Archive for Editor

Don’t make tents, make disciples

August 19, 2013 Faith

Jimmy Webb, a Tentmaker from Fullerton who earned his bachelor’s degree in theology and ministry ordination from the Esther Mallet International Bible University in Norwalk, speaks to about 30 fellow Tentmakers on Friday, Aug. 16, 2013 at Trinity Worldwide Reprographics in Santa Fe Springs.

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Local chapter of Tentmakers merges business and faith

The workplace is the mission field for Tentmakers. Tentmakers do not make tents you camp in, they are vessels used by God to send forth the gospel through their businesses and daily connections with people God places in their paths.

By Lisa Rendon
Staff Writer
411whittier.com
SANTA FE SPRINGS – Greatly blessed and highly favored, Jimmy Webb, keynote speaker at the Tentmakers’ monthly meeting on Friday, Aug. 16, 2013 at Trinity Worldwide Reprographics, thanked about 30 businesspeople in attendance for the privilege of addressing what God is doing throughout the business world.
Tentmakers, formed in 2011 by Trinity owner Paul Rosenow, is a devout group of Christian business owners who open the workplace to worship and prayer. They are modern-day disciples with a bottom line.
Webb, who earned his bachelor’s degree in theology and ministry ordination from the Esther Mallett International Bible University in Norwalk, told the crowd of his rocky professional career, which in the end was saved by his devotion to Jesus Christ.
“I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit’s power. The die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, and the love of God controls me. The decision has been made,” Webb said. “I am a disciple of His. I will not look back, let up, slow down or back away. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low-living, side-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and bereft goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits or popularity.
“I do not have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk in patience, live by prayer and labor with power. My pace is set, my gait is fast. My goal is the kingdom of God. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear,” Webb said.
“I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversaries, negotiate in the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I’ve stayed up, stored up, prayed up, poured up, spoken up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and I must go until He comes, give until I drop, teach until all know, and work until He stops me. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
After Webb’s motivational message, business owners were given a chance to gain strength from other Christians when Pastor Danny Telles passed a microphone around the room letting them share their triumphs and tribulations when it comes to doing business in a secular world.

Foundational Scripture:

1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field. God’s building.

Learn more about Tentmakers by logging on to www.Tentmaker.biz

Contact Lisa Rendon at lrendon@411whittier.com, or phone her at 562-416-4242

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This week’s homily

August 18, 2013 Faith

By the Rev. Thomas M. Boles, PhD. DMin. D.D.

Author Kent Nerburn once took a train ride across Canada. On his journey, Nerburn encountered a man whom the other passengers avoided. This fellow was assumed to be a drunkard because of his slurred speech and unstable gait.

But Nerburn began a conversation with the man and soon learned he was recovering from a stroke. This man was once an engineer and operated trains along the very tracks that they were riding now. For the next several hours, he told Nerburn tales of the land they traveled through and legends of the people who once lived there. He also offered insight into some of the characters who worked for the railroad.

At the end of their conversation, the man thanked Nerburn for speaking with him. But it was Nerburn who was grateful for the experience.

Every day we make uninformed assessments of people and things in our environment, the accuracy of which we sometimes never discover. So the next time you’re faced with choosing between avoiding an exchange with someone or embracing it, think of Kent Nerburn, who says “Take a chance. Like people first, ask questions later. See if it doesn’t open the world to you in a new way. See if the light you shine on others isn’t reflected back on you a hundred-fold.”

If something comes to life in others
because of you, then you have
made an approach toward immortality.

And remember what I say; if people are informed,
they will do the right thing. It’s when they are
not informed that they become hostages
to prejudice.

John 6:41-51

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Just rolling along

August 18, 2013 Local News, Sports

The city of Whittier’s skatepark is located adjacent to the Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave.

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Skateboarding a part of Whittier’s youth culture

By Eric Terrazas

Staff Writer

www.411whittier.com

WHITTIER – Whether you’re driving through Whittier or any other Southern California community, you just might see skateboarders in action during your trip from Point A to Point B.

Several cities in Southern California feature their own skateparks, giving skaters the opportunity to work on tricks such as ollies, 180s and kick flips.

Whittier’s skatepark is located adjacent to the city’s Community Center at 7630 Washington Ave.

A few youngsters decided to spend some of their free time at Whittier’s skatepark during a recent sunny Saturday morning in August.

One such young skater was Henry Dominguez, 15, of Montebello, who was practicing his moves.

“I never liked sports,” Dominguez said. “Sports are based on skills and stats. Skateboarding is based on style and creativity. It’s fun and it’s good exercise.”

Dominguez, who has been skating for five years, said that watching the X Games and star performers such as Tony Hawk and Bob Burnquist attracted him to skateboarding.

“I guess my older brother helped me get into skating too,” Dominguez added.

