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SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Time for Change Foundation’s (TFCF) 20^th Anniversary Awards Gala, “Once Upon a Time” will honor outstanding individuals and organizations that go above and beyond for our community and continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

Susan Burton, Founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project, will be honored with the Harriet Tubman Legacy Award for her outstanding dedication as an innovative model, creating both a welcoming and healing space for women to rejoin their communities after incarceration while developing leaders to work toward liberation. As a formerly incarcerated Black woman, Ms. Burton is a front-runner in the movement to reform the criminal legal system, founding committee member of the Formerly Incarcerated Convicted People and Families Movement (FICPFM), and outspoken voice to end mass incarceration.

After the 2017-18 tour in sixty-four prisons and jails, twenty-six states and three countries for her memoir, Becoming Ms. Burton, she launched the SAFE (Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality) Housing Network to replicate A New Way of Life’s effective and humane reentry model. Since 2018, Ms. Burton has mentored and supported eighteen organizations in thirteen states (Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington) and two countries (Uganda and Kenya) that opened their own safe homes.

Other Award Honorees include:

Patty Favela with the Ramos Family Spirit of Compassion Award, Vickie Lobo of Knock Knock Angels with the Nancy Varner Angel Award, and Carmen Perez-Jordan of The Gathering for Justice, and Jay Jordan of Time Done with the Dynamic Duo Award.

Time for Change Foundation’s 20^th Anniversary Awards Gala will be held virtually on April 28^th, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. To support the work of Time for Change Foundation, you can become a sponsor, purchase an ad in the event program book, or purchase a Gala ticket.

To purchase tickets for the event or to become a sponsor and increase your business’ visibility in the community, please visit their website at www.TimeForChangeFoundation.org, or contact Vanessa Perez at (909) 886-2994 or by email at vperez@timeforchangefoundation.org.

ARMC will host an interactive event to support women’s heart health

COLTON, CA— Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) will be holding an upcoming “Go Red” interactive event to promote women’s heart health. Each year, ARMC hosts this event at its hospital in support of American Heart Month and the American Heart Association (AHA), who created the “Go Red” initiative.

The “Go Red” event invites participants to wear red and participate in a fashion show. The event will also provide educational and interactive sessions on heart disease and strokes and their signs and symptoms. Participants will learn AHA’s “Life’s Simple Seven” steps to live a long and healthy life—getting active, eating better, losing weight, quitting smoking, controlling cholesterol, managing blood pressure, and reducing blood sugar.

The event will take place on March 31, 2022, from 12–1:30 p.m., in the Oak Conference Room, and will be open to the public as well as ARMC employees. ARMC staff from a range of departments will participate in this event, including physicians and nurses who will provide information and demonstrations.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. The American Heart Association launched its “Go Red” campaign in 2004 to increase awareness of the dangers of heart disease and advocate for women’s heart health.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino City Council approved the third phase of a four phase, 53-street plan to repave and resurface streets and repair sidewalks throughout San Bernardino. The most recent contract, approved on March 16, was awarded to the Matich Corporation in the amount of $6.4 million. It will encompass segments of fourteen streets in the city. Work on this phase, which will also include ADA accessible ramps, drainage, sidewalk installation, signage, and curb/gutter improvements, will begin in early May and should be completed by October 2022.

Funding for this project will come from Measure S funds as well as budgetary savings from other projects within the City’s 2021/2022 Capital Improvement Plan.

“This is another example of San Bernardino continuing to upgrade our city’s infrastructure,” said City Manager Robert D. Field. “There is a lot more work to do, but our residents are already noticing a difference.”

