Local

LOMA LINDA, CA- Officers from Colton Police Department assisted D.A.R.E. with a distribution of toys to young patients to the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital’s Hematology/Oncology Outpatient Clinic on Friday, August 26.  

Isaiah Cooper

By Ellen Turner

Isaiah Cooper, the 16-year-old World Record breaking pilot from Compton, CA will visit Fontana at the Fontana Park/ Jessie Turner Center on Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The City of Fontana and the Concerned Citizens   for the Development of North Fontana will hold their 1st ‘Unity in Community Day’ and The “Chillin’ and Grillin” Bar-BQ Cook-off.

Isaiah Cooper and Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum’s (TAM), Executive       Director Robin Petgrave, will attend this event and speak about the record     breaking flight around the continental United States. Isaiah is the youngest African American to ever make this flight. It was an Epic journey and he had to overcome a serious challenge and became a real-life hero.   He is now   preparing to break the Guinness World Record as the first African American to fly solo around the world when he turns eighteen.

Robin Petgrave is the founder and Executive Director of Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum (TAM) and has helped Cooper through this process. His program helps inner city youth expand their vision and dreams. Despite running a busy flight school and tour company, he made time to bring kids from around South Los Angeles to his hangar at Torrance Airport to teach them about flying.

Recognizing the positive effects of learning aviation on kids considered at-risk, Robin felt he could have more of an impact. So in 1998, he established Torrance Aeronautical Museum and made it his personal mission to engage at-risk youth in aviation as an alternative to the negative influences in their          environment. TAM is now operated out of the Compton Airport.

Robin first started by reaching out directly to students at their schools. Instead of just guest speaking at school functions, he did something unheard of at the time: landing his Robinson R44 helicopter directly on school grounds. He    would speak to students about the importance of their education in becoming    successful in life and achieving their dreams.

The Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana invited these   pilots to the Unity in Community event because of the positive impact that it  can bring to young people in Fontana.  Isaiah will have an opportunity to     speak to the people in attendance and share his 8,000 miles and fourteen day journey around the continental United States.

There will be lots of activity at the Chillin’ and Grillin’ BarBQ Cook-off. Several community organizations will compete to see who cooks the best BarBQ Ribs and Chicken. There will also be live entertainment and fun for the kids. The   event will be held at Jessie Turner Center and tasting starts at 10am. Ticket are $10 and are available by calling (909) 333-9950.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – This week’s “Empire Talks Back” (ETB) radio show features Wallace’s interview of Dr. Denise Fleming, candidate for Moreno Valley Mayor, and a conversation with Debbie Forte, a Paralegal, who explains the importance and difference between a Trust and a Will (read her column inside).

ETB is broadcast and video recorded each Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on KCAA-1050 AM radio. The program streams live video via www.kcaaradio.com  and can be heard on the phone by dialing (832) 999-1050.

See the recording of Sunday’s show on the web at www.ustream.tv/recorded/90868983.

Funds will go toward supportive care services that are typically unfunded

LOMA LINDA, CA – August 19, 2016 – Stater Bros. Charities and Inland Women Fighting Cancer made a special delivery to Loma Linda University Cancer Center (LLUCC) Wednesday, Aug. 17. They presented a check for $175,000 to the center, which is a portion of the funds raised at the 8th annual Believe Walk in October 2015.

Judy Chatigny, MSN, RN, executive director, LLUCC, expressed her gratitude to those present. “These gifts are what afford us the ability to provide services to the patients that are otherwise unfunded,” she said.

The $175,000 will be dedicated toward supportive care services for cancer patients, which are typically not covered by insurance companies.

“This donation gives us the means to provide whole person care to our patients – not just treating the cancer but the emotional and spiritual well-being of them as well,” Chatigny added.

Supportive care services are those that address challenges with adjusting to the illness; the stresses of medical treatment; emotional needs; spiritual needs, relationships and caregiving; and coping with pain, insomnia and other symptoms. Because these are services typically not covered by insurance, they can cause additional stress for patients with a cancer diagnosis. 

