Dr. Jean Peacock is pictured with a quilt from her grandmother Mrs. Ella Lee of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Her grandmother was 96 when she died in 1978. The Anthropology Museum at California State University, San Bernardino opened an exhibition this week called, “Re/Collect: Memories of Childhood.” Check out the museum at: “Re/Collect: Memories of Childhood, Curated by Dr. Arianna Huhn & student Assistant Curators,” anthro.csusb.edu/resources/anthropology_museum.htm.
PASADENA, CA – Over a hundred community members attended an informational briefing on California’s nearly one million Black youth, hosted by Assemblymember Chris Holden (AD – 41) and The Education Trust–West at Pasadena City College. The “Black Minds Matter” briefing examined the recently published Education Trust-West report, “Black Minds Matter: Supporting the Educational Success of Black Children in California.”
“Over the past 165 years, court cases and policy decisions have shaped the educational experiences of Black children,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “Despite some progress, the unfortunate reality is that opportunity and achievement gaps continue to persist, leaving California’s nearly one million Black youth under age 25 facing an uphill battle to get the education they desire.”
“Black students are the least likely to graduate high school in four years and the most likely to be placed in remedial, non-credit bearing courses in college,” said Ryan J. Smith, Executive Director, and The Education Trust–West. “We can dismantle the obstacles placed in front of California’s Black students – if we collectively believe it’s possible.”
The panel of experts and guest speakers highlighted the findings and promising practices legislators and educators can consider in addressing disparities and inequities in access, opportunity and achievement.
“I agree with the report. We need to do more, and we need to do better,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson. “We are implementing several specific recommendations in the report, increasing funding, particularly for the neediest students, and increased local control. We are focused on equity, working with stakeholders to ensure high-quality education for all students.
Recommendations for school districts leaders in the report focus on expanding access, improving school climate and strengthening and supporting meaningful authentic family engagement efforts. Black Minds Matter stresses the need to use data to identify gaps in access to rigorous courses and target more resources and opportunities to students who are struggling academically. To further address closing these gaps, districts can build and strengthen formal partnerships between districts and community-based organizations representing African American communities.
“I applaud Assemblymember Holden and Assemblymember Weber for displaying the very type of leadership and firm commitment that we need to close opportunity and achievement gaps for all of California’s students,” said Smith.
Participants in the briefing included Chris Holden, Assemblymember for 41st Assembly District; Ryan Smith, Executive Director for Education Trust – West; Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Yvette Gullatt , Vice Provost and Chief Outreach Officer for the University of California Office of the President; Dr. Christopher D. Jimenez y West, Instructor, Social Science Division, Pasadena City College; John Pointer, Student Body President, John Muir High School; Felita Kealing, Pasadena Unified School District African-American Parent Council; Trudell Skinner, Principal, Blair High School; Dr. Mack Hines, Pasadena Unified School District African-American Student Success Initiative; and Darvin Jackson, Monrovia Unified School District, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources.
LOS ANGELES, CA- It’s Spring time and we’re that much closer to summer, and the go-getters are already amping for the start of fall. In preparation for the next season, Afrowear founder Latanya Alexander will be launching the label’s first annual End of the Summer Fashion Show and Expo, which kicks off on September 3 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at The Reef LA located at 1933 S Broadway in Sunny Los Angeles.
Afrowear was established in 2011 as an urban apparel line that provides quality tees, hats, and accessories that empower the community to triumph through daily obstacles, become resilient, and inspired to reach new heights.
“I’m very excited to put on this wonderful fashion show. My goal is bring communities together to an event that celebrates small business, entertainment, and fashion as they brand their businesses.”
In addition to the message behind the brand, the ultimate purpose of the event is to serve as a platform in bringing together entrepreneurs of the community to celebrate fashion, culture, and music while building new connections in expansion of their own brands. For those that would love to be involved, vendor booths and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Latanya Alexander at (323) 842-0549 orafrowear.byladyt@gmail.com; or Shanelle Williams at Shanellebwilliams@gmail.com. For fashion show inquires contact Edna at (909) 586-0079 oreventswithedna@gmail.com. Additional information on Afrowear can be found by visiting www.afrowearapparel.com.
FONTANA, CA- Close to 3,200 students from Fontana Unified School District’s five comprehensive high schools, two continuation schools and adult school capped their high school careers with graduation ceremonies last week at the Citizens Bank Arena. Among the Class of 2016 graduates, two are headed to Stanford University and several others bound for UCs, CSUs and universities across the nation.
Summit High School and Birch and Citrus continuations schools held their ceremonies on May 23. Fontana and Kaiser high schools held their ceremonies May 24. A.B. Miller and Jurupa Hills high schools held their ceremonies May 25. The Fontana Adult School held its event on May 27.
Fontana Unified Board President Lorena Corona congratulated members of the Class of 2016 for their academic and personal achievements and encouraged students to pursue post-secondary dreams.
