Local

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Northwest Redevelopment Project Area Committee is hosting a Town Hall and Candidates Forum featuring the two candidates for the city’s 6^th Ward Council Seat: Bessine Littlefield-Richard and Kimberly Calvin. 

The forum will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, at the Family Life Center located at 1505 Highland Avenue in San Bernardino.  The forum is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to meet the candidates, hear their platforms and find out any recent events affecting the 6^th Ward.

The Northwest Redevelopment Project Area Committee is an oversight organization.  The committee serves as a liaison to the city’s mayor, city council members and various departments.  The organization collaborates with other PACS, public and private agencies on workshops, seminars, and outreach on projects and services benefiting residents and businesses in the 6^th Ward and citywide. For more information, contact them at (909) 913-0831. 

ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 6, 2020) Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class Paul Villaruz, right, from Chino Hills, California, assigned to the “Sunliners” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81, tests oxygen flow in pilot gear in a paraloft aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Arabian Sea Jan. 6, 2020. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kaysee Lohmann)   

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Local non-profit organization, SistersWe (SW), has received two grants from the Arbor Day Foundation in conjunction with BNSF Railway (BNSF) for environmental beautification projects in San Bernardino.  They will be holding a celebration on Friday, January 10, 2020 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Viva La Boba and Breezeway located at 475-479 W. 4^th Street in San Bernardino.

Working with the owners of Viva La Boba, David Friedman and Tansu Philip, “The Historic Downtown San Bernardino Living Pocket Park Project” will turn the side of a building on 4^th Street into a “Living Wall” complete with an original sculpture created by local artist Nathaniel Gelston.  Surrounded by historic buildings, this block has the highest concentration of old buildings still standing in San Bernardino.  Succulents and other plants that help sequester oxygen will be planted on the wall using a hydroponics system; the adjacent alley way and courtyard will be developed into a community event space. Trees and shrubs will complete this urban green space, providing health and environmental benefits to the entire community.

“The Muscoy Pocket Park Project” will add an additional 15 trees to an existing SistersWe project on a donated property located at the corners of California and Nolan Streets.  The trees will line the walkway leading to a circular seating area in the center of the pocket park.  The planted trees will be monitored by SW for three years for growth and health conditions as part of a statewide “Urban Forest” project.  Future plans include adding 20 raised-bed family garden plots, a Farmer’s Market, movie nights and other family activities throughout the year.  

The mission of SW is to provide Inland Empire residents and communities with cleaner air, healthier eating options and a healthier environment.  They will accomplish that by donating and planting trees to provide a beautiful canopy, and sequester carbon in our cities and neighborhoods. Other community gardens will be established at various locations throughout the IE.  Founded in December 2018, SW is the brain child of biological sisters Nedra Myricks, Vanessa Dean and Adrienne Thomas.  Vanessa and Adrienne are graduates of the “Green Infrastructure” training program and wanted to bring the knowledge and skills they acquired to their community and others.  Adrienne also recently received her Master Gardner certification.  Nedra is a retired Administrative Professional and functions as Executive Assistant for the group.  The sisters are natives of San Bernardino and have a long history of supporting community activities in the art and music fields.

Please join them as they announce the development of these two new Pocket Park projects and take a tour of the future “Living Wall” site.  Several sample concepts of Nathaniel Gelston’s artwork will be on display for the public to vote for their favorite. Don’t miss out on your chance to vote! 

COLTON, CA—- Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) recently hosted several high school students in the Marketing, Nutrition Services and Medical Imaging departments. In 2018, ARMC was the pilot location for the GenerationGo! Career Pathways Program, which was established by the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department in collaboration with other county agencies, K12, community colleges, and private businesses. GenerationGo! is a career pathway program providing on-the-job training for high school students.

“GenerationGo! is a rewarding program for us because we get to train the best and the brightest and help retain talent in the Inland Empire,” said Hospital Director, William Gilbert.

Bloomington High School student Alexis Ascencio, 17, recently worked in the hospital’s Marketing and Public Relations Department and learned how to write press releases, design graphics and posters, and prepare spreadsheets and reports.

“Participating in the GenerationGo! program helped me realize that I wanted to go to college to learn about marketing,” said Ascencio. “I enjoyed the work environment and learned about all the different jobs in the hospital.”

GenerationGo! students have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of careers in the medical field and in the support, offices depending on their specific interest. For example, Ascencio was originally interested in the medical imaging field, but after learning about hospital marketing, she was drawn to the new career option.

