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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Class of 2019 earned more than $11.6 million in college and military scholarships, far surpassing previous years’ totals.

Cajon High School had the largest graduating class in the District, with 624 students earning a high school diploma in June. More than half of Cajon’s graduates received scholarships or grants to help them pay for college. In all, Cajon graduates received over $3.1 million in scholarships and grants, including $1.1 million shared by 14 students who received military scholarships and signing bonuses for enlisting in nearly every branch of the armed forces.

Seniors graduating from San Andreas High School, a continuation school serving students who need to catch up on credits to graduate, received close to $400,000 in aid, with the majority of it going to six students who signed up to serve in various branches of the military.

In comparison, the Class of 2018 received $8.1 million in grants, scholarships, and military aid. That sharp increase in financial aid is partly due to the number of San Andreas High students who enlisted in the military.

The San Bernardino City Unified School District is grateful for the generosity of scholarship donors, said Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden.

“Those who donate so generously are investing in our community and in doing so, they are making hope happen for students who may otherwise struggle to pay for college,” Marsden said. “There’s no better way to improve our city than to help young people realize their dream of going to college.”

SBCUSD is unusual among public school districts in that it has two organizations dedicated to providing scholarships to graduates. Founded in 1957, the San Bernardino Community Scholarship Association is a non-profit with the sole purpose of coordinating contributions from individuals and local groups to award scholarships to SBCUSD graduates. More than 85 donors contribute more than $250,000 annually, with individual scholarships ranging from $100 to $9,000. The Making Hope Happen Foundation is a non-profit geared toward helping the San Bernardino area become a thriving community. To that end, the Foundation awards scholarships to SBCUSD and volunteers mentor recipients so students can have a successful college experience. If you would like to donate to the Making Hope Happen Foundation, visit http://makinghope.org. If you would like to establish your own scholarship through the Community Scholarship Association, call (909) 381-1250.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The California Arts Council announced a grant award of $14,400 to the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra as part of its Arts Education Exposure program.

Arts Education Exposure supports attendance at high-quality performances and exhibits for students with limited access to these experiences. As such, the Council selected experiences that offered deep cultural resonance with the student communities served and which would be complemented by pre- and post-attendance activities.

The award will help to fund back-to-back student concerts featuring Cirque de la Symphonie scheduled for February 2020. This talented international group choreographs traditional circus acts to classical music and will perform them on stage with the Symphony at its primary performance venue, the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts. Transportation and logistics will be provided by longtime Symphony partners, the San Bernardino City Unified School District, as well as by the other schools in attendance.

The February student concerts have been a part of the Symphony’s commitment to the Inland Empire for many years, but it has only been in the past three years that they increased from one to two performances, effectively doubling the number of local youth served.

“We are incredibly grateful to the California Arts Council,” said Symphony Executive Director Dr. Anne Viricel. “This is so much more than just a field trip. Because of this grant, more than 3,000 local youth will experience the fine arts in a venue close to home and this local access, together with the engaging and educational performance planned, creates the kind of pride of place that is exactly what children in our community need.”

The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra is one of 124 grantees chosen for the Arts Education Exposure program. The award is part of a projected $24,508,541 in grant funding for 2018-19, the highest investment in statewide arts programming since the 2000-01 fiscal year.

“Arts and culture are inextricably linked to our humanity,” said Nashormeh Lindo, California Arts Council Chair. “They serve as a universal touchpoint for understanding and addressing our societal issues—dismantling inequity, healing trauma, reframing justice, inspiring truth and shaping futures. The Council is humbled to support the vital work of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra and its passionate efforts to make a better California for us all.”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— APPLE VALLEY, CA—Damage Controlman 2nd Class Ivy Salcido, from Apple Valley, California, uses a radio to communicate with the repair locker from the scene of a simulated fire casualty aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a general quarters drill. Ronald Reagan provides a combat-ready force, which protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Timothy M. Black)

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Police Department will take part in a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation aimed at educating bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians on traffic laws, rules and responsibilities.

On 06-28-2019,  between the hours of 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., officers will be looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that put roadway users at risk. These violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals or any other dangerous violation.

Officers will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violation of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.

Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising at an alarming rate. In 2016, 138 bicyclists and 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads. Pedestrian fatalities are up nearly 33 percent from 2012, and the number of bicyclists killed are up nearly 25 percent over the past five years. In 2018, The San Bernardino Police  Department has investigated 16 fatal and injury collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians.

“Whether you are on foot, behind the wheel or on a bike, you play a part in roadway safety,” Sergeant Jeff Harvey said. “Understanding the rules of the road using all modes of transportation helps ensure we all get to our destination safely.”

People walking should only cross the street using crosswalks or intersections, preferably with a stop sign or signal. People on foot should also look for cars backing up and avoid darting between parked cars, make eye contact with drivers and wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

Drivers should wait for pedestrians to cross the street, avoid distractions like using a cell phone, and be courteous and patient. All bike riders are reminded to always wear a helmet; helmets are required by law for those under 18. Bike riders should always go with the flow of traffic, let faster traffic pass and use hand signals when turning or stopping.

The San Bernardino Police Department supports the new OTS public awareness campaign, “Go Safely, California.” To find out more about ways to go safely, visit gosafelyca.org.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— COLTON, CA— Applications are now being accepted for an intensive program of education, business planning, and business counseling for women who want to start their own businesses or expand an existing business.

The program is offered by the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center, a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and sponsored by Citibank. 

“It’s Your Time: An Entrepreneurial Training Series for Women,” offers women education, business counseling, and individual support to help them develop a workable business idea or improve an existing business. Participants selected for the program must attend a minimum of 13 workshops, meet individually with a business counselor, and write a business plan. The cost to participate is based on income, and ranges from a minimum of $25 to a maximum of $130 for all program services. The program is open to women living in San Bernardino and Riverside counties and takes about 90 days to complete.

Graduates of the “It’s Your Time” program have gone on to open successful Inland Empire businesses such as hair salons, fitness studios, professional services, personal and business coaching, and bakeries.

Applications for “It’s Your Time” are available at the IEWBC website at www.iewbc.org, and must be completed and submitted by Friday, Aug. 9, 2019 at 5 p.m. Early application is encouraged. Participants who are accepted before the official program orientation on Aug. 20 can begin attending workshops immediately after their program intake session.  Late applications will not be accepted.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center, 1003 E. Cooley Dr., Ste. 109, in Colton, is a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino.  Housed in the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration, IECE, which administers the program in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration, is inland Southern California’s leading organization dedicated to supporting and promoting entrepreneurship. The IEWBC provides business counseling, training and mentoring designed for women business owners. 

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday by appointment only. For more information, visit the IEWBC website at www.iewbc.org or contact Michelle Skiljan at (909) 890-1242.

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— REDLANDS, CA— Back in the day there was the D.A.R.E. program and then there was TRUTH. Both were initiatives that rallied against drugs and tobacco use among minors. However, even though these were strong campaigns, these brands are rarely seen in the communities anymore which is why it is critical for community organizations to create their own campaigns, and what better way to do then through music and art.

On Saturday, June 22, Music Changing Lives (MCL) premiered their new music video, “Jewels Not Juulz”, featuring artist Tiana Phipps. The premiere took place at the MCL headquarters in Redlands.

“We are an organization that focuses on reducing the prevalence of tobacco in our communities,” San Bernardino County Tobacco Control Program representative, Amber, stated. “This project was made possible because of the collaboration with MCL. Continue doing what you are doing. The youth is the reason we are here; the youth is the reason for all of us.”

The song was curated to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and the epidemic of vaping among teens. CEO and Founder of Music Changing Lives, Josiah Bruny, combined forces with the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free San Bernardino County to use music and art as a way to reach the youth and the community.

The event was well attended with community members, MCL youth and staff, and elected officials of San Bernardino County. In addition to the live premiere of the video, there were refreshments, networking and a tour opportunity of the MCL recording studio and art lab. 

A few MCL students also performed solo acts after the premiere. Check some of them out below.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes honored the Inland Empire Community News Group as the 2019 Small Business of the Year for the 47^th Assembly District today at the State Capitol.

