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Sunday, February 27, 2022: Embracing the New in 2022

REDLANDS, CA—For the Love Me will be hosting a social event for Black women on Sunday, February 27, 2022, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Venue 38 located at 840 Tri City Drive in Redlands, California.

The cultural event is designed to promote self-care, self-love, and self-awareness among Black women. The organization is committed to holding an Exclusive Luxury Event where all vendors and partnerships are owned and operated by Black Women.

This year the discussion will focus on creating practical sleep routines to support mental health. There will be five informational vendors to provide education about their products, services, and classes.

Songbird, Annyette Royale will grace the stage throughout the event. Each participant will receive complimentary signature beverages and appetizers, as well as a Self-Love Set. The set contains a petite sage bundle, rose quartz, ceramic scented beads, eucalyptus shower bundles, body butter, and scrub.

Tickets are $45 and are limited to the first 75 women, so get yours TODAY! Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-for-the-love-of-me-tickets-259062150867.

Former Foster Youth and Homeless Youth May Be Eligible to Claim The Earned Income Tax Credit (Eitc)

In the latest NTA BLOG, National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins explains how qualified former foster youth and qualified homeless youth may now be eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The changes are a provision of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are only in effect for tax year 2001. The National Foster Youth Institute notes that many children who were in foster care instantly become homeless when they turn 18 and “age out” of the foster care system.

“When foster youth ‘age out’ of the system, they are legally emancipated and are no longer eligible to receive state assistance with housing, food, and medical care under the foster care system,” says Collins.

The NTA has recommended in her 2022 Purple Book of legislative recommendation that Congress permanently expand the age eligibility for EITC to qualified former foster youth or qualified homeless youth that are 18 years old.

Additionally, the NTA warns about potential issues qualified youth may face when claiming the credit, such as a former foster parent claiming the EITC or other tax benefits and cautions about filing paper returns.

Read the full NTA Blog for more important details.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service invites you to share this vital tax information with your audience.

 

Second Phase of San Bernardino’s Street Improvement Program Moving Forward

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino City Council approved the second phase of a four phase, 53-street plan to repave and resurface streets and repair sidewalks throughout San Bernardino. The most recent contract, approved on February 2, was awarded to All American Asphalt in the amount of $4.7 million. It will encompass segments of nine streets in the city. Work on this phase, which will also include ADA accessible ramps, drainage, sidewalk installation, signage, and curb/gutter improvements, will begin later this month and should be completed by June 2022.

“Improving the conditions of our streets has been one of the top priorities of our residents,” said City Manager Robert Field. “Our Mayor and City Council have responded with a program encompassing 53 streets in a very short period of time.”

Streets that will be improved in this phase are:

  • King Street: between K Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue (Ward 1)
  • Highland Avenue: between 210/215 interchange and Lincoln (Ward 2)
  • K Street: between Mill Street and Hillcrest Avenue (Ward 3)
  • Pumalo Street: Arden Avenue to Sterling Avenue (Ward 4)
  • Churchill Street: between Belmont Avenue and Olive Avenue (Ward 5)
  • Baseline Street: between Medical Center and Mt. Vernon Avenue (Ward 6)
  • 28th Street: between Golden Avenue to end Flood Control (Ward 7)
  • Parkdale Avenue: between Mt. View Avenue to Sierra Way (Wards 4 & 7)
  • Mill Street: between Allen Street to G Street (Wards 1 & 3)

Bids are currently being sought for phase three, which will encompass fourteen additional streets, with a subsequent bid solicitation for twenty-three streets to follow shortly after. In December, a contract was awarded to Onyx Paving Company for work on seven streets across town. Work on that phase began in January and should be completed June 2022.

The streets identified for rehabilitation work were prioritized through a March 2020 pavement management analysis completed by the Public Works Department, which used scientific methods to rate the condition of all public streets in San Bernardino

In 2021, the City of San Bernardino Public Works Department improved and rehabilitated over 3.8 million square feet of roadway, 37,000 square feet of curb, gutter, and sidewalk, and 119 ADA accessible ramps throughout the city.