For more information about GenerationGo! call 800-451-JOBS or visit http://wp.sbcounty.gov/workforce/youth/

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The community is invited to celebrate the Grand Opening of the second phase of The Shops at University Park, this Saturday, January 11, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Located at 1725 -1775 W. Northpark Boulevard, at University Parkway across the street from California State University San Bernardino, The Shops at University Park offers an array of convenient dining and services for CSUSB and the surrounding communities.  

Developed by JR Watson & Associates Development Corp., the center will celebrate the recent openings of Afters Ice Cream, FireWings, Asian Fusion Eatery, Poketology and VCA Northside Animal Hospital, which join eateries Wayback Burger, Jimmy Johns, Jamba Juice, and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. It’s Boba Time will also open soon.

Visitors will enjoy a free afternoon of family fun, including a ribbon cutting ceremony, entertainment by the Cajon High School Band, a DJ from CSUSB’s Coyote Radio, face painting, a balloon artist, food samples, life-size games and giveaways. Tours of the adjacent student housing The Glen at University Park will also be available.

“We are looking forward to introducing the Shops at University Park to shoppers and exceeding their expectations,” said James R. Watson, President of JR Watson & Associates Development Corp. “I would like to thank the President and staff at CSUSB and the City Council, Planning Commission and entire staff at the City of San Bernardino for their tremendous support and all their efforts in making this shopping center a reality,” commented Jim Watson.

“Watson and Associates are committed to making a difference in the communities they serve,” said Judy Watson, who has been instrumental in spearheading the Judy Rodriguez Art program on campus. Much of the art seen in the areas surrounding the campus has been funded by this program.

Follow @TheShopsatUniversityPark on Facebook and Instagram for more information on the event and its tenants.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- A spirit of collaboration among teachers, a principal who nurtures relationships with her staff, and students eager to learn are the ingredients that landed Manuel Salinas Creative Arts Elementary School on the coveted list of 2020 California Distinguished Schools.

The California Department of Education selected Salinas, a magnet school with a focus on visual and performing arts, for the award because of its success in closing the achievement gap, a term that refers to academic disparities between different groups of students. Salinas is one of just 19 San Bernardino County elementary schools to earn the honor.

Principal Heather Regalado, who has lead Salinas since 2015, said the award is the result of years of focused work on the part of teachers, who work together to meet the academic and social needs of students.

“This is all possible because of my teachers and staff,” Regalado said. “They’re the ones who keep our students engaged and wanting to come to school so they can be confident and successful.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond applauded the work of the more than 300 Distinguished Schools across California.

“These outstanding schools don’t just educate students; they also provide the young people of California the tools they need to be successful after graduation,” Thurmond said. “Thanks go to all the staff at these schools—teachers, administrators, classified employees—and parents, who are working together to provide high-quality educational experiences for all of their students.”

For Regalado, success comes down to human interaction. When she became Salinas’ principal almost five years ago, Regalado made it her goal to build and nurture genuine relationships with teachers, giving them freedom to think outside the boundaries of the classroom. That resulted in greater innovation and collaboration between teachers. With the introduction of performing arts like theater and band, students became more engaged in academics and attendance improved, both essential to boosting student learning.

Now one of the highest-performing elementary schools in the San Bernardino City Unified School District, Salinas has an average yearly attendance close to 97 percent. More importantly, greater numbers of students from various subgroups, including Hispanic and African American, are achieving academically in English-language arts and math.

“We’ve seen so much academic growth in our students,” Regalado said. “At Salinas Elementary, there’s no boundaries to what our teachers and our students can do.”

Salinas and other California Distinguished Schools will be honored on February 10, 2020, during an awards ceremony at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) recently launched its San Bernardino Community College-funded Promise Program providing more students with access to a college education. Students receive two years of free college, free textbooks, $300 cash for school expenses and the use of a laptop to complete coursework or online classes.

“The program provides the opportunity for students in the Inland Empire to continue their education with resources available to them to accomplish their goals,” said SBVC Dean of Student Equity and Success Carmen Rodriguez. “Many of the students in the program are first generation college students, low income or come from single parent households and many do not have support in the home. We provide the motivation, support and, most of all, the opportunity for them to accomplish their goals.”

The program, which required students to apply by August 1, saw 1,316 students from across the Inland Empire apply to take advantage of the new program. The bulk of students, 127, 108 and 102, came from Rialto, Pacific and Cajon high schools, respectively. Large numbers of students from San Bernardino (94), Eisenhower (89), Colton (88), Citrus Valley (88), Indian Springs (83), Carter (82), San Gorgonio (79), Grand Terrace (60) and Bloomington (51) high schools also applied for the program.

