the annual winter concert Dec. 29.

 

Diamond Bar Completes Beautification Projects

Photo by Jennifer Heyen New City Monument Greets Commuters along Grand Avenue

Photo by Jennifer Heyen
New City Monument Greets Commuters along Grand Avenue

By Carol Heyen

DIAMOND BAR– The City of Diamond Bar has recently completed two major beautification improvement projects.

The Grand Avenue Beautification Project, which began in May 2015, included several aesthetically-pleasing upgrades along Grand Avenue at the intersections of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Longview Drive.  Both of which are considered primary gateways into the city, according to city officials.
Workers installed 16 new traffic signals, created 12,000 square feet of new sidewalks, and laid 3,000 square feet of pavers.
A new gateway monument was installed at the intersection of Diamond Bar Boulevard and Longview Drive. Design details of windmills and timber rails from the city’s agriculture past are incorporated in the new monument.

Other improvements included the planting of 67 new drought-resistant trees along with other water-friendly plants. Bus benches will be added by Foothill Transit later this year.
Money for the Grand Avenue Beautification Project was made possible from a federal grant obtained through the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act.

Carlton Peterson Park’s parking lot also underwent some much-needed rehabilitation. The rehabilitation included repaving and adding 34 new parking spots. Ronald Reagan Park will also undergo parking lot rehabilitation.

 

Brahma Mathletes named National Champs

Photo courtesy of Walnut Valley U.S.D.

Photo courtesy of Walnut Valley U.S.D.

By Kelli Gile

DIAMOND BAR – Diamond Bar High’s Math Team wrapped up its undefeated season in dramatic fashion.

After eight weeks of exciting competition against hundreds of schools across the nation, the Diamond Bar students were named the national Math Madness champions on December 11.

Math Madness is a national online event inspired by college basketball’s March Madness tournament. Teams in the contest, which is sponsored by the American Mathematics Association (AMA), play in a round-robin format and then are seeded into a draw of 64 teams.

First reports from the December 9 finals ranked the Brahmas as second place finishers against competitors from Valley Christian High School in San Jose.  Two days later, officials announced that the first place team had cheated, and named the Brahmas the winners

“We knew that the final match was going to be very, very close,” commented math teacher and advisor Jeff Brose.   Teachers Dena Lorde and Jimmy Kuo served as co-advisors and retired teacher Howard Alcosser as Coach Emeritus.

Each 30-minute weekly match contained a set of 10 questions which became more difficult as the competition progressed.  “In one of our matches this year, we earned the deciding point with just seconds remaining,” said Brose, whose team played in the Division IIE, which is the division made up of teams with more than 20 active members.  “Making it to the finals this year was a pretty big thing,” Brose said. The school’s best finish to date was making it to the quarterfinals.

“They (Valley Christian) had been performing on par with us through the tournament,” he added.

Playing other opponents in the semifinals, DBHS earned 69 points and Valley Christian earned 70 points. The team score was comprised of the top players’ scores.  In the final match, Diamond Bar earned 62 points, with about 60 students competing.  “Valley Christian shocked everyone by earning a whopping 93 points,” Brose said.

Diamond Bar’s top performer was Benjamin Chen, who was able to earn 9/10 on the final.  Ben is ranked #21 in the nation out of over 17,000 students.  Runner-ups Sabrina Tseng and William He each scored 7’s on the exam.

“When Valley Christian turned in an unbelievable six perfect 10/10 scores, AMA’s Tim Kelley determined they had cheated,” Brose said.  In the end, Diamond Bar was awarded the championship.   “This capped a truly unforgettable season,” said Brose.  The students learned some lifelong lessons, including the value of working as a team toward a goal and performing under pressure with poise and integrity, Brose said.  “And they learned some cool math too!” he quipped.

Diamond Bar High was among a select group of schools invited to join the new Math Madness competition when it began a few years ago.  Since then the contest has grown tremendously.
“Being named the champions is a major accomplishment, because a large number of the schools involved in the contest are private schools, prep schools, and specialized math and STEM academies,” Alcosser said.