WSSN Stories

San Bernardino Trayvon Martin Verdict Protest Starts Outside of The SB Court.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- With Trayvon Martin protests going on through out the state of California, Visual Voices decided to gather a group together and protest for justice and equality. The group meet in downtown San Bernardino in front of the court house where they chanted “We want justice!” as cars honked in agreement as they drove by. The group then walked through downtown San Bernardino from the court house. They plan on having more protests and meetings to bring awareness to more issues regarding human rights in America.

Bronco Riding

CITY OF INDUSTRY – The exciting Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, the only nationally touring Black Rodeo, brings two days of enjoyment for the whole family for days on Saturday and Sunday July 20 and 21 at the Industry Hills Expo Center, and featuring Urban Cowboys and Cowgirls performing feats of bravery and expertise.  It is by far “The Greatest Show on Dirt!”  These competitors will also be joined by horse riding celebrity cowboys like actors Glyn Turman, Bill Pickins, Jr., and Delroy Lindo. In fact you never know who is going to show up to celebrate the historical cultural legacy of Black Americans shaping America’s Western heritage at the Bill Pickett Rodeo!

Events will include Bare Back Ridin’, Tie Down Ropin’, Ladies Steer Undecoratin’, Barrel Racin’, Bull Ridin’, Muttin Bustin’ (for kids), and of course Bull Doggin’ the rodeo stunt invented by none other than the  Legendary Black Cowboy from Texas Bill Pickett!

“Bull Dogging” is when horse-mounted rider chases a steer, drops from the horse to the steer, then wrestles the steer to the ground by grabbing and twisting its horns. Pickett also used his teeth, as a dog would do.  His exploits also made Mr. Pickettl one of America’ s first stunt men.  He provided the vision for all those cowboy movies where the hero jumps from his horse to stop wild horses or a runaway stage coach.

Born in 1870, Pickett was also a ranch cowboy and he and his brothers also operated Pickett Bros. Bronco Busters and Rough Riders Association in Texas.  Pickett became very famous for his work on the rodeo circuit where he was often billed as the “Dusky Demon.” In 1905 the Miller Brothers who operated the famous 101 Ranch Wild West Show, hired Pickett for their show and moved him and his entire family to Oklahoma. Pickett performed across the U.S. as well as in Madison Square Garden in New York and across the seas in England, and appeared in at least one cowboy movie.

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma inducted Pickett into its Hall of Fame in 1971, and the museum (www.nationalcowboymuseum.org)  hosts a regular Bill Pickett Program every Saturday where children learn all about the feats and exploits of this pioneering Black rodeo cowboy.  In 1987, a large bronze statue depicting Pickett bulldogging was unveiled at the Fort Worth Cowtown Coliseum and a . The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum in Fort Worth, Texas (www.cowboysofcolor.org ) features displays and programs on prominent figures in American history, including African American, Native American and European trailblazers from the Old West and the Buffalo Soldiers and inducted Pickett into its Hall of Fame in 2003.  The Texas Historical Commission and the Woodson-dickey History Club erected a monument plaque to Pickett in 1991.  Mr. Pickett is also depicted on a U.S. Postage stamp (so is his brother Ben due to a photo mix-up.) Pickett died in 1932 and is buried on White Eagle Monument Hill in Oklahoma.

The Saturday show starts at 7 p.m. and the Sunday show starts at 3 p.m.  Tickets: Children $17 Adv/$20 at gate; Adults $20 Adv/$24 at gate; Arena $30 Adv/$35 at gate.  Tickets for the Bill Pickett Rodeo are available at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, Black Voice News in Riverside-San Bernardino; in Carson, CA at  Venni Mac’s M&M Soul and at the Postal Annex on E. University Dr.; in Inglewood at  Inglewood Tickets on S. Market Street,  at Ms. B’s M&M Soul Food on W. Manchester Blvd at Zahra’s Books N. Things on N. La Brea Ave., and also at A Cultural Affair Boutique also on N. La Brea Ave.; in Long Beach at Shades of Afrika on E. 4th St.; in Los Angeles at Zambezi Bazzar on Degnan Blvd. in Leimert Park and at Simply Wholesome on W. Slauson Ave..

