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RIVERSIDE, CA-The Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. joined the San Bernardino Valley Chapter of the Links, Inc. at its 38th Annual Scholarship Ball to award scholarships to high achieving African-American male students. The awards ceremony, where the Fraternity was recognized as an Emerald Donor, took place on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA.

Community and educational leaders were in attendance to acknowledge the academic accomplishments of the high school seniors, who are among the top performers in their graduating classes. Superintendents Dr. Dale Marsden of the San Bernardino City

Unified School District and Dr. Judy White of the Moreno Valley Unified School District were on hand to celebrate as the Fraternity awarded a total of $4,000 in scholarships, $1,000 each to four Inland Empire students.

“Collaboration with the Links has allowed the Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity to combine resources and ensure that students attain a sufficient amount of support for their educational goals,” says Polemarch Demarius Carmichael, head of the Riverside Alumni Chapter of the Fraternity.

During their acceptance speeches, award recipients Christian Coston, Adetola Soyemi, Ryan Laudermilk and Halbert Beaver gave special thanks to the Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and the Links, Inc. for their academic scholarships. For more information about Riverside Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. visit www.rackapsi.com.

Pictured from left to right, Elections Office staff members-Ashleigh Bachar, Roxana Castro, and Travis Weaver

SAN BERNARDINO CA- San Bernardino County voters can vote early for the June 7, 2016 Presidential Primary Election and while they’re at it, can share their experience with their friends and family by taking a ballot selfie in the Election Office’s “Ballot Selfie” booth and sharing it through social media.

Early Voting began at the Elections Office on Monday, May 9 and will continue until Election Day. Two additional satellite early voting sites will be open beginning Tuesday, May 31.

At the Early Voting sites, voters can take a ballot selfie with their un-voted ballots and their ‘I Voted’ stickers in front of a new Ballot Selfie poster.

“We’re hoping to generate excitement about voting in San Bernardino County by allowing voters to take a Ballot Selfie and sharing it on social media sites” said Registrar of Voters, Michael J. Scarpello.

In addition to Early Voting sites, the Ballot Selfie poster will be placed at every polling place on Election Day. California law currently prohibits a voter from revealing the contents of their voted ballot or taking pictures of other voters with the intent of dissuading a person from voting. However, the law does not prohibit a ballot selfie with an un-voted ballot.

Early voting hours for the Elections Office, 777 E. Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415, are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and on Election Day, Tuesday, June 7 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information about this election, visit the Elections Office website, www.sbcountyelections.com, or call (909) 387-8300.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- In an effort to offer a comprehensive educational program that meets both the interest and needs of its students, PAL Charter Academy is becoming a trailblazer for innovation. On Monday, May 16, PAL hosted Hip Hop legend, Money B, in its first ever of this caliber music assembly. The students participating in the music education class as an elective requirement for graduation worked together to create this phenomenal opportunity. Under the leadership of their teacher and motivation founder, Mr. Robert Bryant, this class successfully blended education and innovation creating an amazing opportunity for the students and staff.

The enthusiasm surrounding this innovative program offering is preparing PAL students for the tangible exploration of music related careers, including but not limited to marketing, journalism, management, and production. PAL Center CEO Dwaine Radden said, “Our music program at the PAL Academy is just the beginning of incredible advances for these students their linked learning environments provide relevance to education through innovative life applications.”

PAL Charter Academy is a free public school available to all students 9th to 12th grade. The independent study model allows flexibility to support most barriers to High School completion. PAL offers the benefit of A-G approved courses, small class sizes, a full athletic program, and much more. They are now enrolling for summer & fall sessions. Please contact the school at (909) 887-7002 for more information.

United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, Region 5 Endorse Cheryl Brown Campaign

Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – With early voting already commencing, Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown’s (D-San Bernardino) re-election campaign is announcing yet another Labor endorsement. The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America endorse Cheryl Brown for Assembly District 47. The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) is one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America, with members in virtually every sector of the economy with more than 400,000 active members and more than 580,000 retired members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

“Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown’s voting record to improve working families’ lives and the communities we live in is deserving of another term,” said Victor Quiroz, International Union Representative, UAW Region 5. “Our members and working families in the district benefit when we have a legislator who is inclusive of all her constituency and the economic needs most important to them. Cheryl Brown is proudly supported by UAW Region 5 because she fights for working people.”