During the check presentation, Mark Reeves, MD, PhD, director of the Cancer Center, also gave an update on the success of funds that were donated the previous year, which were used for the implementation of a genetic risk assessment program.

“Over the last year, we have been able to fully implement a technology that systematically assesses patients’ risk for various types of cancers,” Reeves said. “This is an enormously powerful tool for patients that allows us to treat and care for them individually.”

Pete Van Helden, CEO of Stater Bros. Markets, highlighted the importance of the annual Believe Walk, which started in 2008.

“Loma Linda University Cancer Center has a reputation of giving back and we try to do the same thing,” he said. “One way is through the Believe Walk.”

Van Helden stated the first walk had 1,500 walkers, which was unexpected for the inaugural event. The walk has now grown exponentially to roughly 12,000 participants and has raised $3 million for cancer research in the Inland Empire.

The 9th annual Believe Walk will take place in Redlands, Sunday, Oct. 2.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Young Women Empowerment Foundation will host their fourth Annual Women’s Wellness Conference at San Bernardino Community Hospital Henderson Auditorium, 1800 Western Avenue in San Bernardino, on Saturday, September 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. YWE invites family, friends, faith base, students and community supporters to this augural event that focuses on emotional and physical health and wellness. This is a free event for all women in the Inland Empire

This year’s theme is Double D’s. Double D’s refers to diabetes and depression. Both of these diseases plague all people but especially minority women. The conference will focus on the prevention of diabetes and depression as well as learning to live with and maintain if one is diagnosed with either. The women in attendance will have the opportunity to participate in interactive demonstrations and hear life changing testimonials from other women on diabetes and depression.  There will also be a free continental breakfast, lunch, entertainment, giveaways, and opportunity drawings.

The two keynote speakers for the wellness conference will focus on issues that are important and relevant to diabetes and depression. The keynote and guest testimonial speakers are as follows: Dee De La Cruz (Diabetes Keynote), Lue Productions 2016 1st Big Beautiful Woman Modeling Queen Winner; Pasha Fruman, PA-C (Depression Keynote), Health Educator and Community Health Activist; Deborah Smith (Depression Testimony), Community/Business Relationship Specialist-Personal Banker WFAW; Gloria Dowdy (Diabetes Testimony), Retired IT Specialist (Programmer)-Department of Veterans Affairs; and Lea Michelle Cash (Depression Informational), President/CEO of The Brightest Star, Inc.

In addition to providing useful health and wellness information at the conference, the attendees will also be presented with the opportunity to get physical during the live dance/exercise demonstrations and have their funny bone exercised as comedian Amber Thorney-Croft  explore the humorous side of life. Please come dressed to participate. Workout clothes are highly encouraged and recommended. 

Please register on Eventbrite under “Free Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) 4^th Annual Women’s Wellness Conference.  Also, please encourage and invite family and friends to register and attend this noteworthy opportunity focused on empowering women to live mentally and physically healthy lives. Space is limited, sign up today.

All inquiries, pre-register individual or groups, please email Devona Robertson or Tiffany James at ywefoundation@gmail.com. Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/youngwomenempowermentfoundation or visit www.youngwomenempowerment.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The elegant women of The Social Lites, Inc. from past to present enjoyed celebrating 60 years in the Inland Empire with over 200 guests in attendance on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino.  Among the guests were Beautillion Alumni and former participants of the program, community leaders, and various community organizations.  Awards presented included a financial donation towards The Social Lites, Inc. 501© 3 scholarship foundation from Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. (Riverside Chapter), recognition certificate from Assemblymember Cheryl Brown, 47^th District, Councilwoman Bessine Littlefield Richard, 6^th Ward, presentation plaque from The Swans Club to name a few. The celebration Master of Ceremonies included both Hon. Rikke Van Johnson, Former City Councilman, San Bernardino, Beautillion Knight 1973, and Anthony S. Blacksher, Professor of Sociology, Sir Knight 1999.  Dr. Regional Woods, Senior Pastor, Life Changing Ministries of San Bernardino, Sir Knight 1976 provided the invocation followed by entertainers Edwonda White and Soul Brothers Band. 

