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SB Symphony Concert Under the Stars with Fireworks July 1

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director and Conductor Anthony Parnther, will present their second annual evening of music under the stars Saturday, July 1, on the San Bernardino Valley College football field. Repertoire includes a wide variety of musical genres and will culminate in Tchaikovsky’s bombastic 1812 Overture and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever performed to a dazzling fireworks display!

Explained Maestro Parnther, “After last summer’s electrifying response to a taste of opera, we decided to expand on that this year and invite the colossal vocal talents of Jennifer Lindsay, Orson Van Gay II, and by popular demand, the return of Ashley Faatoalia. So in addition to our patriotic fare, we’ll explore the best in opera, including that of Gershwin, Bizet, Massenet, Gounod, Verdi, and Puccini. I’m also excited to invite the brilliant duo of Jamie Carganilla and Drew Tablak as they perform some of my personal favorite Broadway hits from iconic productions like Chorus Line, Wicked, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, and Moulin Rouge.”

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early with their picnic baskets or visit one of the many food trucks that will be on campus for Valley College’s free SUMMERFEST event which begins at 5:30 p.m. SUMMERFEST will feature campus tours, information booths, and family activities.

The concert begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. Both assigned table seating and general admission lawn/bleacher seating are available for purchase. Children under age 12 are free, as is parking campus wide.

“San Bernardino Valley College is thrilled to host the highly anticipated ‘America, the Beautiful’ event, presented by the renowned San Bernardino Symphony once again,” said Diana Z. Rodriguez, Chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District. “I extend a heartfelt invitation to our esteemed alumni, beloved families, and passionate music lovers to join us for an enchanting summer evening under the stars. Prepare to be captivated by the beautiful melodies of a live orchestra and make new memories that will last a lifetime.”

Tickets and Location Details

Assigned Table Seating at tables of eight is available at $30-$100 per seat. General Admission grass/bleacher seating is also available at $10 per person (don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets!) Tickets may be purchased online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org or by phone at (909) 381-5388 Monday through Friday. Children under 12 are free and do not need a ticket.

San Bernardino Valley College is located at 701 S. Mt. Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino. The football field is located on the south side of campus.

“You’ve Never Lived It”: San Francisco Mayor Breed Defends Decision to Arrest Drug Users

By Joe Bowers and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Mayor London Breed has been adamant in defense of her policy to arrest and detain drug users to get them into treatment programs.

Breed has directed the San Francisco Police Department to use public intoxication laws to make these arrests. So far, officers have cited or arrested 38 people under the “Intoxication Detention Program.”

Tensions flared over Breed’s policies during a Board of Supervisors’ meeting on June 13.

“Here we go, another White man talking about Black and Brown people as if you’re the savior of these people,” Breed told Supervisor Dean Preston, a frequent critic of both the mayor and police.

Preston interrogated the mayor on her plans to open wellness hubs for overdose prevention, as well as the recent drug-related arrests. Preston quoted from a Department of Public Health report that discouraged “punitive policies” and noted that Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities have long been targeted by drug crackdowns.

“The fact is, it’s not just services; it’s also force,” Breed responded, using the example of a friend who had entered treatment after an arrest. “You can quote all these statistics all you want, but at the end of the day, you’ve never lived in it.

Micah May Named Omnitrans Director of Information Technology

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Omnitrans is pleased to welcome Micah May as the agency’s new Director of Information Technology (IT).

As leader of the IT Department, May will oversee agency network systems infrastructure, cybersecurity, emerging technology, and business continuity while managing the agency IT team.

“Micah’s public sector experience, along with his performance optimization skill set, will be invaluable as we seek innovative technology to enhance service,” said CEO/General Manager Erin Rogers.

“I am looking forward to working with the IT team to strengthen and develop systems that benefit internal and external Omnitrans customers,” said May.

Prior to Omnitrans, May served as Deputy Court Executive Office – Technology CIO for the Superior Court of California County of San Bernardino and Assistant Deputy Court Executive Officer for the Superior Court of California County of Riverside. May is a graduate of American Intercontinental University, and currently is working toward his Master of Business Administration degree from West Texas A & M University.

“Why?”

