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SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- More than 160 middle and high school students showcased their acting, dancing, singing talents at the Performing Arts Showcase on March 8.

“This event is a wonderful opportunity for students in arts programs throughout the county to come together for an outstanding performance,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “We have so much talent among our students and to see them in the spotlight in a professional, historical setting was truly incredible.”

The event was held at the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts in San Bernardino. The student performers represented eight districts in San Bernardino County.

“I’m excited to be with all my friends, especially after COVID, and it’s just a blessing to be able to perform [in person] again,” said Mercedes, a Senior at A.B. Miller High School and a member of the dance ensemble. “It just brings peace of mind that hard times don’t last forever and being able to dance and share this art with other people is a great opportunity.”

The first Performing Arts Showcase took place in 2016 and has been held annually at the California Theatre, except for a two-year break from 2020 to 2021 due to COVID-19 protocols. This year, students, teachers and attendees celebrated a return to in person performances.

San Bernardino Superintendent of Schools hosts the event in collaboration with The California Arts Project.

For more news and information, visit the SBCSS Newsroom and follow us @SBCountySchools on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.#transforminglives.

Did you know? Burning Bush Church in Victorville offers free COVID-19 testing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday. A vaccination clinic is planned at the church on Sunday, March 20. For more information, call (760) 241-6221.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Approximately 80 middle and high school students from throughout San Bernardino County showcased their talents during the 2022 County Honor Orchestras Concert on Saturday, March 5, at the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel.

“It is remarkable to see all these talented student musicians from across the county unite for an outstanding performance,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “This is a wonderful event and really puts student talent in the spotlight, recognizing their hard work, diligence and dedication.”

Since 1986, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools has collaborated with the San Bernardino County Music Educators Association to host the honor orchestras concert for students involved in music education programs throughout the county.

“It’s amazing to be able to come and meet people I know I never would have been able to meet,” said Rachel, a student at Oak Hills High School and orchestra participant. “I’ve been playing viola for six years. I love being able to come here and have this experience, and it’s such a unique experience that most people don’t get to have.”

More than 30 students from a dozen area middle schools took the stage first, and the chapel filled with the sounds of violins, violas, cellos and basses.

Middle school students were conducted by Adelle Glass, an elementary instrumental music teacher in Redlands Unified School District, who led them in the opening arrangement of Alborada from Capriccio Espagnol.

Following the middle school performance, the high school honor orchestra opened with a rendition of Allegretto, the first movement of Palladio by Karl Jenkins.

Todd Montemayor conducted the 50 students, who represented 14 different high schools.

Montemayor is an instrumental music teacher at Del Vallejo Middle School in San Bernardino and both the music director and conductor of the Redlands Youth Symphony.

The two orchestras played four pieces each, delivering performances that received thunderous applause.

While string instruments took center stage during this performance, wind and percussion instrumentalists will come to the University of Redlands campus on April 16 for the Basin Honor Band Concert.

University of Redlands and the University School of Music have a long history of supporting the County honor band and honor orchestra performances. The use of the Memorial Chapel has been provided for many years and university music students provide logistical support for the event.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Victor Valley Station recently welcomed new Phelan Posse members, Roger and Noanna Compton.

“We can already tell this husband-and-wife duo will be an asset to our team and we are excited to work with them,” said the department. “Welcome to the team!”

The Sixth Annual High Desert Pirate Renaissance Faire will take place this weekend at Hesperia Lake Park. Activities will include games, pirate battles, face painting and plenty of merry merchants selling their wares. The two-day festival will take place from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. March 19, and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. March 20. Hesperia Lake Park is located at 7500 Arrowhead Lake Rd., Hesperia. Single day tickets (ages 13-64) are $20, or $38 for the weekend. Seniors, military and first responders are $18 single day, or $32 for the weekend. Kids 12 and under are free with paying adult. Discounted tickets are available through the Faire’s website.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Steven Sims, right, from San Bernardino, California, both assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) air department, recover a simulated casualty during a mass casualty drill on the flight deck, March 4, 2022. Ford is in port at Naval Station Norfolk executing a tailored basic phase prior to the ship’s first operational deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob Mattingly)

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— The 3-13-22 ETB Broadcast features two segments: An interview with Yung Muusik, produced by WSS News columnist, Lue Dowdy. The second segment features a conversation with Don Smith, a 25-year IE Housing advocate with the Rent Relief program ending on March 31st, evictions and foreclosures are eminent.

The Disneyland Resort celebrated soulfully during Black History Month this February. Guests in the Downtown Disney District discovered beautiful chalk art installations by Marcella “Marci” Swett, Disney Live Entertainment senior production artisan. Her art pieces honored African American heritage and history through dynamic visual storytelling.

“To be able to leave a mark by educating individuals on matters that they had no idea about, and to hear that they will share that knowledge with others is a wonderful experience,” Marci shares.

Elsewhere around the resort, guests experienced Celebrate Gospel in Disneyland park, a lively celebration of the rich legacy of gospel music, in addition to new menu items and jazz music featured at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. PULSE, the Business Employee Resource Group representing and advocating for the Black community, also brought more programming to cast members throughout the month and had a special meet-and-greet with Bruce W. Smith, Creator of “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” on Disney+.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors recently approved $2,500 to be disbursed to qualified businesses through the Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant.

This grant is open to businesses and nonprofits with five or fewer full-time employees, gross revenues of less than $50,000 in the 2019 and 2020 tax years, and those who did not receive the California Relief Grant issued by Lendistry. Businesses must be located in San Bernardino County.

Applications will be open soon. For more information, please call 909-915-1706 or https://selectsbcounty.com/major-initiatives/microbusiness-covid-19-relief-grant.

Approximately 200 students from the High Desert, Needles, Trona and other regions are representing their high schools in the 8th Annual San Bernardino County Student Advisory Panel, which offers youth a chance to share their thoughts on community issues.

Each year, students share their thoughts on our Countywide Vision’s Community Vital Signs Transformation Plan. Topics include the economy, education, safety, and health/wellness. After the four weekly sessions, students offer their feedback and recommendations to elected officials and community leaders.

Four students from each high school in the county are invited to participate in the panel. For more information about the Student Advisory Panel, please call 909-386-2413.