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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Eta Nu Omega Chapter 2014/2015 Debutante Candidates

ONTARIO, CA- On Sunday, November 9, the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Eta Nu Omega Chapter, Annette Weathington (President with The Inland Ivy Foundation), and Joyce Ballard held the “Timeless Elegance Through Timeless Pearlfection Fashion Show and Schloarship Benefit.” The event was held at the newly renovated Radisson Ontario Airport Hotel.

According to Ms. Twillea Evans-Carthen, Co-Chairman of the event, “This was not your typical fashion show! Ms. Kaylin Hart, Chairman along with her mother Ms. Tiena Johnson-Hall, Co-Chairman along with the fashion show committee ensured guests were welcomed with sweets from “Sweet T’s Equisite Candy and Dessert Buffet,” hors d’ oeuvres, door prizes and vendors to enjoy pre-holiday shopping before and after the fashion show presentation by Onlave Signature Productions and Franzine Beauty Management.”

The sorority’s 2014/2015 debutante candidates were on site to lend a helping hand along with students from Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) from Heritage Intermediate School.  Miss Charlisa Kelly, EYL student graced the audience with a musical selection prior to the fashion show. Also, special recognition was presented to the local chapters of The National Council of Negro Women, Option House, Incorporated, The Boys and Girls Club and United Negro College Fund.

Shown left to right are Chancellor Bruce Baron, President of the SBCCD Board of Trustees Donna Ferracone, 45 year employee of SBVC, Angelita Gideon, Dr. Gloria Fisher, interim president of SBVC and Dr. Cheryl Marshall, president of Crafton Hills College.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino Community College District employs more than 1,200 full and part-time employees on multiple sites stretched from the mountains outside Yucaipa to downtown San Bernardino. Last week, they came together to recognize 409 employees who each had worked for the District from 5 to 45 years – a collective total of more than 4,900 years of service to the students of the Inland Empire.

The District recognized 18 employees who have served the District from 30 to 45 years each and 25 who have been with the District for 25 years. Angelita Gideon, recipient of the 45 year award, is a supervisor in the San Bernardino Valley College library who came to the campus as a student, fell in love with the school, and stayed on. She said, “Every day is a wonderful day in the library. I love what I do and the people I work with and the students we serve.”

The San Bernardino Community College District is experiencing significant growth, with enrollment having jumped over 10 percent in the past year. The Board of Trustees for the District voted to fund an increased number of sections above the funding the District receives from the State of California to help meet the demand. They anticipate serving more students than ever before in the next few years.

Nichole Nordeman

LOMA LINDA, CA- This year’s seventh annual “ThankSharing” concert and food drive, sponsored by Loma Linda University Medical Center, will take place at the Packinghouse in Redlands on Friday, Nov. 14, beginning at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Award winning Christian music artist Nichole Nordeman will be the featured entertainer.  Her best-known songs include “Holy,” “Legacy,” “Brave” and “What If?”  In addition to her music career, Nordeman is also a recently published author.  Her book is entitled, “Love Story,” exploring pivotal moments of Scriptural characters.

The program will also feature local artists Roxie Jane and Khari Washington, as well as a 40-person youth choir, KAY-C. Details can be found at thanksharing.org.

Admission is free with donation of any non-perishable goods.

The Packinghouse is at 27165 W. San Bernardino Avenue in Redlands.  From I-10, take the Alabama Street exit north to San Bernardino Avenue and turn west. The church is on the left.

In addition to the food collected at the November 14 event, there are currently over 20 additional sites for donations. Donations will benefit the community through the ministry of three local food banks. For more information on the food drive and donations, contact Kathy McMillan at kmcmillan@llu.edu. Also find more information at www.thanksharing.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- For one day only, students can save a little extra change by riding OmniTrans for free on November 15. Download and print the pass below.

Omni Trans Free Pass

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- In appreciation for the contributions of the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces, Omnitrans is offering free bus rides to US military veterans on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11.

Veterans simply need to show retired military ID when boarding any Omnitrans route including the sbX rapid line, 215 freeway express, 25 local bus routes, or 5 OmniGo community shuttle routes. Acceptable veteran IDs include those issued by the US Department of Defense, Veterans Administration, and San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs.

Approximately 79,000 veterans reside in the Omnitrans service area of the San Bernardino Valley, stretching from Yucaipa in the east to the LA County line in the west. On January 5, 2015, Omnitrans will introduce a new reduced fare category for veterans.  “As part of our Veterans Day free ride offer, we hope to build awareness for the new fare and encourage veterans to get a retired military ID, if they don’t have one already,” said Omnitrans spokesperson Wendy Williams.

“Our veterans ID cards are offered to veterans with honorable military service at no charge and can be used to earn veteran discounts at over 1,000 local businesses,” said Bill J. Moseley, Director of San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs.  ID application information at http://hss.sbcounty.gov/va or 866-4SB-VETS (866-472-8387). Personalized trip planning assistance is available through the Omnitrans information center, at 800-9-OMNIBUS (800-966-6428), or online at www.omnitrans.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The 15th annual Cruizin E Street Veterans Day Parade and Car Show will be held Saturday, November 8. Activities take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are free to the public.

