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CHINO, CA— Family members and advocates will gather at a “Car Caravan Protest” on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm at the California Institution for Men (CIM), then drive to nearby California Institution for Women (CIW), to highlight ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks at both prisons and to call for the compassionate release of incarcerated people in response to the deadly epidemic.

WHO: Families and supporters of incarcerated people, F.U.E.L. (Families United to End LWOP), Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition, Families Against Solitary Confinement, California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP).

WHAT: COVID-19 Car Caravan Protest against prison failures to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks and deaths. This event will respect social distancing measures, with participants either staying in their cars or keeping six feet away from each other with masks on at all times.

WHERE: Outside of CIM Prison in Chino, CA (14901 Central Avenue, Chino, CA 91710)

WHEN: Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 12 noon PST

Over the past week, CDCR has reported an explosion of cases at both overcrowded prisons: 398 new infections and five preventable COVID-19 deaths at CIM (112% population capacity) and a developing crisis at nearby CIW (110% capacity), where more than 60 people have been informed of their positive statuses and hundreds more await their results.

Advocates and family members who organized the car caravan are calling for the expedited release of incarcerated people vulnerable to COVID-19, beginning with those age 50 or older and people with underlying medical issues, regardless of conviction type; testing for all incarcerated people that want one, as well as mandatory, daily testing for all staff entering the facilities; better protective equipment for all people in the facilities; better sanitation practices, through means other than compelling people in prison to work grueling cleaning shifts; and enforced but non-punitive social distancing protocols for all incarcerated people and staff.

A source at CIM who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation said, “In early May, when we asked why guards were not wearing masks, the captain responded by saying it was not mandatory. As of now, it is mandatory and still some guards are not wearing them.”

CIM has been the most severely affected by COVID-19 of all the prisons in the state, with an outbreak raging inside since early April. 

Since mid-March, community organizers have warned federal, state and local officials that if they failed to urgently act to reduce prison populations, an outbreak of the coronavirus in both CIM and CIW would be inevitable. Now, people in both prisons –– especially the aging and medically vulnerable –– face the possibility of severe illness and death as a direct result of the inaction by Governor Newsom and CDCR. 

REDLANDS, CA—- As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, the City of Redlands Senior Services Division has teamed with the Redlands Community Foundation to establish a “Meals for Seniors Fund.”

To date more than $3,000 has been raised, which has provided 500 meals to Redlands low-income seniors who are at high risk and are unable to leave their homes.

Additional financial support is still needed to continue to provide support for the senior meals program.  Donations collected are used to provide a Meals on Wheels service with Senior Services Division employees and volunteers delivering lunch and providing a daily welfare check-in Monday through Friday.

Every $30 donation provides meals for one senior citizen for a week. A separate supplemental package including food and sanitation supplies is also available for pickup at the senior center.

Donations to the Meals for Seniors fund may be made on line at: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/meals-for-seniors1/redlandscommunityfou.

Donations may also be made payable to the Redlands Community Foundation and mailed to:   PO Box 8908, Redlands, CA 92375.

Contact your tax professional to determine if your donation is tax deductible.

RIVERSIDE, CA—- COVID19 has taken a toll on our World in several different ways; from economics to families not able to say their final and proper good-byes to loved ones lost during this time due to the limit of how many people can attend funeral services. Speaking of funeral services, how prepared are you for when that times comes? Will your family be able to bury with a peace of mind knowing that everything for a suitable memorial is covered?

Some will say, “Yes, of course!”, many will say no, and some will say that they have life insurance, so doesn’t that cover funeral expenses? While Life insurance is great, it is different from pre-need insurance. Life insurance is for the living, while pre-need is for those who have passed. Life insurance seeks to give a degree of coverage and peace of mind for survivors of the insured; it is perpetual meaning that as long as you are alive you pay life insurance.

FEP Consultants helps clients to understand the difference between the two. Once clients know how life insurance and pre-need differs, FEP Consultants guides them in setting and locking in their desires on how they would like their life to be celebrated. For example, pre-need identifies cremation and burial. All that determines the casket, flowers, hearse, mortuary, embalming and more. The purpose of pre-need is to create peace knowing that all of your wishes are accounted for.

“I sleep much better knowing that Porsha will be available to present my heirs with my final wishes for less than what I used to spend daily on Starbucks,” Veronica Lawrence, FEP client, explains. “No car wash or selling dinners for loved ones. They can mourn and celebrate my life without having to experience additional or unnecessary financial or emotional stress or hardship. Best decision I made.”

FEP Consultants is the premier pre-need provider for memorial and burial services. They help families to keep their dignity. One of the most loving gifts you can give your loved ones is making arrangements in advanced. There is no need for car washes, selling dinner plates, creating GoFund Me accounts or just flat out begging. FEP Consultants can meet anyone’s budget; with them “no detail is too small”.

