Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence in my city of Diamond Bar.

By April Hernandez

-         Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, income, or other factors.

-          Women and men can be victims of domestic violence.

I am April, a long-time Diamond Bar resident, Diamond Bar High School class of 1999, and a survivor of domestic violence. Last January 20, 2014, I left an abusive relationship with my ex-boyfriend of over two years. It was during this time, once we moved in together, that I had endured 6 months of getting slapped, punched, sexually abused, burned with a cigarette butt to my face, and held by knife point. On October 1, 2014, I shared my story on the Facebook page of Break the Silence against Domestic Violence, a non-profit organization based out in San Diego to help survivors of domestic violence. BTS’ mission is to educate communities on the dangers of domestic violence, connect victims and survivors, and assist in the transformation of lives of victims of domestic violence, by providing a personal development retreat, educational programs, and an advocate hotline. I am now advocating for Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence. 

My goal is to create a group here in Diamond Bar, and not just any regular group. I envision an active group that meets up to do activities, like hiking, which is great for the soul and healing, or even schedule a casual coffee or dinner. Throughout our journeys, many times all you need is a friend to just sit and listen. I can't do this alone; please join me my fellow domestic violence victims, survivors, and supporters! Check out www.breakthesilencedv.org to see many of great programs and events that we hope to one day soon, offer here in Diamond Bar! 

Come be my friend on my Facebook page, April Hernandez,  oraprilshannon2014@gmail.com dedicated to support those who also have endured domestic violence.  Don't be afraid. Speak out. Reach out. Feel free to share my story - you can save a life.

Coco’s, Carrows closures leave thousands unemployed Former employees tell of surprise shuttering of multiple locations

Former employees of Catalina Restaurant Group Inc. said they are still reeling from the company’s surprise announcement last week that it had closed 38 Coco’s Bakery restaurants and 35 Carrows units.

San Antonio-based Food Management Partners, or FMP, acquired Carlsbad, Calif.-based Catalina Restaurant Group, parent of the family-dining concepts Coco’s and Carrows, last month, and expressed optimism about both brands.

But on its first official day of ownership, on April 1, FMP abruptly shuttered 75 of the company’s 149 restaurants, according to former employees.

In a statement last week, FMP officials said the units were not performing at a competitive financial level, and that difficult decisions were necessary to make the two brands stronger at both the company and franchise levels.

“Unfortunately, this roadmap to sustainability may include restaurant closings,” said Peter Donbavand, vice president of business development for Catalina Restaurant Group.

But according to former employees, unit-level team members and suppliers did not learn of the closures until they arrived at the restaurants that day and found a sign on the door announcing the closures. Final paychecks were distributed on Friday.

At the Carlsbad headquarters, nearly all of the roughly 100 employees were also laid off, according to a former employee who said he had worked there.

FMP declined to comment on the number of restaurants that were closed or respond to employee accounts of the layoffs.

Former employees, who asked not to be identified, said the new parent company also offered no severance pay, and medical insurance benefits were scheduled to end after one week.

Those with company cars were asked to leave their vehicles that day and find another way to get home.

One former employee, who asked not to be identified, said both Coco’s and Carrows were struggling with declining sales, so some closures were expected. But he said he was shocked by the way the new owners handled the mass layoffs. He estimated that more than 3,000 workers lost their jobs.

“I felt horrible, and I still do, for the restaurant managers and line cooks who showed up for work and the door was locked. There was no corporate email, no notification,” he said. “Some of them show up at 4:30 in the morning, and there’s just a sign on the door.”

Another former employee wrote in an email to Nation’s Restaurant News: “FMP’s actions will not only affect the immediate company, but all the companies who have supported Catalina Restaurant Group. Today, the state of California is processing unemployment and on the financial hook for the actions of this Texas company.”

The 75 closures amounted to half of the company’s restaurants, and included the two-unit fast-casual concept Ranch House Café and Grill.

When the acquisition was announced in March, Catalina operated 97 company-owned Coco’s units and 50 company-owned Carrows locations, along with the two Ranch House restaurants.

Another 12 Coco’s locations are franchised, along with two Carrows restaurants. Franchised units were not expected to be immediately affected.

Most of the shuttered restaurants were located in California, although some units also closed in Arizona and Nevada.

According to Nation’s Restaurant News’ Second 100 report, Coco’s had estimated U.S. systemwide sales of $141.5 million for fiscal 2013, a decline of 2 percent from the previous year. The chain had 113 units at the end of the year.

Carrows had estimated domestic systemwide sales of $55.2 million, a 5-percent drop from the prior year. The chain ended fiscal 2013 with 58 units.

Contact Lisa Jennings at lisa.jennings@penton.com.
Follow her on Twitter: @livetodineout

Diamond Bar Celebrates Earth Day April 25 Activity kicks off at 9 a.m. in the AQMD parking lot with free mulch, paper shredding, textile recycling and more.

CITY OF DIAMOND BAR 26TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

                  SATURDAY  * APRIL 11,2015 - PANTERA PARK * 738 PANTERA DRIVE

                   11 AM - 5 PM * RIDES TILL 6 PM (Signed waivers need for carnival rides)

            CARNIVAL RIDE WRISTBANDS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT EVENT $10 -                
         UNLIMITED RIDES * $1 GAME CARD - 4 GAMES PER CARD * CASH ONLY EVENT

         KID ZONE * CARNIVAL RIDES * INFORMATION BOOTHS * TEEN ACTION ZONE

       CAR SHOW * BUSINESS SHOW CASE * FOOD BOOTHS * PUBLIC SAFETY DISPLAY

      DEMOS * GOING GREEN DISPLAY * FREE SHUTTLE PICK UP FROM PANTERA PARK

         AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD * LOCAL COMMUNITY ENTERTAINMENT

                                                  BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR EVERYONE!

