Local

UPLAND, CA- The Inland Conservatory for the Performing Arts School (ICPA) will be hosting auditions for youth ages 8 to 16 to be a part of its Acting Ensemble. Youth will be auditioning to be a part of the school’s theater department where they will participate in classes lead by Professor Bianca Swan. Classes include plays, musicals, scene study and monologue study. Auditions will be held at the ICPA Headquarters, 814 Alpine Street, Upland, CA 91786, on Saturday, August 17 at 10 a.m. For more information or to register online, visit www.icpa-ca.com/auditions.

 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Experience the rematch in the 2013 2^nd Annual softball game! This year’s theme is “Field of Dreams”. The competing teams are Joe’s Thugs and Ray’s Wild Band. The event will take place Thursday August 15, 2013, from 5:30-9:00 p.m. in the Inland Empire’s 66ers San Manuel stadium. There will also be a special tribute and jersey retirement presented by Anne Mayer RCTC Executive Director, to honor former CTC Executive Director Bimla Rhinehart. Who will dominate the field? Who will come out victorious? Come and find out!

 

Leap of Faith Community Baptist Church, Inc. is a small congregation that has rejoiced in the money it has saved on its electric bill.  Established in 1997, the Inglewood, Calif., church has saved about $3,500 in less than two years by simply changing 91 of its lights to compact fluorescent ones as part of Southern California Edison’s (SCE) energy-efficiency program.

The arrival of summer and high temperatures brings higher electric bills, and Pastor Glass believes it is important that organizations, businesses and individuals take advantage of money-and-energy-saving programs.

Pastor Glass learned about SCE’s Energy Efficient Express Solutions program from a church member. Brother Rutherford is a contractor who mentioned that the church lighting was very dim and that a simple solution would be programs offered by SCE to increase lighting and generate savings.

“Signing up for the program was easy,” said Pastor Glass. “The program was free and it is paying for itself.”

The pastor of the congregation of 50 admitted that he did not know much about other programs offered by SCE, but that he was interested in learning more.

Michele Myers-Heard is an SCE account executive who focuses on helping faith-based organizations use energy wisely.  In addition to switching the lights, Myers-Heard also discussed other energy solutions with Pastor Glass, such as the Summer Discount Plan.

“Get the information and make a decision on whether or not a program would work for you or your business,” said Pastor Glass. “The program we have at Leap of Faith is working for us and that is something that I can stand behind.”

But the savings aren’t limited to places of worship, according to Myers-Heard.

“Whether you are a business or a resident, we want to help our customers save money on their bills by helping them partner with us,” she said. “We want to help our customers be a part of the solution by making sure we have enough safe and affordable energy for all of us.”

For more information on ways to conserve energy and save money, go to SCE.com/save.

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Programs save employer almost $7,000 in hiring and training expenses

VICTORVILLE, Calif. (June 28, 2013)—Recently, Desert Cities Dialysis needed to hire new employees; however all of its applicants were recent graduates who required extensive training. Manager Zabelle Cosson recognized that the County of San Bernardino’s recruitment services and On-The-Job Training program could offset costs of finding and training the right people.

The County of San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board (WIB) screened all applicants and referred the most qualified to Desert City Dialysis. The WIB’s On-The-Job Training program provided partial wage reimbursement for the first 90 days of employment, the designated training period. Through these no-cost programs, Desert City Dialysis hired and trained two employees saving almost $7,000.

Assistance from the County of San Bernardino WIB made it possible for Desert City to grow quickly and hire locally. “The Workforce Investment Board helped us find and train the right employees,” shares Cosson. “Both employees are still with our company and are excelling in their positions.”

Desert City Dialysis is one of many high desert businesses served by the County of San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board.

“On-the-Job Training helps relieve a business’ growing pains by providing the resources to grow without the financial burden of recruitment and training,” said Sandy Harmsen, Executive Director of the Workforce Investment Board.  “The Workforce Investment Board’s goal is to help create permanent jobs through these no-cost programs.”

The Workforce Investment Board offers free services and programs to local businesses through its Business Resource Team.  The Business Resource team assists local companies with services such as layoff aversion programs and process improvement assistance that save and create jobs. Additionally the Business Resource Team provides business workshops, access to the On-the-Job Training programs and recruitment services.