Proceeds also benefit the Bill Pickett Memorial Scholarship Fund which provides scholarships to Black high school and college students involved or interested in pursuing careers in Rodeo or animal Science. The Industry Hills Expo Center is located at 16200 Temple Ave. in the City of Industry, CA 91744. For Information and Group Sales call 310-674-6700, or the Hotline at 310-599-5555, and visit online at www.billpickettrodeo.com, 866-LVRODEO. (L.E. Pezant, WSSN 7-11-13)

Sora Park Tanjasiri, Kevin D. Williams and the Late Antronette K. Yancey Receive Champions of Health Professions Diversity Award

Pictured here (left to right) are honoree Sora Park Tanjasiri; honoree Kevin D. Williams and honoree Antronette Yancey’s long term partner Darlene Edgley

Los Angeles (June 25, 2013)- The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) honored three inspiring leaders in health education at its 11th annual Champions of Health Professions Diversity Awards ceremony for their successful efforts to improve the health and wellness of California’s most underserved communities. Sora Park Tanjasiri, an educator and researcher at the department of health science at California State University, Fullerton, has guided minority students into health professions, while addressing health disparities through community-based research programs. Kevin D. Williams of Berkeley Youth Alternatives organizes 27 programs for at-risk youth and young adults, and provides direction to graduate-level students entering the public health field. The late Dr. Antronette K. Yancey was a professor in the department of health services and cofounder of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity at UCLA.; she was tireless in her commitment to ensure that research findings would be translated to community programs and policy to transform lives.

In recognition of their efforts to mentor and inspire students and better serve the health and well-being of California’s underserved and disadvantaged communities, each honoree received a cash award of $25,000. As one of the only California Foundations making grants in this area, TCWF has awarded more than $49 million to increase the diversity of the health workforce though a variety of approaches, including research, scholarship, loan repayment programs and leadership recognition.

“It is a tremendous privilege to recognize these stellar individuals for their outstanding commitment to communities of color and their groundbreaking work to increase the ethnic diversity of the health care workforce,” said Crystal D. Crawford, TCWF program director.

The California Wellness Foundation is a private independent foundation created in 1992 with a mission to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention. The Foundation prioritizes eight issues for funding: diversity in the health professions, environmental health, healthy aging, mental health, teenage pregnancy prevention, violence prevention, women’s health and work and health. It also responds to timely issues and special projects outside the funding priorities.

Since its founding in 1992, TCWF has awarded 6,919 grants totaling more than $852 million. Please visit TCWF’s website at CalWellness.org for more information, including a newsroom section devoted to the award and the three honorees. High-resolution photos are available. Video interview clips are posted at TCWF’s YouTube channel.

Renea Wickman

Denise Fleming

MORENO VALLEY, CA— The California Democratic Party African American Caucus (CDPAAC) will host a “Family Reunion Project” to bring the Black and African American community together for educational purposes surrounding Get Out The Vote (GOTV), Voter Registration, Community Outreach, Community Resources, establish a Political Database, and Increase Membership of each organization represented by the Coalition.  Organizers are anticipating 100-200 guests for a fun and informative experience.  The event is scheduled for August 31, 2013 at Celebration Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  There will be a stage area available in the park for entertainment and focus purposes.

The entertainment will be informational speakers, including local Politicians, Pastors, Dignitaries, representatives of Social Service agencies and organizations, members of the African American Caucus, Business Owners, the National Congress Negro Women, the National Council Black Women, the local chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Cops and Clergy Representatives, Area Fraternity and Sorority chapters, Young Black Contractors Association, as well as local DJs who can be instrumental in getting out the youth vote.