Be It Blue, Lavender, Or Lace, These Are the Women of Style and Grace was the theme for this elegant celebration in which Beautillion Sir Knight 1978 Robert Grace, Deputy District Attorney, Los Angeles County was the keynote speaker.  Attorney Grace stated as a young man growing up on the West Side of San Bernardino he reflected on how women in The Social Lites, Inc. inspired him to go to college.  Education continues to be a road map to meaningful employment.  Moreover, the Beautillion program provided not only him but a group of young men meaningful, lifelong experiences, including a trip out of the community in which they stayed in a nice hotel, attended cultural events, performed community service, and awarded scholarships to help finance their education beyond high school. Attorney Grace reminded attendees all lives matter, however, we need to know how important it is in the spirit of all lives matter, to remind others “Black Lives Matter!”  

Over 30 years this organization raised funds by bringing The Ebony Fashion Show annually to the community. This organization was one of the first organization to donate a sizeable scholarship to California State University, San Bernardino, contributed to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. statue located in downtown San Bernardino, holding membership with the NAACP, Chamber of Commerce and was recognized earlier this year by The San Bernardino League of Women Voters. 

The 50^th Beautillion Season will start the second weekend in October, 2016.  Mentoring young men towards a better future is their mission.  For additional information for the upcoming Beautillion season, please contact Mrs. Bettye Brewster, President at 951-204-0022 or Mrs. Helen Thomas, Correspondence 909-854-7730.  Application available via e-mail: Sociallites2@msn.com or www.socialitesinc.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- In an effort to prepare parents and students for the upcoming school year, Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) hosted her 4^thAnnual Tools for Success Day in partnership with the Inland Empire Job Corp Center and a number of local businesses and non-profit organizations. This year, more than 500 students received a backpack stuffed with pencils, crayons, notebook paper, books, rulers and more.

“I’m so proud to host this annual event to provide students with the tools they need to be successful in the classroom,” said Assemblymember Brown. “It also gives me an opportunity to discuss our Legislature’s educational plans and accomplishments.” 

This year, Assemblymember Brown reported that our Legislature voted to increase funding for California schools by billions of dollars.  This year’s budget package provides additional funding for college readiness programs; counseling services; early education and child care programs; teacher recruitment; competitive matching grants to continue the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant Program (CTEIG); and grants to improve the quality of drinking water in public schools, preschools and day care centers.

Other local educational agencies such as the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools represented by Carolyn Tillman and the San Bernardino City Unified School District represented by Dr. Harold Vollkommer, made appearances to greet parents and students and highlight their accomplishments as well.

The 4^th Annual Tools for Success Day, emceed by KCAA Radio host Paul Rasso, was packed with information, giveaways, activities and included a special guest appearance by Speaker of the Assembly, Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount). “Attending Assemblymember Brown’s annual backpack giveaway was yet another reminder of her endless passion for public service. During the week, she’s in Sacramento fighting for her constituents. On weekends, she’s there for the families of San Bernardino – in last week’s case, providing students with the school supplies they need to succeed,” said Speaker Rendon. 

Also at the event, live entertainment was provided by Alive in the Lights and Flora Fauna from the San Bernardino Teen Music Workshop, and a host of vendors offered community resources such as housing assistance, Prop 47 information, Medi-Cal insurance sign-ups, services for undocumented citizens and nutrition education.

Other program speakers and participants included Mayor Carey Davis, City of San Bernardino; Dan Flores representing Supervisor Josie Gonzales, 5^th District; Board Member Gwendolyn Rodgers, San Bernardino School Board; Board Member BarBara Chavez, Fontana School Board; Board Member Randall Ceniceros, Colton School Board; Commissioner Kareem Gongora, Fontana Planning Commission; and Jorge Leyva representing the Mexican Consulate.

