Local

RIALTO, CA – The National Council of Negro Women’s Inland Empire Section’s 1st Annual Diaper Drive sparked Sam’s Club’s generosity as local stores donated 2,000 diapers and giveaways to help victims of domestic violence.

A few months ago the NCNW I.E. Section reached out to its long-time community service partner, Option House that provides shelter and assistance to victims of domestic violence. Wanting to do more than provide ongoing financial support, NCNW leadership asked Option House what more can they do to help.

“They told us how badly they needed diapers for the babies and toddlers staying with their mothers,” explained NCNW I.E. Section Member Gerri Foxall-Kater. “Diapers and other toiletries may seem like a basic need, but for the women dealing with such traumatic situations and still trying to care for their children with little or no resources, well we understood how important filling this need would be.”

Thanks to the generosity of the Sam’s Clubs of Ontario and Riverside the NCNW I.E. Section’s 1st Annual Diaper Drive was a huge success. The Sam’s Club of Riverside donated 2,000 diapers and the Ontario store provided emergency snack bag giveaways each with a back-up diaper for families on the go. On Saturday, December 10, the day of the drive, Sam’s Club also participated. Alex Garcia, marketing coordinator from the Ontario Sam’s Club was at the Bethune Center in downtown Rialto greeting residents, handing out giveaway bags, and thanking each new Sam’s Club member who signed-up that day with $20 a gift card.

“We are honored to be part of this event,” said Garcia. “Sam’s Club understands how important is it to give back, especially through this opportunity to help women and children who are displaced from their homes due to domestic violence and other hardships. We are glad that our donation will help Option House and others.”

“We at Sam’s Club looks forward to continuing our partnership with the NCNW,” he added.

Thanks to all the donations received NCNW’s first annual drive collected nearly 3,000 diapers, along with baby wipes and feminine hygiene products for Option House residents and other homeless women and children.

To learn more about the local NCNW’s activities, meetings, and events visit us on Facebook at NCNW Inland Empire Section@NCNWIESection or Instagram and Twitter @NCNW_IESection.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Nuri Freeman will gladly and expertly repair or even custom build a guitar especially for you or whomever. The young entrepreneur restores, repairs and builds guitars, speakers, amplifiers, keyboards, mixers and more.

He has been in business in some form or another from his childhood. His father is Marwan, the well-respected Bass Guitar player and owner of “Lia’s Got Good Cense” Imported Body Oils.

“I learned to work hard and to be dependable’ as a result of working with my father, and that pays off for me every day” says the creative owner of PC Productions.

Nuri’s shop is located in the Discount Mall in San Bernardino at Ninth Street and Waterman Avenue. Call Nuri at (951) 288-0819.

Visiting Nuri will also take you to “Lia’s Got Good Cense” home of hundreds of different scented body oils, located across the aisle from PC Productions.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- African art and jewelry can make great gifts. Rashad Hasan and his wife Patricia have collected and sold African art and accessories for nearly 30 years. Their product line is varied and provides you access to both general and very exclusive items. According to Hasan, “You have not shopped until you have looked through the art, jewelry and nic-nacks that Pat and I have selected and stashed in this shop, just for you!”  

Hasan’s Accessories is located in the Discount Mall located at Ninth Street and Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino. Call Rashad Hasan at (951) 315-1292.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On last Tuesday, December 13, the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) unanimously approved the material revision for the PAL Center and PAL Charter Academy to expand their grade levels to middle school.  Since taking the helm in 2014, CEO Dwaine Radden, Sr., continues to execute, and exceed expectations by making Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry’s vision a reality; shaping a school environment conducive to learning, and meeting students’ needs. 

Under the leadership of founder, Dr. Henry, the PAL Charter Academy became the first Charter in San Bernardino County in 2000 and is still “growing” strong. PAL Charter Academy will now serve 6^th through 8^th grade students in the upcoming 2017 – 2018 school year.  And it is with great excitement that the PAL legacy will forge on for generations to come. “Go Bulls!”

By Lue Dowdy

LUE Productions out on the town is WHAT IT DO! This time of year you’re guaranteed to find holiday parties, cocktails, fashion, and cheer in every city. Congratulations to LA Live for another successful event.

Our team had the opportunity to attend a red carpet star studded Holiday Toy Drive /Gala held by the Brigade LA. From the time we walked in the door it was snap, snap. Major celebrities were in the building such as actress Christina Millian, former NFL player for the San Diego Chargers Shawne Merriman, NASCAR Driver Jessie Iwuji, Track & Field Olympian Will Claye, and several more.

The evening consisted of a fashion show installation featuring Lights Out Brand by Shawne Merriman and an art exhibit by Michael Farhat and Art Mobb. The music was on point thanks to the sexy female DJ, DJ Sweesh. Guest’s were able to participate in free raffles and receive free giveaways. Complimentary Margaritas were also provided by Gaviata Tequila, along with food samples from Comfort LA an organic catering company and ice cream you deserve by Gresescent.

