Local

RIALTO, CA—-     On the evening of October 12, 2021, Mayor Deborah Robertson, City of Rialto made a presentation during the City of Rialto public meeting a proclamation to Eta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in celebration of their 60th anniversary. Mayor Robertson along with the City Council declared October 28, 2021 “Eta Nu Omega Chapter Day!”

Members of Eta Nu Omega Chapter Birthday Committee where present to receive the proclamation, including co-chairs Erika Bennett and Linda Gaines-Brooks. Ruth Rembert, vice president accepted the proclamation on behalf of the chapter along with a beautiful birthday cake for the chapter and a gift to give to Rialto resident, Gwendolyn Heard Nelson who was among members responsible for the chartering of Eta Nu Omega chapter in the City of Rialto.

YUCAIPA., CA— After more than a year and a half of being closed to the public, the doors are open again at Crafton Hills College’s (CHC) Learning Resource Center (LRC) Art Gallery, with a new exhibit celebrating the talent of the College’s faculty.

Six faculty members – including Art Department Chair Renée Azenaro and staffer Michael Bedoya – each selected works representing different mediums and interpretations to display inside the space now through Oct. 19.

The show, which opened Sept. 31, celebrates the important connection art has on CHC and the surrounding communities, Azenaro said.

“Honestly, art itself is the ‘connective tissue’ for all of humanity and society,” she said. “It’s about bringing the community together. It’s the nexus and the connection to get new ideas.”

The show also signals a bit of normalcy to the Art Department and the Roadrunner campus following the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the department took things online with a virtual faculty art show but being back in the gallery space allows for guests to take their time to absorb each piece and reflect on what they see.

“Art is so important because it fulfills parts of our life,” said Azenaro. “We are happy to be back in the space and put up physical work.”

There was not a limit imposed on how many pieces each artist could submit, nor a timeline. For example, Bedoya has three works on display, including a piece he created in the 1990s.

The painting, he explained, was originally sold to relatives, but when his uncle died, Bedoya noticed the painting was no longer on display at his uncle’s home.

“Three of my pieces are on the back wall (of the gallery), and the one furthest to the left is the one my aunt was on the verge of throwing away, which I think is funny,” Bedoya continued with a chuckle. “Exhibitions aren’t about new work necessarily, but ‘your work.’”

The Art Faculty Exhibition is open to the entire Roadrunner community and the public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Admission is free. Chairs and seating areas will be set up inside the space to allow for visitors to “look in front of works just like at a museum and enjoy the art,” Azenaro said.

To learn more about the show or for directions to the gallery, visit www.craftonhills.edu/art-gallery.

IF YOU GO

What: Crafton Hills College Faculty Exhibition

Where: LRC Art Gallery

When: 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, now through Oct. 19

Info: www.craftonhills.edu/art-gallery

APRA HARBOR, GUAM (Oct. 02, 2021) Engineman 1st Class Anthony Munz, from San Bernardino, Calif., secures damage control equipment aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6). Jackson, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment, is operating in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Langholf/released)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino County 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. is proud to announce the approval of the contract with Social Work Action Group (SWAG) as of the Board of Supervisors meeting on October 5, 2021. SWAG will spearhead the “homeless services plan” in collaboration with the 5th district and Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

“It is vital that we work with providers like SWAG to engage with chronically homeless individuals, especially “Super-Utilizers” of emergency medical services to help them create a life off the streets. We must also work to link medical, predominately substance abuse, services to our identified population of people without stable shelter.” – San Bernardino County 5th District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

SWAG was originally found in 2017, composed of individuals with diverse educations and experience in a variety of social services. They specialize in program design and implementation of direct services to people experiencing homelessness. Unlike many short-term solutions to homelessness, SWAG’s vision involves a systematic approach that ignores the focus on services themselves in favor of positive long-term outcomes with measurable success.

Call the San Bernardino County 5th district office at (909)-387-4565 for more information.

VICTORVILLE, CA—-The City of Victorville is seeking veterans to honor during its 25th Annual Veterans Day Celebration. The event will begin at 8:45 a.m. with a Freedom Mile Run. The parade will follow at 9 a.m., running from 7th Street and Tracy to Forrest Avenue.

The ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m., featuring marching bands, entertainers, military units and guest speakers.  The online form to honor our local veterans is due Oct. 22 at https://www.victorvilleca.gov/government/city-departments/community-services/recreation/special-events/veterans-day-parade.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Last week, the First District staff had the pleasure of touring Victor Valley College’s state-of-the-art Public Safety Training Center in Apple Valley.

Led by Program Director Dave Oleson and Dean Dr. McKenzie Tarango, the 9-acre campus is described as a “village under a roof,” offering hands-on disaster training for its Criminal Justice, Fire Technology and Emergency Medical Services students.

In addition to having a cutting-edge indoor tactical shooting range with a 3-D projection scenario program, the campus boasts a four-acre prop yard with a myriad of live simulation training opportunities.

Underground tunnels, a collapsed “freeway bridge,” a five-story fire tower with burn rooms, and a derailed train car are among the props available to students. The unique setup allows students from each program to collaborate on training exercises, just like first responders do every day.

High Desert high school teachers are invited to bring their students to the center’s upcoming Multi-Discipline Day on November 18. Students will learn more about the fire, criminal justice and EMS academies and get hands-only CPR training. For more information, call Sgt. Rand Padgett at (559) 908-1498.

Are you a community member interested in learning more about a career in public safety? There is a huge demand for public safety professionals in our region, and most of VVC’s graduates are offered jobs prior to graduation!

Click the link below for more information about their program!

https://www.vvc.edu/fire-technology-program

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Last week, the First District Youth Advisory Council met. They are a group of 10 bright and enthusiastic students who will meet monthly to identify and discuss issues impacting young people in our county, while serving as a direct link between First District teens and our office.

The students were chosen from Sultana, Apple Valley, Granite Hills, and University Prep high schools. Youth Council members will participate in a volunteer/community service project while learning about local government and civic engagement.

Congratulations to all of the students who were chosen to serve on the panel!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) students in the Class of 2021 spent their entire senior year in distance learning, having to overcome difficulties such as distractions at home, slow internet, and a host of other issues. But despite all of that, the SBCUSD Class of 2021 walked away with $11,031,077 in scholarships and grants, and many of them have already started college.

A total of 209 Cajon High School seniors earned $3,713,914 in scholarships and grants, which includes $1.5 million in military scholarships and enlistment bonuses. Arroyo Valley High School seniors also showed their academic chops with 385 graduates, or 73 percent of their graduating class, earning $3,266,600 in scholarships, including a four-year military scholarship.

“San Bernardino City Unified graduates have a distinct advantage over many other area graduates when it comes to earning scholarships,” said Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer Ginger Ontiveros. “In addition to competing against seniors of area private and charter schools for the many scholarships available to graduates across the state and nation, SBCUSD graduates are eligible for hundreds of scholarships just for seniors in our District.”

At San Bernardino High School, 100 graduates earned $1,359,680 in scholarships and grants, and 136 of San Gorgonio High School’s graduates earned a cumulative $1,159,817 in scholarships and grants, including $513,996 in military scholarships and signing bonuses. A full 100% of Middle College High School’s 68 graduates shared in $970,000 in scholarships and grants.

Rounding out the scholarship and grant numbers are $386,480 earned by 112 Pacific High School graduates, $112,150 earned by 59 San Andreas High School graduates, $33,300 earned by 82 Indian Springs High School graduates, $18,986 earned by 17 Sierra High School graduates, and $10,150 earned by 10 Inland Career Education Center graduates.

The District has a long-standing partnership with the non-profit San Bernardino Community Scholarship Association, which coordinates local donors who have created scholarships just for SBCUSD graduates. Each scholarship has its own criteria. Some are for graduates of specific high schools, some are for students pursuing a career in education or medicine, while others reward students for their community service efforts during high school.

“What all of the Association scholarships have in common,” said Association President Blythe Anderson, “is that you must be graduating from San Gorgonio, San Bernardino High, Pacific, or one of the District’s other amazing high schools to apply.”

The Making Hope Happen Foundation, a non-profit supporting the District’s educational mission, awards $3,000 mentor-supported college scholarships to approximately 100 SBCUSD graduates each year. What makes these scholarships unique is that in addition to money, scholarship recipients are paired with a mentor, who is an upperclassman in college and also an SBCUSD alum, to help guide them through the college experience, helping them register for classes and navigate this new phase of their lives.

