Local

Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and Eta Nu Omega Chapter were among the “Divine Nine (9)” being honored on Sunday, July 20 at Immanuel Praise Fellowship Church by Pastor La Quetta Simmons, Pastor Kelvin Simmons and Minister Jenise Bush.

The “Divine Nine (9)” includes Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Founded 1906, Cornell University; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Founded 1908, Howard University; Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Founded 1911, Indiana University; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Founded 1911, Howard University; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Founded 1913, Howard University; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Founded 1914, Howard University; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Founded 1920, Howard University; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Founded 1922, Butler University; and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Founded 1963, Morgan State University. Collectively, these organizations make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

These organizations may be found in many college-educated Black families with a strong spiritual faith with a connection to “Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service.”   The “Divine Nine (9)” history is known for having a long tradition of benevolent, forefront of civic action, community service and philanthropy, including such trail blazers as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Coretta Scott King, Thurgood Marshall, Maya Angelou, Bill Cosby, Toni Morrison, Arthur Ashe, Lena Horne, Rosa Parks, Hattie McDaniel, Johnnie Cochran, Tavis Smiley, Harry Belafonte and George Washington Carver to name a few.

Members of these organizations take great pride in the sacrifices that the great men and women before them made through the grace of God that provided their current prominence as strong African American fraternities and sororities with a solid, achievement-based history and ongoing tradition of excellence in “servicing all mankind.”

Applications are now being accepted for an intensive program of workshops, business planning and business counseling for women who want to start their own businesses.

“It’s Your Time: An Entrepreneurial Training Series for Women,” is offered by the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center, a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration and sponsored by Citibank.

The workshops offer women the opportunity to receive education, counseling and individual support to help develop a workable business idea. Participants chosen for the program must attend a minimum of 12 workshops, work individually with a business counselor for at least two hours, and write a business plan to complete the program.

Three graduating participants will be selected to receive an award to help launch their new ventures.

Applications for “It’s Your Time” are available at the IEWBC website and must be completed and submitted by Monday, July 21, at 5 p.m.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Program orientation for qualified participants will be held on Monday, Aug. 11, and participants will have until November to complete the program requirements.

Located at 3780 Market St. in Riverside, the IEWBC provides business counseling, training and mentoring designed for women business owners.

The center’s hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday by appointment only. For more information, visit the IEWBC website or contact Nicole Kinney at (909) 890-1242.

The Inland Empire Women’s Business Center is a program of the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino.  Located in the College of Business and Public Administration, IECE, which administers the program in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration, is Inland Southern California’s leading organization dedicated to supporting and promoting entrepreneurship.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Public Affairs at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.

As California faces its most severe drought in recent history, 15 water agencies and city governments from around the Inland Empire will launch iEfficient, a coordinated multimedia public outreach campaign to urge water conservation.

A dynamic advertising campaign including freeway billboards, social media engagement and a kickoff event at the Inland Empire 66ers game on July 22 will support this effort and ask thousands of local residents and businesses to do their part to end water waste in the Inland Empire.

“By collaborating we are able to reach more people with the message that they are a vital part of the solution,” said Bob Tincher, manager of water resources, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. “We’re partnering with other agencies, but most importantly we’re partnering with the community to conserve. It is time for the IE to show the rest of the state that we take water
conservation seriously.”

iEfficient.com connects customers to existing tools and provides information on how to put those resources to work protecting local water resources. The site, and a mobile app under development, marries the knowledge and experience of 15 water agencies and local governments, making water efficiency convenient for residents and businesses alike.

iEfficient is one way local agencies are meeting the state mandate to cut water use 20 percent by 2020. Due to historic drought conditions, Governor Brown declared a state of emergency and asked all Californians to cut their water use by 20 percent. Real impacts are being felt across the state and the Inland Empire is no exception. These dry conditions mean that regions like ours are at increased risk for wildfires and must learn to live without imported water from Northern California.

“This drought is not going away any time soon,” said Amanda Kasten, water conservation coordinator for West Valley Water District. “By making conservation a way of life we can secure our water resources now and in the future.”

Together with the public’s support, the Inland Empire will serve as a model of regional cooperation and set an example for the rest of the state.

Participating agencies and governments include: City of Redlands, City of Loma Linda, City of Colton, City of Rialto, City of Riverside, City of Corona, Jurupa Community Services District, Yucaipa Valley Water District, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, San Bernardino Municipal Water Department, Riverside Highland Water Company, San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District, West Valley Water District, Western Municipal Water District, and East Valley Water District.

To learn more about iEfficient and to do your part to end water waste today, visit iEfficient.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- San Bernardino High School is seeking sponsors for its 10th annual Miss Cardinal City pageant, scheduled for Saturday, September 20 at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts. Bilingual School Outreach Worker Jamie Rios founded the Miss and Mr. Cardinal City pageants to promote school pride and self-esteem among the students. The pageants have blossomed into a chance for students to develop leadership skills and become involved in their community.

Miss Cardinal City contestants, all high school seniors, compete in both on- and off-stage events. A panel of community judges will rank contestants in the September 20 on-stage events, including evening gown, interview, and sportswear. Off-stage rankings include grades and attendance.

Rios hopes local businesses will support the school and young ladies by sponsoring the event with cash or in-kind donations. Miss Cardinal City 2014-2015 will represent San Bernardino High School alongside reigning Mr. Cardinal Samuel Moreno and his court, Rosalio Cruz and Joseph Ortega.