“Contradictions – Bringing the Past Forward” Art Exhibit Opening

Visual Interpretations of African American Homesteaders in the Mojave Desert

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino County Museum is pleased to present a new exhibit, Contradictions – Bringing the Past Forward by artist Barbara Gothard, from Feb. 8 through Apr. 10, 2022. The exhibit is a research- based multimedia Arts and Humanities project consisting of mixed media installation works and interprets the plight of early 20th century African American homesteaders in the Mojave Desert. The series focuses on the Homesteaders’ stories and the contradictions of Gothard’s own desert-lived experience.

While searching for information on a different topic, Gothard discovered a Daily Bulletin article by journalist Joe Blackstock, by chance also a county museum volunteer, about African American Homesteaders which included an ad from the 1910 Los Angeles Herald. In response to this 1910 newspaper ad specifically recruiting “colored” homesteaders, 23 families became western settlers in far eastern San Bernardino County. This article became the impetus for Gothard’s project, Contradictions – Bringing the Past Forward.

During her artist residency at BoxoPROJECTS in November, Gothard continued to develop her innovative concept of creating twenty-three digital paintings on her iPad and printing them on raw linen canvas. Each artwork interprets a story of one of these African American homesteaders and is the basis for her programs for the community, contrasting their plight in the context of her own lived experience as an African American female artist living in the desert. The project works through a framework of change and continuity, diversity, cause and effect, interconnectedness, community, identity, and belonging in the context of social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental factors prevalent in the early 20th century in the United States. Contradictions – Bringing the Past Forward project explores themes of hope, disillusionment, and strong family bonds based on archival research and interviews.

Melissa Russo, Director of the San Bernardino County Museum shared, “I was first introduced to Barbara’s work in 2018, when her piece was featured in the Museum’s Life in the Cracks group show. When Barbara brought this current project to our attention, we immediately recognized the great value in her research and knew that there would be public fascination in this intersection of regional history and art. This is truly innovative storytelling, and we are thrilled to help promote her interpretations through this exhibition.”

Artist Gothard shared, “As I’ve made presentations during the last year about my artworks interpreting the stories of these African American Homesteaders and developed the artworks during my residency at BOXOProjects, it became increasingly clear that their stories needed to be brought forward. I’m excited that the museum is sharing their experiences and stories through my creative journey.

Contradictions – Bringing the Past Forward is made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of National Endowment for the Humanities and is funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional, cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child ages 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.

City of San Bernardino to Offer Free Mammogram Screenings February 12 and 25

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department has partnered with Alinea Medical Imaging to offer free mammogram screenings to eligible residents on February 12 and 25. The screenings will be available for women 40 years or older, have low household income, or no insurance.

Alinea Medical Imaging’s mobile unit will be at Lytle Creek Park, located at 380 South K Street, on Saturday, February 12, and at the Fifth Street Senior Center, located at 780 East 21st Street on Friday, February 25. Both screening events will occur from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Appointments are encouraged by calling (877) 4AN-EXAM or by going to www.alineamed.com.

“Free mammograms are another example of San Bernardino collaborating with partners to provide important health screening opportunities for our residents,” said Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director Lydie Gutfeld. “We are excited to work with Alinea Medical and will continue to look for additional health screening collaborations in the future.”

Having a mammogram reduces the risk of cancer and more. Women should begin having mammograms yearly at age 40, or earlier if they are at high risk. The procedure is safe, fast, and the discomfort is minimal for most women.

The City of San Bernardino is home to thirty-three parks that span approximately five hundred acres of open space and developed land. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department oversees year-round activities and programs for youth, adults, and seniors at these parks as well at San Bernardino’s eight community centers and senior centers.

A New Study Reveals that UCR Ranks as 18th in Economic Mobility Among Colleges, Universities in the U.S.

