Golfing Fore the Kids tournament set by Rotary and Diamond Bar foundation

The third annual Golfing Fore the Kids tournament, co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Walnut Valley and the Diamond Bar Community Foundation, will be held  Monday, May 12, with a tee off time of 9 a.m.

This year’s fundraiser will be held at Western Hills Country Club in Chino Hills and includes a breakfast bar, putting contest, 9 a.m. scramble format, lunch, and awards ceremony immediately following play.

Every player will receive a goody bag, certificate for a free custom fitted golf club, chance at raffle prizes, and opportunity for trips and great gifts in the silent auction. And someone may win a new car.

The tourney is a major fundraiser for both organizations. Proceeds will benefit youth projects in Walnut and Diamond Bar.

For more information, call Rau Galindo at 909-615-1010 or go to the website at thedbcf.org

Surf Soup served by Hacienda Heights artist

Animator-Artist Donna Kay Lau of Hacienda Heights has launched the “Surf Soup” Project on Kickstarter, a crowd fund raising website for creative projects. Lau’s “Surf Soup” project premiered at the “dA Center for the Arts,” in Pomona at the Arts Colony.

Lau’s book “Surf Soup” teaches children how to surf and provides character building lessons while learning how to surf. It also focuses on ocean conservation.

It is the first book in a series of specially themed subjects that addresses topics that are important for children to understand.  Proceeds from the projects will be donated to ocean rehabilitation and various charities.

“I want kids to feel the way I did when I was a youngster reading picture books,” Lau said. “Whether it is with a parent, grandparent or teacher or just by me, the anticipation of turning pages filled with wonderful illustrations helped stimulate my imagination and creativity.”

Lau will appear at the Hibbleton Gallery at the Magowski Arts Colony, 223/225 W. Santa Fe Avenue in Fullerton on May 2. Lau’s painting “Honu”(Hawaiian for turtle) is the first installation in her “Surf Soup” project that she is funding through a Kickstarter campaign.

Also appearing with Lau will be “Miss Mary Ann” King who thrilled preschoolers from 1966 to 1976 as host of Romper Room on KCOP-TV.  King wrote the Forward to the “Surf Soup” book.

“I am delighted to support Donna in her launch of the “Surf Soup” project,” King said. “I believe it’s a great cause and a wonderful project for charities.”

Lau, who was recently honored with a Prime-Time Emmy for contributions to the animated series “Regular Show,” has worked on several series for Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network including “Dora the Explorer,” “CatDog,” “Oswald the Octopus,” “Generator Rex.”

She has free-lanced on many productions including the PBS series “Danger Rangers.” She is also the designer of her own children’s’ clothing line “Art is On!” and “Surf Soup” Surf Couture (a unique bikini and clothing line).

For more information on Lau and her Kickstarter campaign http://kck.st/1cTqywp
or click on http://SurfSoup.TV

Car dealer association helps San Gabriel YMCA and Rowland schools

Craig Cerro of San Gabriel Valley YMCA receives a donation from  Tom Hoffman , owner Puente Hills Chevrolet.

Craig Cerro of San Gabriel Valley YMCA receives a donation from Tom Hoffman , owner Puente Hills Chevrolet.

The Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealer Association and its directors who own and operate dealerships in the San Gabriel Valley have recently given financial support to numerous San Gabriel Valley non profit organizations.

These organizations include the City of Hope (Walk for Hope), The Friends of Rowland Schools Foundation, Foothill Unity Center, San Gabriel Valley YMCA, Pasadena Rotary Foundation and San Gabriel Valley Boy Scouts

The association consists of more than 150 new car dealers in the Los Angeles area that is committed to maintaining the highest standards in the retail automotive industry.

The current board of directors include President Ian Thomas of (Thomas Acura in Covina), Peter Hoffman (Sierra Auto Cars (Monrovia and Alhambra), John Symes (Symes Automotive Group in Pasadena), Pete Smith (Bob SmithToyota in La Crescenta), Tom Hoffman (Puente Hills Chevrolet, Industry Hills), and Fritz Hitchcock (Hitchcock Automotive Resources in La Puente).

The association relies on the assistance of its directors in identifying non-profit organizations that are truly making a difference in the lives of those who live and work in their local communities.

Its directors serve two year terms and meet six times a year.  They hold many events including training and dealer education. This year’s annual meeting is on June 17 at the Universal Sheraton in Universal City.

Mormon volunteers help fix West Covina parks

 As part of a statewide day of community service, local members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent Saturday beautifying three public parks in West Covina.
Church members from 12 congregations throughout the eastern San Gabriel Valley met at either Gingrich, Shadow Oak or Friendship Parks.  The work assignments included refurbishing and painting wood and steel picnic structures and general cleanup of the three parks.  An estimated 250 volunteers answered the call to serve.
 “Church members have long been involved in community service, but on this day, all Southern California congregations of the church representing more than 40,000 members, concentrate their efforts on the same date,” said Lisa Ferrante, chairperson of the local event.                                                                                       
 The church members  who volunteered represented El Monte, Walnut, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, La Puente, Covina, West Covina and Baldwin Park.

 

Caltrans announces lane closures on 60 for next week

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close portions of SR-60 from the San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605) to the Orange Freeway (SR-57) separation, as part of a pavement rehabilitation project.  Closures are as follows and subject to change.

