Bryce Harper has taken the next step to realizing his dream of playing major league baseball like several local players. Whether or not they make it to the majors is another matter entirely.

17 year olds don’t know nearly as much as they think they do. It’s a proven fact. If you ask 10 17 year olds to locate Iraq on a map, at least one of them will point to Canada or Sweden. If you’re 17 and reading this, then you don’t know as much as you think you do. It’s just a fact. Few if any people reach their intellectual or decision- making peak at 17.  For those of you that disagree, close your eyes and imagine yourself at 17. Clearly that Flock of Seagulls haircut wasn’t the best decision you’ve ever made, was it? Bodies and minds simply are not well equipped to handle decisions of great magnitude before high school ends. 17 year olds don’t invest in the stock market or save. They buy concert tickets and bad music. . 17 year olds aren’t allowed to legally drink, smoke or vote for good reason. So why on earth would a professional athletic establishment ever even consider giving one of these kids $10 million dollars? It doesn’t make sense does it? But 17 year-old Bryce Harper will soon be $10 million dollars richer, having been drafted first overall by the Washington Nationals in the Major League Baseball Rule 4 First Year Player Draft on June 7^th.

Harper grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada the son of Ron and Sheri Harper. As a sophomore baseball experts were simply in awe of Harper’s ability to play the game. In a 2009 home run derby in Tampa Bay’s Tropicana Field, Harper hit a 502-foot home run, which is the longest hit at the stadium to this day. Major league scouts are simply mesmerized by his blend of raw talent and love for all things baseball. Scouts and bloggers alike have simply run out of words to describe his hitting ability as well as his fielding prowess. In theory Harper should be finishing up his junior year at Las Vegas High School and preparing for his senior season. Instead he may soon be the richest person in the world that can’t buy a cigarette.

Rather than staying in high school all 4 years, Harper decided to do things slightly different. He dropped out of high school last year to obtain his GED. Once he had done that he enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada, a community college near his home in Las Vegas. Major League Baseball has a rule that any American who is to be drafted must have either completed all 4 years of high school or must be out of high school no less than one year. Harper essentially made the decision that he did not need high school any longer and he would rather play where the competition is much more difficult and he in turn can continue to increase his ability leading up to the draft. But this young man is not alone. There have been plenty of highly drafted high school players. Some succeeded but many fall victim to the pitfalls of fame and fortune.

Josh Hamilton was the first overall pick in the 1999 Major League Draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Hamilton was just as impressive then as Harper is today, having impressed scouts a great deal while he played for his Raleigh, North Carolina High School team. Hamilton signed a contract with a signing bonus worth $4 million and was immediately thrust into a world where a young man could get anything his heart desired if he had money in his pocket. After a 2001 car accident Josh was unable to play for a majority of the season. Having so much free time and several commas in his bank account, Josh soon fell in with the wrong crowd as he spiraled into a self destructive cycle of drug suspensions, rehab visits and relapses. Hamilton didn’t even play baseball from 2003 to 2006 having spent his physical prime going from one drug dealer to the next trying to get his next fix. Hamilton thankfully was able to straighten his life out in 2006 and made his major league debut on April 3^rd, 2007. Since then Hamilton has become a household name for redemption, having been one of the best outfielders in baseball since 2007. Had Hamilton not had an obscene amount of money at his disposal odds are good he would have kept his habits under control and he would have been able to keep his life on track. Sadly Hamilton is not the only cautionary tale of young players who make poor decisions.