Sponsors for the Mr. Cardinal City 2014-2015 pageant, held in April, included Toyota of San Bernardino, Fairview Ford, D’Arca Formal Wear, San Bernardino Councilwoman Virginia Marquez, Pat Williams of Angels’ Closet Charities, First Presbyterian Church, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hickey, Trophy House, Mr. Jim Smith, The Way World Outreach, Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Arellano, The Sun newspaper, Dr. and Mrs. Michael A. Lawrence, San Bernardino High Class of 1952, and Stater Bros. Markets.

To sponsor the Miss Cardinal City pageant, contact Jamie Rios at (909) 881-8058.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, July 12 the Devore Animal Shelter received 100 dog beds from Animal Rescue Aid, a non-profit that focuses on helping animals at other non-profits, The beds were delivered and assembled by volunteers of Animal Rescue.

The City of San Bernardino Animal Control is dedicated to providing a wide range of services for people and animals in the cities of San Bernardino, Loma Linda, Grand Terrace, Colton and Fontana. Services include pet adoption and licensing, spaying and neutering, vaccinations and informing the community about responsible pet ownership.

RIALTO, CA- Rain Mobile Boutique presents, “Ribbon Cutting”, a grand roll-out celebration, Saturday, July 19. A pink carpet affair; come sip, shop, and celebrate at Raquel’s Jazz Lounge located at 134 S. Riverside Drive in Rialto from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., look forward to a lovely evening. (By Noelle Lilley)

Leela James

LOS ANGELES, CA-Goldenvoice is bringing you to the beautiful music of Leela James. Saturday, July 19, be serenaded at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Doors open at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. is show time. For tickets go online to www.axs.com. (By Noelle Lilley)

B.McCargo

SAN BERNARDINO – B. McCargo, Frankie Taylor & New Movement and Leon Hawley hit the stage with an exciting evening of gospel music, poetry and comedy! The L.H. Experience features an explosion of the best of Inland Empire’s emerging gospel talent, hosted by comedian Sista Merry. This FREE gospel concert will take place Friday, August 8th at The Ship,  2237 Sepulveda Avenue in San Bernardino. Starting at 7 p.m., the concert also features award winning spoken word artist, Andrew Tyree from Los Angeles, and attendees will hear exclusive new music from headliner Leon Hawley’s debut gospel album.

Singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer Leon Hawley, started singing and playing gospel keys at the tender age of 10 years old. Leon describes his own music as fun and youthful, while also signifying deep meaning.

“I never choose a song that I can’t relate to in some way, shape, or form. My music will always reflect who I am.”

A member of Greater Victory Church of God and Christ in San Bernardino, Leon hopes that his music will provide a new means for a relationship with faith, hope and love.

Important for Leon to perform his new music in the company of great friends and good vibes, he recruited a dynamic lineup of artists to create an unforgettable performance experience for his fans. The L.H. Experience welcomes special guests: praise & worship guru B.McCargo, gospel group Frankie Taylor & New Movement, poet Andrew Tyree,  Asa & The Band and host Sista Merry.

To book Leon Hawley for events, please send inquiries to bookleonhawley@gmail.com.  For information regarding the concert, please contact Shauna Jones at (909) 547-5572, or visit online at www.Facebook.com/LHExperience.

Summer is here, complete with bored children who don’t know what to do now that school is out. If you are looking for free ways to entertain your children or grandchildren, check out these three recommendations from the San Bernardino City Unified School District. Each activity is free and a great way to keep your mind active during the summer.

#1 – Library: Books and More

In addition to books and e-books, the San Bernardino Public Library offers free computer classes, free Internet access, and Brainfuse. Brainfuse is a free tutoring program available in English and Spanish for students of all ages, including adults. Subjects include English, math, science, and SAT and GED test preparation. Monday through Thursday and Saturday, (909) 381-8201 http://www.sbcity.org/cityhall/library/default.asp

The Highland Branch Library offers Storytime for younger children, featuring songs, rhymes, and puppets. It also offers variety shows and musical performances on select days. Monday through Saturday, (909) 425-4700 http://www.sbclib.org/LibraryLocations/HighlandSamJRacadioLibrary.aspx

#2 – Ancient Egyptian Treasures and Contemporary Art

The Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art on the campus of California State University, San Bernardino has one of the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities west of the Mississippi River. The museum also features a variety of temporary, contemporary art exhibits. General admission is free. Free tours are available with advance request. Parking at CSUSB is $5 per day. Monday through Thursday and Saturday, (909) 537-7373 http://raffma.csusb.edu/index.html

#3 – Local History and Art

The Unofficial McDonald’s Museum is located at 1398 N. E Street in San Bernardino, the site of the original McDonald’s restaurant. The museum has the largest collection of pre-Ray Kroc McDonald’s memorabilia. The outside of the building has two murals painted by local and visiting artists. The murals feature important events and people in the history of San Bernardino. Admission is free. Guided tours are available on the weekends. Daily, (909) 885-6324 http://juanpollo.com/route-66-attractions/mcdonalds-museum/

SAN BERNARDINO – Districts, charter and private schools, as well as professional organizations from San Bernardino County, are encouraged to submit applications for the annual California Teachers of the Year program for 2015, which is organized through the California Department of Education. The deadline for applications is August 8, 2014.

The program highlights educational innovation, student learning and the rewards of teaching for the more than 17,000 teachers who work in the county’s 33 school districts with more than 411,000 students.Program information, including the application form and instructions, can be downloaded at www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/ct/.

Completed application materials should include one original, printed on single-sided paper, as well as an additional 25 copies that are printed double-sided. Applications should be sent to Nancy Johnson, staff development specialist in Human Resources for San Bernardino County Superintendent at Schools, at 760 E. Brier Dr. in San Bernardino, 92408. For more information, call (909) 386-9570.