Monday, April 28, through Friday, May 2

Eastbound SR-60

  • ·         10 p.m. to 5 a.m. – Up to three lanes between I-605 & Azusa Avenue
  • ·         11 p.m. to 5 a.m. – High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane CLOSEDbetween I-605 & Azusa Avenue

Westbound SR-60

  • ·         11 p.m. to 5 a.m. – Up to three lanes between southbound SR-57 & Azusa Avenue
  • ·         10 p.m. to 4 a.m. – HOV lane CLOSED between southbound SR-57 & Azusa Avenue

 Friday, May 2, through Sunday, May 4

Eastbound SR-60

  • ·         10 p.m. to 8 a.m.   – Up to three lanes between I-605 & Azusa Avenue
  • ·         7 p.m. to 9 a.m.     – Seventh Avenue on-ramp CLOSED
  • ·         12 a.m. to 8 a.m.   – HOV lane CLOSED between Seventh Avenue & Hacienda Boulevard
  • ·         11 p.m. to 11 a.m. – Connector from north- and southbound I-605 to eastbound SR-60 CLOSED

Westbound SR-60

  • ·         12 a.m. to 4 a.m.   – Up to three lanes between southbound SR-57 & Azusa Avenue
  • ·         10 p.m. to 11 a.m. – Fairway Drive and Old Brea Canyon Road on-ramps CLOSED
  • ·         12 a.m. to 8 a.m.   – HOV lane CLOSED between southbound SR-57 & Nogales Street
  • ·         11 p.m. to 10 a.m. – Connector from north- and southbound SR-57 to westbound SR-60 CLOSED
  • ·          Friday 11:59 p.m. to Saturday 5 a.m.  –FULL FREEWAY CLOSUREbetween southbound SR-57 & Azusa Avenue

Detours will be posted. New pavement will improve mobility and enhance safety for motorists.  Flatiron West Inc. is the contractor on this $121.5 million project which is expected to complete fall 2014.

LA County supervisors OK $400,000 for Hacienda Heights clinic

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe’s office says the county will partner with the John Wesley Community Institute Incorporated (JWCH) to open a new health facility in Hacienda Heights to provide under-served residents with health services Knabe made the motion.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted today to allocate $400,000 to assist with renovations and startup expenses at an existing medical building located in Hacienda Heights. JWCH will use the facility to provide primary care, substance abuse, HIV and mental health services, and more to residents throughout the surrounding areas.

“Access to preventative care is too limited in the eastern part of county, but thanks to this new medical clinic, we will be able to bring first-class healthcare to the community,” said Supervisor Knabe. “The Affordable Care Act still leaves over a million people uninsured, and thanks to this partnership with JWCH, Los Angeles County residents who may not have health insurance, can still receive basic primary care without needing to visit an emergency room. This new health clinic will help us create healthier families and a healthier community.”

JWCH is a private non-profit health agency that has contracted with the County to provide a variety of valuable programs such as: primary care, medical outreach and referrals, HIV treatment and prevention services, drug treatment, health education, psychosocial assessment, and intervention.

The location of the new health clinic will be announced at a later date.

Grammy gala honors Diamond Bar High musicians

Diamond Bar High musicians perform at Grammy Gala. (Photo by Kelli Gile)

Diamond Bar High musicians perform at Grammy Gala. (Photo by Kelli Gile)

And the Grammy goes to Diamond Bar High School.

Diamond Bar celebrated its selection as one of only a dozen high schools picked as a Grammy signature school with a gala Monday night in the Diamond Bar Center.

In fact, the local high school was named the best, earning the title of National Grammy Signature School in addition to receiving $6,000.

Diamond Bar High musicians perform at Grammy Gala. (Photo by Kelli Gile)

Diamond Bar High musicians perform at Grammy Gala. (Photo by Kelli Gile)

“Through this Grammy in the Schools initiative, the Grammy Foundation is able to provide critical financial resources and bring attention to the excellence of music programs in schools across the United States,” said Neil Portnow, President and CEO of The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation.

The foundation will recognize Diamond Bar during a special concert on Saturday in the Mt. San Antonio College theater. The community added its support by throwing the semiformal ball.

The Brahmas and their supporters gathered Monday to honor the musical program under teachers Steve Acciani and Marie Sato, directors of instrumental music, and choir director Patty Breitag.

“We are incredibly proud of Patty, Marie, and Steve for this amazing accomplishment,” said Principal Catherine Real.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story GRAMMY

Walnut residents rue new parking structure at Mt SAC

Residents of Timberline came out Thursday night to protest Mount San Antonio College’s plans for a new $45 million parking structure across from their homes in Walnut.

The community college says the five-story garage will solve some of the parking problems at the bustling campus. Neighbors claim it will cause more traffic, crime and pollution.

Mt. SAC presented plans for a large parking garage with 2,200 parking spaces. The structure would be sited on the current 600-spot parking lot along Mountaineer Way at the north-west edge of the campus.

The proposal brought out the ire of homeowners across the street.

“We have been impacted by Mt. SAC’s quest to become the biggest community college in California. You keep adding, adding and adding students,” complained Linda Hiti.

Hiti said Mt. SAC students park in front of their homes on Granite Wells Drive, leaking oil and leaving their garbage.

“Walnut has been a good neighbor, but you keep growing to the detriment of the city,” Hiti concluded.

Mt. SAC President Bill Scroggins disagreed: “California is growing, growth is going to happen.”

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story PARKING.

Walnut Military Support Group plans event at Diamond Bar Center

The new Walnut Military Support Group will honor our military men, women and their families on April 25 from 6:30 p.m. to midnight in the Diamond Bar Center at 1600 Grand Ave. in Diamond Bar.

The event will feature a buffet dinner, entertainment and dancing. A silent auction will offer items like the use of a vacation house in Arizona.

Proceeds will be used to provide personal support to help make a difference in the lives of our military and their families. The new committee is partnering with the City of Walnut.

In the future, the support group hopes to extend its services to neighboring cities. Tickets are $30. Call Kris Aguilar at 909-519-6465.