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LOMA LINDA, CA- Members from the Orange County Inland Empire Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and Palm Springs Subaru dealership stopped by the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) Hematology/Oncology Clinic Friday, July 7 to brighten the kids’ day. They delivered blankets and craft kits to the clinic.

Although over 100 degrees outside, kids could find comfort in the blankets and use them while receiving treatment.

Gaven Hamrick, 9, of San Bernardino, was just one patient at the LLUCH clinic to receive a blanket and craft kit from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Subaru San Bernardino. 

“I can definitely use this stuff with my sister,” the fourth grader said of the crayons, markers and clay found in the craft kit. Hamrick was extremely appreciative of his new blanket saying he likes it cold in his room so he can get cozy under blankets.

The blanket donation is part of the LLS of Orange County Inland Empire Chapter and Palm Springs Subaru participation in the national Subaru Loves to Care Campaign. Through the campaign, LLS and Subaru intend to spread hope, love and warmth to cancer patients through small gestures by donating over 38,000 blankets across the country.

The LLUCH Hematology/Oncology clinic cares for patients with childhood cancers and blood disorders such as aplastic anemia.

Anaheim Ducks Mascot, Wild Wing, met with patients and offered some healing encouragement during a visit to Loma Linda University Cancer Center on Thursday, June 29.

LOMA LINDA, CA- Patients at Loma Linda University Cancer Center recently received a spirited visit from the Anaheim Ducks mascot, Wild Wing, and two of their Power Players. The hockey enthusiasts delivered Ducks paraphernalia and visited with patients undergoing treatment. This was the Ducks’ fourth visit to the Cancer Center since 2013.

The Anaheim Ducks have supported the Cancer Center since October 2013 after they hosted the first Hockey Fights Cancer Night at the Honda Center, their home arena in Anaheim. They’ve since hosted two such events at the arena in 2014 and 2015 and have raised nearly $57,000 for the Cancer Center.

LOMA LINDA, CA- Loma Linda University is a great college to work for, according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education, a top trade publication for colleges and universities. 

The results, released July 17 in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s 10th annual report on The Academic Workplace, are based on a survey of more than 45,000 people from 232 colleges and universities. Of that number, 79 institutions made the list as one of the “Great Colleges to Work For.” Results are categorized by small, medium and large institutions, and LLU was included among the medium-sized schools with 3,000 to 9,999 students.

LLU won honors in five categories this year: confidence in senior leadership; job satisfaction; professional/career development programs; supervisor/department chair relationship; and work/life Balance.

In acknowledging the honor, Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, president of Loma Linda University Health, said the faculty and staff offer outstanding teaching and dedicated service to the approximately 4,500 students in the university’s eight schools.

“Our entire university team shares a strong commitment to extending the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ,” Hart said. “I am so grateful for the passion, excellence and the commitment to our values each of them exhibits. Their devotion to sharing their knowledge and expertise with our students inspires me.”

In addition to attractive medical and dental benefits, retirement plan, paid leave and sick leave, educational and adoption benefits, an onsite free gym and a variety of services through the Living Whole wellness program. This program fosters an environment of health and well-being by providing free services and resources to aid employees and their families in the journey of health and wellness. This includes health screening and programs for weight loss, smoking cessation, nutrition support, exercise, personal health coaching and financial wellness. Free counseling services are also available through the employee assistance program.

The survey results are based on a two-part assessment process: an institutional audit that captured demographics, benefits, communication, and workplace policies, and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and support staff. A primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback. 

Great Colleges to Work For is one of the largest and most comprehensive workplace studies in higher education. 

Ronald L. Carter, PhD, provost of Loma Linda University, said “We appreciate the dedication of each and every one of our more than 3,200 employees. Visitors, particularly the many accreditation teams that visit our campus, remark on the palpable sense of unity – a family of faculty, staff, and students who are glued together by whole person care, academic excellence, and service to the world. We are small enough to know each other, and large enough to impact our community – both regionally and globally.”

Last year, U.N.C provided backpacks and school supplies to 400 students and introduced each of them to S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) learning and careers, through engaging activities and workshops. Because of last years’ event success, demand has increased and U.N.C is committed to turning no child away. San Bernardino youth are often overlooked, U.N.C is dedicated to standing in that gap. Their goal is to serve 1,000 students with much-needed tools to support their confidence and success into the school year.