Funding for the Promise Program is provided through a $10 million endowment established by the district last fall.

To participate next year, students should complete a Promise Application, campus application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). No minimum grade point average or essay is required to apply and the program is available to students studying any major and for the completion of certificate, associate of arts or transfer coursework.

Natural Christmas trees recycling programs divert waste from landfills

While you’re out making post-Christmas returns this week, remember to add your Christmas tree to that pile of items. Return your natural Christmas tree to the ground it grew in by dropping it off at a Riverside County landfill to be recycled into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Through the free Christmas tree drop-off program, natural trees collected at the Badlands and Lamb Canyon landfills will be chipped and combined with food waste from the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning to create compost. This program at Lamb Canyon is an innovative way to ensure that organic waste is diverted away from landfill burial, recycled and turned into a valuable soil amendment.

Natural Christmas trees must be prepared for recycling by removing all decorations, lights, tinsel and tree stands. Flocked trees cannot be recycled through this program and need to be cut up and placed in your regular trash container.

Other natural Christmas trees that are recycled at free drop-off sites, or at the curb, will be taken to local green-waste processors to be recycled into compost or mulch. Most trash haulers will collect Christmas trees curbside for two weeks after Christmas. Place the prepared tree next to or inside the green-waste container on your regular pick-up day.  Trees over four feet tall should be cut in half. Contact your waste hauler for more details.

For those without a curbside pickup program, several drop-off locations will accept up to three properly prepared residential Christmas trees for FREE through Jan. 4:

A. Lua Wood Recycling, 18938 Mermack Ave., Lake Elsinore

B.P. John Recycling, 28700 Matthews Road, Romoland (accepting until Jan. 31)

Burrtec Recycle Center, 41-800 Corporate Way, Palm Desert (Burrtec customers only)

Burrtec/Robert A. Nelson Transfer Station, 1830 Agua Mansa Road, Riverside (Burrtec customers only)

Riverside County Badlands Landfill, 31125 Ironwood Ave., Moreno Valley (accepting until Jan. 4)

Riverside County Lamb Canyon Landfill, 16411 Lamb Canyon Road, Beaumont (accepting until Jan. 4)

Unfortunately, trees that are not recycled at drop-off locations or through curbside pick-up will only occupy valuable space in our landfills. Make the last gift you give this year to the Earth – recycle your Christmas tree!

For more information on this program, please call the Riverside County Department of Waste Resources (951) 486-3200 or visit the waste guide on our website for additional green holiday suggestions: http://www.rcwaste.org/wasteguide/holiday.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino Valley College is proud to usher in distinguished graduates to the Alumni Association and Athletics Halls of Fame, each recognized for their prize-winning accomplishments and service to the community. SBVC Foundation Board President Beverly Powell said the Foundation is honored to partner with the Athletics department to laud the achievements of SBVC alumni and former student-athletes.

“The opportunity to showcase some of Valley College’s best ‘success stories’ not only helps the Foundation raise funds necessary to help students achieve their dreams – but events highlighting our alumni also help inspire our current SBVC students to envision their own success and believe their own dreams are possible,” she said.

Inducted into the SBVC Alumni Association Hall of Fame is Dr. Louie F. Rodríguez, interim dean of the Graduate School of Education at UC Riverside. He received recognition for being a catalyst for many academic initiatives to benefit the community. He also serves as Bank of America chair in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Practice in the UCR Graduate School of Education. Among numerous awards and various posts, Dr. Rodriguez is also the Founding Director of the Center for Educational Transformation at UCR. His educational foundation began at SBVC. Later transferred to California State San Bernardino, where, as a McNair Scholar, he focused on research to help historically marginalized students.

From there, Dr. Rodriguez became a high school math teacher, and holds two master’s degrees, along with a Ph.D in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. With his first years at SBVC campus, he recalls the indelible impact of a caring guidance counselor, Laura Gomez. He feels the primary objective for all students is to make the most of their academic goals, while never forgetting about what’s most important in life.

“Students, know who you are, identify a mentor, get connected to programs, dream big, surround yourself with excellence, and be a leader. After you graduate from SBVC, always find ways to give back to your community,” says Dr. Louie F. Rodríguez.

Inducted into the SBVC Athletics Hall of Fame are Kenneth Blumenthal, Michael Sola, Stan Sanchez, Eric Swanson, and 1982 SBVC Championship Football Team. Each of these athletes are acknowledged for both dedicating themselves to excellence in their sport, and also for their impact on the community and students. 

