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Crafton Hills College’s Veterans Resource Center honors veteran grads

YUCAIPA, CA— Crafton Hills College’s Class of 2022 veteran graduates were recognized during a lively ceremony on May 17.

Hosted by the Veterans Resource Center (VRC), the event was planned to honor not only each grad’s academic achievements but for their service to the United States.

“These are the veterans who stuck around through COVID, and because of their hard work, we are here today,” remarked VRC services coordinator Steven Rush, to kick off the celebration.

Lisa Mills, a VRC counselor, and Cody Long, a mental health counselor at the center, each took turns sharing stories about each graduate. Each veteran then received a customized stole and cords to wear during CHC’s campus-wide commencement ceremony on May 25.

Alumni in attendance included Michael Hendrix, a Marine Corps veteran focused on business administration, and Steve Rodriquez, an Army veteran studying radiologic technology and recently accepted into a rad tech program to continue his studies.

Jose Aaron Rosales, a Marine veteran who was accepted into Harvard University to study medicine, and Sebastian Romeropreciado, also a Marine transferring to Cal Poly Pomona to continue pursuing his degree in computer science were also recognized.

“The obstacles you overcame were immense,” said CHC President Dr. Kevin Horan.“As you know as veterans, ceremonies are important .We are pleased at this accomplishment, and I look forward to meeting each and every one of you.”

Located next to Campus Police, the Veterans Resource Center supports veterans and their dependents in utilizing educational services available to them. In addition, the center provides work-study opportunities, counseling, personal and professional development workshops and career exploration and guidance. To learn more, go to craftonhills.edu/veterans or send an email to veteransservices@craftonhills.edu.

Victorville to Celebrate Juneteenth with Celebration at Trinity Lutheran Church

VICTORVILLE, CA— Victorville’s Juneteenth Community Day Celebration, commemorating the emancipation of slaves in the United States, will take place on Saturday, June 18. This family-friendly event will include live entertainment, vendors, and free backpacks for the first 300 kids who register. The event will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 16138 Molino Drive in Victorville. For more information, please call 760-241-9900 or go to ChanHD.com

County Budget Honored for Transparency

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The County’s 2021-22 Adopted Budget was honored this month with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), which the organization states is “a testament to the government’s commitment to producing annual reports that evidence the spirit of full disclosure and transparency.”San Bernardino County can now add the “Triple Crown” for transparent financial reporting to the hundreds of accolades the County has received from peers and professional organizations in recent years.

San Bernardino County has claimed this award 15 times since fiscal year 2006-07. Combined with two other GFOA awards this year – the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award – the County has earned the highly coveted GFOA Triple Crown medallion.

“San Bernardino County has long been a pioneer in government transparency,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “We were the first county to make many important documents available online, including Board agendas and associated reports and contracts, Form 700 Statements of Economic Interests, and campaign finance reports, and much more.”
“The County budget team works hard to make our annual budgets informative and easy to read,” Hagman continued. “We are honored that GFOA consistently recognizes our annual budgets among the many things we do make our work visible to the public.”

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), founded in 1906, represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada. The association’s more than 20,000 members are federal, state/provincial, and local finance officials deeply involved in planning, financing, and implementing thousands of governmental operations in each of their jurisdictions. GFOA’s mission is to advance excellence in public finance.

Employment Opportunities at Ontario International Airport Career Fair on June 8

ONTARIO, CA– Ontario International Airport, in partnership with the County’s Workforce Development Board, will host a career fair on June 8 inside Terminal 1, 1940 Moore Way, Ontario.

Several airport vendors, business partners and cargo airlines will participate in the event, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ONT has been named the fastest-growing airport in the U.S. four years running and is one of the Top 10 cargo airports in North America.For more information, contact CommunityEngagement@flyontario.com.

Public Works Upgraded Bloomington Crosswalks

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — New high-visibility ladder style crosswalks and pedestrian activated rectangular flashing beacons were installed near Bloomington High School last week at the intersections of Alder/Avenida and Alder/Slover. Additionally, all school zone crosswalks surrounding the high school were freshly painted.