Rodrigo Tafoya, 23, of Whittier, was also working on his maneuvers.

“I like it,” said Tafoya, who has been skating for two years. “It’s fun.”

Tafoya said he was drawn to skateboarding when he “saw his friends do it.”

Since first gaining popularity in the 1960s, skateboarding has mostly held a strong presence in Southern California.

After a popularity lull that happened in the late 1960s, the sport started to grow once again during the mid/late 1970s – thanks to the emergence of soon-to-be legendary skaters such as Jay Adams, Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta.

The sport has moved more into the mainstream in recent years due to the continuing success of the X Games, which started in 1995.

Other nearby cities that have skateparks include Montebello and La Habra. Montebello’s skatepark is located at City Park, 1300 W. Whittier Blvd. La Habra’s facility is at Bonita Park, 1250 Fahringer Way.

Travis Swope, manager of Two Felons Skate Shop located at 14125 Lambert Road in Whittier, believes the sport’s accessibility has played a major role in its growth.

“It’s still popular because it’s diverse,” Swope said. “It doesn’t belong to any one group – it’s open to anyone. Anyone can learn how to ride a skateboard. It’s low-cost transportation.”

Swope added, “The future is wide open. There are no limits in skateboarding.”

The Two Felons Skate Shop sometimes hosts contests and demonstrations. For more information, call 562-698-8199 or visit facebook.com/twofelons. The shop can also be followed on Twitter @twofelons.

Another place that caters to the skating crowd is Legends Boardshop, 6725 Greenleaf Ave. in Whittier. For more information, call 562-696-1482.

Eric Terrazas can be reached at eterrazas@411whittier.com or by phone at 562-536-2148. Follow him on Twitter at @411whittierspts

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Vintage vehicles invade Uptown

August 18, 2013 Local News

Joe Schlueter, a Whittier resident since 1968, shows off his completely restored 1942 Ford Super Deluxe at the 13th annual Uptown Whittier Car Show on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013. More than 300 vintage vehicles entered this year’s show, which drew thousands of automobile aficionados.

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13th annual car show draws record entries, crowds

By Tim Traeger
Editor
411whittier.com
WHITTIER – Fine metal met the road Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 and drew literally thousands of automobile aficionados to the Uptown area to view more than 300 of the toniest vehicles known to man.
Sponsored primarily by the Whittier Uptown Association, the 13th annual Uptown Whittier Car Show featured everything from muscle cars, low-riders, trucks and hotrods but it was more than that. Behind each entry were stories of love and commitment. Not to mention thousands of dollars.
For Joe Schlueter, who has lived in Whittier since 1968, his 1942 Ford Super Deluxe is his baby.
“It’s a very rare bird. It’s been completely restored. Everything is original,” he said. “I think (the car show) is awesome. I think it’s getting bigger and more wonderful every year. When you get married and have kids and then the kids are gone, that’s when you buy your toys,” Schlueter said.
“We bought them toys throughout the years and now this is my toy, my around-town car. It doesn’t go on the freeway. It just goes on city streets and I drive it every day.” Before retiring Schlueter worked 36 years for GTE, Ma Bell and Baby Bell. He drives a 1929 Ford Model A every year in the Whittier Christmas Parade.
The show brought entries from all over the Western United States, even some from Canada. Yet with Whittier’s long-storied love affair with classic cars, many of the entries were local. The only prerequisite was that all makes and models were 1979 and earlier.
“VWs are unique. They’re special. They’re in a class all by themselves,” said Mark Renwick, 45, of Whittier. His VW Veeda car club helped sponsor the event. But the real reason behind the entry of his 1964 Beetle was the camaraderie.
“Realistically, it’s the people. The people are like family,” Renwick said.
VW Veeda club President Quick Perez, 46, of Norwalk, echoed that sentiment.
“For me it’s the people. Cars are cool but it’s the people that you meet and interact with. That’s the best part of it,” Perez said.
Vintage vehicles weren’t the only attraction. There were marching bands, live music, food stands and more.
You could even get a haircut thanks to Uptown Barber, which entered a 1941 Plymouth coupe into the show.
Bruce Hearn, 58, spotted his 1962 early Vietnam-era Jeep in the La Habra Hills. It wasn’t in good shape. He offered the owner $500 to haul it away and struck a deal.
Several years and lots of money later, his entry was a main attraction at the show.
“I restored the whole thing over a period of years and now it’s cool for the kids to play on,” said Hearn, who works in the transportation and marketing field. “This is a great car show. Besides, it’s close to home,” said the Whittier resident.
“Being in Uptown the car show is close and it’s pretty large,” said Los Angeles County Fire Captain Sergio Burciava. The Whittierite has three Chevrolet Camaros, but the 1969 rally green Z28 he brought with his son, Gregory, to the show was over the top. He estimated its worth to be between $60,000 and $70,000.
“Everybody’s pretty friendly here. The atmosphere in Uptown has always been a nice place to play.”
The Whittier First Day Coalition provided 15 volunteers to help erect and man barricades to ensure the safety of the car-loving throngs, according to First Day’s Pat Bouchard, 66. Bouchard tooled around on a golf cart to make sure the event ran smoothly.
“It just brings the community together,” Bouchard said of the show. “Everyone gets the chance to come out and see the hot metal in Whittier. Our car shows have gotten a lot of good reviews.”
Tim Traeger is former editor of the Whittier Daily News. Contact him at ttraeger@411whittier.com or call him at 626-646-7352.

