Local

SEIU Local 2015 and Agua Caliente Clippers Partnered to Host Caregiver Night

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN) SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- SEIU 2015, California’s long term care union representing 385,000 nursing home and home care workers, and the Agua Caliente Clippers partnered to host Caregiver Night on Saturday, January 19 when the Agua Caliente Clippers played the Stockton Kings at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.

The event was the first time SEIU 2015 partnered with the Clippers Organization to bring attention to the important work that caregivers do.

Over 3,200 people attended Caregiver Night, including over 500 seniors, people with disabilities, and their caregivers.

There was also a jersey raffle the night of the game and all proceeds went to Sova Program Center in Ontario. Sova offers services such as utility and rental assistance to families and individuals in need.

“Californians are growing older and living longer and the support of home care workers, nursing home workers, and long term care programs is critical to ensure the well-being of our loved ones,” said Kim Evon, Executive Vice President of SEIU 2015. “This game was in honor of the vital role the over 26,000 caregivers in San Bernardino County play in our communities. It was honor to partner with the Agua Caliente Clippers to make this game happen.”

SBCUSD Installs Solar Panels at 10 Schools

Thousands of solar panels have been installed at 10 campuses in the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD).

The project began in July 2018 and was completed in December 2018. The District is projected to save up to $20 million over the next 20 years while also conserving natural resources. The panels were installed at no cost to the District under a power purchase agreement with PFMG Solar, LLC.

At San Gorgonio High School alone, more than 2,000 solar panels were installed atop new parking lot shelters, making it possible for the school to consume about 35 percent less power from the grid. The entire project will generate about seven million kilowatt hours per year.

Other District campuses that also have new solar panels include CajonArroyo ValleyIndian SpringsMiddle College, and Pacific High SchoolsCurtisDel Vallejo, and Chavez Middle Schools; and Barton Elementary School. Schools were selected based on their high electricity consumption and available space.

The installation of solar panels is part of the District’s longstanding commitment to clean energy. Other initiatives include recent energy-saving upgrades at various schools across the District, like the installation of new LED lighting and new air conditioning units. In addition, most SBCUSD schools have been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as Energy Star campuses.

“This project will allow us to reduce energy costs and also reduce our carbon footprint,” said Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden. “That’s a win-win for our District and our community.”

Black History Film Festival at the San Bernardino Public Library

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—SAN BERNARDINO, CA—   The San Bernardino Public Library will be hosting a film festival in celebration of Black History Month in February.  These screenings will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 PM in the Bing Wong Auditorium at the Feldheym Central Library, 555 W. 6th Street.

The series includes films that cover a wide range of stories and cultures. Due to our public performance license, we are unable to list the titles of the movies. 

  • Tuesday, Feb. 5: A young girl from South Los Angeles tries to make it to the National Spelling Bee. Starring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne.
  • Thursday, Feb. 7: The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role at NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. Starring Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer.
  • Tuesday, Feb. 19: A chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965. Starring David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo.
  • Thursday, Feb. 21: A working class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950’s, while coming to terms with the events of his life. Starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.
  • Tuesday, Feb. 26: A passionate coach helps inner-city kids overcome the racist attitudes around them and become Philadelphia’s first African-American swim team. Starring Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac.
  • Thursday, Feb. 28: The heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda must step forward to lead his people into a new future. Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o.

These films are free and open to the public. For more information call the library at 909-381-8235 or visit or visit www.sbpl.org,https://twitter.com/SBCityLibrary, or https://www.facebook.com/SBPLfriends/

3D Printing at the San Bernardino Public Library

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The new Makerspace at the San Bernardino Public Library will be offering a 3D Printing Workshop on Thursday, January 31, 2019. It will be held from 2 – 5:30 PM inthe Jack L. Hill Lifelong Learning Center on the 2nd floor of the Feldheym Central Library, at 555 W. 6th Street.

Learn the basics of Tinkercad and make a personalized keychain. This workshop is Part 1.  Participants will return in late February for  part 2, to come back and “print” their keychain. This free workshop is open to the public, ages 13 and up.

What is a Makerspace?  It’s a place for people, including kids, to work together and make and review projects together. Making can happen anywhere—on a kitchen table or living room rug or garage. It’s an opportunity to Dream, Design and Create. 