“What encouraged me to get a policy was seeing people holding signs asking for donations to bury a family member that had passed away,” Darryl Gross, FEP client, stated. “I couldn’t allow my family to go through such heartache and stress.”

Pre-need is completely transferrable, it goes whenever you go. Pre-need protects you from the negative effects of inflation by locking in the price of your service. It is customizable, allowing you to make changes according to the individual. Most importantly, you pay pre-need off; life insurance you can’t pay off.

For more information about Pre-need services and how you can set yours up, please contact Porsha Harris at (951) 269-3556 or visit www.fepconsultants.org.

Edited By Naomi K. Bonman via CAIR-Greater Los Angeles

On Monday, May 18, 2020, the community lost one of its pivotal leaders, Dr. E. Abdulmu’min. He was also a was a pillar of the American Muslim community in the Inland Empire.

“My father Dr. Abdulmumin was something to everyone. He was a pillar to his community, always giving to others, a mentor and a father figure to many,” Rabyya Abdulmumin, daughter of the late Dr. Abdulmumin stated. “He always had a smile on his face, he laughed and made others laugh. He more than anything loved Ramadan. For as far my memory goes back my dad spent every Ramadan feeding others. He spent every Ramadan night at the front row praying taraweh prayer. May Allah reward him for his good deeds and give him the highest level of Jannah.”

In 2000, Dr. Abdulmumin established the DuBois Institute which specialized in nurturing and empowering youth and families, especially within the underserved African American community in Riverside’s Eastside community.

Dr. Abdulmumin was a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and professor with more than 35 years of university teaching experience and working with youth and adults in the community, educational, mental health and juvenile/criminal justice settings.

He was a compassionate, respected, and loved servant leader within the African American, Muslim, and larger communities.

“Imam/Dr. E.M. Abdulmumin is the man that found me Wayward and full of Rage and introduced me to Islam. When I wasn’t even allowed to attend school along with general population, he encouraged me to attend college where I would later earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Laverne in behavior science,” Keasuc Hill explained. “He saw in me a leader of people when I had forgotten that I was even a person. He flipped the prison industrial complex by doing the undoable; he transformed a population of juvenile delinquents into grown men. He was my Mentor.”

We are saddened by his loss. We pray Allah has mercy on him for he has returned to his Lord during the blessed month of Ramadan. We also pray that Allah makes these difficult times easy on his family and we offer our sincere condolences to them and to the many people who loved Dr. Abdulmumin.

Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.

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By Brian Robin via The San Bernardino Sun

SAN BERNARDINO – DeJuan Moon came back for seconds, heaping his foam clamshell container with chicken thighs, beef ribs, macaroni and cheese and baked beans. It would disappear into Moon’s 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame as quick as it appeared.

And as soon as any of the items disappeared off the foil containers, more reappeared. Because no containers and no trays were allowed to stay empty for long. And no San Bernardino Valley College football players were allowed to leave hungry.

“Take more. We’ve got plenty,” boomed a familiar voice from behind a large barbecue trailer.

The voice, along with the barbecue trailer attached to a pickup, belonged to rapper Warren Griffin III — better known as Warren G — who spent his Saturday afternoon feeding SBVC football players the best meal most of them had since the coronavirus pandemic shut the world down.

For at least one day, one of the architects behind the hip-hop masterpiece “Regulate” was going to eliminate the hunger of college students – some of whom were marooned thousands of miles away from home.

Griffin heard about the situation from SBVC assistant coach Merle Cole Jr., the former Long Beach Poly mainstay and mentor to the likes of former Jackrabbits football standouts Leonard Russell, Hershel Dennis, Chris Lewis, DeSean Jackson and Darrell Rideaux, among hundreds of others. Griffin and Cole go back more than 30 years and talk every week.

When Cole told Griffin that coaches were buying their players groceries -– when they weren’t standing in food-bank lines -– Cole said the next words out of Griffin’s mouth were, “Hell, no. I’ve got to do something for these guys. Can you make it happen?”

Cole, along with SBVC head coach Daniel Algattis, made it happen. Algattis said Cole called him and texted him at 6:02 a.m. on a recent morning to explain his plan. Algattis said after calling SBVC athletic director Dave Rubio and explaining how this could happen “in a responsible way,” Rubio signed on. Within an hour, Algattis had the approval of SBVC president Diana Rodriguez.

“We have a food bank on campus that does a great job helping out our students in general, and thank goodness we have that,” Algattis said. “Warren said he has this barbecue rig and some food and let’s get some things together and help some families in the area. Let’s start with your team and your boys.”