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The partisan poets corner

August 13, 2013 Viewpoints

The Oprah faux pas

By Robert Rosenblatt
Welcome fellow partisan poets to the newest web site to expound on current events from the “mainstream” media. This week’s uproar over Oprah Winfrey in Switzerland has all the networks desperate to save the “O” channel’s sagging ratings.
Seems the most powerful businesswoman in television history went to inquire about a $38,000 black alligator purse in a tony boutique in Zurich.
The sales agent claims she tried to show madame Oprah an equally beautiful version of the Jennifer Anniston design line in order to give the potential customer an option to save a few thousand dollars.
Oprah expressed outrage that racism was involved as she felt snubbed at being not recognized as the wealthy superstar who could easily afford to buy the entire inventory of the establishment.
Looking back on a long sales career, I’ve never met a sales clerk who worked on commission who did not want to sell a customer the highest-end inventory.
Small chinks in the story appeared on closer examination. Oprah first said she was alone, yet the sales agent said she left with a companion. Fellow poets no doubt wept over their morning caffe lattes at this astounding fashion faux pas.
I’ll see you all next time after I return from back-to-school shopping at Kmart and Ross …
Robert Rosenblatt is a longtime Whittier resident and staff writer at 411whittier.com. Write to him at rrosenblatt@411whittier.com

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Whittier sports briefs for Aug. 13, 2013

August 13, 2013 Local News, Sports

Lowdown on the ‘Throw Down’

The Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (SCMAF) will present “The Throw Down” skateboard contest on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013 at La Habra Skate Park, which is located at Bonita Park, 1250 Fahringer Way. Check-in is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., followed by the first event at 2 p.m.

The event will feature three contests: Park jam, mini bowl and best trick. The fee is $20, which includes entry to all three contests. Each event will be judged with awards for the top three in each age division, which will include under 10, under 14 and under 18.

Registration deadline is Oct. 1. Late registration and day of event will not be accepted. Register at www.active.com.

For more information, visit www.scmaf.org.

Fit for Life

Whittier’s 5K “Fit for Life” Run/Walk, presented by the Whittier Community Foundation and the Whittier Host Lions Club, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013 at the Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave.

The event will start with the “Children’s Creepy Crawly,” a timed half-mile dash, at 7:30 a.m., followed by the “Spooktacular,” the 5K run/walk, at 8 a.m.

For more information, call 562-567-9400.

Get in the swim of things

Palm Park offers recreational swimming until Aug. 25. Recreational swimming will also be offered on Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2.

The program is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The fee is $2. No swimming is slated for Aug. 16, 20 and 23.

An adult must accompany any child under age 7.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

LA Fit Boot Camp

LA Fit Boot Camp will educate on how to live a healthy lifestyle. The program, open to ages 15 and up, will be offered from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 14 to Sept. 11, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, Aug. 17 to Sept. 14, at Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave. in Whittier.

Participants should bring a towel, water, tennis shoes and comfortable workout clothes. The fee is $35 for residents and $40 for nonresidents.

For information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Family Fitness and Health

The city of Whittier will offer a family fitness and health class this summer.

Parents can bring their son or daughter to work out together for a healthier and better life. There will be different options available for adults and kids. The same parent and child partners must attend. Child must be at least 8 years old.

One more session is scheduled from Aug. 14 to Sept. 11 at the Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Ave.

The fee is $35 for residents and $40 for nonresidents.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Sports marketplace

The second annual Whittier Sports Marketplace is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 at York Field, 9110 Santa Fe Springs Road in Whittier.

The event will allow patrons to buy, sell or trade new and used sports equipment.

Take a hike

The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority is presenting a summer fitness hike from 8 to 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 at Black Walnut Trailhead, 2345 Fullerton Road in La Habra Heights.

Participants can power walk the hills and walk/jog/run as dictated by the terrain and energy levels. The hike is five miles long. Rain will cancel the hike.

For information, visit www.habitatauthority.org or email Helen Cohen at HillsAlive@habitatauthority.org or call 562-945-9003.

Karate for preschoolers

Children ages 3 to 4 could register for karate classes hosted by Frazier Martial Arts Studio, 759 E. Whittier Blvd. in Whittier.