The San Bernardino Public Library was recently chosen as 1 of 10 public libraries to participate in a California State Library project – “Developing Makerspaces in Libraries throughout California”.  A small $10,000 Planning and Implementation grant was provided to accomplish a program for Makerspace activities. The project has involved such projects as De-constructing a computer, A Virtual Reality experience, A Cardboard Challenge, and other projects to follow. The library will be providing patrons with opportunities to use new technology such as a 3D printing and Virtual Reality (VR) and other projects as the space develops.

For more information call the Feldheym Central Library at 909-381-8205, or visit www.sbpl.orghttps://twitter.com/SBCityLibrary, or https://www.facebook.com/SBPLfriends/

Ephesians New Testament Church Hosts Central Pacific District Convocation

Dr. E.V. Hill, Jr.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—-SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Ephesians New Testament Church will host the Central Pacific District Convocation of the United Holy Church of America on Tuesday, February 5 to Friday, February 8, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. nightly. The event will be held at Good Samaritan Christian Center located at 17220 Merrill Avenue in Fontana.

The special guest on Wednesday, February 6 will be Dr. Edward V. Hill, Jr. of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Los Angles, California. There will be great preaching and singing each night. The public is invited to come and be blessed in fellowship; Bishop Emory B. James, President.

Army Veteran and Single Mother Receives Car Donation to Help in Goal to Be First in Family to Earn College Degree

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Without a car of her own, Army Veteran Melissa Hooper of Riverside has been heroically juggling a full-tine job with a full-time course load in her goal to set an example by becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree.

Relief in in sight. Hooper and her four-year-old daughter received on Tuesday the priceless gift of independence and freedom when they were presented with keys to a newly refurbished car from Caliber Collision and Encompass Insurance as a thank for her military service.

“(As a) first generation Mexican-American and the first in my family to go to college, I am emboldened to show my family that their work ethic, their love, and their support helped change my life,” said Hooper. 

Hooper has earned four Associates of Science degrees from Riverside Community College and was recently accepted into California State Polytechnic University, majoring in Management and Human Resources.  In addition to her academics, Hooper was president of the Student Veterans Association, helping to win a $10,000 grant to revamp the Veterans Resource Center. Her hundreds of hours of volunteer service earned her the Riverside Community College Student of The Year Award in 2016. 

The car donation from Encompass and Caliber is part of the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides™ program in which collision industry businesses team up to repair and donate cars to individuals in need of reliable transportation. 

Over the past six years, Caliber Collision and its industry partners have repaired and donated nearly300 cars valued at over $4 million to individuals in need of reliable transportation.

Riverside Black History Month Kicks-Off with Annual Reception in Preparation for Annual Black History Parade and Expo

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN) —RIVERSIDE, CA— “It Still Takes A Village” after 40 Years of Unity. That is the theme for this year’s kick-off reception for Riverside Black History Month hosted by the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation. The reception will be held on Saturday, February 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Central Middle School located at 4795 Magnolia Avenue in Riverside.

There will be food and entertainment at the reception. Succeeding the reception will be the Black History Parade and Expo on Saturday, February 9 at 10 a.m. The Parade will begin at Riverside City College and will finish in front of the City Hall in Downtown Riverside, where the expo will also be held.

Sponsors for this year’s festivities include: City of Riverside, Riverside City College, Riverside Unified School District, Raceway Ford, Precinct Reporter, NAACP, Riverside Police Department, County of Riverside, BURRTEC and Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation.

For more information, please visit www.adcrfoundation.org

“Extending the Dream to Heal a New Generation” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration 2019

Ephesians New Testament Church along with the City of Fontana will host its 31st celebration honoring the Nobel peace prize winner Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The slain civil rights leader was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee April 4th 1968.

Shele’a Frazier

Dr. King was about change for all people living in America especially the poor and disenfranchised it was his dream that all people be treated equal and with fairness. Although his major battles were centered on segregation, equality in pay, and fairness to all who lived in America, regardless of race color or creed thus bringing about the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution he was a leader that believed all battles could be won without violence, love was his mantra.

Dr. King was a highly educated man attending Morehouse, Crozier, and Boston Universities.

Andrew Gouche’

A very strong advocate of education; education meant freedom, ignorance meant that people and especially the Negro would be enslaved always, thus the people perish for the lack of knowledge.  His educational astuteness was always evident in his communication skills therefore the world knew him as one of the greatest orators of our time.

The 2019 celebration will honor Jazz and the worship celebration.