The event includes a parade, a classic car show, exhibits and demonstrations, museum tours, musical entertainment, and food and merchandise vendors. The parade includes marching bands, vintage military vehicles, military marching units, classic cars and more. The Grand Marshall is Sgt. Pete Martinez, a Korean War combat veteran. Highlights of the parade are the beautifully restored military vehicles courtesy of the Inland Empire Military Vehicles Preservation Association.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. at San Bernardino High School, 1850 N. E St., and proceeds south on E Street, ending up at the site of the original McDonald’s located at 1398 N. E. Street in San Bernardino. There are two museums on the property: the Inland Empire Military Museum and the unofficial McDonald’s /Route 66 Museum.

Veteran organizations in the parade include The Catholic War Veterans Post 762, IE Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 47, Military Order of the Purple Heart and other VFW and American Legion Posts in the area. Following the parade, Veterans from all branches of the service who are present at Cruizin E will be honored.

More than 500,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Riverside and San Bernardino counties will have an additional option for accessing health care services. As of January 1, 2015, Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans will be able to choose Loma Linda University Health as their primary and specialty care medical group. In 2015, UnitedHealthcare will be the only Medicare Advantage plan contracted with Loma Linda University Health, which provides access to hundreds of primary care physicians and specialists with expertise in a full spectrum of specialties at Loma Linda University Medical Center, as well as its centers of excellence, including the Proton Treatment Center, the Cancer Center and the International Heart Institute.

UnitedHealthcare members with questions about how this change affects them are advised to call the number on their member ID card. Beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare coverage during the Open Enrollment Period, which began October 15 and ends December 7. (News report submitted by Casey Anderson on behalf of UnitedHealthcare).

LOS ANGELES, CA- The Westside’s original high intensity interval training (HIIT) studio, Burn 60, in partnership with Reimagine, the other half of cancer care, is bringing back the 2^nd Annual “Bro 60” charity event on Wednesday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. at their Brentwood location located at 159 S. Barrington Place in Brentwood (90049) to help educate and raise awareness about men’s cancer.

Unless you’re living on a deserted island, we all know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but most are unaware that November is Men’s Cancer Awareness month, or “Movember”, a movement where men grow a moustache for 30 days to spark conversation and raise awareness for men’s health issues.  Statistics show that 1 out of every 3 people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime, and men have an even higher occurrence than women. This event helps participants emerge from their cancer journey feeling empowered, self-aware, connected to their loved ones and reengaged in life.

To support this amazing cause, all men are invited to the “Bro 60” event.  There will be a trifecta workout taught by three of Los Angeles’ most sought after and committed trainers which include Liam Glennon, Nick Malizia and Kris Cueva.  Class space is limited to 24 participants.  To sign up, log on to www.burn60.com while spaces last.  All proceeds benefit Reimagine’s nonprofit arm, the Pillars4Life foundation. For additional information, please contact brentwood@burn60.com. To learn more about Reimagine please visit: www.reimagine.me.

What it Do! OMG, if you missed our TOP COOK COMPETITION/COMEDY SHOW Fundraiser on Friday, October 24 then you missed one heck of an event. The night was beautiful, as well as the dishes presented by our three competitors Iesha Nelson, Lawanda Lee, and Lanoris Brown. However, as we all know there can only be one winner. That night Chef Lanoris Brown reined supreme receiving high scores in taste, presentation, skill, and overall performance. Chef Brown, along with his team, came with their A-game on all levels, and he was crowned LUE PRODUCTIONS TOP COOK.

Audience members were able to experience some of the fabulous entrees that each cook made. The competitors had to present a three course meal for a panel of comedy judges. Talk about no pressure.

Chef Lanoris’ meal consisted of the following: an appetizer which was blackened chicken spring rolls. The entrée consisted of stuffed airline chicken breast with a mousseline forcemeat and asparagus, and to top it all off, for dessert he cooked a deep fried granola bar with cream cheese frosting, blue berries and raspberries, and then topped it with whipped cream and powdered sugar. All I have to say is when I get some more pocket change I will defiantly hire him as a personal chef, he’s that good! Congratulations, Chef Brown.

Chef Lanoris Brown graduated from Riverside Culinary Arts where he learned from some of the best in the field. This allowed Lanoris to create his own unique style. His fusion of Soul Food, Mexican, and Asian cuisine mixed with a little bit of French keeps folks wanting more. His desire is to one day be a restaurant owner. He stated that “he wants to see people eating and enjoying his food.”

Until next time and see you next week IE, much love!

(left to right) Tavis Smiley; Assmeblymember Cheryl Brown, 47th District; and Dr. Gloria M. Fisher, Interim president of SBVC. (Photo credit: John Coleman)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Thursday, October 23, renowned media personality, Tavis Smiley, paid a special visit to San Bernardino Valley College where he enlightened the crowd on different issues within the community. Smiley has received 16 honorary doctorate degrees for his 30 years of dedicated and committed service as a talk show personality, political commentator, activist, author, advocate, producer, and benefactor.

During his speech at Valley College, Mr. Smiley urged both the young and seasoned individuals in the crowd to assist in changing the world to make it a better place. After the event guests were able to take photos and get an autographed copy of Smiley’s latest book.