Two sessions are available: 4:45 to 5:15 p.m. Mondays from Aug. 19 to Sept. 9, and 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays from Aug. 24 to Sept. 14.

The fee is $42 for residents, $47 for nonresidents.

For information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Adults can learn the links

The city of Whittier also offers golf classes for adults.

Students will receive a bucket of balls each lesson, and equipment is included.

Sessions are slotted for 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays from Sept. 2 to 23, 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays from Sept. 3 to 24, and Saturdays from Sept. 7 to 28, at La Mirada Golf Course, 15501 E. Alicante Road in La Mirada.

The fee is $71 for residents and $81 for nonresidents.

For information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

 

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A bonus homily from the Rev. Thomas Boles

August 8, 2013 Faith, Local News

By the Rev. Thomas M. Boles, PhD. dMin. D.D.

Standup comedian and author David Brenner was signing books in a San Francisco bookstore when a young man handed him a newly purchased copy to be signed and said softly, “I want to thank you for saving my life.” Brenner replied flippantly, “That’s OK.” The young man stood his ground and said, “No, I really mean it.”

Brenner stopped signing and looked at him. The man said, “My father died. He was my best friend. I loved him and couldn’t stop crying for weeks. I decided to take my own life. The night I was going to do it, I happened to have the TV on. You were hosting “The Tonight Show,” doing your monologue. Next thing I knew I was watching you and laughing. Then I started laughing hysterically. I realized then that if I was able to laugh, I was able to love. So, I want to thank you for saving my life.”

Humbled and grateful, Brenner shook his hand and said, “No, I thank you.”

Laughter does more than help us escape our problems. It sometimes gives us the courage to face them. As humorous author Barbara Johnson has said, “Laughter is like changing a baby’s diaper. It doesn’t permanently solve any problems, but it makes things more acceptable for awhile.”

Humor is to life what shock
absorbers are to automobiles

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:
but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

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‘Laughter is Magic’ slated for Sept. 8, 2013

August 7, 2013 Around Town, Local News

In support of the Whittier Pregnancy Care Center on Whittier Boulevard, a fundraiser called “Laughter is Magic” is planned on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013 at the La Mirada Theater in La Mirada.
Comedians from all over will be gracing the stage, including Clean Comedians, T. Faye Griffin, David O’Shaunessey and Chipper Lowell. These performers have been featured on the Tonight Show, Comedy Union, Storage Wars and Fox Television and have given benefits supporting the Ronald McDonald House, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.
The Whittier Pregnancy Care Center seeks to erase the need to seek an abortion as an option to pregnancy. According to the WPCC, about 3,000 babies are aborted every day in this country.

Visit www.LaughinLaMirada.com or call Sheena Boyd at 562-480-6760 for more information.

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Conference for seniors and caregivers set Aug. 10, 2013

August 7, 2013 Around Town, Local News

A free conference for seniors and caregivers, health care professionals, advocates, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, businesses and civic leaders is planned for Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, 200 South Pine Ave. in Long Beach.
The “2013 Rose Hills Conference for Seniors and Caregivers” runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is sponsored by Rose Hills, the AARP, AppleCare Medical Group, Supervisor Don Knabe, CareMore, Kaiser Permanente, Southern California Edison, aetna and involvecare.
Conference highlights will include expert presentations on topics relevant to seniors, caregivers and health care professionals, free registration that includes breakfast, lunch and educational materials, an interactive resource expo featuring community resources, activities and information, free health screenings, free continuing education for MFTs and LCSWs and information materials provided in English, Spanish and Mandarin.

Register online at www.Conference-RoseHills.com, visit www.Facebook.com/RoseHillsConference or www.Twitter.com/@RoseHillsEvents.

 

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This week’s homily

August 7, 2013 Faith, Local News

By the Rev. Thomas M. Boles, PhD. DMin. D.D.

Two brothers farmed together. They lived in separate houses on
the family farm, but met each day in the fields to work together.

One brother married and had a large family. The other lived alone. Still,they divided the harvest from the fields equally.

One night the single brother thought, my brother is struggling
to support a large family, but I get half of the harvest. With love in his heart, he gathered a box of things he had purchased from his earnings, items he knew would help his brother’s family. He planned to slip over to his brother’s shed, unload the basket there, and never say a word about it.

That same night, the married brother thought, my brother is
alone. He doesn’t know the joys of a family. Out of love, he decided to take over a basket with a quilt and homemade bread and preserves to “warm” his brother’s house. He planned to leave the items on his porch and never say a word.

As the brothers stealthily made their way to each other’s home,
they bumped into one other. They were forced to admit to what they were doing and there in the darkness, they cried and embraced, each man realizing that his greatest wealth was a brother who respected and loved him.

We make a living by what we get,
we make a life by what we give.

I have shewed you all things, how that so
labouring ye ought to support the weak,
and to remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to
give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

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