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SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Less than seven months after the County’s Community Revitalization effort got underway, solid progress is being made on several fronts toward addressing homelessness and creating additional affordable housing opportunities throughout the county.

“Making an impact on homelessness and ensuring the county has an adequate supply of affordable housing options is key to not only assisting those who need a helping hand but to growing our local economy and improving the quality life for all county residents,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “That’s why my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors and I are committed to investing in, and ensuring the success of, the County’s Community Revitalization effort.”

In June, working at the direction of the Board of Supervisors, County Chief Executive Officer Leonard X. Hernandez assigned an executive-level position to focus full-time on strategic and continuous efforts addressing homelessness in communities across the county. The move was intended to place a concerted focus on the Homeless Strategic Plan and align the homeless population’s health and housing needs to the services provided by the county and its partners.

The effort includes the County Community Development and Housing Department and the County Office of Homeless Services in partnership with several other County departments and offices that have a role in addressing homelessness. The emphasis is on moving quickly and taking advantage of key services while implementing new solutions.

“The team is hard at work developing a strategic plan for homelessness that identifies key metrics and outcomes,” said Deputy Executive Officer Supriya Barrows, who is leading the Community Revitalization effort following the retirement of Assistant Executive Officer CaSonya Thomas after more than 30 years of county service in numerous health and human services roles.

Barrows formerly spearheaded and currently chairs the San Bernardino County Community Vital Signs Initiative Implementation Committee. The Community Vital Signs Initiative operationalizes the Wellness Element of the Countywide Vision.

“In partnership with several community organizations and county departments – including the Sheriff, Behavioral Health, Aging and Adult Services, Public Health, and Probation – we intend to build on the successes achieved by the pandemic-inspired Project Roomkey and Project Homekey and make serious progress toward addressing homelessness throughout San Bernardino County,” Barrows said.

Carmen Marie Jackson departed from this world on January 31, 2022, in Fontana, California.

Carmen was born in 1959 to parents Rosemarie and William Thomas. She spent her early childhood in Newton, Kansas. After her parent’s divorce and the marriage of her mother to AME minister Charles Foster, the family moved to California. After graduating from high school in San Bernardino, Carmen attended DeVry University in Phoenix, AZ. There she met and married Robert Jackson. The couple moved back to California and produced her only child, Robert Jr.

Carmen had a distinguished career in the computer and logistics industries.  She managed and mentored diverse employees at top companies in the Silicon Valley. Later in life, she moved back to San Bernardino to focus on her health, the AME church, and mentoring small businesses. Carmen loved family, friends, softball, playing cards, politics, games of “chance”, and just having a good time!

She is survived by her beloved son, Robert Jr. and his wife Eboni; husband Robert; sisters Cynthia and Gina; nieces Aminah and Alexa; and grand-nephew Makhi.  She is loved by many and is preceded in death by her loving mother Rosemarie and father William.

There will be a service to celebrate her life on Saturday, February 19, at 2 p.m. in Atlanta, GA, at H.M. Patterson, 4550 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30319.  To honor her, flowers can be sent to the aforementioned address.  The service will also be available remotely. For additional details, contact Robert Jackson at (678) 216-5698 or robertjacksonl.jr@gmail.com.

By Petty Officer 1st Class Patricia Rodriguez, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Seaman Kayla Montes, a native of Upland, California, serves the U.S. Navy aboard one of the world’s largest warships, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

Bush was commissioned in 2009 and is completing a pre-deployment work up cycle.

“Our Sailors’ hard work to return George Herbert Walker Bush to the operational fleet in 2021 was exemplary,” said Capt. Robert Aguilar, GHWB commanding officer. “They represent the best principles of service to the mission and the nation that our namesake, President George H.W. Bush, embodied.”

Montes joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Montes serves as a hospitalman.

“I have family that served in the Navy,” said Montes. “They always talked about how amazing it was and how it changed their lives. When I joined, I wanted a job that I knew would help others and hospital corpsman was a great match for me.”

Growing up in Upland, Montes attended Upland High School and graduated in 2018. Today, Montes relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Upland to succeed in the military.

“I learned respect, responsibility, how to help others and how to be part of a community from when I used to coach softball in my hometown,” said Montes.

These lessons have helped Montes while serving in the Navy.

Montes’s service aboard Bush follows the example of the ship’s namesake, the nation’s 41st President, George H.W. Bush. Bush is the only U.S. president to serve as a U.S. Navy aviator. During World War II he flew the TBF Avenger in Torpedo Squadron (VT) 51 and was stationed aboard USS San Jacinto (CVL 30). He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a daring bombing run over the island of Chichi Jima.