Lawrence Powell (actor)

Jazz is the American art form of music that is indigenous to African Americans;

This celebration is being offered to raise monies for scholarships for Fontana Students thus the evenings theme “ AN ELEGANT EVENING OF JAZZ FOR SCHOLARSHIPS”  to be held  at the Fontana Steelworkers Auditorium 8437 Sierra Ave. Fontana, Ca. at 8pm,  it is a ticked event  General  Admission $45 and VIP Admission $100 which will include a reception at 6:30pm  the featured performers will be Shelea’ Frazier, much sought after Touring vocalist, {Dave Koz, Stevie wonder, David Foster, Kirk Whalum} and Andrew Gouche’ a bassist who has been the music director for {Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan also receiving a Grammy for his work on Trinity 57’s production} for a sample of their material go to click the MLK button.

Dr. Dwight Radcliff

 Friday’s presentation will also feature the actor Lawrence Powell, an up and coming actor and critically acclaimed actor for his recent presentation on Martin Luther King Jr. at the Mark Taper Forum, in Los Angeles, CA.

As an added attraction The Jeanette Harris Band will also perform well known to the Fontana community  she is currently an up and coming touring Saxophone artist currently has (4) smooth Jazz recording.

Jeanette Harris Band

Saturday January 19th “The Worship Service” will be held at The Loveland Church at 3pm located at 17977 Merrill Ave. Fontana, Ca. featuring the Fontana Community Choir, the speaker for the worship service is Dwight Radcliff, of The Message Center World Church, Gardena, Ca. Radcliff is a doctoral candidate focusing on Urban Ministry and Theological Studies, Known throughout Southern California as one of the best Contemporary lecturers today. Saturday’s “The Worship Service” is FREE to the public.

26th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Walk-A-Thon

26th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Walk-A-Thon: “Walking for Peace and Justice”

Join us on January 21st as we pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.! This year our theme is ‘Walking for Peace and Justice’. Our 5K walk will start at Stratton Center and end at the RCC Digital Library with a stop at the Martin Luther King Jr. statue on Main Street.  Free shuttle services back to Stratton Center will be available every half hour beginning at 11 am.

Registration will begin at 7:30 AM at Stratton Center. The Walk will begin promptly at 10 AM at the entrance of the Center. Free shuttle service back to Stratton Center will be available every half hour beginning at 11 AM.

After the walk join us for a short program (honoring local honorees), booths, entertainment, performances and a contest for the organization with the most number of walkers.

This years Honorees are:

  • Assembly Member Sabrina Cervantes
  • Judge Irma Poole-Ashberry
  • Congressman Mark Takano
  • Justice Richard Fields

Proceeds from the Walk-A-Thon will benefit the Riverside African-American Historical Society to support:

The Civil Rights Institute, Clarke & Grier College Scholarships and for the maintenance and upkeep of the Martin Luther King Jr. statue. Click here to register.

American Cancer Society donates $10,000 to help cancer patients

Loma Linda University Health Cancer Center will use funds to provide patient transportation

The American Cancer Society wants to get cancer patients to their appointments, period, according to society representatives. That is why on January 16 the Loma Linda University Cancer Center received a $10,000 American Cancer Society Community Transportation Grant.

This is the first year the American Cancer Society provided the transportation grant. It was awarded to only three cancer centers in the San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Rachel Tolman, an American Cancer Society program manager for mission delivery in the western region, says the grant will help fill in the gaps of the current transportation assistance program.

Currently, their program called Road to Recovery uses volunteer drivers to help get patients to appointments. If there are no drivers available or if vouchers for public transportation are not a viable option, Tolman believes this grant will allow cancer centers to provide additional aid.

“Even the best treatment cannot work if a patient cannot get there,” Tolman says. “This grant is a way that, while we cannot do it all and help everyone, allows us to look at cancer centers to step in and provide another resource.”

According to Judy Chatigny, MSN, executive director of Loma Linda University Cancer Center, the biggest need for their patients is transportation. Chatigny says sometimes family members or friends have to step up to use their own money to help a patient. She says this grant will help break some of those logistical barriers, help get patients in for the treatment they need and help them focus on their medical journey.

“We know that the distress caused by a cancer diagnosis can negatively impact not only the patient’s moods, emotions and outcomes, but it impacts the entire family,” Chatigny says. “To be able to ease that burden is extraordinary because it gives patients hope, and hope is what gives energy to all of us.”

If you or a family member is interested in learning more about the full range of services offered at the Loma Linda University Cancer Center, call 1-800-782-2623.