Former San Bernardino Valley College coach Kenneth Blumenthal has run the ball from the early days as captain of the Eisenhower High School football team in Rialto, and later as a student-athlete at San Bernardino Valley College. Through his journey, Blumenthal credits close friends, colleagues and faith for support through his remarkable athletic career at SBVC, where, under Head Coach Bob Smith, he set an unrivaled three-decade record for the most tackles in one season.

Following great success at the local campus, a football scholarship paved the way to Long Beach State, where Blumenthal earned his bachelor’s in recreation, and another Bachelor’s in kinesiology. He also holds a teaching credential from California State University, San Bernardino. Among his many posts, Blumenthal served at Rialto Frisbee Junior High and his alma mater Eisenhower High School. He also holds a Master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University, and coached track in 1988 until he became full-time Defensive Coordinator/Head Track Coach in 1990. He is unmatched for conference championships. No other head coach has taken home as many wins as Blumenthal at SBVC, to which he acknowledges colleagues and coaches that have backed him along the way.

“The reason Valley College has produced so many championships is because, for the most part, our athletes are just plain tougher than most of our competition,” said Blumenthal. “Many of the student-athletes who come to Valley have faced tough times, but they are overcomers. They are thankful, respectful and proud to be here. I loved working to help them make their dreams come true.”

To read the current list of SBVC Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, visit www.sbvcathletics.com. For a list of current Alumni Hall of Fame inductees, visit www.sbvcalumni.org/HOF.

Jimmie Lee Veal, age 85, passed away on December 15, 2019. Born April 23, 1934 in Doddsville, Mississippi, he was the youngest of eleven sons born to Mingo and Healena Veal.   

Mr. Veal attended school in a country school in Doddsville, Mississippi and received his High School from Okolona College in Okolona, Mississippi which was added to the National Register of Historical Places on August 9, 2002.  Upon graduation, he left to join the military, serving in the United States Air Force. He met the love of his life, Hazel Wells, while on military break in Drew, Mississippi. They corresponded by mail until the young private returned to Mississippi and asked her to be his wife. They wed, started their family and began their journey as a military family.   

Jimmie served in the Air Force for 20 years, attaining the rank of Master Sargent (MSgt.).  He was stationed on military bases throughout the world including temporary duty at Chateauroux Air Force Base (AFB) in France, and Landstuhl Medical Center Army in Germany, Mather AFB in Sacramento, California, Amarillo AFB in Texas, Tripoli AFB in Libya, Africa and The US Logistics Group (TUSLOG) in Ankara, Turkey. After multiple moves with his growing young family of four children, MSgt. Veal completed his tour of duty at George Air Force Base in Victorville, California where he served until his retirement in 1973.  He took a series of training courses at every opportunity and also matriculated in college courses through the University of Maryland. MSgt. Veal trained service personnel and provided Tactical Air Command training services to the Combat Support Group at George Air Force. During his service he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. 

Even before his retirement, MSgt. Veal laid the groundwork in 1968 for his post-retirement career by opening the first African American-owned business in the Victor Valley area and his first car lot, properly named Veal’s Auto Sales in Adelanto.  He understood what the service personnel needed – a clean, reliable car that was affordable on a military paycheck. After the success of the car lot he invested further in the Adelanto community by providing an entertainment alternative, Bo’s Lounge, complete with good music, affordable food and ready company on any given night. 

Jimmie sought to be the consummate provider to his family and even while operating two independent businesses took his natural penchant for sales and became an insurance salesman with Prudential Insurance Company.  His calming and honest approach to sales, allowed him to earn the honor of Top Salesman each and every year that he worked with the company. He often told stories of the many families that called to thank him for providing them access to the means for their comfort after the loss of a loved one.

MSgt. Veal continued to engage in car sales eventually relocating to Victorville and renaming the business J & H Auto Sales. His love for car sales and the art of conversation that comes with ascertaining ones need, led him to work part time at Sunrise Ford in Fontana.  Working only part time, he was still their Best Salesman and relished in training the younger, less experienced salesmen in the art of the trade. 

Msgt. Veal was an avid sports fan with his favorite teams being the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers and Rams.  Msgt. Veal was preceded in death by his parents, Mingo and Healena and nine of his ten siblings Clifton, Charlie, Artie Palmer, Mingo, Ira, Lawrence, Joe, Percy, and Luther.  He is survived by his lone brother, James, his wife Hazel Veal, four children Patricia Veal, Steven Veal, Carolyn Veal-Hunter (Dale) and Bonita Veal, four grandchildren, Candice, Jennifer, Sydney and Jordan, two great grandchildren Nolan and Evan and a host of nieces and nephews.