Along with the barbecue trailer, Griffin came with 50 pounds of chicken, 40 pounds of beef flank and short ribs and mountains of beans and mac-and-cheese. He also came armed with a foodie’s nature instilled by his father, a former Navy cook who spent his off time creating dishes.

Enough of the spices rubbed off on Griffin, because he created his own barbecue business, Sniffin’ Griffin’s BBQ, that keeps him occupied when he’s not touring or in the studio. Cole said Griffin was so eager to help that he volunteered to drive his barbecue rig to individual homes.

“These kids are out here from out of state and they can’t get home because of the current situation with this pandemic. They can’t get to their families and eat good meals,” said Griffin, who lives in Lake Elsinore. “Coach Cole hit me up and we were talking about how the kids have to go to food banks and the like. I said ‘Let me come over here and feed them. I want to cook for them and feed them, fill their tummies up and let them know they have support here.’

“This is very important to me. I’ve been in positions where I couldn’t eat like I wanted to or do things like I wanted to because I didn’t have help. Just to be able to help people going through that same situation is very important to me. Just to show them you have support and it’s out of love.”

Freshman defensive back Tre Williams, who is from Apopka, Fla., felt the love with every bite.

“I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in so long,” he said. “I’ve been eating out, McDonald’s, Burger King, using my food-stamp card. This is a really nice meal.

While it was a difficult decision, Decently & In Order Ministry will not be able to host a 2020 Pastor’s Breakfast after receiving updates from the National Orange Show Events Center due to concerns with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. While we know this is disappointing, we hope you can understand the steps we’re taking to help keep our friends in ministry and attendees safe.

The new date for the 20th Annual Pastors Breakfast has been scheduled for May 8, 2021 at 8:00 a.m.at the National Orange Show Event Center.

Please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. The health and well-being of our friends in the ministry are of immense importance to us and our top priority is to protect your health and the public’s well-being. Thank you for understanding during these difficult and unprecedented times.

In His Righteousness,

Cyndie Smith-Barnes for 
Evangelist Jerry Musgrove

Decently & In Order Ministry

P.O. Box 672

Highland, CA 92346

CHINO, CA––On May 13th, CDCR released a statement identifying a new outbreak of Covid-19 at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino, California. Less than five miles away, at the California Institution for Men (CIM), the disease has swept through the population, with 398 confirmed cases and at least five deaths. 

While CDCR has yet to release the number of new cases in the women’s prison, advocates at the California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP) have heard from incarcerated individuals that more than 50 individuals have been made aware of their positive statuses, as hundreds more wait to hear their results. One incarcerated individual who tested positive stated: “Almost my entire unit just tested positive. Some of them are canteen workers, kitchen workers, and workers who have been sewing masks. People who interact with everybody. We are terrified. This entire prison needs to be tested.”

Since mid-March, advocates have been demanding action to prevent an outbreak at CIW. In letters to prison and state officials, CCWP exposed dangerous conditions at CIW, including a lack of access to protective and preventive supplies and a blatant disregard by prison staff of CDCR’s own policies. Further, the state refused to listen to advocates and public health experts who warned that the only way to prevent outbreaks in prison is to reduce population density by expediting releases, especially for those at highest risk of the deadly effects of Covid-19. 

While CDCR claims it instructed prisons to “conduct additional deep-cleaning efforts in high-traffic, high-volume areas” and to institute social distancing practices “wherever possible,”  incarcerated people indicate that CIW staff failed to implement such policies and that social distancing is impossible in prison. In California’s overcrowded prisons, all spaces are high-traffic areas, but people report that not even the showers at CIW are being regularly cleaned or disinfected. Similarly, while guards were instructed to wear masks and social distance, CCWP continues to receive reports of guards refusing to adhere to these policies.

The devastating, needless deaths at CIM present a dire warning for prison administration and the State of California. The state must expedite release for vulnerable populations. At the same time, elected officials must ensure that CDCR goes beyond advertising preventative measures and actually implements meaningful, life-saving policies, including widespread testing. 

REDLANDS, CA—-

PDATE: On Tuesday, May 12, Gov. Gavin Newsom updated the state’s guidelines, adding new categories of businesses that can begin reopening.

Businesses added to participate in Phase 2 reopening include:

• car washes
• pet grooming
• landscape gardening
• office-based business (telework remains strongly encouraged)
• childcare for those outside of the essential workforce
• outdoor museums, and open gallery spaces and other public spaces with modifications

On Friday, May 8, the governor had allowed curbside retail, and the manufacturing and logistics sectors to open throughout the state.

The City of Redlands has provided a webpage with guidance for businesses opening and operating under the Phase 2 categories. The page can be viewed at https://www.cityofredlands.org/business-opening-and-operating-guidance.