Participants of this year’s Extravaganza will engage with S.T.E.A.M experts and volunteers through various workshops including Crypto math, Builders Space, Chemical Composition, and Science Experiments. This free community event will inspire youth and give them hands-on exposure to careers within S.T.E.A.M fields.

“We are so excited to be able to expand our capacity to help the many families in need, while also planting seeds into the youths’ future,” explains founder La’Nae Norwood. “The event could not be as impactful without the support of the community, the U.N.C Team, our partners, and volunteers.”

She continues, “I am overjoyed by the amount of support exhibited and how far resources go when we are united. When nonprofits work together with local government, elected officials, organizations, businesses and the community, the possibilities for improvement are endless. That is one of the most responsive and ideal forms of unity.”

United Nations of Consciousness welcomes community members and partners to support San Bernardino youth in this event. Any size monetary donations, backpacks, and school supplies such as pencils/pens, paper, colored pencils, crayons, erasers, glue sticks and folders are welcomed to help make this event a success. All contributions are tax-deductible. If you would like to donate, volunteer, or be a vendor please email info@unclife.org or call U.N.C office at (909) 575-8862, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more details or to RSVP, please visit www.unclfie.org.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA — U-Haul Company of California is pleased to announce that Rancho Car Wash & Lube has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve the Rancho Cucamonga community.

Rancho Car Wash & Lube at 10075 Arrow Route will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, support rental items and in-store pick-up for boxes.

Hours of operation for U-Haul rentals are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. After-hours drop-off is available for customer convenience.

Reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by calling (909) 532-8729 or visiting www.uhaul.com.

Rancho Car Wash & Lube owner Victor Kieth is proud to team with the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage to better meet the demands of San Bernardino County.

U-Haul and Rancho Car Wash & Lube are striving to benefit the environment through sustainability initiatives. Truck sharing is a core U-Haul sustainability business practice that allows individuals to access a fleet of trucks that is larger than what they could access on an individual basis.

Every U-Haul truck placed in a community helps keep 19 personally owned large-capacity vehicles, pickups, SUVs and vans off the road. Fewer vehicles means less traffic congestion, less pollution, less fuel burned and cleaner air.

Rancho Car Wash & Lube is a great place to become U-Haul Famous®. Take your picture in front of a U-Haul product, send it in and your face could land on the side of a U-Haul truck. Upload your photo through Instagram using #uhaulfamous, or go to www.uhaulfamous.com to submit photos and learn more.

MORENO VALLEY, CA- Construction of a new culvert on Pigeon Pass Road is proceeding on schedule. The project is part of continuing development of the Meadow Creek Community. Pigeon Pass remains closed to traffic from Old Lake Road to Meadow Lark Avenue.

Pigeon Pass is scheduled to be partially reopened August 8, a day before school resumes.

Construction was scheduled to coincide with the school district’s summer break to limit the closure’s impact on neighboring school traffic. Homebuilder Lennar has worked closely with area residents to inform them of the construction schedule as well as alternate routes.

Roadway improvements will include completing the East side of Pigeon Pass Road along the Meadow Creek Community.

The City appreciates your patience.  If you have any questions or comments regarding this project, please contact the City of Moreno Valley Land Development Division at (951) 413-3120.

MORENO VALLEY, CA- Thousands of Moreno Valley residents came together to celebrate the Fourth of July at the City’s parade and Family Fun Fest.

Crowds lined Frederick Street to cheer on a variety of musical ensembles, community groups, floats, Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez, members of the City Council and other local dignitaries as they made their way down the parade route.

Live bands So Rad, Latin Fusion, and MVP provided the entertainment at Family Fun Fest while attendees browsed the vendor and food offerings. 

Bounce houses and a petting zoo in the KidZone kept children busy until the Fireworks Spectacular lit up the sky with an impressive firework display. Radio Station KOLA 99.9 played patriotic music synched to the fireworks show.

The City’s Fourth of July events were generously sponsored by Skechers, Waste Management, Les Schwab Tire Center, Duke Realty and The Sares-Regis Group.  

San Gorgonio High Girls’ Softball Team (Photo courtesy of SBCUSD)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- San Bernardino High School is offering $10 sports physicals to any middle or high school student on Friday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Education policy requires all students participating in organized, competitive sports to undergo a medical examination, also known as a sports physical.

The $10 sports physicals are available to all high school and middle school students, regardless of their health-insurance status or family income levels. A parent or guardian signature is required for students to be examined. Cash payments must be made at the time of the physical exam.