By Lou K Coleman

Oh, no you didn’t just ask “Why?” After all the warnings, the roadblocks I sent to stop you, to arrest your attention, to get you to turn around, you got the nerve to ask “Why?” You know “Why!” Over and over again, I have shown such long suffering towards you restraining My anger, giving you much time to repent and change your ways, but no, you want to sink deeper and deeper in sin and continue to do you. Claiming to be descendants of Abraham, enslaved to no one! If you were descendants of Abraham, you would have listened to Me, but you couldn’t even hear Me! You are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he has always hated the truth because there is no truth in him. But you got the nerve to ask, “Why?” No need to ask “Why?” Disobedience always walks hand in hand with consequences. So just imagine spending ETERNITY with that on your mind! Imagine being in Hell for a million years and then thinking, “I didn’t have to come here! I could have received Christ! Oh, what a fool I was! If only I had not been so stubborn! If…if…if…!” That’s the shame of Hell: going there when you don’t have to go! Why? Why? Why?

I tell you, if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell…. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell…. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ [Mark 9:43-48].

People accuse God of being unfair in sending sinners to Hell. It is not God’s decision it is ours. We send ourselves to Hell through the decisions we make in this life. As [Ezekiel 33:4] states, “If the people hear the horn and ignore the warning and the enemy comes and takes them, they will be responsible for their own deaths. The decision is YOUR’S, not God’s. God made His decision over 2000 years ago when He gave His Only Begotten Son to die as a payment for your sins. So, if you go to Hell, you will go AGAINST God’s will. Because you chose to reject God. You harden your heart, you didn’t want to hear about Jesus, and you ignored all the ways God tried to reach you throughout your entire life. So don’t be asking why when you know why. God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn from your evil ways; for why will ye die. [Ezekiel 33:11]. You have been given a second chance; Go and sin no more. Lest a worse thing come upon you. [John 5:14].

I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it… [Deuteronomy 30:14-20]. This is your Exodus! Repent and live!

Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation of Riverside named 2023 Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 58

SACRAMENTO, CA— On California Nonprofits Day, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) honors the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation as the 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 58.

“For many years, the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation has worked tirelessly to create opportunities, foster empowerment, build unity, and promote equity within our Inland Empire communities,” said Assemblymember Cervantes. “The Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation has been a pillar of our region and it is a great honor to name them as California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 58!”

“The Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation is committed to providing the Riverside community’s diverse population with cultural-based programs, provide unique, stimulating, and thought-provoking cultural presentations to awaken and inform our community of the future, while reflecting on our past. We are extremely grateful, deeply humbled, and appreciative for this great opportunity to be recognized by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes as a nonprofit of the year,” said Adrian “Dell” and Carmen Roberts.

The Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation (ADCR Foundation) consists of dedicated volunteers focused on empowering Riverside County residents through cultural activities, education, and economic development. ADCR Foundation showcases Riverside County’s rich cultural diversity with colorful, inspiring, and authentic cultural activities throughout the year. Notably, the Foundation has successfully organized and coordinated one of the longest-running Black History Month Parades in California. Other activities include the Black History Month Expo, Backpack Giveaway, and the Empowering Young Women’s Conference. The Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation is committed to “bringing communities and opportunities together,” rewarding academic achievement and excellence with scholarships, and nurturing an awareness of “giving back to the community” within today’s youth.

Learn more at adcrfoundation.org.

What it Do with The LUE: Inland Empire’s Old School 70’s Summer Jam

By Lue Dowdy | LUE Productions

Calling all my old school music lovers. The Bromatics along with a few other amazing acts will be hitting the stage on Saturday, July 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the Haven City Rancho Market, located at 8443 Haven Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga.

Get ready as Stone Gas Entertainment Production presents the Inland Empire’s Old School 70’s Summer Jam featuring the BROMATICS-Performing Motown Hits. There will be Special performances by: The Five Tempting Men; The SoulTones -Harold Melvins Blue Notes; Melodik-singing the hits of the Marvelettes; and Kim Caffey-A Gladys Knight Tribute.

Doors Open at 5:00 p.m., and the red carpet will be provided and hosted by LUE PRODUCTIONS. We are looking forward to seeing you there with your dancing shoes on!

You may purchase your tickets on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inland-empires-old-school-70s-summer-jam-tickets-634369806167?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Redlands Police Welcomes New Chief

REDLANDS, CA— Retiring Redlands Police Chief Chris Catren was honored by the city last week, recognizing his 28-year career with the department. At the event, he was joined by new Chief Rachel Tolber, another department veteran with 25 years of service to the residents of Redlands.