In 2004 Matt Bush had it all. The son of two San Diego area custodians, Bush was drafted first overall by his hometown Padres in 2004 and was given a $3 million signing bonus. He was the first shortstop taken first overall since Alex Rodriguez in 1993. Signs of his tremendous downfall were evident soon after being drafted, however. In his June 7^th article for Sports Illustrated, Ben Reiter details how the Padres had invited Bush and several family members and friends to a luxury suite at San Diego’s Petco Park. According to several sources, Bush and his group consumed the suite’s entire supply of alcohol in the three hours it took for the game to end. Several days later Bush was arrested for assaulting a bouncer at an Arizona nightclub and for underage possession of alcohol. Bush hasn’t done much better since 2004. Last February he was cited for assaulting several members of a high school lacrosse team in El Cajon. As an intoxicated Bush sped away from the scene of the incident, he screamed out of the window of his Mercedes, “ I’m Matt F——- Bush!’’ He was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2009 and was released soon after for violating the team’s “zero tolerance policy”. Since then Bush has signed with the Tampa Bay Rays and is attempting to reenergize his career as a pitcher.

Young players are now forced to grow up at an alarming rate. Now between travel teams, high school teams and showcase games kids barely have time to be kids. 13 and 14 year olds on travel teams are playing against college kids that are much more developed and mature. Kids are so worried about making money as professionals that they forget how to be kids.  Childhood is a valuable thing and should not be wasted pursuing professional goals that have a less than 1% chance of happening.

Bryce Harper has an extraordinary payday coming his way very shortly. While his high school friends are enjoying their summer and preparing for their senior year, Bryce is on the cusp of joining the real world in a very real way. Giving a 17-year-old $10 million dollars is a decision with severe consequences. A young person with that much money is an almost a guaranteed disaster waiting to happen. Harpers character has already come into question as he was ejected from the Jr. College World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado. Harper argued a strike call with an umpire and was ejected for the second time in the season, which garnered him, an automatic 2 game suspension. Soon Harper will have a new appreciation for a certain Frank Sinatra song. For Harper , 17 will be a very good year.

Harper was one of 1,525 major league hopefuls that were drafted this year. Several of which hail from local schools.

Austin Reed – Rancho Cucamonga

Reed was sensational in the Baseline league this season finishing up with a .416 batting average as well as 7 home runs, 4 triples and 6 doubles. Reed was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 10^th round of the draft. He will have a tough decision to make as to whether or not he will join the storied franchise in the “ Windy City” or join the team at San Diego State. If Austin chooses to go to Chicago he wont be alone as his older brother Addison was drafted by the White Sox out of Cal State San Diego in the third round

Scott Frazier – Upland

Frazier was already on many scouts’ short lists of top pitching prospects before the season started and throwing a no hitter only made him shoot up draft boards even higher.  He has three pitches that he can throw to get hitters out and his fastball is already at 95 mph. He’s committed to play at Pepperdine next year but after being taken by the Philadelphia Phillies 171^st overall he will have a hard decision to make.

Frankie Christian – Upland

Frazier wasn’t the only Highlander to be taken as centerfielder Frankie Christian was taken 582^nd overall by the Seattle Mariners. Christian had an outstanding season batting .418 with 7 homers and 37 RBIs. He has committed to play at USC and because he was drafted so low he may choose to go to Los Angeles rather than Seattle and improve his game.

Timothy Helton – Upland

With three draftees in 2010 it’s a wonder the Highlanders ever lost a game. Helton impressed scouts this season by hitting .462 with 4 home runs. He’s smaller than an average catcher but being drafted by the Angels at 864^th overall means that Helton will have an experienced catcher to learn from in Angel’s manager Mike Scoscia.

Jake Hernandez – Los Osos

Hernandez was easily one of the top 10 high school catching prospects in the draft (Including Bryce Harper).  He has all the defensive talent that scouts are looking for and his offense is well on its way but because he committed to USC as a freshman it is unlikely that he will be coaxed out of his commitment by the Detroit Tigers who took him with the 673^rd pick.

Ryan Halstead – Los Osos

Hernandez’s battery mate will have something to celebrate as he was drafted by the Houston Astros as the 1073^rd pick in the draft. Halstead was unimpressive at the plate this season but shone on the mound as he gave up no earned runs in 9 innings throughout the season.