The Inland Empire Community News (IECN) Group started out as the “El Chicano” newspaper founded in 1968 by a group of young activists in San Bernardino and Riverside who were determined to reinvent public perception, provide a voice to, and tell the stories of, the underserved and underrepresented Mexican-American community.  For half a century, El Chicano has created a news platform for the community and has received countless recognitions.  The expansion of IECN to include news outlets in Colton, Rialto, the Inland Empire and beyond, has elevated its reach in the community.

Today the Inland Empire Community News Group is comprised of the Colton Courier, the Rialto Record, Inland Empire Weekly and El Chicano.

Over 70 nominations were received, with 26 finalists selected from throughout the community for the Small Business of the Year award which honors small businesses of the 47^th Assembly District.

This year’s Small Business of the Year Finalists for the 47^th District includes:

Colton Advanced Silkscreen (Colton)

Hour Glass & Mirror, Inc. (Colton)

Tacos La Central (Colton)

Inland Empire Community News Group (Colton)

Reche Canyon Rehabilitation & Health Services (Colton)

Rialto Flooring (Rialto)

Rosie’s Preschool (Rialto)

Dollish Polish Nail Studio (Rialto)

Benitez Family Daycare (Rialto)

Forum Blues Café (Rialto)

Rise Above Skate Shop (Rialto)

Esquivel Auto Depot, Inc. (Rialto)

Jaynes Bee Products (Bloomington)

Felipe’s Truck Repair (Bloomington)

La Pasta Italia (Grand Terrace)

Woody’s Classic Grill (Grand Terrace)

Chillz Froyo (Grand Terrace)

Technical Employment Training, Inc. (San Bernardino)

Black Chamber of Commerce (San Bernardino)

Adela’s Beauty, Barber & Nails (San Bernardino)

Roger’s Burgers (San Bernardino)

Clay Counseling Solutions (San Bernardino)

Empowering Success Now (Fontana)

AAA Container Sales & Rentals (Fontana)

Dawn’s Barber Shop (Fontana)

Good Choice Tires (Muscoy)

“Congratulations IECN for being chosen as the 2019 Small Business of the Year for the 47^th Assembly District and all of the small businesses who were nominated this year,” said Assemblymember Reyes. “Small Businesses are the backbone of our economy, together we must renew our commitment to small businesses in the State of California, because as they thrive so do our local economies.”

For more information on the Small Business of the Year and finalists contact District Representative Daniel Peeden at (909) 381-3238 or email at Daniel.Peeden@asm.ca.gov.

Patient shares her story during Loma Linda University Cancer Center’s 28^th annual Celebration of Life event 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)– LOMA LINDA, CA– Feathered hats, photo booths, inspirational chalk walls and words of wisdom were seen and heard throughout Loma Linda University Cancer Center’s 28^th annual Celebration of Life Event on June 2. The event offered a community that is battling, or that has survived cancer, strength for the journey. 

Over 200 attendees heard patient testimonials and updates on the latest advances in cancer care.

One of the many stories presented featured Marsha Bradley, who survived Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer twice, thanks to Loma Linda University Cancer Center, surgical oncologist Maheswari Senthil, MD. Bradley has worked as an educator for 34 years and never thought she would develop Stage 4 Colon Cancer.  After a successful round of chemotherapy in 2005, Bradley was cancer-free for the first time. When it returned the second time, in 2010, she came to Loma Linda University Health, where she partnered with Senthil to undergo a complex surgery called Cytoreductive surgery that was paired with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Senthil is only a handful of surgeons in Southern California who can perform this surgery. 

Bradley’s Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer journey was shared through a video testimonial during the event.

Senthil also shared the latest advances in cancer care, saying that genomic and precision medicine has allowed physicians to customize treatment to an individual patient. Through advances in cancer science, physicians have learned that behavior of cancer is different in everyone, even if it has the same name and stage. With the ability to personalize care through more precise diagnostics, as well as other advancements in treatment, the mortality rate has decreased for the three most common cancers in men and women. 

Regardless of new scientific frontiers, Senthil said compassion must remain the constant.

“If we do not care for our patients with compassion and kindness, what do any of these advances mean?” Senthil said. “It all comes down to basic human kindness and compassion in which the care is delivered, no matter how advanced the science is. At Loma Linda University Health, we have already done that, and the scientific advances are added to this regimen.”