Chief Tolber is the first female police chief in the city’s history. “I am truly humbled and honored to be selected to lead the men and women of the RPD in our service of such an incredible community,” she said in a statement published by the Redlands Daily Facts. You can read more about Redlands’ new police chief here and here.

Two Sets of Twin Doctors Graduate from Loma Linda University

LOMA LINDA, CA— Two sets of twins from the Inland Empire are now doctors after graduating from Loma Linda University (LLU.)

Twin sisters Lauren and Karen Bathan grew up in Loma Linda. Their parents are also LLU alums: their mother, a nurse practitioner, and their father, a physical therapy assistant. “Although our parents first influenced us to have a healthcare career, we decided to become doctors to lead patient care,” Lauren said.

Similarly, twin brothers Christopher and Luis Chan attended LLU School of Pharmacy after graduating from the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.

Originally from Chino, they are the first in their family to attend college. “We knew in high school we wanted to become doctors,” Luis said. “After volunteering at Pomona Valley Medical Center in college, we knew pharmacy was the right career path for us.”

Thanks to Loma Linda University Health for providing this inspiring story. Read more about the Bathan and Chan twins here.

Bridging The Gap: Safety Symposium & Expo held Saturday, June 24

FONTANA, CA—- No topic is more important than the health, safety, and well-being of a loved one, but especially a loved one with a special need. A variety of health and safety information along with valuable resources will be available at the Legacy Bridges Foundation, Inc. 1st Annual Bridging the Gap: Safety Symposium & Expo on Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Entrepreneur High School located at 7775 Sierra Avenue in Fontana. Sponsors for the event include Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Neurelis, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), American Medical Response (AMR), and A. Upland Fire Protection.

“The goal of our first annual Safety Symposium is to bring together medical and subject matter professionals to share and demonstrate the latest safety advancements and trends to better serve our communities,” said Executive Director Melanee Stovall. “The event will feature a wide variety of speakers and professionals from first responders American Medical Response Team, San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, Neurologist and Behavioral Interventionist; with the aim of disseminating safety practices to protect our family members in an emergency situation,” she added.

“This is a unique opportunity to bridge the gap in a fun, interactive and sensory focused space,” said Volunteer Director Melody Solomon. “This event is FREE and open to the public, as all are welcome. The first 50 people will be entered into a raffle for awesome prizes. There will be face painting, balloon artists, refreshments, giveaways and much more. This is an event you do not want to miss,” she added.

The Legacy Bridges Foundation, Inc. (LBF) is a California 501(c)3 nonprofit public benefit corporation founded to support individuals and families living with epilepsy and other seizure related disorders. LBF’s mission is to raise awareness of the disease of epilepsy and other seizure related disorders, shine a light for those individuals and families affected, and partner with other organizations to find a cure.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, “epilepsy affects 1 out of every 26 individuals; 3.4 million people nationwide, more than 65 million people globally, and 150,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.”

For more information or to volunteer, call (951)374-0933 or email us at admin@legacybridgesfoundation.org.

To make a monetary contribution today, visit www.givebutter.com/LegacyBridgesFoundation-Donations. Support the foundation’s mission to raise awareness, shine a light and partner to find a cure. All contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent of the law.

Growing Number of California Groups Express Support for Black Reparations

By Antonio Ray Harvey| California BlackMedia

In California, an increasing number of Japanese, Jewish and other non-Black groups are expressing their support for reparations to Black American residents of the state who are descendants of enslaved people.

Around 100 grassroot organizations, motivated in part by the efforts of the Japanese American Bar Association and John M. Langston Bar Association of Los Angeles, have endorsed the work of the task force, and are calling on California to compensate Black residents for historical wrongdoings.

Donald Tamaki, an attorney, and the only non-Black member of the nine-member state reparations task force panel, stated that the groups supporting the task force are mostly Asian, Latino and Jewish.

“They didn’t need whole lot of persuasion,” Tamaki said. “Why? Because they know the healing power of reparations. I think that, in itself, is a news story: that there’s a multi-racial group of both big and small organizations representing different constituencies.”

The United States government has previously approved reparations for other ethnic groups to address historical injustices. For instance, Native Americans have been given billions of dollars in compensation for land that was unlawfully taken from them. Japanese Americans received billions in compensation and some of their property was returned for being placed in internment camps during World War II.

Many of the injustices experienced by Japanese Americans occurred after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s issued Executive Order 9066 on Feb. 19, 1942, responding to Japan’s aerial bombing of U.S. Military installations at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec.7, 1941.