Streets that will be improved in this phase are:

• Temple Street – from J Street to Perris Street (Ward 1)
• Acacia Street – from 10th Street to Baseline Street (Ward 2)
• Prospect Avenue – from Congress Street to Flood Control (Ward 3)
• Ralston Avenue – from Mt. View to Waterman Avenue (Ward 4)
• Dover Drive – from Mountain Drive to I Street (Ward 5)
• Meridian Avenue – from Foothill Blvd. to 7th Street (Ward 6)
• Parkside Avenue – from 30th Street to Parkdale Avenue (Ward 7)
• Congress Street – from Mt. Vernon to K Street (Ward 3)
• Virginia Street – from E Street to F Street and G Street to H Street (Ward 2)
• Niles Street – from San Gabriel Street to Crestview Street (Ward 2)
• Trenton Street – from Crestview Avenue to Valencia Avenue (Ward 2)
• Cedar Street – from Highland Avenue to 29th Street (Ward 2)
• Arden Street – from Highland Avenue to Pacific Street (Wards 2,7)
• Country Club Lane – from Waterman Avenue to Fremontia Drive (Ward 7)

In December 2021, a contract was awarded to Onyx Paving Company for work on seven streets across town. In February 2022, the City Council awarded a contract for nine streets to All-American Asphalt. Work on those phases is currently underway. Bidding for the final phase, which will encompass twenty-three additional street segments, will be held in May.

The streets identified for rehabilitation work were prioritized through a March 2020 pavement management analysis completed by the Public Works Department, which used scientific methods to rate the condition of all public streets in San Bernardino and to prioritize their rehabilitation.

In 2021, the City of San Bernardino Public Works Department improved and rehabilitated over 3.8 million square feet of roadway, 37,000 square feet of curb, gutter, and sidewalk, and 119 ADA accessible ramps throughout the city.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Westside Story Newspaper extends a congratulations to Lucretia Dowdy for being pinned as the President for the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony took place on Monday, March 28 at 555 N. Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino. This was a great way to end Women’s History Month.

Other women that were honored at the event included: Keyona Dawson, Assemblywoman Elose Reyes Gomez, Krissy Harper, Manal Iskander, Rev. Bronica Martindale, and Robin Mckinnon.

“I know my Creator is ordering my steps!” Dowdy states. “Our chapter is doing a new and different thing. Thank you to my children for attending, my king, family, and friends.”

REDLANDS, CA—- On Sunday, March 27, 2022, Empire Talks Back (ETB) included an interview with the NAACP San Bernardino Chapter President, Cha Che Wright. Westside Story Newspaper Entertainment Writer, Lou Dowdy, brought poetess Moena (see profile below) and singer Ke LaRae to the ETB audience. Both young ladies shared their talent and passion. If you would like to be an ETB guest or to suggest one, send an email to walleniv@yahoo.com.

Moena is a 20-year-old poetess and musician who currently attends California Baptist University in pursuit of her Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition. She has been writing poetry and playing music since the age of 7. From starting to write poetry and her first song in elementary school, the seed of artistic inspiration was already sown in her heart. It was later afternoons spent exploring artistic ideas in her dad’s barbershop that really allowed her to become the artist that she is today.

One of Moena’s first notable poems was about being bored; however, her journey has been anything but boring. Pursuing music has been such an exciting journey for her. It has been her deepest passion since her first piano lesson to now, composing full orchestrated works of music for various musicians to play in many genres.

It was in her middle school band program that Moena found a passion for playing woodwind instruments, and later in high school, when writing melodies became a passion for her. The clarinet, saxophone, and flute are the three woodwind instruments that Moena has focused on in the past nine years of her life and is planning on incorporating them heavily in her music for her debut album.

Moena believes that poetry and music are deeply intertwined, and both complement each other in characterizing her unique artistry. Ultimately, they are the tools that God has given her, to express her destined purpose through. Since Moena is only at the start of her career, she knows that her future is only but a blank canvas of opportunity.

Follow her on Instagram @artxmoena.

Come and Take Part in Makerspace Event at Feldheym Central Library

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Young adults ages 12 – 18 are welcome to learn Cricut basics and make a cute sticker or die cut on Saturday, March 26 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Feldheym Central Library at 555 W. Sixth St., which is part of the City of San Bernardino Public Library system.

Young adults are encourage to bring their creativity. Supplies will be provided.