“Words cannot express how proud I am of everything these students have accomplished and that they have demonstrated their ability to reach a high level of academic success,” Corona said. “I wish all of them the best of luck in whatever endeavors they choose to pursue after high school.”
Carlos Ciudad-Real is one of two Kaiser High School valedictorians headed to Stanford University, where he will major in environmental systems engineering. Joining him at the prestigious university will be Jaime Hurtado-Lopez, who will study bioengineering/environmental engineering.
Hurtado-Lopez, a Gates Millennium Scholar and QuestBridge scholarship winner, has advice for the next generation of students: “Don’t lose track of what is important. Enjoy your time here, but stay focused.”
Fontana Unified’s graduates will attend state and national universities, including UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Cal Poly Pomona as well as many other campuses in the University of California and California State University systems.
“The fact that we have students moving onto some of the most prestigious universities in the country shows that our schools are engaging students in way that prepares them for college and careers,” Fontana Unified Superintendent Dr. Leslie Boozer said. “Fontana Unified strives to empower all students to be successful. The caliber of universities and colleges they attend demonstrates our ability to live up to that mission.”
For more information on this year’s valedictorians and salutatorians, visit www.fusd.net/announcements2/2015-16/vals_and_sals.stm.
Cate Kortzeborn
By Cate Kortzeborn
Have you recently enrolled in Medicare, or will you in the near future?
If so, let me be the first to say, welcome! What should your first step be as a new Medicare beneficiary? I recommend taking advantage of the “Welcome to Medicare” preventive-care benefit.
During the first 12 months that you have Medicare Part B, you can get a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit with your doctor. This visit includes a review of your medical and social history related to your health. Your doctor will also offer education and counseling about preventive-care services, including certain disease screenings, shots, and referrals for other care, if needed.
When you make your appointment, let your doctor’s office know that you’d like to schedule your “Welcome to Medicare” visit. You pay nothing for this if your doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts Medicare payment rates.
If your doctor or other health care provider performs additional tests or services during the visit that aren’t covered under this preventive benefit, you may have to pay coinsurance, and the Part B deductible may apply.
Here’s what your doctor will do during your “Welcome to Medicare” visit:
Following the visit, your doctor will give you a plan or checklist with free screenings and preventive services that you need.
You should do a little preparation before you sit down with your doctor. Pull together your medical records, including immunization records. Even if your current physician does the visit, gather as much medical information as you can to make sure nothing is overlooked.
Try to learn as much as you can about your family’s health history before your appointment. The information will help you and your doctor understand what screenings you should get and what to watch for in the future.
And bring a list of any prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements that you currently take, how often you take them, and why.
If you’ve had Medicare Part B for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly “Wellness” visit to develop or update a personalized plan to prevent disease or disability based on your current health and risk factors.
Medicare covers this visit once every 12 months.
Your doctor or other provider will ask you to fill out a questionnaire, called a “Health Risk Assessment,” as part of this visit. Answering these questions can help you and your provider develop a personalized prevention plan to help you stay healthy and get the most out of your visit. The questions are based on years of medical research and advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
When you make your appointment, let your doctor’s office know that you’d like to schedule your yearly “Wellness” visit.
Note: Your first “Wellness” visit can’t take place within 12 months of your enrollment in Part B or your “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. However, you don’t need to have had a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit to qualify for a “Wellness” visit.
As with the “Welcome” visit, you pay nothing for the yearly “Wellness” visit if your doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts Medicare payment rates.
If your doctor or other health care provider performs additional tests or services during the same visit that aren’t covered under this preventive benefit, you may have to pay coinsurance, and the Part B deductible may apply.
Cate Kortzeborn is Medicare’s acting regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The “Chicken Man” joined “The Lighthouse For The Blind” in vouching for “Captain Mike’s” Fishing Association. A Congressional candidate explained why and a major Juneteenth event was announced during Sunday’s Empire Talks Back” (ETB) radio show.
ETB guests pictured above are (L to R): “The Chicken Man” Albert Okura, Founder of Juan Pollo Chicken; Emily and her grandmother Sandra Wood, the Executive Director I.E. Lighthouse For The Blind;“Captain Mike” of the California Fishing Association and Trudy Coleman, Chairperson of the Pomona valley Juneteenth Festival. Congressional candidate, Kaisar Ahmed is not in the photo but is on the show.
ETB is broadcast each Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on KCAA 1050-AM Radio. You can hear and see Sunday’s show via the following link www.ustream.tv/search?q=empire+talks+back.
The San Bernardino County Library invites you to strengthen your superpowers and participate in our Summer Reading Program: Heroes Assemble!
Throughout the summer, we will be hosting amazing programs and activities as well as giving away fantastic rewards at all 32 of our branch libraries. Participating is easy: fly in to your local San Bernardino County Library to sign-up and become part of this read for rewards program to earn exciting weekly incentives. Reading for rewards is just the beginning. The Library will be hosting various super hero-themed programs including storytime, crafts, discovery time as well as awesome performers who provide exciting, entertaining and educational shows the whole family can enjoy. The Summer Reading Program is open to all ages so come on in and sign up the entire family. The best part – this program is absolutely free!