The ship bearing Bush’s name is preparing for deployment amid ongoing strategic competition between the U.S. and its adversaries. In doing so, the ship and its Sailors continue the legacy of service to the nation that U.S. Navy aircraft carriers have provided for 100 years.

Since USS Langley’s (CV 1) commissioning 100 years ago this March 20th, aircraft carriers and their ability to project American power around the globe have been a consistent tool in maintaining and improving U.S. national security interest and the prosperity of the American people.

Sailors aboard USS George H.W. Bush, like Montes, continue to burnish the legacy of the aircraft carrier fleet and naval aviation by providing the national command authority a flexible, tailorable warfighting capability as the flagship of a carrier strike group that maintains maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

Serving in the Navy means Montes is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy protects the sea,” said Montes. “We do humanitarian missions to help provide aid and relief to the world. It’s a very diverse branch that has many capabilities.”

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

Montes and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“In Hospital Corpsman Basic, I received the highest grade in my class,” said Montes. “I am really proud of that, I studied every night to get that award. Hopefully that leads to me getting meritoriously promoted to a petty officer third class.”

As Montes and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving means a lot to me,” added Montes. “I’m very proud that I’m able to do this and that I had the opportunity to serve. I feel accomplished. I have a sense of direction. I’m doing good. Even if I’m away for a long time, I know it’s for a good reason. I’m doing it to help others.”For recent information about USS George H.W. Bush and its sailors, head to the command’s Facebook www.facebook.com/ussgeorgehwbush and Instagram www.instagram.com/ghwbcvn77 pages. You can also visit its official webpage at www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn77

REDLANDS, CA—For the Love Me will be hosting a social event for Black women on Sunday, February 27, 2022, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Venue 38 located at 840 Tri City Drive in Redlands, California.

The cultural event is designed to promote self-care, self-love, and self-awareness among Black women. The organization is committed to holding an Exclusive Luxury Event where all vendors and partnerships are owned and operated by Black Women.

This year the discussion will focus on creating practical sleep routines to support mental health. There will be five informational vendors to provide education about their products, services, and classes.

Songbird, Annyette Royale will grace the stage throughout the event. Each participant will receive complimentary signature beverages and appetizers, as well as a Self-Love Set. The set contains a petite sage bundle, rose quartz, ceramic scented beads, eucalyptus shower bundles, body butter, and scrub.

Tickets are $45 and are limited to the first 75 women, so get yours TODAY! Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-for-the-love-of-me-tickets-259062150867.

In the latest NTA BLOG, National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins explains how qualified former foster youth and qualified homeless youth may now be eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The changes are a provision of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are only in effect for tax year 2001. The National Foster Youth Institute notes that many children who were in foster care instantly become homeless when they turn 18 and “age out” of the foster care system.

“When foster youth ‘age out’ of the system, they are legally emancipated and are no longer eligible to receive state assistance with housing, food, and medical care under the foster care system,” says Collins.

The NTA has recommended in her 2022 Purple Book of legislative recommendation that Congress permanently expand the age eligibility for EITC to qualified former foster youth or qualified homeless youth that are 18 years old.

Additionally, the NTA warns about potential issues qualified youth may face when claiming the credit, such as a former foster parent claiming the EITC or other tax benefits and cautions about filing paper returns.

Read the full NTA Blog for more important details.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service invites you to share this vital tax information with your audience.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino City Council approved the second 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 February 2, was awarded to All American Asphalt in the amount of $4.7 million. It will encompass segments of nine 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 later this month and should be completed by June 2022.

“Improving the conditions of our streets has been one of the top priorities of our residents,” said City Manager Robert Field. “Our Mayor and City Council have responded with a program encompassing 53 streets in a very short period of time.”

Streets that will be improved in this phase are:

• King Street: between K Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue (Ward 1)
• Highland Avenue: between 210/215 interchange and Lincoln (Ward 2)
• K Street: between Mill Street and Hillcrest Avenue (Ward 3)
• Pumalo Street: Arden Avenue to Sterling Avenue (Ward 4)
• Churchill Street: between Belmont Avenue and Olive Avenue (Ward 5)
• Baseline Street: between Medical Center and Mt. Vernon Avenue (Ward 6)
• 28th Street: between Golden Avenue to end Flood Control (Ward 7)
• Parkdale Avenue: between Mt. View Avenue to Sierra Way (Wards 4 & 7)
• Mill Street: between Allen Street to G Street (Wards 1 & 3)

Bids are currently being sought for phase three, which will encompass fourteen additional streets, with a subsequent bid solicitation for twenty-three streets to follow shortly after. In December, a contract was awarded to Onyx Paving Company for work on seven streets across town. Work on that phase began in January and should be completed June 2022.