In addition, two oncology nurses were given the Courage to Care Award for their exemplary compassionate care.

By IQBAL PITTALWALA

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— RIVERSIDE, CA— Nicholas V. DiPatrizio of the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, has received a grant of $744,000 from the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, administered by the UC Office of the President, to investigate the impact of long-term cannabis exposure on metabolic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes.

People in good metabolic health have ideal levels of blood sugar, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference. Those with poor metabolic heath, on the other hand, have increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Researchers do not have a clear picture of the long-term impact cannabis use has on metabolic health, including diseases like Type 2 diabetes, which is marked by higher-than-normal levels of glucose in the blood.

DiPatrizio’s lab will study how cannabis affects the stable equilibrium of glucose — its “homeostasis” — in health and disease using a variety of cutting-edge technologies, such as tandem mass spectrometry.

“Scientists are still not sure how exactly long-term, or chronic, cannabis use affects health and a variety of tobacco-related pathologies, such as Type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic diseases,” said DiPatrizio, an assistant professor of biomedical sciences. “We will investigate in wild-type mice whether cannabis exposure is linked to higher incidence of Type 2 diabetes. We expect the knowledge we will gain in this project will help guide science-based public policy associated with the health impact of short-term and long-term cannabis use.” 

The three-year grant is the first cannabis grant received on campus, requiring DiPatrizio to acquire a Drug Enforcement Agency Schedule 1 license to perform the research — also a first for UCR.

DiPatrizio explained that while short-term cannabis exposure in rodents and humans increases eating, long-term cannabis use is paradoxically linked to lower body weights. Indeed, long-term cannabis use in humans can lead to improvements in some metabolic parameters, such as raising high-density lipoproteins, or HDL, often called “good cholesterol.” As such, his lab will also explore possible benefits of long-term cannabis use to metabolic health.

“We will also investigate how important the endocannabinoid system, which cannabis hijacks, is for maintaining glucose homeostasis and if cannabis exposure dysregulates the process,” DiPatrizio said.

The endocannabinoid system is located throughout the mammalian body, including the brain and all peripheral organs. It participates in the control of many physiological functions, including food intake, energy balance, and reward. Endocannabinoids, the body’s own “natural cannabis,” are lipid signaling molecules that enhance eating by binding to cannabinoid receptors located on cells throughout the body — similar to keys (endocannabinoids) turning open locks (receptors).

DiPatrizio explained that glucose homeostasis in mammals is controlled by the nutrient-induced release in the small intestine of incretins, metabolic hormones that stimulate a decrease in blood glucose levels by driving insulin secretion, which is necessary for maintaining stable glucose levels.

His research group will assess the impact of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, exposure on incretin release in wild-type and transgenic mice that are engineered to lack cannabinoid receptors in the lining of their small intestines and in pancreatic beta cells. The small intestines and pancreas, both heavily involved in controlling metabolism, are known targets of cannabinoids. 

DiPatrizio explained that THC, the main ingredient of cannabis, activates cannabinoid receptors on cells throughout the body and controls energy homeostasis. Some of the mice, making up the “control group,” will be fed a normal diet and remain lean; the rest will be put for 60 days on a high-fat and high-sugar diet, also called a Western diet, to turn them obese. Whole cannabis oil extracts, which naturally contain THC, and pure THC will be used in the experiments.

“We will explore if THC makes the obese mice leaner with improvements in metabolism,” DiPatrizio said. “We expect to find the endocannabinoid system in the small intestines of the lean mice controls incretin release and glucose homeostasis. Further, we suspect the endocannabinoid system becomes dysregulated in the obese mice and participates in cannabis-induced changes in metabolic function.”

DiPatrizio will be joined in the research by doctoral students and staff in his lab.

The Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program funds research that enhances understanding of tobacco use, prevention and cessation, the social, economic and policy-related aspects of tobacco use, and tobacco-related diseases in California. Solely funded through the tobacco tax and individual contributions, the program has funded more than 1,200 research grants on tobacco-related studies, with 95% of the revenue going directly to funding research and education efforts.

By John Coleman, Community Photographer

The 26th Annual Armed Forces Celebration was held at Kansas SDA Church in Riverside.

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