“It was a great event; especially because it’s about learning and getting an education,” said Claudia Lopez, Inland Empire Job Corps. “The Inland Empire Job Corps is honored to host this event every year and happy to help! The need for backpacks and supplies was evident by the number of families who attended the event. It was wonderful to see children with big smiles, walking away with their backpacks.”

The event concluded with a raffle and awards presentation. Raffle winners took home a 32 inch flat screen TV and bicycles donated by Assemblymember Brown and fruit trees donated by the Incredible Edible Community Gardens.

This year’s event was proudly sponsored by: Farmdale Creamery; Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP); Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County; KCAA Radio; City of San Bernardino Parks & Recreation; S.B. County Superintendent of Schools; Stater Bros.; Incredible Edible Community Gardens; Niagara Bottling; Home Depot; Pinnacle Medical Group; San Bernardino County Department of Public Health; First 5 San Bernardino; Mother’s Nutritional Center; Molina Healthcare of CA; Loma Linda University; TODEC Legal Center; Consulado of Guatemala in San Bernardino; San Bernardino County Fire; United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire; Inland Behavioral & Health Services, Inc.; Consulado of Mexico in San Bernardino; Target; and the San Bernardino Valley Chapter of the Links.

For more information, contact Ashley Jones at (909) 381-3238.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – The statewide 2016 #SchoolsNotPrisons Arts and Music Tour is coming to San Bernardino Thursday, August 25 to Saturday, 27, calling for less spending on punishment and more investment in education, health and support for young people. 

“We are spending money on the wrong things,” said Ayla Lopez, a senior at Arroyo Valley High School and an Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC) Student Leader. “Schools, not prisons, are what will keep our communities safe. The best thing we as a community can do to make positive changes is to vote.”

The week’s events will highlight three areas of action for the San Bernardino community: 1) Replacing harsh school discipline like suspensions with positive discipline that keeps kids in school; 2) Offering increased health services in schools, especially mental health; and 3) Increasing San Bernardino County’s investment in youth programs and services. 

“We spend $144,000 a year to lock up a young person in San Bernardino County, but only $10,300 per K-12 student,” said Dina Walker, President/CEO BLU Educational Foundation. “That needs to change so our young people can thrive and reach their full potential.” 

The week’s events are supported by a coalition of San Bernardino County organizations, including Time for Change Foundation, BLU Educational Foundation, COPE, ICUC, Life Center Church, United Nations of Consciousness, and Youth Action Project.

The week’s activities will begin Thursday, August 25, with a community roundtable bringing together school and city officials to discuss how San Bernardino can shift more public spending from punishment to prevention in schools and communities. The roundtable will be held at Inghram Community Center, 2050 N. Mt Vernon Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92411 and will begin at 11:30 a.m.

On Friday, August 26, ARTIVISM will take place at Anne Shirrells Park Community Center, 1367 N. California St., San Bernardino, California 92411 at 5 p.m. The youth exhibition, which will combine both art and activism, will provide local youth the opportunity to visually express their ideas for how to create safe and healthy communities.

The week’s events will be capped off by Saturday, August 27 with a arts and music festival at California State University, San Bernardino’s Santos Manuel Student Union. The festival will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will feature art, food, music and community presentations. There will be performances by Audio Push, Mistah F.A.B., The Occupation, Jasiri X and Low Leaf, along with local artists and special guests. All in attendance will be encouraged to vote and get involved in their communities.

“We’re hyped to be a part of this tour because we get to really stand behind something with substance,” said Oktane of Audio Push. “This isn’t just a concert for the money and a good time and then everybody leaves. This is really speaking for something bigger than all of us on that stage, and that’s always been what we’re about. A bigger purpose. We’re excited for what’s to come!”

The tour will support campaigns by San Bernardino youth and community leaders to create thriving, healthy and safe schools and communities. Right now there is too much harsh punishment in schools that’s harming San Bernardino’s young people, especially youth of color who are suspended most often. Last year, San Bernardino County schools suspended more than 22,000 students – that’s more students than attend California State University, San Bernardino.