The County’s Department of Public Works participates in the Bloomington Traffic Mitigation Meetings which includes San Bernardino County Sherriff, California Highway Patrol and Colton Joint Unified School District to identify additional countermeasures to improve safety for students walking and biking to school in the Bloomington area. These improvements will serve to calm traffic and enhance student safety.

COVID-19 Booster Doses Now Available for Children Ages 5-11

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for 5 to 11 -year-olds are now available countywide. Children in that age group are eligible for their booster at least 5 months after completion of a primary series of Pfizer. County residents can make a booster vaccine appointment by visiting MyTurn.ca.gov or vaccines.gov or by calling our COVID Hotline at (909) 387-3911.

Board Declares Juneteenth a County Holiday

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Juneteenth, a national celebration of freedom and equity, has become San Bernardino County’s newest official holiday.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously proclaimed June 19 of each year as Juneteenth within San Bernardino County, encouraging all county residents to take time on that day to reflect upon the freedoms we enjoy and how each of us can practice and promote equity for all people.

The Board also formally granted County employees a corresponding holiday to celebrate Juneteenth and what the observance represents. June 19 falls on a Sunday this year, so County offices will be closed on June 20.

“This time of year holds special significance for San Bernardino County because it was on June 23, 2020 that the Board of Supervisors officially declared racism a public health crisis, added Equity as an element of the Countywide Vision, and established an Equity Element Group to address the underlying causes of disparities in various key aspects of community life,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman.

“The Board is committed to making equity a focus of everything we do,” Hagman said. “We look forward to continuing to work with our county team, community leaders, our residents, and those who invest in the county to build a prosperous and healthy community that creates opportunity and an outstanding quality of life for everyone.”

Juneteenth, a blending of the words “June” and “nineteenth,” marks the date in 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas were informed the Civil War had ended and they were free. Although President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier, countless Americans continued to be held as slaves for the duration of the war. June 19 has become the date that represents the end of slavery in the United States.

“On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I encourage everyone to observe Juneteenth as a day to celebrate that race, ethnicity, heritage, or belief must never stand in the way of freedom,” Hagman said.

With the upcoming recognition of Juneteenth, also referred to as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, the Victor Valley Museum is pleased to embrace the theme of diversity in the Wade in the Water: Art and Quilt Exhibition. Curated by artist Theresa Polley-Shellcroft, Wade in the Water will be on display June 1 through June 30, 2022, featuring twenty-five nationwide artists whose interpretations derive from African American Spirituals containing messages of freedom through mediums such as painting, photography, mixed media, dolls, and quilts. For more information visit https://fb.me/e/1OqhKSYFp.

2022 Latino History Bee Winners Join Elite Group

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— As the only Latino History Bee in the nation, the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) event is truly unique and the student winners are among an elite group of who have proven that they value the rich culture and history of Latin America.

Last month, students in grades 6–12 from 11 SBCUSD schools competed in three rounds focused on different aspects of the Latino experience. Round one focused on Latino history. During round two, students identified Latino artwork, including the title, artist, and country of origin. New this year for round three, students presented a Latino-inspired dance, skit, monologue, or other performance.

This year’s judges included Dr. Barbara Flores, Dr. Scott Wyatt, Dr. Esteban Diaz, and Dr. Enrique Murillo.

The winners of the middle school division (grades 6–8) were:
1st Place—Alani Guzman, Richardson PREP HI Middle School
2nd Place—Sophia Williams, Arrowview Middle School
3rd Place—Katty Camacho, Arrowview Middle School

The winners of the high school division (grades 9–12) were:
1st Place—Elizabeth Bañuelos, Arroyo Valley High School
2nd Place—Crystal Tello, Arroyo Valley High School
3rd Place (tie)—Stephen Zermeño, San Gorgonio High School, and Valeria Ramirez, Arroyo Valley High School

“We are proud of the hard work that our students put in to prepare for the competition and their ability to perform under pressure,” said Multilingual Department Director Tex Acosta. “Their collective mastery of facts and knowledge of the Latino culture was impressive.”