The fun doesn’t stop there. The County Library will offer special drawings for children and teens who meet the County Library Reading Challenge. The children’s challenge is to read at least 45 books or the equivalent in pages and minutes to receive a ticket. For teens, the challenge is to read at least eight books or the equivalent to get a ticket. New this year: each kid and teen who reached the challenge will receive a ticket for a chance to win a Kindle Fire 7” tablet at their branch library. Also, for every 25 items checked out this summer, receive a ticket for our countywide drawing to win one of the grand prizes which include Samsung Galaxy Tablets, a WiiU gaming system, a super hero-themed bike, and a kids Spider-Man Dune Buggy.
Check out the San Bernardino County Library website for details on the kick-off events and program information. Come sign up for the program and be a part of our Summer of Reading Challenge to increase summer reading participation among youth by 15 percent throughout the county.
The San Bernardino County Library System is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serves a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County library system strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs, and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.
The library plays a key role in the achievement of the Countywide Vision, by contributing to educational, cultural, and historical development of our County community.
For more information on the San Bernardino County Library system, please visit www.sbclib.org/ or call (909) 387-2220.
Metrolink and Riverside County Transportation Commission officials recently announced service along the 91/Perris Valley Line (91/PVL) will begin Monday, June 6. The 91/PVL is the first extension of Metrolink service since the Antelope Valley Line was built in 1994.
“We are very excited the residents of the Perris Valley will soon be able to board Metrolink stations in their community and reach areas through Southern California,” said Metrolink Board Vice-Chair Daryl Busch, who is also the mayor of the City of Perris and a member of the Riverside County Transportation Commission. “Metrolink and RCTC staff has worked incredibly hard to make this concept a reality.”
The extension of the 91 Line will serve four additional Riverside County stations: Riverside-Hunter Park/UCR, Moreno Valley/March Field, Perris-Downtown and Perris-South.
Weekday 91/PVL trains 701, 703 and 705 will all originate at the Perris-South Station with service beginning at 4:37 a.m. In the evening, trains 702, 704 and 706 will all return to Perris with the last train reaching its final destination at 7:50 p.m. There will also be three round trips each weekday between Perris and the Riverside-Downtown Station. There will be no weekend service to or from the four new stations.
The 24-mile 91/PVL extension enhanced 15 at-grade crossings in Riverside County. The variety of safety measures includes: flashing warning devices, gates, raised center medians, striping and pavement markings. The project also added pedestrian crosswalks at two railroad crossings and permanently closed two others.
To increase awareness of the dangers of crossing railroad tracks, a continuing public outreach program, “See Tracks? Think Train,” was launched in 2014 to select Riverside County schools, neighborhoods and community groups. Also, an extensive outreach campaign with the University of California, Riverside is ongoing.
For more information about Metrolink and the new service, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com/pvl.
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The non-profit organization, Youth Action Project (YAP), has received a $5,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to help support YAP programs to provide work-based learning opportunities for local college students.
Some of the programs YAP provides include academic support, mentoring and positive youth development activities for high school students in the San Bernardino City Unified School District. YAP, which is based in San Bernardino, also provides work experience and professional development for more than 50 volunteers each year, most of them local college students.
“Bank of America is a valued community partner, as they have continuously supported the youth of our community,” said Joseph Williams, YAP Chief Executive Officer.
“Supporting Youth Action Project is an important part of strengthening our community by providing important resources critical for the next generation to succeed and thrive,” said Al Arguello, Inland Empire market president, Bank of America.
The Youth Action Project, which administers an AmeriCorps program in San Bernardino, works to help San Bernardino’s youth develop the skills and habits needed to experience economic and social success. The work is done primarily through tutoring, mentoring and other positive youth development activities for local high school students.
For more information, please visit www.youthactionproject.org.
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Boys & Girls Club of San Bernardino (BGCSB) will host San Bernardino’s Got Talent at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, to launch a new Teen Multimedia Program. This program is a collaboration between BGCSB and CHORDS Enrichment Youth Program.
This year, the city of San Bernardino has had 26 homicides, forcing the community, law enforcement and city officials to come together to address the increase of violence and to find solutions. The BGCSB has many programs for the youth however due to the escalation of violence in the city and the risk it poses to local teens the BGCSB decided to partner with CHORDS to provide programs that are engaging and appealing specifically to teens. CHORDS at the Boys & Girls Club of San Bernardino will provide the youth of San Bernardino a safe place to express themselves creatively. It also serves as an outlet to cope with social and economic challenges.
The talent show will begin with an open house. The open house starts at 2 p.m. BGCSB members and the community are encouraged to tour the Club and the newly renovated Teen Center. Club renovations were made possible by donations from Wells Fargo, Genesis Glass Installations and Lowe’s Home Improvement.
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