“I am honored to receive the support from the UAW and recommit my efforts on helping champion issues most important to working families in the Inland Empire,” said Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown.

UAW Region 5’s endorsement of Cheryl Brown’s re-election campaign joins a long list of union support already backing her campaign, which include:

• California Association of Highway Patrolmen
• California School Employees Association, AFL-CIO
• California Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO
• Union of American Physicians and Dentists, AFL-CIO
• Laborers’ International Union of North America
• Hod Carriers and Laborers Local Union No. 783
• AFSCME California PEOPLE, AFL-CIO
• CAL FIRE Local 2881
• California Faculty Association
• United Domestic Workers of America, AFL-CIO
• California Correctional Peace Officers Association
• Fontana Police Officers Association
• United Steel Workers L&E Committee
• California State Retirees
• Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters

Partial list. For a comprehensive endorsement list, click here.

Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown is the officially endorsed Democratic candidate of the California Democratic Party running for re-election in California’s 47th district.The election is scheduled for California’s Presidential Primary Election on June 7, 2016.

Verizon offers prepaid smartphone plans on your terms starting at $30/month

Love to be in control with no fees or annual contract on the best network?  The only prepaid wireless service that’s also Verizon now comes with more data.  Beginning May 15, you’ll receive more data on your flexible, affordable prepaid smartphone plans.  And for the first time, you get unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada with Verizon’s largest prepaid plan.

“Whether you’re just starting out with your own wireless plan or simply love to have complete control of your wireless spending, prepaid plans give you the best network on the latest phones,” said Rob Miller, vice president of consumer pricing for Verizon. “Prepaid plans from Verizon keep you in control without the worry of overages or hidden fees.”

Verizon’s new prepaid plans for smartphones include:

• 6 GB of data including 1 GB of AutoPay Bonus Data with unlimited talk and text in the U.S. and unlimited text and calling to Mexico and Canada for $60 per month (prior plan included only 3 GB);
• 3 GB of data including 1 GB of AutoPay Bonus Data with unlimited talk and text in the U.S., plus text to Mexico and Canada for $45 per month (prior plan included only 1 GB);
• Unlimited talk, text, Wi-Fi for only $30 per month.

Verizon’s prepaid plans for basic phones include:

• Unlimited talk, text and mobile web for $30 per month;
• 300 voice minutes, texts or multimedia messages (in any combination), plus unlimited mobile web for $15 per month.

For even more control, you can make changes to your account, add money to your account, and add even more data through the MyVerizon app on your device. Visit www.verizonwireless.com/prepaid to learn more. Verizon’s new prepaid plans were previously offered as promotional pricing.

LOMA LINDA, CA- Liberata Ashilevi was a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide who immigrated to the United States as a refugee.  As a resident of Loma Linda, she turned to the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board’s America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) for help with building her career. Today she enjoys working in the Loma Linda University Medical Center Operating Room caring for others.

Though she was a certified physician’s assistant in Zambia, Liberata took a housekeeping job when she arrived in the United States.  When she was laid off from this position, she felt she had nowhere to turn.

“When I was laid off, I panicked,” Liberata exclaimed.  “When I arrived at the San Bernardino America’s Job Center of California and met their staff, I became hopeful about my future.”

Workforce Development Specialist Nidia Vargas was assigned to handle Liberata’s case. The two women soon formed a bond that Liberata says is everlasting.

At the AJCC, Liberata received career counseling, and help with her job search, resume, and interview skills.  The Workforce Development Board also provided funding for her to earn her Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) certificate, to put her on a new career path, and assisted with travel to classes and job interviews.

As a result of the service she received, Liberata was well prepared to answer questions volleyed to her by the Loma Linda University Medical Center Operating Room Technician position interview panel.  Her first call to share the good news was to Nidia at the AJCC.