Jeremy Weber – Chaffey College

The 6’5 Weber impressed at Chaffey this year, as he made 2^nd team all conference. The Florida Marlins chose the Montclair High School grad with the 1367th pick

Vincent Velasquez – Garey

By far the most talented prospect in the area, Velasquez has dazzled scouts with his mid 90s fastball and plus curve and change-up. He had not pitched in quite a long time before this season and has stated that he would like to play every day. It will be interesting to see if the Astros are able to sign the 58^th pick in the draft or if he will stick with his college commitment and attend Cal State Fullerton.

It seems as though where ever you go now, vampires exist. They have emerged from their coffins and placed some extremely noticeable bite marks on pop culture. From the big screen to small, while clutching the hearts of men and women of all ages, there is a clear indication that these famous folklore characters never go out of style. The phenomenon these creatures have created is certainly marking its territory.

There is no doubt that the well-known Twilight saga catapulted the popularity of the vampire and its alluring appeal. From there, an outbreak spread of television shows, books, video games and more. There was no escaping the presence vampires grasped on society. But it is not only 13-year-old girls sinking their teeth into these immortals. Whether you love them, hate them, or try hard to ignore them, you have thought about them at one time — but what makes these princes of darkness so desirable?

One factor that attracts people to vampires is the idea of the unknown. It can be an escape to get wrapped up in a different world. Every day we go on with our habitual tasks of work or school, it may feel liberating to remove yourself from reality and feel your heart flutter over the anguish of a storyline. Not knowing what is going to happen next is the thrill people find themselves lacking on a day to day basis. When throwing yourself into that novel, or whatever it may be, you are letting yourself be vulnerable to the story and can let you imagination take over while forgetting about current life troubles.

Another feature that draws individuals into the darkness is, of course, the sex appeal. Vampires are envisioned and portrayed as mysterious with an undeniable charm. The HBO series True Blood, based on the “Southern Vampire” novels by Charlaine Harris, gives a humorous and horrific version of vampires while they coexist with humans. The graphic nature of this show displays their sexual influence as a mortal takes interest in a vampire and their relationship proceeds filled with passion and angst. With bold physical features such as deep eyes, high cheek bones and masculine body frames, it is no wonder society swoons over these dark and debonair blood seekers. Nobody can resist the lure a vampire can have and their powers of seduction.

The fixation with danger is also a captivating factor. We live in a world where turning in a library book late is considered bad form. What better way to get out all those bad boy or girl fantasies than to live vicariously through the characters that do it best? In the world of vampires, there is almost always a challenge or dangerous encounter that may ensue. Those intense glares and swift maneuvers keep people on their toes and enchanted in the dramatics that vampires bring.

And lastly, the belief that vampires remain ageless is another aspect that fuels the obsession. The idea that these beings are eternal on this earth fascinates people. Their constant presence throughout history has sustained. With legendary films produced from Dracula to Interview with the Vampire, the evidence is apparent that the mythological creatures have created their own genre of horror films. With their appearance evolving over time the black cap with fanged teeth to the shirtless and well groomed. Vampires may be depicted differently in each venue, though what is important is the reaction they gain. The cult of vampires continues to be a symbol for all that is timeless. Whether it is on the big or small screen, a book or game, their presence never dies and neither do they.

There is no denying that fans all over the world are giving in to the temptation of the vampire. Some long for the fighting skills of Buffy, some dream of having a boyfriend like Edward, and some want a true friendship like Angel. Whatever you desire, there is a curiosity of vampires in all of us.

Driving the large Audi is a pleasant experience, but there is no question this is a very heavy vehicle. Despite this, parking is a relatively easy, even in tight mall spots, and the optional back-up camera is exceptional and crystal clear.

The interior is posh in keeping with its plus $50,000 price tag, and the government offers a tax incentive to all diesel buyers. The 12-way adjustable seats have leather surfaces and are comfortable and heated. The rear seats folds reasonably flat, opening up to 73 cubic feet of cargo area.