I’d like to thank Ashley Covarrubias, founder of The Model Experience, for allowing The Westside Story Newspaper and LUE Productions to cover such an amazing event. The Model Experience was launched back in 2012. The Model Experience is a model development firm that focuses on creating unique opportunities and experiences for emerging models. For more information please contact the company via email at info@themodelexpereince.net.

Until next week L’z! (Photographer: F.W. Photography/ Interviewer: Deeveatva Foy / Writer: LUE Dowdy)

The Way World Outreach held its 12th annual Christmas present giveaway at its Hallmark campus on Sunday evening, where over 2,000 youth received a gift of their choosing. Pictured is The Way World Outreach Children’s Pastor Susan Zavala with Jovonn Taylor, 9. (Photo credit MJ Duncan)

By MJ Duncan

“Sometimes on Christmas morning we get nothing, and then I go into my room and cry,” 11-year-old Polo Dominguez told The Way World Outreach Children’s Pastor Susan Zavala.

This year Polo and his 10 siblings, along with over 2,000 other children up to age 13, are guaranteed at least one present. The Way held its 12^th annual Christmas present giveaway at its campus in the north end of San Bernardino on Sunday evening that included service and snacks for inner-city children and their families.

For those without transportation four shuttles were transported residents from the downtown campus on Arrowhead and 10^th Street to Hallmark Pkwy. Gifts were organized by age that included skateboards, scooters, action figures, watches, basketballs, boxing sets, dolls, Doc McStuffins, Play-Doh, and much more. Children were escorted ten at a time by two volunteers to pick their present.

“We changed the format this year from handing out wrapped gifts to letting kids pick what they want so they wouldn’t be disappointed to open a present they really didn’t like,” Zavala explained.

Pastor Marco Garcia, Associate Pastor Robert Cuencas, church staff and volunteers shopped for over 3,500 toys at various warehouses in Los Angeles last Thursday; funding came strictly from donations.

“There are so many toys to choose from,” an excited and thrilled Joe Sedono, 8, gushed. “I’ve always wanted a scooter!”

According to Zavala on Christmas Day there will be plenty of toys to give out at the downtown campus for those who were not able to make it to the event.

“We made sure to purchase enough for the community so that no one would be left out this Christmas,” Zavala said. “The way the children’s eyes light up and to witness the joy on their faces is absolutely amazing and so heartwarming.”

Parents and guardians had the opportunity to sit in service with Pastor Cuencas while their little ones enjoyed Christmas messages, activities and snacks.

“This event is so overwhelming, it brings so much joy to be able to give back to the community,” said Pastor Cuencas. “There is nothing more rewarding that to be there for people when they need it the most, and to have a positive impact on them by offering presents during the Christmas season, hope and God’s love.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Christmas is a season of giving; however, no Christmas holiday would be complete without…you guessed it, the jolly old Christmas tree.  On Thursday, December 15, the PAL Charter Academy High School held their 6th Annual Christmas Tree contest.  Students were invited to write essays on “If I Only Had One Wish for Christmas.”

PAL Center CEO, Dwaine Radden Sr. said, “The students’ essays were incredible and heartfelt, you could hear a pin drop.”

He continues, “Their words penetrated to the depths of my core and stirred my spirit.”  

Judged by PAL Staff and Board members, the top three essays received a Christmas tree and gift card.  Thanks to the generous donation of Christmas trees by Northwestern Christmas Trees, who have partnered with the PAL Center for this contest for the past 6 years, the winner Jasmine Moreno, and the runner ups, Kenyatta Deshazior, and Louie Gonzalez went home with a special gift to share with the whole family. Congratulations to all the winners!

Northwestern Christmas Trees is located at 1955 S. Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino.

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Foosball is the most popular 2 player football game of all time, and that is why this sport game was finally ported as online two player game! Welcome to the simple but also challenging and fun tournament of Foosball 2 Player game! Play a single game mode against CPU opponents and attain victory on all 10 Foosball games, or challenge your best friend to an intense action of 2 Player Foosball cup. Either way, the goal of this two player sport game is to score a goal. Player whose team score 5 goals first, wins the current game. Have fun!
Player 1: Use Up, Down Arrow keys to move, Player 2: Use W,S to move. Once the ball comes near a player, he automatically kicks it toward the opponents goal.

Meanwhile, in the backyard, two bored kids are going to play an unusual 2 player game, the Can Fighters game! This time killing game is simple to play, but hard to master. The goal in here is to kick the can and hit your opponent, before he does that to you. There will be 2 items for pain causing, where kicking the can will damage your opponent, but smashing the anvil will hurt your toe and cost you some health. Are you ready? Let the can kicking games begin!
Player 1: A to kick the can, Player 2: Left Arrow key to kick the can.