 

“66ers Negro League Tribute” Community Meet and Greet and Award Ceremony

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— “66ERS” is teaming up with Riverside Black chambers of Commerce, and Green Smilez Loving Care Foundation to present a community meet and greet tribute featuring the minor league baseball team who will pay a tribute to the 102nd year negro league, along with a recognition ceremony to the Black Excellence and Achievements of individuals and their businesses.

The “SB 66ers Negro League Tribute” Community Meet and Greet & Award ceremony event gives the community the opportunity to showcase and celebrate the talents of African American players during segregation. Their organized efforts became a successful business enterprise generating millions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs in the Black community.

The Negro league athletes were inspiring, and a grand success beating the odds, and representing the very best of the sport.

The event will be held on Friday, June 10, 2022, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at San Manuel Stadium, 280 S E St, San Bernardino, CA 92401. The event hashtag for social media posts is #66ersblackexcellencetribute. The community is encouraged to attend the event. Admission is $18.00. San Manuel Stadium will sell food and beverages. There will be merchandise for purchase and a small vendor marketplace.

The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The 66ers are based in San Bernardino, California, and play at San Manuel Stadium.

The Black chambers of commerce of Riverside Mission is to empower and inspire minority entrepreneurs, in their indigenous communities to be successful, partner with like minded individuals, companies, and nonprofit organizations to achieve that mission. We believe that our greatest opportunity to empower and inspire minority communities and businesses lies in cooperation and collaboration with the industries of tomorrow.

The narrative of African-American playing Professional Baseball has changed sports history. An enterprise of Black ownership launched and funded the Negro National League.

Black Baseball became known for showcasing a style of speed, daring play and showmanship. August 1945, Jackie Robinson shook the baseball world with his official announcement he integrated major league baseball playing for the Dodgers in 1947.

After Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier other major league team followed suit and eventually the Negro American league support was stretched thin. As of 2020 many of the founding Negro leagues baseball teams have been declared official major leagues with their players records and statistics counted in baseball’s record books.

Baseball fans around the world garner strong supporters of players, teams, and the BIG games.

The inner-city kids who play baseball in the community spend this time rising above their circumstances, baseball is where young people find a common purpose in the ball parks and in the stadiums.

It is important that the inland empire youth, and many who grow up in challenging neighborhoods with limited opportunities, be exposed to positive events like the 66ers Negro league tribute to honor the legacy of their ancestors and be empowered by the organizations that bring them resources. Public recognition and highlighting the achievements of local businesses and the people who serve, motivate, encourage, and inspire is the icing on the cake for this event. There will also be a fireworks display preceding the Baseball Game. This will be a Family fun event where all is welcome and your support very much appreciated. Purchase tickets at this link.

San Bernardino Brings Back Military Street Banner Program to Recognize Its Hometown Heroes

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The City of San Bernardino has brought back its Military Street Banner Program to salute its hometown heroes. It is seeking the names of military personnel currently serving in the armed forces to honor with a banner to be installed on streetlights near the civic plaza, and then spreading throughout the city. There is no cost to participate in the program.

In addition to active-duty service members, reservists and veterans who reside in San Bernardino may also be honored with banners. Special Gold Star banners will be produced in memory of service members who died while serving.

“There is no amount of thanks that we can give San Bernardino’s military men and women to match our appreciation for their service to our country and community,” said Parks and Recreation Director Lydie Gutfeld. “This recognition let’s everyone know who among us has made the commitment to serve.”

All military street banner participants or living family members will be invited to a City Council meeting as part of a formal presentation and recognition by the Mayor and Council.
Service members or their families must submit an application along with Verification of Military Status (DD-214) and a color 5×7 image of the service person. An online application is available at City of San Bernardino – Military Banner Program Application (sbcity.org). Funding for this program is being provided by sponsorships, community donations, and city funds.

For more information, contact the City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at 909-384-5233.