“In one year, the Workforce Investment Board trained more than 3,300 job seekers for high-demand industries and built relationships with 2,800 businesses,” stated Chair and Second District Supervisor, Janice Rutherford. “This work is critical to the continued growth of our local economy.”

Businesses interested in learning more about or enrolling in the no-cost services provided by the County of San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board can visit www.csb-win.org or call 1—800-451-JOBS.

About Desert Cities Dialysis, High Desert Nephrology

Desert Cities Dialysis, with offices in both Victorville and Barstow, specialize in the evaluation and treatment of patients with kidney disease and kidney disorders. Their staff is composed of licensed physicians, social workers, registered dieticians, registered nurses, and certified dialysis technicians who provide care and support for our patients and their families.

About the Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County

The Workforce Investment Board of San Bernardino County (WIB) is comprised of private business representatives and public partners appointed by the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors.  The Workforce Investment Board strives to strengthen the skills of the County’s workforce through partnerships with business, education and community-based organizations. The County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors is committed to providing county resources, which generate jobs and investment.

The Workforce Investment Board, through the County of San Bernardino’s Economic Development Agency and Workforce Development Department, operates the County of San Bernardino’s Employment Resource Centers (ERCs) and Business Resource Centers (BRCs). The ERCs provide individuals with job training, placement and the tools to strengthen their skills to achieve a higher quality of life. The BRCs support and provide services to the County’s businesses including employee recruitment.

Employers and job seekers who are interested in the Workforce Investment Board programs may call: (800) 451-JOBS or visit www.csb-win.org . Also follow us on: Facebook www. facebook.com/SBWIB Twitter @InlandEmpireJob; and YouTube http://www.youtube.com/SBCountyWIB

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— What’s going on IE and neighboring cities! It’s ya girl, Ms. LUE once again. This week, I’m honored to feature the multi-talented – Ms. Sharon Perrin, Mother/Rapper/Magazine Owner.

You may have seen a large van traveling through your neighborhood with the décor on the sides of Hip Hop Moguls such as Snoop Dog, Ice Cube, E-40, indie recording artist Lo’Key Tha YG that reads “Street Motivation Mag” along the side designed by staff member and owner of 120designs.net, and you may have wondered to yourself “Who are they?” or “What do they do?”.

Well this person is no other than my good friend and extended Big Sister, Ms. Sharon Perrin and her son De’Andre Brown. Sharon and De’Andre

(aka Lo’Key tha YG) started Street Motivation Magazine in 2005 and since then, many artists credit the magazine as “The missing link to many independent artists to not only gain more exposure, but a stage to be advertised in a more professional light.”

How did this come about? Well in the early 80’s Sharon aka “Miz Tasti” was a female hip hop artist herself, and the first signed female rapper from Pomona, CA. Through her unique stylings, Miz Tasti encapsulated a roughness vocal sound of the west coast that everyone came to love, but with a style of her own that ranged to a “Dirty Down South touch” with the intoxicating lyricism of her own. She performed at countless on-and off-campus events and showcases, and had quickly become a popular local entertainer, and acquired since 1985 her own following of screaming teens, adolescent fans and adult admirers.

Miz Tasti began to give back because she understands the power of music, and wants everyone to be touched by her expression and love of Hip-Hop. This beautiful lady has been featured in various magazines and newspapers from Urban Smarts Mag., Low-Life UK hip hop Mag., the World Wide Westside Mag., and The Hip Hop Core Mag and more.

As an artist, herer performances earned the respect of critics, who wrote:  “One female Rapper I find myself playing quite often. Miz Tasti is likable, Lyrics are head nodding material and the beats have movement”, Much props —Africa’s Gateway Mag. “Tonos Entertainment top-pick for Female Rapper for major indie label distribution—Head of A&R Simon Gillies. “Tast i has always had the ability to make others stop, look and gather around her, to hear this Hip-Hop Diva do her on the microphone is pure fire”—- Slip N Slide Records..

In 2000 she founded FEAA Camp (Feline Entertainment Artist Association) to provide female performers encouragement and the opportunity to collaborate with one another ,in a male dominated industry. In 2005 she and De’Andre founded Street Motivation Magazine, and continue to educate, inspire and motivate artists that wish to promote and advertise themselves in a professional and affordable way.

