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(EMPIRE NES NETWORK—ENN)— U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) recently congratulated seven area high school students accepted to the U.S. military service academies. The students were nominated by a panel of judges with military backgrounds. Following a rigorous application and interview process, the judges made their recommendations to the respective service academies for final approval.

“Attending the nation’s military service academies is an incredible honor, and it’s one of my greatest privileges as a Member of Congress to nominate the best candidates the 35th district has to offer,”said Torres. “Students who graduate from these distinguished institutions don’t just leave with a degree in their hands, they also gain the skills, maturity, and connections to embark on a successful career in service to this country.”

The following are this year’s nominees, their city of residence, and the academy to which they have been accepted:

United States Naval Academy

·         Ryan Alexus, Pomona

·         Justin Chu, Pomona

·         Joshua Reyes, Ontario

United States Naval Academy Prep School

• Jessica Felix, Ontario

Air Force Academy

• Ryan Torres, Chino

United States Military Academy (West Point)

• Alexander Ramos, Chino

• Jacob Turner, Chino

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. 

This year’s class of students collectively received the equivalent of $3.5 million in scholarships to attend the military academies, or $500,000 per student. In addition to a free college education, the honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Congresswoman Torres will nominate, through a competitive process, one individual for each vacant academy slot allotted to the 35^th district.

Photos by John Coleman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— RIVERSIDE, CA— Derren may have developed the ‘rules’ for the Community of Family and Friends but THEY are the people who are maintaining them;   a wonderful model! 

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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Public Library will be hosting a free nutrition class at the Feldheym Central Library at 555 W. 6^th Street in San Bernardino. The class will be held in Kellogg Room A on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM. 

Reach Out, a Local Non-Profit Organization, and Champions for Change are offering the classes in cooperation with the County of San Bernardino Public Health-Nutrition Department.

This nutrition program focuses on promoting healthy eating and active living to prevent and help decrease obesity  and other related chronic diseases within our communities. Learn how you can make healthier decisions that reflect your family’s traditions while staying within your budget in a fun and interactive program, including food demonstrations, cookbooks and free giveaways.

This month’s class is “Refresh Better”, encouraging people to choose healthy beverages.

These classes are free and open to the public, but registration is required.  Call Tamika Tonge at Reach Out to register or call the library at 909-381-8235.

Puraci recognized by Senator Mike Morrell for her career in education 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— INLAND EMPIRE—- Cristina Puraci, President of the Redlands Unified School District Board of Trustees, released the following statement announcing her candidacy to succeed State Senator Mike Morrell (R-Rancho Cucamonga) in California’s 23rd District: 

“The Inland Empire was once an affordable place to live and raise a family. However, the out of control, rising cost of living in our region has diminished our quality of life,” said Puraci. “How much longer must we listen to Sacramento politicians push the same failed policies while our children, friends, and neighbors leave California for a better life? As your next State Senator, I will advocate for common sense solutions that will lower our cost of living, strengthen public safety and reduce homelessness, attract high-wage jobs, improve education for our youth, and protect our environment while preserving our Constitutional liberties.”

Cristina has dedicated over 15 years to the education field as a teacher and community activist. She was elected to the Redlands Unified School District Board of Trustees in 2016 and currently serves as the President. Cristina is also a member of several boards and committees including the San Bernardino County Drug and Gang Task Force and the Redlands Cultural Arts Council. An active community leader, Cristina is involved in several local organizations, like Refresh & Renew and Hands of Mercy, which provide food, clothing, and shelter to veterans and the homeless. 

Honored for her professional and civic leadership, Cristina has earned numerous awards including the WHO award (We Honor Ours) from the California Teachers Association. In 2017, Cristina was recognized by Senator Mike Morrell and Senate colleagues at the state capitol. “From humble beginnings, Cristina came here with admiration and respect for our Constitution, wanting to embrace the freedoms and opportunities that can only be found here in America,” remarked Morrell. “It was an honor to acknowledge her and the contributions she and her family have made to our community.”

Cristina has been a resident of the Inland Empire since immigrating to the United States in 1992. After attending San Bernardino Valley College, Cristina transferred to California State University, San Bernardino where she earned her bachelor’s degree before earning her master’s degree in Education from National University. Cristina lives in Highland with her husband of 27 years, Adrian, who is also a teacher. Together they have one son, Sebastian, who teaches biology, a daughter-in-law, Simina, and one grandson, Kevin.

State Senator Mike Morrell currently represents the 23rd District but reaches term limits in 2020, making this an open seat. The 23rd Senate District includes all or parts of Banning, Beaumont, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Cedar Glen, Calimesa, Cherry Valley, Crestline, Homeland, Hemet, Highland, Lake Arrowhead, Loma Linda, Menifee, Mentone, Nuevo, Phelan, Pinion Hills, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, Wrightwood and Yucaipa.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) is switching to a flex week schedule for the summer for most schools and offices.