In the months following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, approximately 122,000 men, women, and children of Japanese descent were forcibly relocated to “assembly centers.” Nearly 70,000 of these evacuees were American citizens. They were then evacuated to and confined in 75 isolated, fenced, and guarded “relocation centers,” known as “incarceration camps.”

According to the National Park Service (NPS), 92,785 Californians of Japanese descent were put in temporary detention camps called “Assembly Centers.” The cities of Sacramento, Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Francisco, metropolitans with the largest Japanese contingents, were incarcerated without legal recourse.

Japanese Americans were imprisoned based on ancestry alone. There was no evidence that they had committed any crimes against the U.S. or presented any danger, NPS explained in its “A History of Japanese Americans in California: Incarceration of Japanese Americans During World War II.”

Three Japanese Americans who were involved in and knowledgeable about the Japanese American Redress Movement (JARM) testified at the California reparations task force’s public meeting held in Los Angeles on Sept. 24, 2022. They educated attendees about efforts Japanese Americans made to obtain restitution for their forced removal and confinement during World War II.

Mitchell Maki (President and CEO of the Go for Broke National Education Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy and lessons of the Nisei World War II veterans) and Ron Wakabayashi (former Executive Director, Japanese American Citizens League) provided historical context on how Japanese Americans achieved a rare accomplishment in U.S. history by passing the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

They received an official apology letter from the President of the United States and 82,000 surviving Japanese Americans were compensated with $20,000 payments, which totaled to $1.6 billion. Executive Order 9066 was officially rescinded by U.S. President Gerald Ford on Feb. 16, 1976.

Miya Iwataki – a special assistant to former California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) member and U.S. Congressmember Mervyn Dymally who represented the state’s 31st District in Congress during the 1980s – was a member of the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations for Japanese Americans.

Iwataki says she drew inspiration from the activism of Black leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Black Panther Party member Fred Hampton, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Brown Berets, among others. She explained that it was Black leaders such as Dymally and former Oakland mayor and U.S. Congress member Ron Dellums who supported the passage of the Civil Liberties Act.

Maki, Iwataki, Wakabayashi and other Nisei (second-generations Japanese Americans) and Sansei (third generation) are urging the state to compensate Black descendants of chattel slavery and provide a formal apology for harms suffered in California.

“First, I want to acknowledge the difference in our fight for reparations for the injustice of the (incarceration) camps and the 400 years history of enslaved people,” Iwataki testified. “We’re not here to make recommendations or to prescribe lessons learned. I am here to share the experiences of NCRR and all volunteer grassroot organizations that fought for reparations and to express our continued solidarity for Black reparations.”

In September 2022, the San Francisco Black and Jewish Unity Coalition held reparations teach-ins at Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco. Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who authored the legislation, Assembly Bill 3121, that created the task force when she was an Assemblymember, was one of the speakers.

Congregation B’nai Israel hosted a 90-minute reparations information session in Sacramento on June 11. Presented by Sacramento Jewish opera singer Lynn Berkeley-Baskin, over 20 people – Jewish and Japanese — attended the event to hear Chris Lodgson from the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California share his experiences as one of the grassroots leaders driving California’s movement for reparations.

Germany has openly acknowledged past aggressions committed during the Holocaust. According to a June 202 report by Steven J. Ross in the Jewish publication the Forward, the German government has paid out $92 billion to Holocaust survivors over seven decades. In the United States, the country has “failed to reckon with the consequences of centuries of slavery,” Ross writes.

“As laws advancing revisionist history sweep our nation’s state legislatures, Americans who favor a national reckoning with our own complicated past would do well to take a lesson from Germany,” writes Steven J. Ross, a history professor at the University of Southern California (USC).

“If we want to truly heal as a nation, we must first acknowledge both the long history of slavery and the pain its legacy still causes – and take tangible steps to right our collective wrongs,” Ross stated.

The task force will hold its final meeting and submit its final report to the California legislature on June 29.

The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m., in the First Floor Auditorium of the March Fong Eu Secretary of State Building, located at 1500 11th Street, downtown Sacramento.

“If there are helpful takeaways from our experience, I hope that they will contribute,” Wakabayashi said of Japanese Americans’ fight for reparations. “It would help repay a great debt. The Black civil rights movement generated the Japanese American Redress Campaign and led the struggle for human rights in this country.”