Free food and drinks will be offered.  However, families are encouraged to bring their own food and park recreational items. No vendors are allowed.  Celebration Park is located at 4965 Morgan Avenue, Moreno Valley, CA 92555.  For more information or to co-sponsor the event, contact Black Caucus Regional Director 13, Denise Fleming at 951-259-2581 or Director over RDs, Renea Wickman at 909-567-0222.

Dinah Washington

LOS ANGELES, CA— LA’s ‘Queen of Jazz & Blues’ Barbara Morrison relives the stories of the legendary Dinah Washington through her music in an excellently staged performance piece written by Michael Cornier and Ms. Morrison herself, and directed by Keenan Zeno. Backed by the excellent John Stephens and his 18 piece orchestra, Barbara Morrison commands the stage embodying the mood and sensibilities of the great Dinah Washington, who died suddenly at the age of 39 in 1963, while married to her seventh husband, NFL Hall of Famer Dick “Night Train” Lane..

“I Wanna Be Loved: The Stories of Dinah Washington” shows why Barbara Morrison is called a living legend “one of the living links to the era of Ella, Billie, and Ms. Dinah W.”  Dinah (born Ruth Lee Jones in Tuscaloosa, Alabama) was known as “The Queen of Blues” but her range of hits included R&B and Jazz, and in addition to vocals, Dinah could playthe piano and the vibraphone. She led an exciting life, married seven times, with sons by her second and third husbands, became a star with the Lionel Hampton Band, and had some of the greatest hits of her era “Teach Me Tonight,”  “I Wanna Be Loved,” and two very popular duets with Brooks Benton:  “Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes)” and “A Rockin’ Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love),” and recorded with Cannonball Adderly.

World renowned across Europe, Asia and Australia, Barbara Morrison’s reputation is immense in the world of jazz singers. With over 20 recordings to her credit, she has performed with the A-List in jazz and blues, such as Gerald Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Etta James, Esther Phillips, David T. Walker, Jimmy Smith, Johnny Otis, Kenny Burrell, Terence Blanchard, Joe Sample, Nancy Wilson, Mel Tormé, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, and Keb’ Mo; and has guest-starred with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra and Doc Severinsen’s Big Band.

She continues to wow audiences at jazz festivals worldwide, and she performed in San Bernardino when she and bluesman Taj Majal headlined the Juneteenth Jam presented by the Westside Story Newspaper and the Improve Association at Perris Hill Park in 1998. This Michigan native, who has made Los Angeles her home, is s a fighter and a survivor, coming back strong from illness and complications due to diabetes, she is staying busy and is already booked for cruise line performances in 2014.

Miss Barbara Morris continues to impress audiences and critics alike with this uniquely crafted show paying tribute to Dinah Washington, and proving “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes.”  The show will be performed on stage at the Barbara Morrison Performance Art Center on Sunday June 23, 2013. Cover $40, includes champagne and snacks.  Reservations only at 310-462-1439. Tickets sale fast for each performance so hurry to get tickets to the upcoming performance on June 23.  Performances will continue on June 30, as well as July – 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21.

Don’t Miss a chance to see this great lady, a master of jazz performance. The Barbara Morrison Performance Art Center is located at 4305 Degnan Blvd #101, Los Angeles, CA. 90008. Information: 310-462-1439, www.barbaramorrison.com. (L.E. Pezant, ENN)

More Inland homes are emerging from “under water” status thanks to rising property values.

Rising home values during the first three months of 2013 helped thousands of Inland Southern California get caught up — at least somewhat — in the pursuit of equity on their homes, a report released this week found.

The number of homeowners in Riverside and San Bernardino counties with mortgage balances higher than the home’s value declined by more than 36,500 in the first three months of 2013, according to a report released Wednesday, June 12, by CoreLogic, an Irvine-based residential property research firm. The percentage of upside-down residences dropped from 35.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 31.4 percent.

That change means the Inland area is no longer one of the nation’s centerpieces of negative equity. At the end of last year, the area had the fifth-highest percentage of mortgages that were greater than the home’s market value, but the Inland Empire is no longer on the top-five list.