San Bernardino High School is located at 1850 North E Street, south of Highland Avenue in San Bernardino. Physicals will be held in room N-3. For more information about the low-cost sports physicals, call Jamie Rios, bilingual school outreach worker, at (909) 881-8217.

POMONA, CA- God is enlarging and expanding the territory of Covenant Sisters International from Coast to Coast. They recently launched their new Phoenix, Arizona chapter last month under the leadership of Apostle Dr. Regina Lindsey, The Overseer. In addition to their recent accomplishment, the West Coast chapter is inviting all ladies to join them for fellowship and an anointed evening of divine impartation and prophetic revelation. The conference will be taking place on Friday, July 14 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 15 at 8 a.m. at New Life Word of Faith located at 607 N. Towne Avenue in Pomona.

These two days will be hours filled with empowerment to strengthen, refresh, and undergird the body of Christ. On Friday, Apostle Dr. Joyce Thornton will be the keynote speaker with Lady Sharon Ann as the special musical act for the evening. On Saturday, there will be a Morning Glory Session with Apostle R. Lindsey at 8 a.m. followed by workshops hosted by Pastor Davis and Foundress, Apostle Dr. Joyce Thornton. The theme for the conference is “Empowering Women to ARISE for Purpose and Destiny.”

For more information, please visit www.covenantsisters.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Positive Women Meet Up, a networking platform for women of color in the Inland Empire, recently hosted the melanin rich, cultural event, “Natural Beauty”, at the Garcia Center for Arts in San Bernardino. Keona Anntionette, the founder of Positive Women Meet Up, has been loc’d for 5 years and natural all her life. As a firm believer that natural hair is beautiful, Keona facilitated the Inland Empire’s first Loc Appreciation Day. With the help of co-producers, Cleo Upshaw, Susan Henderson, and RayVaughn Upshaw, Natural Beauty encouraged the community to celebrate natural hair, out loud.

“Natural Beauty” included a question and answer session with dynamic speakers: Niketa Calame (actress), C.A. Henderson (Realtor, Author, and Educator), Tynesia Evans (Holistic Health and Wellness Coach), James Woods also known as “Dat Yoga Dude” (Author and Health Educator), Wentrelle Damarr (Artist), and Sebrena Thurton (Blogger). Sponsors of the event included Taliah Waajid, Jane Carter for Men, Brilliant Like Me, Alaffia, Dr. O’s Skin and Hair Care, Harmless Harvest, KIND Snacks, Los Angeles Urban League of Young Professionals, and Dr. Lakieta “Dr. Elle” McMurray-Emanuel. Natural Beauty event vendors included Totally Jaz’d, Bold Look Head Wraps, Kreatiewe World, Bundlez N Beauty Hair Salon of Bloomington, Artsy Black Fam, Brilliant Like Me, and Mama’s Tea Cakes. “Natural Beauty” also included a live head wrap tutorial from Juanita Morris of Bold Look Head Wraps, a live hair show produced by Hairstory Natural Hair Salon of Upland, live spoken word from artists: JT Sweet, Brittany Abraham, and Lasia Lynnai, as well as delicious, custom made, desserts from CupKaekes by Chef Kae.

“Natural Beauty” was a celebration of melanin, natural hair, entrepreneurship, natural beauty, and our rich culture. With a bonus of live music from Fingerprint IE, Natural Beauty was simply beautiful.

“Producing this event in San Bernardino was necessary because not only did it bring the community together, it opened a safe space to discuss necessary topics in the African American community: the beauty of our natural hair, best natural hair practices, and to instill confidence and culture into our children and our community. We are proud that the growth of Positive Women Meet Up has allowed us to expand and bring new events to the community,” Keona Anntionette, founder of Positive Women Meet Up, stated.

Announcing the success of Positive Women Meet Up’s special event, “Natural Beauty” will bring awareness to the efforts of Positive Women Meet Up, and create value in the community, as well as inspire art, collaborative efforts, and celebration of African American culture in the city of San Bernardino.

“The city of San Bernardino has suffered tragic losses within the past two years,” Porsche Bowie, creator of the upcoming blog BlackAboutItQueerAbout It.com, lamented. “The terror attack of 2015 and the Northpark Elementary school shooting in April of this year has given the city a lot to mourn about. Events like Positive Women Meet Up and Natural Beauty gives residents and visitors a better view of the city and creates value for the community. This is very important work.”

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Keona Anntionette at info@positivewomenmeetup.com.