In a nutshell, this is a sharp looking and performing automobile.

Mom’s view: The pure size of it commands a certain amount of respect. The bottom line for me is that even though the Q7 has exemplary fuel mileage and a stunningly beautiful interior, it is too large for my daily commutes and I don’t need the many attributes a large SUV offers. For those who live in the mountains or need to tow or like its look this is a good choice. As for me, the Audi Q5 is a better choice and gets nearly identical fuel mileage, although you lose storage space.

Dad’s view: Great engine, no doubt, but the transmission needs to be kept in sports mode to get the most out of the Audi. The steering is excellent and the handling unexpectedly obedient. The brakes are adequate, but this rig is really one for the highway. Audi’s Multi Media Interface isn’t as difficult as the Mercedes and BMW units, but it still takes time to master. Audi has years of experience in racing diesel engines and its shows as the 3.0 liter engine is eager to please. Overall, one of the best large SUVs on the market.

Young working male’s view: This Audi diesel does not smoke, is almost perfectly quiet, and runs clean enough to qualify as an environmentally friendly people mover. The Audi’s computers also monitor the quality of the diesel fuel being burned and the driver computer gives you constant updates on everything from tire pressure to miles to empty.  Those who live in the colder climates, such as Arrowhead or Big Bear, should note that the glowplugs that light off the Audi fire almost instantly even in cold weather. For me this Audi offered a user friendly diesel engine that provides powerful pulling power and an unexpected frisky acceleration. You can also order it with a gas engine.

Our test car had the optional panoramic sunroof, but even with the opaque covering the heat does get in so I wouldn’t recommend this for those living in the desert areas. We didn’t get a chance to test Audi’s famous Quattro all-wheel-drive system, but there is no doubt that it should handle anything people spending $50,000 or more would take their vehicle. The headlights are world class and this Audi also has puddle lights, a bright interior light, and even red dash lights. Although I work for http://www.eracks.com making open software based hardware, I can expertly say that the Multi Media Interface took even me some time to master.

When on the highway you get excellent visibility to the front, but the high rear tailgate and large C pillars create blindspots. Audi does offer a system that flashes a light when there is a vehicle in your blind spot. For me the Audi was too much vehicle for my needs, but it has a great feel and the interior is first class.

Young working woman’s view: The Audi is impressive and comes with a pleasant cabin. The exterior is a love it or hate it visual, but no one is going to argue that it does make its presence known. The rear hatch is heavy so order the motorized version. I loved the diesel engine and the abundance of safety equipment.

Family Opinion: You get a lot for the money, but it costs a lot of money. Big car, big personality.

Since opening in late 2009, the Frontier Project has become a regional leader in sustainable building design and construction. Showcasing the latest technologies in water, energy and site conservation, the one-acre, 14,000-square-foot facility features recycled materials, a live “green” roof, a water retention system, passive cooling system, and low-water use landscaping, all open to the public for the purpose of educating the community.

In its first twelve months of operations, the Frontier Project hosted dozens of workshops and community events, tours for community and school groups, monthly Edison CTAC (Customer Technical Applications Center) workshops, and U.S. Green Building Council – Inland Empire Chapter events and meetings, totaling nearly 10,000 visitors. Students from junior high, high school, community and technical colleges, and four-year universities have found interest in the systems and products at the Frontier Project, and how all of these work together to promote a sustainable living and working environments. With a mission of demonstrating environmental sustainability for living and working environments, the Foundation has kept its focus on education and outreach, and seen great success in its first year of operations.

The Frontier Project is one of only a handful of buildings throughout the nation that has achieved the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council®. A venture of the Cucamonga Valley Water District, the Frontier Project has already received recognition from the building and architecture community for its design, construction, and building operations.