It does not, however, mean property owners have a significant amount of extra financial wiggle-room. More than 30,000 are barely in the black on their mortgages, meaning they’re not in a position to refinance or otherwise use the equity.

For most homeowners, this will be feel-good news that will mostly offer psychological benefits and some peace of mind, said Linda Itzen, a longtime Riverside-based financial planner with Ameriprise Financial.

“I’m finding more people who are breathing a sigh of relief that maybe they’re breaking even,” Itzen said. “But I don’t see a rush or any big desire to sell and buy up.”

Itzen added that the trend could entice some homeowners who have been renting their properties to sell if they are tired of the expense and responsibilities that come with being a landlord.

CoreLogic reported 294,132 Inland properties with upside-down mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2012. That number was down to 257,595 in the first quarter.

Residential property values have risen steadily for more than a year. Earlier this week, real estate information network DataQuick reported that the median sales price in San Bernardino County in May was up 28 percent from a year ago and up almost 23 percent in Riverside County. That adds up to an estimated $46,000 in equity growth for Inland homeowners in the past 12 months.

Economist John Husing pointed out that during the worst months of the recession in late 2009, almost 55 percent of all Inland homeowners with mortgages were under water, and that number was still close to 50 percent as recently as 2011. The declining numbers mean it’s less likely homeowners will abandon homes and turn Inland communities into eyesores.

Husing said he was concerned that many Inland homes on the sales market are being snapped up by outside investors who do not have a stake in the community. He said the rising home valuations could convince families that the time to get into the market has arrived.

Also, interest rates for mortgages have increased for three straight weeks and are now just below 4 percent for a 30-year loan.

“I think buyers are beginning to understand that prices are moving,” Husing said. “They could be thinking, ‘Oh my god, I’d better get in there.’ ”

Nationally some 9.7 million mortgages, slightly less than 20 percent, had higher balances than the home’s value in the first quarter. The cities with the highest percentages of underwater houses were Tampa-St. Petersburg, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Warren, Mich., CoreLogic reported.

Rising home values during the first three months of 2013 helped thousands of Inland Southern California get caught up — at least somewhat — in the pursuit of equity on their homes, a report released this week found.

The number of homeowners in Riverside and San Bernardino counties with mortgage balances higher than the home’s value declined by more than 36,500 in the first three months of 2013, according to a report released Wednesday, June 12, by CoreLogic, an Irvine-based residential property research firm. The percentage of upside-down residences dropped from 35.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 31.4 percent.

That change means the Inland area is no longer one of the nation’s centerpieces of negative equity. At the end of last year, the area had the fifth-highest percentage of mortgages that were greater than the home’s market value, but the Inland Empire is no longer on the top-five list.

It does not, however, mean property owners have a significant amount of extra financial wiggle-room. More than 30,000 are barely in the black on their mortgages, meaning they’re not in a position to refinance or otherwise use the equity.

For most homeowners, this will be feel-good news that will mostly offer psychological benefits and some peace of mind, said Linda Itzen, a longtime Riverside-based financial planner with Ameriprise Financial.

“I’m finding more people who are breathing a sigh of relief that maybe they’re breaking even,” Itzen said. “But I don’t see a rush or any big desire to sell and buy up.”

Itzen added that the trend could entice some homeowners who have been renting their properties to sell if they are tired of the expense and responsibilities that come with being a landlord.

CoreLogic reported 294,132 Inland properties with upside-down mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2012. That number was down to 257,595 in the first quarter.

Residential property values have risen steadily for more than a year. Earlier this week, real estate information network DataQuick reported that the median sales price in San Bernardino County in May was up 28 percent from a year ago and up almost 23 percent in Riverside County. That adds up to an estimated $46,000 in equity growth for Inland homeowners in the past 12 months.

Economist John Husing pointed out that during the worst months of the recession in late 2009, almost 55 percent of all Inland homeowners with mortgages were under water, and that number was still close to 50 percent as recently as 2011. The declining numbers mean it’s less likely homeowners will abandon homes and turn Inland communities into eyesores.