By John Coleman

It’s Black History Month.

From our earliest days on this continent, Black people, enslaved or ‘free’, have valued learning, education, knowledge and skill. They have had to overcome barriers in this country which measures everything. There was need for ways to assess ‘success’ for academic institutions and their ‘products’.

The February 2, 2022, UCRiverside Magazine reported that “Third Wave”, a non-profit educational think tank, created a new measure of educational excellence which ranks UCR 18th in the nation. Their instrument, The”Economic Mobility Index” (EMI) examines which schools enroll the highest proportion of students from low and moderate income backgrounds, providing (the schools) the strongest returns for their investments.

Third wave also applied their “Price to Earning Premium” (PEP) metric which measures how long it takes (those) students to recoup their education costs.

There are several well-established publications which offer US college and university ranking systems. The U.S. News & World Report., U.S. News for the third consecutive year has named UCR as the country’s ‘number one’ university for social mobility.

The Washington Monthly magazine named UCR ‘number one’ in the nation for Pell Grant performance.

UCR granted the second-most Pell Grants in the country to its students. The Princeton Review named UCR as among the top 25 public universities in America.

CONGRATULATIONS, UC Riverside! CONGRATULATIONS, UCR Third World Students and Others

It’s Black History Month. Pass the Word!

Internship Opportunities with Department of Behavioral Health

Applications for the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) internships are now available!

DBH internship programs provide interns with a quality training experience that will prepare them to become competent, effective, and ethical clinicians, medical providers and administrators.

Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Internship Program applications are due Feb. 25 for the July start date, and Social Work Internship Program applications are due March 11 for the Fall cohort.

For more information about the programs, please visit sbcounty.gov/dbh/careers/, call (909) 252-4017 or internprograms@dbh.sbcounty.gov.

Six Districts Recognized as Golden Bell Award Winners

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— During a virtual ceremony held on Jan. 31, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) and the San Bernardino California School Boards Association (SBCSBA) recognized six school districts in San Bernardino County for earning California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Awards last month.

“The Golden Bell Awards illustrate a district’s commitment to provide the best possible opportunities for students and staff in San Bernardino County,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “It is an honor to recognize the hard work and dedication these districts have demonstrated.”

During the ceremony, each of the seven award-winning programs were highlighted. Individuals critical to each program’s success had a chance to speak about their challenges and accomplishments. To watch the videos spotlighting each of the seven programs, visit our @SBCountySchools YouTube channel here.

“Receiving a Golden Bell Award is a significant honor,” said San Bernardino County Board of Education President Ken Larson. “Each of these programs represents an ongoing collaborative effort that makes a difference for students, educators, families and communities.”

The 2021 Golden Bell Award winners from San Bernardino County are:

  • Chaffey Joint Union High SD: Cougar Relays
  • Etiwanda SD: Connect with ESD!
  • Redlands USD: Mock Trial
  • Rialto USD: Rialto USD Induction Program
  • San Bernardino City USD: BEYOND Pathways – SBCUSD Continuum of Transition Services Program
  • San Bernardino City USD: Onboarding Program
  • Victor Valley Union High SD: STEM Academy

Chaffey Joint Union High SD won a Golden Bell award in the Special Education category for its annual Cougar Relays event hosted by Rancho Cucamonga High School. Cougar Relays is a fun-filled day of relays and games designed to encourage both special education and general education students to interact with one another and build a general feeling of mutual appreciation, respect and rapport. The event has evolved over the last 14 years into a massive, districtwide event in which students from all high schools in the district eagerly participate.

Also among the Special Education category winners is Beyond Pathways: San Bernardino City USD (SBCUSD) Continuum of Transition Services program. This program provides support and services to students with disabilities after their high school graduation to help young adults develop skills through work experience, academic assistance with college certificate or degree programs, and training in skills such as self-advocacy, time management and teamwork. These services help ensure they become well-rounded, independent members of their community.