To enroll your child in the San Bernardino City Unified School District so they are eligible for  these scholarships, visit the website or your local SBCUSD school. To donate to the Making Hope Happen Foundation, visit https://makinghope.org/. To create your own scholarship or donate to one of the many existing Association-managed scholarships, contact Susan Zavala, Communications/Community Relations Department secretary, at susan.zavala@sbcusd.k12.ca.us.

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sep. 27, 2021) Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Marcus Lopez, from Ontario, Calif., stands ready during a Twin Boom Extensible Crane training evolution in the mission bay aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment, is operating in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan M. Breeden/released)

MORENO VALLEY, CA—- Shango Cannabis will sell its signature line of pink merchandise, including Shango T-shirts and other swag throughout National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Proceeds will benefit The Pink Ribbon Place.

The Riverside Community Health Foundation, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, established The Pink Ribbon Place in 2009. The program provides Inland Empire families impacted by cancer with bras, hats, scarves, breast prostheses and wigs, as well as support services, education and other resources, all at no cost.

“Shango is honored to serve these brave cancer survivors,” Shango Controller Julie Dubocq said. “Providing resources that can help them succeed on their journey to recovery has become an essential part of our charitable giving.”

The Pink Ribbon Place also offers counseling sessions for those diagnosed with cancer, their immediate family members and their primary caregivers to build skills and confidence they need to cope with the emotional hardships on this difficult journey.

“The Pink Ribbon Place team is so grateful for businesses like Shango, whose teams truly understand the value of giving back to charities who offer direct services,” said Terri Akens, director of Community Health Programs. “These efforts directly impact our ability to continue offering quality services at no cost to individuals and families impacted by cancer throughout the Inland Empire.”

Shango will donate 100 percent of pink merchandise profits at its Moreno Valley dispensary to help pay for items patients need immediately after surgery, such as wigs, bras and prostheses.

“Funding programs like The Pink Ribbon Place is an integral part of our overall commitment to the Inland community,” Shango Founder and CEO Brandon Rexroad said. “This is the one of the most effective ways we can help breast cancer survivors.”

Shango is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is located at 11875 Pigeon Pass Road, STE C-1, in Moreno Valley, CA 92557. Call 1-866-4SHANGO for more information.

Other programs offered by The Pink Ribbon Place include:

• Aquamotion Water Aerobics: A pool aerobics class, which includes steady state aerobics, circuit training and high-intensity intervals that strengthen the cardiovascular system.
• Iyengar Yoga: A form of yoga that incorporates all the components of physical fitness with a focus on structural alignment of the body, as well as mental relaxation. The class, taught by volunteer, certified yoga instructors, is tailored to those undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment and in remission.
• Support Groups: A place for cancer survivors, newly diagnosed and years into survival, to connect with others, to share experiences and resources.
• Pink Ribbon Thrift: A boutique style thrift shop inside Pink Ribbon Place where the community comes together to support local families impacted by cancer.

The Pink Ribbon Place is located at 4275 Lemon Street., Riverside, CA 92501. Phone (951) 823-0261 or email pink@rchf.org

About Shango

Shango is a well-established vertically integrated cannabis brand offering a full range of award-winning products, including flower, extracts, concentrates and cannabis-infused edibles. The company has operations in Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, California, Michigan and Missouri.

The Shango brand has full-service recreational and medical cannabis dispensaries in Las Vegas, Nevada; Portland, Oregon; Moreno Valley, California; Lapeer, Bay City and Hazel Park, Michigan, as well as medical dispensaries in Joplin and Springfield, Missouri. Shango is building two extraction facilities, a commercial kitchen and an indoor cultivation facility in Michigan, as well as a cannabis manufacturing facility in Missouri. Shango also operates a state-of-the-art cannabis distribution operation in Southern California. Shango Las Vegas, a fully integrated state of the art, cultivation, manufacturing and dispensary facility, is the crown jewel of the Shango brand.

A recognized leader in the cannabis industry, Shango sets the standards for product quality, consistency and business conduct. Global Health & Pharma named Shango the Best Multi-State Medical Cannabis Dispensary in the U.S. in its 2020 Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Awards. Macias Gini & O’Connell named Shango to its 2021 Cannabis 50 list, recognizing companies that are reshaping and inspiring the continued growth of the cannabis and hemp industries. Shango is committed to cannabis education and is a fierce advocate of the safe and responsible use of cannabis products. For more information, visit www.goshango.com.