Husing said he was concerned that many Inland homes on the sales market are being snapped up by outside investors who do not have a stake in the community. He said the rising home valuations could convince families that the time to get into the market has arrived.

Also, interest rates for mortgages have increased for three straight weeks and are now just below 4 percent for a 30-year loan.

“I think buyers are beginning to understand that prices are moving,” Husing said. “They could be thinking, ‘Oh my god, I’d better get in there.’ ”

Nationally some 9.7 million mortgages, slightly less than 20 percent, had higher balances than the home’s value in the first quarter. The cities with the highest percentages of underwater houses were Tampa-St. Petersburg, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Warren, Mich., CoreLogic reported.

Rising home values during the first three months of 2013 helped thousands of Inland Southern California get caught up — at least somewhat — in the pursuit of equity on their homes, a report released this week found.

The number of homeowners in Riverside and San Bernardino counties with mortgage balances higher than the home’s value declined by more than 36,500 in the first three months of 2013, according to a report released Wednesday, June 12, by CoreLogic, an Irvine-based residential property research firm. The percentage of upside-down residences dropped from 35.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 31.4 percent.

That change means the Inland area is no longer one of the nation’s centerpieces of negative equity. At the end of last year, the area had the fifth-highest percentage of mortgages that were greater than the home’s market value, but the Inland Empire is no longer on the top-five list.

It does not, however, mean property owners have a significant amount of extra financial wiggle-room. More than 30,000 are barely in the black on their mortgages, meaning they’re not in a position to refinance or otherwise use the equity.

For most homeowners, this will be feel-good news that will mostly offer psychological benefits and some peace of mind, said Linda Itzen, a longtime Riverside-based financial planner with Ameriprise Financial.

“I’m finding more people who are breathing a sigh of relief that maybe they’re breaking even,” Itzen said. “But I don’t see a rush or any big desire to sell and buy up.”

Itzen added that the trend could entice some homeowners who have been renting their properties to sell if they are tired of the expense and responsibilities that come with being a landlord.

CoreLogic reported 294,132 Inland properties with upside-down mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2012. That number was down to 257,595 in the first quarter.

Residential property values have risen steadily for more than a year. Earlier this week, real estate information network DataQuick reported that the median sales price in San Bernardino County in May was up 28 percent from a year ago and up almost 23 percent in Riverside County. That adds up to an estimated $46,000 in equity growth for Inland homeowners in the past 12 months.

Economist John Husing pointed out that during the worst months of the recession in late 2009, almost 55 percent of all Inland homeowners with mortgages were under water, and that number was still close to 50 percent as recently as 2011. The declining numbers mean it’s less likely homeowners will abandon homes and turn Inland communities into eyesores.

Husing said he was concerned that many Inland homes on the sales market are being snapped up by outside investors who do not have a stake in the community. He said the rising home valuations could convince families that the time to get into the market has arrived.

Also, interest rates for mortgages have increased for three straight weeks and are now just below 4 percent for a 30-year loan.

“I think buyers are beginning to understand that prices are moving,” Husing said. “They could be thinking, ‘Oh my god, I’d better get in there.’ ”

Nationally some 9.7 million mortgages, slightly less than 20 percent, had higher balances than the home’s value in the first quarter. The cities with the highest percentages of underwater houses were Tampa-St. Petersburg, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Warren, Mich., CoreLogic reported.

Terry Pierson/The Press-Enterprise
Gov. Jerry Brown speaks in Susan Cummins’ 4th grade class at Arlanza Elementary School in Riverside in 2011.

SACRAMENTO — A compromise school-funding formula at the heart of this week’s state budget deal includes more money for suburban and wealthier districts, addressing complaints that an earlier Brown administration plan was unfair.

There will still be extra money targeted at English learners, students receiving free meals, and foster children. But it will comprise a smaller piece of the funding pie than what Brown wanted when he warned his plan’s critics in April that they were in for “the battle of their lives.”