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

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.

Visual Interpretations of African American Homesteaders in the Mojave Desert

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino County Museum is pleased to present a new exhibit, Contradictions – Bringing the Past Forward by artist Barbara Gothard, from Feb. 8 through Apr. 10, 2022. The exhibit is a research- based multimedia Arts and Humanities project consisting of mixed media installation works and interprets the plight of early 20th century African American homesteaders in the Mojave Desert. The series focuses on the Homesteaders’ stories and the contradictions of Gothard’s own desert-lived experience.

While searching for information on a different topic, Gothard discovered a Daily Bulletin article by journalist Joe Blackstock, by chance also a county museum volunteer, about African American Homesteaders which included an ad from the 1910 Los Angeles Herald. In response to this 1910 newspaper ad specifically recruiting “colored” homesteaders, 23 families became western settlers in far eastern San Bernardino County. This article became the impetus for Gothard’s project, Contradictions – Bringing the Past Forward.

During her artist residency at BoxoPROJECTS in November, Gothard continued to develop her innovative concept of creating twenty-three digital paintings on her iPad and printing them on raw linen canvas. Each artwork interprets a story of one of these African American homesteaders and is the basis for her programs for the community, contrasting their plight in the context of her own lived experience as an African American female artist living in the desert. The project works through a framework of change and continuity, diversity, cause and effect, interconnectedness, community, identity, and belonging in the context of social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental factors prevalent in the early 20th century in the United States. Contradictions – Bringing the Past Forward project explores themes of hope, disillusionment, and strong family bonds based on archival research and interviews.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department has partnered with Alinea Medical Imaging to offer free mammogram screenings to eligible residents on February 12 and 25. The screenings will be available for women 40 years or older, have low household income, or no insurance.

Alinea Medical Imaging’s mobile unit will be at Lytle Creek Park, located at 380 South K Street, on Saturday, February 12, and at the Fifth Street Senior Center, located at 780 East 21st Street on Friday, February 25. Both screening events will occur from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Appointments are encouraged by calling (877) 4AN-EXAM or by going to www.alineamed.com.

“Free mammograms are another example of San Bernardino collaborating with partners to provide important health screening opportunities for our residents,” said Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director Lydie Gutfeld. “We are excited to work with Alinea Medical and will continue to look for additional health screening collaborations in the future.”

Having a mammogram reduces the risk of cancer and more. Women should begin having mammograms yearly at age 40, or earlier if they are at high risk. The procedure is safe, fast, and the discomfort is minimal for most women.

The City of San Bernardino is home to thirty-three parks that span approximately five hundred acres of open space and developed land. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department oversees year-round activities and programs for youth, adults, and seniors at these parks as well at San Bernardino’s eight community centers and senior centers.

FONTANA, CA—- On Saturday, February 26, 2022, the City of Fontana and the Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana will be hosting the 54^th Annual San Bernardino County Black History Parade and Expo. The parade line up will be on Summit Avenue and Citrus to Sierra Lakes Parkway starting at 8:30 a.m. This year’s theme is, “STEM”. For more information, please visit www.blackawarenessparade.webs.com.

By John Coleman

It’s Black History Month.

From our earliest days on this continent, Black people, enslaved or ‘free’, have valued learning, education, knowledge and skill. They have had to overcome barriers in this country which measures everything. There was need for ways to assess ‘success’ for academic institutions and their ‘products’.

The February 2, 2022, UCRiverside Magazine reported that “Third Wave”, a non-profit educational think tank, created a new measure of educational excellence which ranks UCR 18th in the nation. Their instrument, The”Economic Mobility Index” (EMI) examines which schools enroll the highest proportion of students from low and moderate income backgrounds, providing (the schools) the strongest returns for their investments.

Third wave also applied their “Price to Earning Premium” (PEP) metric which measures how long it takes (those) students to recoup their education costs.

There are several well-established publications which offer US college and university ranking systems. The U.S. News & World Report., U.S. News for the third consecutive year has named UCR as the country’s ‘number one’ university for social mobility.

The Washington Monthly magazine named UCR ‘number one’ in the nation for Pell Grant performance.

UCR granted the second-most Pell Grants in the country to its students. The Princeton Review named UCR as among the top 25 public universities in America.

CONGRATULATIONS, UC Riverside! CONGRATULATIONS, UCR Third World Students and Others

It’s Black History Month. Pass the Word!