The magazine is a quarterly print publication with readers and subscribers from throughout Southern California and the world including Texas, New York, Japan, Slovakia, England, Bangladesh, Germany and more. Designed to meet the needs of indie artists, Street Motivation Magazine meshes together the city’s urban society with local and national updates on music, the latest in news, and events, and seeks a wide and diverse market including men, women, and children with a vision to appeal to a diverse readership of people of all ethnic and racial groups, and to attract both professionals and simple music lovers. .

Street Motivation Magazine has featured and interviewed not only artist, entrepreneurs, and business owners, but was also the first magazine to feature on the cover not one, but two men featured in the TV series “American Gangsters:” “Freeway” Ricky Ross and New York’s Chaz “Slim” Williams. Several top artists that have graced its pages include King T, Above The Law, Kurupt, Kokane, Suga Free, Soulful Ricky Jones, DJ Battle Cat, Jayo Felony, Medusa, C-BO, Brotha Lynch Hung, SlyBoogy, RBX, Dresta Da Gangsta, BG Knock-Out, Chill (Compton’s Most Wanted) Crooked I, Graph, Snoop Doggs artist The Hustle Boys and Dubb Union, and the list goes on.

Contact information for this Entrepreneur, Mother, Manager, Owner, and Motivator, who founded this magazine on a mother and son’s sweat, tears and a dream, is: Street Motivation Magazine, P.O. Box 90254, San Bernardino, Ca. 92427

909-804-2029 or 323-642-7702, info@sm-mag.com, or visit www.sm-mag.com.

Presented By the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department

All Women are Welcome to Participate

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Do YOU have what it takes to be a Deputy Sheriff?  Then prove yourself, or just prove to yourself that you are FIT!  Register to participate in the “Women Warriors Fitness Invitational 2013,” presented by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.  This event will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2013  from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Check-In starts at 7:00 a.m.) at the Sheriff’s Basic Academy.

This event is open to ALL women, age 21 and older. Participants must present a valid ID and signed waiver at check in. Appropriate fitness attire and running shoes are required. The fitness challenge will consist of a “pursuit and rescue” obstacle course, push ups, sit ups and a 1 ½ mile run. Guest speakers from the Sheriff’s Department will give a brief presentation prior to the event.

Only participants in the event will be allowed on the premises. Absolutely No Males, No Spectators, No Cchildren. Non- participants are not allowed and will be turned away. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Basic Academy is located at 18000 Institution Road, San Bernardino, CA. Register online at www.SheriffsJobs.com.  The Online Registration deadline is Monday, July 15, 2013. For more information call 909-387-3675 or 909-387-3750.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The 20th Annual Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony at California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB)will be held this Saturday, which will take place on Saturday, June 8 at CSUSB’s Coussoulis Arena at 7 p.m.  Embracing African American culture, the ceremony celebrates the graduates’ success, and the student can dress in graduation attire and receive symbolic kente stoles. Guests are welcomed to dress in African American traditional cultural clothing.
The theme for the event is “Closer to my Dreams.” CSUSB students Lee Moore and Jeremy Young speak at the event. Moore, a first-generation college graduate and will receive her B.A. in psychology, and plans to pursue a graduate degree in clinical social work at the University of Nevada. Young will graduate with a degree in information systems and technology, and is the current president of the student group Enrichment Through Action, a community service-based CSUSB organization at CSUSB.
Thomasina Hill, a San Bernardino native, will graduate with distinction with a B.A. in English with a concentration in Literature, and will perform an original poem at the ceremony. Thomasina has applied for a dual Master’s program in English Composition and Literature.
Danny Tillman, a 2003 CSUSB alumnus with a B.B. in business administration with a concentration in information technology. He works as an Information Systems administrator for the County of San Bernardino, serves on the Board of Trustees for the San Bernardino City Unified School District, and is a candidate for California’s 31st Congressional District seat.
Jenise Bush, co-founder of the CSUSB Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony, and a CSUSB alumna who earned three credentials and two degrees, and is currently pursuing a doctorate at the University of La Verne, will emcee the event. Children Performers from Dare to Dream Arts Academy will dance at the event.
Tickets are $50, and can be purchased in the Santos Manuel Student Union’s Student Leadership and Development office, Room 204. Students who purchase tickets can have an unlimited number of guests that can attend the event with them. Parking is $5.  For more information, contact Doreen Hatcher at 909-537-5234, dhatcher@csusb.edu, or Misty Levingston at 909-537-7198, mlevings@csusb.edu.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) is proud to announce that her bill, AB 1094, passed out of the Assembly with a bipartisan vote of 77 to 0. AB 1094 will expand the definition of disability-based unearned income to include veteran’s disability compensation and help California’s veterans get the assistance they need to care for their families.