SBCUSD was awarded a second Golden Bell for its Onboarding Program in the Professional Development and Teacher Recruitment/Retention category. Their multi-tiered system of support provides all new classified, certificated and administrative employees with orientation, stakeholder sessions, peer shadowing opportunities and mentorship.

Rialto USD was also awarded a Golden Bell in the Professional Development and Teacher Recruitment/Retention category. The district’s current induction program, initiated in July 2011, provides new teachers who hold preliminary credentials with an individualized, two-year system of mentoring and support.

Etiwanda SD received a Golden Bell in the Family, Student and Community Engagement category, which includes programs that encourage or facilitate family involvement in their child’s education, bolster community partnerships or incorporate student engagement in site and district decision-making. Connect with ESD! is a districtwide initiative that harnesses the power of social media to bridge the gap between home and school life by sharing information, showcasing achievements and highlighting significant individuals in the school community.

The Redlands USD Mock Trial program was selected as the Golden Bell Award winner for English/Reading/Language Arts in the Curriculum and Instruction through the California Standards Implementation category. This category includes models that utilize interdisciplinary teaching, thematic instruction, learning styles, technology or other innovative or exemplary instructional strategies that are successful within the lens of the California Standards. The Mock Trial program has been implemented at its three comprehensive high schools: Redlands High School, Redlands East Valley High School and Citrus Valley High School. It is grounded in the Universal Design for Learning framework and focuses on instruction based on California Common Core Standards and Practices. The program offers students multiple ways of engagement and expression while they learn public speaking, critical thinking and argumentative skills.

The Golden Bell Award winner for STEM/STEAM in the Curriculum and Instruction through the California Standards Implementation category is the Cobalt Institute of Math and Science STEM Academy in Victor Valley Union High SD. The academy aims to ensure all students, predominantly students of color and low-income youth, graduate with the knowledge and exposure to pursue higher education and career options in STEM-related fields. It provides hands-on, problem-based projects and activities that promote 21st century skills such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity.

Now in its 42nd year, the CSBA Golden Bell Awards promote excellence in education and school board governance. The honor recognizes outstanding programs and governance practices of school boards in school districts and county offices of education throughout the state. The awards program highlights exemplary education practices that are innovative, equitable and proven to be successful, as demonstrated by their positive student outcomes.

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on FacebookTwitterInstagram and YouTube. #transforminglives.

During the Omicron Surge, the DMV Encourages Use of Online Services

By Carrie Stanton

The California Department of Motor Vehicles remains open for business both virtually – through online service options at dmv.ca.gov/online – and in our offices with health and safety precautions.

During this surge of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, customers are encouraged to use our online services as the safest and fastest way to take care of DMV business. Most things you need to accomplish at the DMV can be done online. Of course, if you have to come to an office, we are happy to serve you, but ask that everyone be cautious and follow public health guidelines during this pandemic.

To protect the health and safety of DMV employees and customers, the DMV requires everyone in its offices to wear face coverings, keep their distance, wash hands frequently, and stay home if they are sick. Customers are also asked to limit the number of family members who accompany them to an office to those who are necessary to complete a transaction, and to be patient while waiting to be served.

Preventing the spread of COVID-19 to our team members and the public is our priority as we provide service to our customers.

Many DMV transactions, including vehicle registration and driver’s license renewals, and changing an address can be completed at dmv.ca.gov/online. Californians also can save time by filling out the online driver’s license application, including for REAL ID, before they visit a field office. Customers may also upload required REAL ID documents beforehand to save time during their office visit.

Starting May 3, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require a valid passport or other federally approved documents, like a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card, to board flights within the United States and access secure federal facilities and military bases.

In addition to providing more services online, the DMV has accommodated customers in many ways during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the DMV announced the extension of commercial driver’s licenses, learner’s permits, endorsements and special certificates expiring between March 2020 and February 2022, through February 28, 2022.

The DMV also offers many services through its 365 self-service kiosks located in retail establishments statewide, its business partner locations, over the phone and by mail.