“It’s an improvement, definitely, but we’re still waiting to get all of the details,” said Lori Ordway-Peck, assistant superintendent for business support services at Temecula Valley Unified School District, where officials had raised concerns about the Local Control Funding Formula the governor unveiled in January.

Supporters say the compromise plan will increase funding for schools by about $23 billion over eight years, making up for past cuts while simplifying the state’s school-funding system and helping disadvantaged students close the achievement gap.

Under this week’s agreement, more money will go into base grants for all pupils. The Temecula district, for example, would get a per-pupil increase of more than $3,000, to about $9,400, by 2020-21, according to Department of Finance estimates.

Brown’s formula would have phased in a year earlier, which prevents direct comparisons to the compromise plan.

In seven years, though, Temecula Valley’s per-pupil funding would have increased by only $2,100, based on February estimates by the finance department.

Stacy Coleman, assistant superintendent for business services for the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, said he’s also waiting for more specifics on the proposal.

Murrieta Valley, where about a third of the students are disadvantaged, would receive about $3,000 more in per-pupil funding, to $9,500, by 2020-21. The governor’s earlier plan estimated that the district would receive $9,000 by 2019-20.

Additional base funding is good, Coleman said. He cautioned, though, that the additions could come at the expense of cuts elsewhere. The final result may not be much gain over what the district had expected under existing law, he said.

Disadvantaged districts

Inland districts with large percentages of disadvantaged students, such as Fontana Unified, San Bernardino City Unified and Val Verde Unified, would get almost twice as much in per-pupil funding by the time this week’s compromise takes full effect.

Dale Marsden, superintendent of San Bernardino City Unified, said the compromise formula is just as good for his district as the governor’s January proposal.

“There are no losers,” Marsden said. “Everybody’s base has gone up. But we still have a long way to go.”

This week’s agreement includes “supplemental” payments to districts. Those will be equal to 20 percent of the base grant for every disadvantaged student. Brown had wanted 35 percent.

And districts will qualify for extra “concentration” funding when 55 percent of their students are disadvantaged, up from a 50-percent threshold in the governor’s approach.

Some districts also will get an “economic recovery payment” to restore them to 2007-08 revenue levels.

“What we have here is a final agreement that has the same essential architecture as the governor’s proposal, with some changes,” Department of Finance spokesman H.D. Palmer said Wednesday.

Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown, whose district includes the Fontana and San Bernardino districts, was an early backer of the governor’s plan.

“I’m here with members who are from suburbia,” Brown, D-San Bernardino, said. “They were really concerned they were being short-changed. The way this has turned out, no one is short-changed. Those who need more, will get more.”

Governor’s plan

Some Inland school officials, though, said the governor’s plan would have been better for districts with mid-range percentages of disadvantaged students.

Mike Fine, Riverside Unified’s deputy superintendent for business services, said the district will receive about $1,000 less per pupil in supplemental money under the compromise. About two-thirds of the district’s 40,000 pupils are disadvantaged.

Brown’s acceptance of this week’s deal, Fine said, “was a little shocking to me. I think it goes against some of the governor’s principles.”

The approach to distribute the concentration money, Fine added, fails to recognize that some districts — such as Riverside Unified and Corona-Norco Unified — are short of the 55 percent threshold but have schools that meet it. Senate Democrats had voiced similar complaints about the governor’s plan but signed on to the compromise.

Assembly President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, praised the agreement. It gets more money to all districts, he said, while maintaining the essence of the governor’s “progressive proposal.”

BY JIM MILLER AND

MICHELLE KLAMPESTAFF WRITERS

June 12, 2013

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) named La Pasta Italia as the 47th District’s Small Business of the Year. La Pasta Italia, located in Grand Terrace, is owned and operated by the current Grand Terrace mayor, Walt Stanckiewitz, and his wife, Monique Stanckiewitz. La Pasta Italia has been serving quality Italian food products for over 20 years. A ceremony was held at the Sacramento Convention Center on Monday, June 10.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) has selected La Pasta Italia as the 47^th District’s Small Business of the Year. La Pasta Italia, located in Grand Terrace, is owned and operated by the current Grand Terrace mayor, Walt Stanckiewitz, and his wife, Monique Stanckiewitz.