Diamond Bar Bingo – A Great Community Tradition since 1982

Diamond Bar Bingo is the number 1 fundraiser at Diamond Bar High School.  Without Bingo, many of the school sports and activities would not be possible if it not for the hundreds of parent volunteers and Booster volunteers who make this bingo a huge success, not only for the school, but for the community.

Diamond Bar Bingo is celebrating their 33 year anniversary this May.  They are planning on celebrating all month long with higher payouts EVERY SATURDAY during the month of May.  On May 16, they will celebrate with cake for all who attend and $$$ RAFFLE Prizes.

They would love to see more community support with Diamond Bar residents coming and playing and having fun.  Bring a friend or a group of friends. 

Bingo is held every Saturday in the Diamond Bar High School Gym (21400 Pathfinder Rd, Diamond Bar).  Doors open at 4:00 pm with bingo games starting at 5:00 pm.   Admission starts at $20.

Like them on Facebook - Diamond Bar Bingo

Come and have fun,
Sharon Goger

Citizens Demand Removal of Judge Who Reduced Sentence for Child Rapist The judge said the rapist didn’t “intend to harm” the toddler, a 3-year-old girl who was sodomized.

Photo: Orange County Superior Court Judge M. Marc Kelly. Credit: Remove Judge M. Marc Kelly from the Bench Facebook page.

Orange County residents furious over the leniency handed to a rapist who sodomized a 3-year-old girl, have begun multiple petition drives aimed at having the sentencing judge removed from the bench.

The furor began as soon as Orange County Superior Court Judge M. Marc Kelly decided that the “mandatory minimum” sentence of 25 years for Kevin Jonas Rojano, who was was convicted by a jury on Dec. 3, was too severe. The judge said 10 years would do.

“There was no violence or callous disregard for (the victim’s) well-being,” Kelly said during the sentencing, explaining that 25 years would be cruel and unusual punishment, making such punishment unconstitutional.

“... The manner in which this offense was committed is not typical of a predatory, violent brutal sodomy of a child case,” Kelly said. “Mr. Roiano did not seek out or stalk (the victim). He was playing video games and she wandered into the garage. He inexplicably became sexually aroused but did not appear to consciously intend to harm (the victim) when he sexually assaulted her.”

Kelly declined to comment on the recall effort via a court spokeswoman, citing the cannon of judicial ethics as prohibiting him from comment.

The rapist was arrested after the discovery that the 3-year-old’s anus had been torn from an attack. The child complained about pain in her bottom, and that’s when the mother noticed it was torn, said Deputy District Attorney Whitney Bokosky.

“The molestation of a child is a crime of opportunity,” Mary Ann Bird, a criminal defense attorney based in Stockton, said. “Clearly, when the 3-year-old child wandered into the garage, the opportunity presented itself and he took advantage of it.”

• READ DETAILS OF THE CASE HERE Judge Shaves 10-Years from Mandatory Sentence, Noting Rapist of 3-Year-Old Didn’t ‘Intend Harm’

Public outcry over the sentence has been fierce.

One Patch reader commented, “I suppose tearing her anus and covering her mouth to muffle her screams doesn’t count as violence or callousness?!? The man clearly knew what he was doing was wrong because he locked the door and tried to hide the crime while he was raping the 3 year old child. I do not care how you were raised, everyone should realize that having sex with a toddler is wrong.”

Another reader said, “This judge seems to have a soft place in his heart for men who rape little children.”

While another said, “I’m so disgusted! This judge needs to be removed from his seat immediately!”

“Mandatory minimum” sentences most often are not mandatory at all, leaving avenues for judges to use their own discretion to deviate from handing down the harshest penalties. 

That doesn’t mean that judges are immune from consequences.

Enough people agreed that multiple efforts have emerged to have Kelly removed from the bench.

The Secretary of State’s office reports that no formal recall efforts are currently underway. The procedure to launch an official recall is posted online, at Chapter III — Recall of Local Officers.

A Facebook page was created to mobilize efforts.

A Change.org petition was created on April 6 by a Chicago resident and is getting support from across the nation.

Letters may be sent to: 

• Judge Michael Marc Kelly, Orange County Superior Court, Central Justice Center, 10th Floor, Dept. C39,700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (Phone: 657-622-5239)
• Judge Glenda Sanders, Presiding Judge, 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (Phone: 657-622-5201)
• The Commission on Judicial Performance, 455 Golden Gate Ave., Suite 14400, San Francisco, CA 94102-3660, (Phone: 415-557-1200)
• Kamala Harris, Attorney General, California Department of Justice, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550

*Courtsey of Diamond Bar - Walnut Patch

Coming Soon: Pop-up Diamond Bar City Hall(s) The first one will be under the green and blue canopy April 18 at Diamond Bar Towne Center.

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City Hall is coming to a shopping center near you soon! Be on the lookout for the City’s green and blue canopy in the Diamond Bar Towne Center on April 18 from 9 to 11am. If you are in the area, stop by to say hello, ask us about projects or services and we’ll give you a free reusable bag! For future locations, visitwww.diamondbarca.gov/popupcityhall