A Cricut machine is a digital die-cutting machine that is able to make precision cuts on many different types of materials, which you can use in a variety of craft projects.

The Cricut machine is part of our Makerspace area where people can build, design, and create projects.

The maker machines also have the capability to draw simple designs and lettering. With some computer skill, people can design from scratch or use pre-existing designs.  Information is available at www.sbpl.org or 909-381-8235.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- On April 16th, 2022, at Indian Springs High School Join All Nations Worship Assembly SBD for the LARGEST FREE Easter Egg Hunt in San Bernardino County from 12:00PM – 3:00PM. 30,000 eggs, food, games, candy, and fun for the entire family! We’ll be having 4 different Egg hunts by age including a special needs hunt for ages 2-11. Can’t wait to see you there!

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY—- San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. is ecstatic to see that TopGolf has opened in San Bernardino County. TopGolf had its grand opening on March 11, 2022, in the city of Ontario. TopGolf is an outstanding entertainment asset for all ages and its existence will assist in keeping our county’s Regional Park’s system stronger due to the revenue it shall receive here in San Bernardino County.

“I am happy to see that an international entertainment group, such as TopGolf has opened its first Southern California location right here in San Bernardino County. This location will create hundreds of sector jobs and the annual revenue to our County Regional Parks will be approximately $625,000. This location is an opportunity for families and businesses in our county and across our region recreationally. So many jobs in our county have been created due to the opening of TopGolf and it will attract people from all over the state to come and visit. I am looking forward to seeing families golf here and hope everyone has a great time.” -Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

BLOOMINGTON, CA— Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. helped kick off the beginning of the baseball season by participating in the Opening Day Ceremonies for the Bloomington Little League at Kessler Park. All Little League teams were present, and they were able to join in on the games and giveaways. The highlight of the opening was seeing two 1981 World Series Dodger Champions and co-MVPs, 3rd baseman Ron Cey and catcher, Steve Yeager in attendance. The event was supported by the Department of San Bernardino County Sheriffs, the San Bernardino County Fire Department, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the Bloomington Municipal Advisory Council (MAC).

“The Opening Day Ceremony for the Bloomington Little League began on a good note as the community gathered at Kessler Park to start off the baseball season. The event was well attended, and a lot of community support was present for the little leaguers. The Bloomington Little League members had a blast seeing baseball legends Ron Cey and Steve Yeager attend the event. The Dodger Alumni gave the children an inspirational speech. These 1981 World Series Champions’ presence at the opening was very special to the Little League. Some of the lucky players left the event with autographed baseballs and cards. I look forward to attending Bloomington Little League games this season and am looking forward to the rest of baseball season!” -Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Four distinguished young men will be presented to society on Saturday, April 2, 2021, at the beautiful campus of California State University, in the new Santos Manuel Student Union North building. This year marks the 54th Beautillion Ball featuring the theme, “Young Men Striving for Excellence”.

The Beautillion Program was started in the Inland Empire out of concern for the future and survival of the young black men in the community in which they live and serve. High school seniors who participate in the program are known as Knights. This program is designed to help young men who are seniors in high school prepare for college through the solicitation of ads, leadership development, accountability, responsibility, etiquette, attire for all occasions, spiritual growth, public speaking, and community service.  At the conclusion of the program one young man will be recognized “Sir Knight”.

Other awards are given for academics and other achievements. This year our Knights are eager to earn this prestigious title as well as join the myriad of doctors, lawyers and business professionals that have embarked upon this ritual in the past. To date, we have given out approximately 2.5 million dollars in scholarships to our college bound young men.

Attendance requires formal attire, a Covid-19 Daily Health Screening and Face Covering – the link to the Health Screen is available in article on the WSS News website. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $50.00 per person. Doors open at 6 p.m. A parking fee is required.

For more information, please call chairperson, Sheri Lewis at (909) 320-0799 or co-chairperson, Elsie Paulino (951) 205-8823 or publicity chairperson, Marlene Davis at (909) 709-5502