The Frontier Project is ready for a new year in 2011, with more workshops, seminars, classes, and events for residents and business owners, alike. Upcoming events include:

• Edison CTAC Workshops: January 12 and 14; February 23; March 10, 24, and 30, 2011;
• 2011 Earth Day Celebration, Saturday, April 9, 2011;
• Residential Landscape Tour, April 30, 2011.

The Frontier Project is open to the public for self-guided exploration as well as guided and group tours. The center offers green-living workshops and ongoing seminars on sustainability and environmental design for residential consumers and business owners. Space for community or private gatherings, workshops and seminars is available for rent. For more information, visit www.frontierproject.org or call 909.944.6025.

Dr. Franklin Johnson, Dr. Monica Valenzuela and Dr. Toni Vu

Care For Women’s Medical Group, professionally staffed by Dr. Franklin Johnson, Dr. Monica Valenzuela and Dr. Toni Vu,  is the premier Ob/Gyn practice serving our community.  We have designed a medical practice that provides women with a warm caring environment, while at the same time utilizes the latest in treatment and surgical protocols. We believe your time is important, and as such we have implemented multiple measures to ensure that your visits are convenient and on time.  With medical offices in Upland, North Fontana, and Chino Hills you can be assured that there will be a location that is well-situated from your home or work.  We also utilize one of the most advanced electronic medical record systems in the country, assuring that your records are complete, accurate, and safe.  Because we understand that many medical problems arise suddenly, we offer same day and Saturday appointments.  All of our physicians are Board Certified, and our physicians are both hospital and community leaders.  We believe that you deserve the very best. Make the change that so many others already have, and discover the difference at Care For Women’s Medical Group.

Robotic Surgery: The future is Now

As technology races forward, medicine is able to capture the benefits and implement these advances to improve patient care.  Robotic surgery is the next step in surgical options readily available to women.  Robotic surgery is not as futuristic as it sounds; the surgeon still performs all aspects of the surgery.  The difference is that the surgeon is able to perform the surgery through small abdominal incisions less than 1 cm in size.  Even the most complex gynecological surgeries may be performed this way, including hysterectomy and removal of uterine tumors.  What does it mean for the patient?  It means less than 24 hours in the hospital and return to work or daily activity in a week or less.  It is important the women understand that they have options, and that they are able to receive successful and appropriate care.  As one of only a handful of surgeons trained to perform robotic surgery, we truly understand the incredible results that can be achieved by utilizing this technology.  It is essential that women explore all of their options when it comes to surgical treatment, and knowing that robotic surgery is available now is an important step.

Office Locations

1310 San Bernardino Rd.
Suite 201
Upland, CA 91786
P: (909) 579-0806

16465 Sierra Lakes Pkwy
Suite 275
Fontana, CA 92336
P: (909) 355-7855

15944 Los Serranos Country Club Dr.
Suite 110
Chino Hills, CA 91709
P: (909) 355-7855

The 2012 V6 Camaro will produce 323 hp by way of a new, lighter-weight version of GM’s familiar 3.6-liter direct-injection six, dubbed LFX. Unlike the last paper shuffle, this is a real increase of 11 hp over the 2011 model, which may help the V6 Camaro shave the necessary couple of tenths it needs to claim dominance over the V6 Mustang from 0-to-60. The LFX is also 20.5 pounds lighter than the previous V6. It’s one of a number of upgrades affecting most of the Camaro line, some of which will be packaged — along with other visual bits — in the 2012 45th Anniversary Special Edition Camaro.

Those include a refined performance suspension package for SS coupes — with a change in geometry, new stabilizer bars (23 mm front; 24 mm rear) and re-adjusted dampers with an eye toward flatter cornering, a more neutral balance during hard cornering, and less understeer — along with several interior changes to the instrument panel, steering wheel and rear camera. There’s also a new standard rear spoiler and the RS taillamps will be standard, while the RS package gets a new, body-color “sharkfin” antenna. Boss! Oh, wait.