 “There is no reason that a veteran’s benefits should be treated differently than other federal assistance.  Returning veterans are having a difficult time readjusting to life and it is our responsibility to help them in their transition,” said Assemblymember Brown.

California veterans returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now receiving both CalWORKs and other governmental benefits. Current law provides that $225 in disability-based unearned income is disregarded when computing the individual’s CalWORKs benefits. Unfortunately, veterans’ disability compensation is not currently eligible for the disregard due to an oversight in previous legislation. As a result, veterans enrolled in the CalWORKs program receive, on average, $200 less than other disabled recipients. AB 1094 would correct this oversight and allow veteran families to collect their full benefits.

 “California is home to the largest veteran population in the country. The majority of veteran’s benefits are dispersed by the federal government. However, a massive backlog in claims have delayed many California veterans from receiving their benefits. This bill will help ease the financial burdens of veteran families in California. As a member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, I look forward to continuing to find solutions that will help the service members in our state access the benefits they deserve,” concluded Assemblymember Brown.

The bill now moves to the Senate.

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, the southwest parts of San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.

Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/

June 10 marks the 50th anniversary of the federal legislation that required employers to give women and men equal pay for equal work. Newsflash: It’s not working. This golden anniversary is more call for action than cause for celebration because women are still waiting for the Equal Pay Act’s promise to come true.

 But don’t think we’re waiting patiently—or silently. And don’t think you are immune from this pernicious problem. The gender pay gap exists for women in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

 It exists regardless of whether states have pay equity laws in place that supplement the Equal Pay Act, although several states do not have any specific pay equity law whatsoever. Unbelievably, Wisconsin actually just repealed its equal pay law.

 And the pay gap exists in states where governors are doing excellent work on equal pay: Gov. Peter Shumlin in Vermont recently signed stronger equal pay legislation into law, and Gov. Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii and Gov. Mark Dayton of Minnesota issued Equal Pay Day proclamations this year.

 But until the pay gap goes the way of the dodo bird, every state has more to do. That means your governor owes women and families an Equal Pay Act anniversary “present.” And the American Association of University Women has the perfect idea for a gift.

 President Barack Obama recently ordered federal agencies to develop plans to address pay discrepancies among employees in the federal workforce, including evaluating policies for setting starting salaries and looking at how to promote greater transparency in starting salaries. Your governor could—and should—order state agencies to evaluate and take action on their pay practices as well.

 Your governor should do this because equal pay is everyone’s business. Families and communities are economically stronger when there is fair pay. Every day women nationwide work just as hard only to receive less. On average, women make 77 cents to a man’s dollar, and that number is much worse for moms and women of color. The gender pay gap starts right after college and compounds over a woman’s career. Even after accounting for all the factors that affect earnings, AAUW found that women just one year out of college are still paid almost 7 percent less than their male counterparts are paid. That’s nearly a year’s worth of groceries and 1,400 tall Starbucks coffees. Plus, women vote—and we deserve serious action on the issues we care about.

 Statistics tell us that every action available needs to be taken, and the Obama administration has provided a step that governors can take immediately. I’ll leave it up to you as to how you ask your governor for your “present” —Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, letter. But no matter how you decide to do it, I’ll guarantee you one thing. Unlike the Equal Pay Act, the technology you’ll use—even if it’s just a pen and paper—was updated in the last 50 years.

 Technology has changed. The workforce has changed. But the federal legislation designed to ensure women are paid equally to men hasn’t changed—and it isn’t working.

 Someday, women will celebrate the Equal Pay Act anniversary. But we’ll do so when we get what we were promised: equal pay for equal work.

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American Forum 6/2013