“It is always heartening to hear success stories such as Liberata’s,” said San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos.  “It is validation that the County is serving its residents well, and working to attain countywide prosperity.”

Liberata has already received a promotion and looks forward to a successful career.  She has embraced the American Dream with a contagious exuberance.

“Our staff’s care and concern for the people we are helping lends to successful outcomes for job seekers,” said Workforce Development Board Executive Director Sandy Harmsen.  “This is an example of how our staff members are truly dedicated to helping others achieve their goals.”

MORENO VALLEY, CA- On Saturday, May 14, over 150 artists will compete to see who is the best at music and art at the 5^th annual Changing Lives Showcase!  The Changing Lives Showcase, is the fastest-growing performance competition in the Inland Empire created to allow our youth to express their creative talents while fighting to reduce our communities’ dropout rates.

The Showcase is presented by Music Changing Lives, a non-profit arts organization in partnership with Moreno Valley Unified School District.  Artists and their respective schools will compete in four categories – Musical Instruments, Vocal Performance, Dance and Visual Arts, while schools compete in Overall Performance.

The Changing Lives Showcase is no ordinary school performance; this event rolls out the red carpet for its talented performers, artists and guests.  Celebrity judges will decide the winning finalists and this year’s lineup includes Tray Deee, a member of the platinum selling group Tha Eastsidaz; YouTube sensation and recording artist Ellise; and Stephen Hickner an American film director at DreamWorks Animation.

Music Changing Lives launched the Showcase five years ago, and since then they have produced musicians, artists, fashion designers and more.  MCL’s goal is to create a culture of school being cool and using music and art as a way to inspire students that anything is possible.

The Showcase will be located at the Moreno Valley Recreation Center from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  To get tickets to the event and reserve your seat please visit 2016changinglivesshowcase.eventbrite.com.

The Changing Lives Showcase is sponsored by MVUSD, Wells Fargo Foundation, UC Riverside, The Art Institute of San Bernardino, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Niagara Cares, Edison International, Time Warner Cable, Classics for Kids Foundation, Vizard PR and Goliath Graffix.

For more information about Music Changing Lives or to become a sponsor for the event, please contact an Music Changing Lives staff member at Jbruny@MusicChangingLives.org or visit them on the web at www.MusicChangingLives.org.

Varsity Brands wanted to find one athletic team that shows respect and graciousness to opposing teams and school groups. The San Bernardino High School Varsity Basketball Team demonstrates the utmost sportsmanship by raising community pride; the team regularly volunteers at homeless shelters, elementary schools, and throughout the school. On game days, the team dresses in suits, demonstrating good sportsmanship off the court, to empower school spirit and character. Before games, they show respect to visiting teams by greeting them and welcoming them to campus. For more information or to download the Varsity Bands 2016 booklet, please visit www.varsitybrands.com/home.

Author Margaret Hill will have a book signing at Barnes & Noble, Citrus Plaza, 27460 Lugonia Avenue, Redlands, on Saturday, May 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  Her book, “From Sharecropping to Non-Stopping” is about her life as the daughter of sharecroppers in the state of Virginia.  She is currently the school board president for the San Bernardino City Unified School District.

RUBIDOUX, CA- If you have been looking for a church or home or a new place of worship, Higher Ground Church of Christ is inviting all to come out and worship with them. They’re mission is to lead souls to Christ. They hold Sunday School at 10 a.m. with worship starting at 12 p.m. For those that cannot make it on Sunday, there is noon day prayer at 12:01 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Bible Study is held at 7 p.m.

Higher Ground also loves to give back to the community. They have an Outreach program every third Saturday of the month where community members can receive prayer, sing songs of praise to the Lord,  get food, and receive information on how to get clothe, free phones, health plans, check-ups, temporary housing, drug abuse counseling, battered women shelters, and a host of other things.

Those that would like to volunteer for these events on a Saturday are encouraged to come at 9 a.m. The food distribution starts at 11 a.m. If you are in need or know someone who is, please come see them or have those come.

The church is located at 5339 Jurupa Blvd. in Rubidoux, CA.