“I’m so excited to acknowledge and select La Pasta Italia as my Small Business of the Year. La Pasta Italia has been providing quality food to the restaurant industry and the community for several years now. They have a statewide reach and an excellent reputation in my district. They’ve come so far and I’m so proud of them,” said Assemblymember Brown.

Prior to the establishment of their restaurant, the Stanckiewitzes developed a reputation for providing a variety of fine pasta products to upscale restaurants throughout the Inland Empire including Mario’s Place, New York Grill, Ciao Bella, Café Allegro, Lake Arrowhead Resort, and the iconic Mission Inn.

 After 13 years of providing quality service to area restaurants, the Stanckiewitzes established La Pasta Italia, on Barton Road, in the city of Grand Terrace in June 2003. In keeping with Walt’s Italian roots, the Stanckiewitzes prepare each dish with love.

 In honor of his mother, Walt’s signature sandwich is the Da Riccio. Inspired from her Naples background, the ingredients include: prosciutto, sopressata, parmesan cheese, red onion, pepperoncini, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar on an Italian roll.

 The Stanckiewitzes will be honored at a ceremony in Sacramento on Monday, June 10.

 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/

Erykah_Lyfe_Bobby-V

By Lue Dowdy, CA– I’m happy to announce this week’s selected artist, Michael Echols, Barber/Promoter/Entrepreneur. Hair is an art! It takes a special set of skills to keep folks looking good. Having a good haircut can make a world of difference in a person’s self-esteem.

Bell_Biv_Devoe

Michael Echols has been a professional barber for 5yrs. He’s currently working out of Cold Cutz Barbershop in downtown Riverside located at, 4029 Market Street Riverside CA, 92501. Receiving his license from Rosston’s Barber College, Michael specializes in all textures of hair. If you need a bald fade, shadow fade, taper, flat top, mo-hawk, fro-hawk, he’s your guy. No time to go to the shop, ask about his mobile service. Micheal will bring the shop to you. You can find this talented Barber at the shop, Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays by appointment only. Check out his work at facebook.com/tipyourbarber and on I.G @ Riverside_Raised.

Michael Echols, also is one of the producers for “The Underground Poetry & Lyricist Lounge.” This is an event put on once a month on the 2nd Sunday night of every month in the city of Riverside. It’s been in existence for almost a year and is growing fast. Their objective is to create an atmosphere that welcomes and brings together art, poetry, culture, creativity and unity. Michael feels by doing this, it will create a hub that allows individuals to network amongst one another. If you’re interested in performing, please look them up on TWITTER at: The_UPL_Lounge or on FaceBook: TheUndergroundPoetry/LyricistLounge. You can Email Theundergroundpllounge@yahoo.com, last but not least follow them on I.G at UPL_spokenword. Please support the ARTS!

Entertainment Happenings: There will be several awesome concerts and events coming our way. I hope you’re ready! This month, Eryka Badu will be in San Bernardino at San Manuel Indian Bingo, and BBD (Bel Biv Devoe) will be in Riverside at the Riverside Auditorium. Don’t wait, get your tickets now! Ya girl will be in da house!

R&B singer, Erykah Badu is best known for her hit album “Babuism” which went triple platinum and my all-time favorite “Tyrome.” This singer, activist, and actress will be in concert Thursday, May 30th along with Lyfe Jennings and Bobby V.  Tickets are available for the 7:30 p.m. show through Ticketmaster for $40, $50 and $60

Live in Concert BBD on Saturday, May 25, 2013, DOORS OPEN AT 7:00PMSHOW STARTS AT 8:00 PM

Location: 3485 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA 92501. Sponsored by Stansell Enterprises Concerts & Events . Information: 800-838-3006, http://www.stansellenterprises.com.