Even one suspension increases the chances of dropout and getting in trouble with the law, and San Bernardino students need positive supports to help them when they get off-track.

A primary focus of the tour will be to increase peaceful activism and voting among California’s young people whose opportunities are being cut short by the overuse of punishment and overspending on jails and prisons. 

“This week of activism will give our community an opportunity to share its vision of real safety with our elected leaders,” said La’Nae Norwood, Executive Director/Founder of United Nations of Consciousness. “Young people must be part of the decision-making process, and when youth vote, we see the power of their voices.”

The week of action is a time for San Bernardino to unite around the goal of strengthening our communities, said San Bernardino City Unified Superintendent Dale Marsden. 

“We are grateful our community can come together to strengthen our systems of support for students,” said Superintendent Marsden. “Together we can make hope happen for every child.”

The #SchoolsNotPrisons Arts and Music Festival will be a free, all-ages event that will include art by San Bernardino youth, food and more. The event is free of drugs and alcohol. To attend the event, participants can RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/schoolsnotprisons-tour-san-bernardino-tickets-27058699298

Due to the extreme fires in San Bernardino County, The High Life Music Festival made the decision to postpone their music festival today when Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County. Wildfires are currently raging throughout communities with evacuations ordered to 82,000 residents in the area, making transportation to the region also difficult. 

The festival was to take place at The San Bernardino County Fairgrounds on August 20^th and 21^st, 2016, but is currently being used as an evacuation and animal shelter. As a result of this postponement, High Life Music Festival will continue to grant ticket holders admission to a future date once determined. 

“The High Life Music Festival would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the High Desert community affected by the tragic wild fires. It is with great disappointment, but a necessary decision we had to make to reschedule this year’s High Life Music Festival.  Safety is a priority for our festival goers, vendors, patients, sponsors, exhibitors, and staff,” said High Life management.  “We also respect the governor’s state of emergency declaration and the safety of our community and first responders.  We apologize to those who had planned to visit the area this weekend and hope you bear with us as we continue to make arrangements for a rescheduled date.” 

For more information and updates or to contact festival coordinators please visit www.highlifemusicfestival.com

Photo credit by the Riverside Police Department

RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. – On Tuesday, August 10, 2016, Riverside Police Officers teamed up with undefeated, former two-time WBO World Boxing Champion, Mikey Garcia (35-0, 29 KOs), to hand out one hundred backpacks and various school supplies to kids in the Casa Blanca neighborhood. The event was part of the annual Riverside Police Department Backpack Giveaway program, held today at the Ysmael Villegas Community Center in Villegas Park. Garcia said, “This was a wonderful opportunity to come out and support these kids. As a parent, it feels good knowing that all of these children will be prepared with the adequate supplies for their first week of school. I’m a big advocate for education, so I gave some advice for the kids to take with them into this new school year. It was an honor to be a part of this program, and to partner with the Riverside Police Department.” The twenty-eight year-old Garcia trains nearby at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Riverside.

Having the right tools and support is crucial for students to have a successful education. “It was great to have Mikey Garcia out here with us giving back to the community,” said Sgt. Barney of the Community Services Bureau. “The backpack giveaway is a joint sponsored activity by the Riverside Police Foundation and the Riverside Police Officers Association, and was designed to inspire children and let them know that their community supports their academic efforts. Both foundations were able to raise over $5,000 in school supplies for kids in the City of Riverside.”

For any inquiries, contact Lorin Chvotkin of Team Mikey Garcia by email at Lbchoyas@yahoo.com or by phone at (240) 498 1478.

For more information about the backpack giveaway program, contact Supervisor John Pedroza, with the Community Services Bureau of the Riverside Police Department by email at Jpedroza@riversideca.gov or by phone at (951) 826-5232.

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Hashtags: #TeamMikeyGarcia #RGBA #BackToSchool