The first day of the modified schedule is Monday, June 10, 2019. The first Friday that offices will be closed is June 14. SBCUSD offices will also be closed June 21, June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19, and July 26.

All offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4 for the holiday.

Most SBCUSD offices observing the modified summer schedule are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, but families and community members are encouraged to call for specific hours of operation.

For transcripts, call Student Records at (909) 880-6615. To report suspicious activity at a school, call the See Something, Say Something Hotline at (909) 388-6043. For Student Work Permits, call College and Career Readiness/Linked Learning at (909) 473-2084. Or call the main SBCUSD office at (909) 381-1100.

Kid-Approved Indoor Theme Park and Playground Experience Opens in Inland Empire June 1

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)–MONTCLAIR, CA— Montclair Place, an Inland Empire shopping center, has officially welcomed Kids Empire, the indoor theme park and playground. Open on June 1, 2019, Kids Empire is filled with every kid’s dream adventure, including play structures, drop-in ball pits, and more!

Kids Empire is designed to foster playfulness for healthy, happy kids, and encourages active play for kids to let out their great kid energy. The indoor theme park includes two main playgrounds: The Maze and a Tots Area. The Maze is fully equipped with a fun block arena, a soccer arena, dance floor, obstacle courses, slides, rides and more. The Tots Area includes age-appropriate structures like slides, ball pits, bouncing trampolines, bicycles, and a dance area. Tickets to Kids Empire are good for readmission the entire day of purchase.

After working up an appetite, guests can stop by the on-site Empire Snack Bar or venture out and enjoy other Montclair Place eateries like Doner & Gyros, Pokeway, Noodle World and more in the Moreno Street Market Food Hall or the newly opened Canyon Grill restaurant located in The Canyon. Kids Empire is also home to many birthday parties, offering exclusive party packages, customizable invitations, and meal options.

Great for after school, weekends, birthday parties and more, toddlers and young kids can enjoy all that Kids Empire at Montclair has to offer. The cost for admission is $15 per child with two adults free per child ($5 charge per additional adult). Socks are mandatory for all guests entering the park and are available for purchase at the front desk for $2.50.

Kids Empire is located on the Lower Level, near Sears. For more information visit https://montclair.kidsempire.us/.

The opening of Kids Empire at Montclair Place is on the heels of other recent developments for the Inland Empire shopping center. New additions include The Canyon, the first US location of Doner and Gyros, an expanded Forever 21 retail store, and a new Spectrum customer service center.

For more information about these developments and other Montclair Place updates, visit www.montclairplace.com.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Jeremiah Bryant was recently promoted to Director of Strategic Development at Omnitrans, after 12 years of increasing responsibilities at the transit agency.

He will lead a team of 15 employees.  Functions of the newly-formed Strategic Development Department include service planning, development planning, stops and stations, grant writing, and business intelligence.

 “We believe Jeremiah’s skills and experience will help Omnitrans strategically adapt to a rapidly changing landscape within transit and in the San Bernardino Valley,” said Omnitrans CEO/General Manager P. Scott Graham.  

 “I appreciate the investment Omnitrans places in its employees.  Nearly 12 years ago, I joined Omnitrans and hoped to use my analytical abilities to aid the agency.  Over the years, Omnitrans has invested in training, development and provided opportunities for growth,” Bryant said.  “I look forward to leveraging the investment the agency has made in me by leading the Strategic Development Department as we move to enhance Omnitrans’ service in the future.”

Bryant began his career at Omnitrans as a Marketing Analyst in 2007 and was promoted to Planning and Scheduling Manager in 2010.  He has represented Omnitrans on numerous regional committees and served as the Agency’s primary contact with the American Bus Benchmarking Group, a national industry peer group. He recently graduated from the inaugural Omnitrans Leadership Development Academy. 

Prior to working in transit, he held market research positions at Darnell Group.  Bryant also served as an economics instructor at Chaffey College between 2000 and 2016.

Bryant earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree from Saint Mary’s College of California and a Master of Arts in Economics from University of California, Davis.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Come out and support Fighting 4 the Tatas while enjoying an exciting night of 66ers baseball! Come early because the 66ers will be handing out a limited supply of “You’ve Got A Friend in Me” double bobbles, sponsored by LiUNA. With your continued support, Fighting 4 the Tatas is able to carry out our mission on offering support to those suffering from Inflammatory Breast Cancer and other aggressive forms of breast cancer. So come and have some fun under the sky as we enjoy some Good Ole Fashion Baseball.

Saturday, June 8 
6:05 PM – 09:00 PM 
San Manual Stadium

See map

Please Share this post and invite your friends and family to come out and have a good time.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

First joint Sanctioned International BBQ Competition 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— NORCO, CA— Professional barbeque chefs will vie for more than $10,000 in cash, prizes and international bragging rights at the 5th Annual Horse Town Brew n’ Que Festival, June 1, in Norco, CA. The barbeque cook-off is the first joint international barbeque competition sanctioned by the prestigious Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS). Norco’s winning professional team members will fly to Perth, Australia to compete in Brew n’ Que Australia, Norco’s sister cook-off, October 5, 2019. Australian barbeque team, the Rib Racks, will join over 60 teams participating in the Norco contest. The festival plays host to craft beer tastings from the southern California’s most prized brewers: live entertainment: on site classes: a kids cooking class and a kids barbeque competition. 

“We are very excited to join forces with the Norco barbeque contest”, notes Jason Linto, Australia’s organizer and president of BBQ Events Australia. “Norco’s facility is very unique and the festival represents everything that is all American.” Some the country’s best cooks will be there and we want to compete against the best. “I am thrilled to be involved with the Norco event,” he adds. 

Norco organizer, Debbie Yopp, sees the event as a means to exchange ideas and develop barbeque cooking skills. “The festival and the teams competing are barbeque ambassadors but they are also developing relationships,” says Yopp. “This is now an international arena that allows us to learn from each other.” 

Noted chefs Chris Ferrell, executive chef for Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que restaurant, Donna Fong, professional cook and barbeque instructor and television personality, “Bigg Dane” Florence will be on site overseeing a kids cooking class and kids barbeque competition. A vendor marketplace will include food and activities for adults and youth. Both craft beer and barbeque will be available to sample and attendees may cast a vote for their favorite craft beer or barbecue to determine the people’s choice awards. Additionally, a rare California Certified BBQ Judging (CBJ) class is also scheduled. 

Live entertainment includes: Country-Blues stylist, Wumbloozo; toe stomping, the Blue Henrys; local favorite, the Honeylickers and San Francisco Bay’s hot West Coast Caravan of All Stars who add to the festival’s flavor. Special guest artist Lucky Lloyd and the Blues Shockers will perform a special tribute to BB King both in Norco and Australia. 

Festival Hours: Saturday, June 1, 2019 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.: A Certified Table Captain’s and BBQ Judging Class will be held June 2. 2019. Tickets are now on sale and priced as follows: Advance tickets- General admission tickets, $12.00. BBQ Sampler tickets, $40.00, (includes 15 BBQ taste tickets). Beer Sampler Package, $40.00. Children 11 and under are free. For more information visit www.brewnquefestival.com or call (951) 444-1280. 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO – A total of 65 recipients of scholarships from the four-county region representing Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) schools will be recognized during a ceremony on April 30 in San Bernardino.

The students who represent schools and districts from Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino counties (RIMS) will be recognized during an event at the Professional Development Center building for the San Bernardino City Unified School District.

Among the honorees are 41 students from San Bernardino County high schools. Students being honored by their schools and districts include:

Apple Valley Unified: Kayla Spruill, Apple Valley High;

Chaffey Joint Union: Victoria Aispuro, Ontario High; Evelin Avila, Chaffey High; Ariana Hernandez, Colony High; and Steicy Melendez, Montclair High;

Colton Joint Unified: Filimon Fregoso, Grand Terrace High; Daisy Martinez, Colton High; and Mauricio Valtierra Munoz, Bloomington High;

Fontana Unified: Rogelio Aguilar Lopez, Giovanny Flores Ceniceros, Marlen Garcia, Andres Larios and Itzhary Tamayo, Fontana High; Andrea Rodriguez and Nelly Velasquez, Summit High;

Hesperia Unified: Marilin Ayon and Brian Mojica, Hesperia High; Daniel Black and Martha Marquez, Sultana High; Cheri Long and Laura Morales, Oak Hills High;

Redlands Unified: Matthew Meyer and Nicasio Romero, Redlands East Valley High; and Joshua Venegas, Citrus Valley High;

Rialto Unified: David Gonzalez, Carter High; Simranpreet Kaur, Eisenhower High; and Ashley Morales, Rialto High;

San Bernardino City Unified: Paloma Alvarez, Pacific High; Ryan Chung, San Gorgonio High; Sofia Dominguez, San Bernardino High; Andrew Hernandez, Margarito Moedano, Destiny Serrato and Wang-Meng Yang, Indian Springs High; Luisita Munoz, Arroyo Valley High; Daysi Ramirez, Cajon High; and Samantha Spencer, Middle College High;

Upland Unified: Inia Brooks, Upland High;

Victor Valley Union: Jacqueline Cortez, Victor Valley High; George Pineda, Cobalt Institute of Math and Science; and Amber Van De Walle, Silverado High.