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May 8, 2020 – The City of Redlands is working to assist local businesses as the County of San Bernardino begins implementing Phase 2 reopening of business under the State guidelines announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors late Thursday, May 7, announced some businesses can start to re-open Friday.

The City of Redlands Economic Development Office is available to assist local businesses in navigating State and County requirements and ensuring that they meet public health guidelines for Phase 2 and, later, Phase 3, reopening. The City provides a listing of COVID-19 resources for small businesses on the City’s website at www.cityofredlands.org/pod/covid-19-financial-technical-assistance-business-resources. Additional employment resources for businesses and workers are available at www.cityofredlands.org/post/employment-resources-job-shop.

Businesses may contact City of Redlands Economic Development Manager Cruz Esparza at (909) 335-4755, ext. 1, or by email at cesparza@cityofredlands.org.

“During this crisis, City staff and elected officials have been working with State and County representatives to get to a point of reopening our local businesses in as safe a manner possible,” said Redlands Mayor Paul Foster. “As we move into Phase 2, our City staff are prepared to provide assistance to those businesses who are reopening as well as businesses still under lockdown orders.”

Phase 1 has been essential businesses, which were never required to be closed. Under the initial portion of Phase 2, “lower risk” workplaces, including but not limited to bookstores, jewelry stores, clothing and shoe stores, home and furnishing stores, sporting goods stores, antique stores, music stores, and florists can begin reopening while implementing public health guidelines. Reopening efforts should be phased in, starting first with curbside pickup until further notice.

Supply chains supporting the Phase 2 businesses can also open under this early stage, specifically in the manufacturing and logistics sectors. All businesses will need to modify operations to reduce contact, ensure proper distancing, and ensure proper PPE and sanitation equipment for all employees, preferably with outdoor breakrooms and physically distant seating. When businesses eventually open their doors to patrons, a workplace should restrict entry to 25 percent capacity and slowly advance from there as health indicators are evaluated.

“This is a key step in reopening our economy responsibly and safely,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “By beginning with mostly curbside operations for early Phase 2 businesses, we are giving business owners an opportunity to begin the process of ramping up their operations and ramping up our economy while ensuring the safety of their employees and patrons.”

In the second stage of Phase 2, workplaces in additional sectors will open. Timing for this will be evaluated and announced as early as next week, and could include:

• Destination retail, including shopping malls and swap meets
• Offices, with physical distancing (although telework is still being encouraged)
• Seated dining at restaurants, but with physical distancing
• Personal services (not requiring close proximity with patrons), such as car washes and pet grooming.
• Schools and childcare facilities
• Outdoor museums and open gallery spaces

Under State and County guidelines, the ability to continue opening workplaces in Phase 2, and eventually higher risk Phase 3 businesses, will rely on several criteria. First, businesses must demonstrate their adherence to safety and social distancing guidelines. Second, county residents should also continue to practice accepted safety guidelines, such as the use of face coverings, six-foot distancing, and frequent hand washing.

Third, and most importantly, is the county must continue to demonstrate a flattening curve. Combined COVID positive and suspected cases must continue to go down (COVID positive cases in San Bernardino County has been relatively flat for the past month). Hospitalizations and ICU utilization have been well below projections. The use of ventilators has remained stable, and County hospitals still have significant capacity to accommodate a surge.

High-risk individuals, and anyone who is sick, should continue to follow strict safe-at-home guidelines until further notice.

Additional information and updates are available on the County’s COVID-19 web page at http://sbcovid19.com/ or at the City of Redlands COVID-19 page at https://www.cityofredlands.org/coronavirus-covid-19.

City of Redlands press releases and other information are available on the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofredlands or on the City’s website at www.cityofredlands.org/.  

Riverside County health officials are encouraging young people to get tested for coronavirus because it is believed the group has been underrepresented in testing so far.

More than 71,000 people have been tested in Riverside County – at county- and state-run testing sites, clinics, hospitals and private facilities – and health officials say it is important that all segments of the population get tested to help determine the spread of coronavirus in the community. While adults have been well represented in testing, officials said they would like more of those 25 and younger to get screened.

According to census data, those 18 and under make up about 25 percent of Riverside County’s population, but that group has made up only 6.6 percent of the testing appointments at the county’s coronavirus testing sites.

“We would like to get a more complete picture of the illness as it has spread among young people,” said Kim Saruwatari, director of public health for Riverside County. “This will helps us better understand who in the community has the disease and how it might be moving among children and families.”

The county currently operates four drive up testing sites – Indio, Perris, Riverside and Lake Elsinore – and those who want to be screened do not have to have symptoms, although they do need an appointment. Parent permission is required for testing of minors. For an appointment, call 800-945-6171.

Appointments are also required at the eight state-operated walk-up testing sites spread throughout the county. To make an appointment at the state sites go online, click https://lhi.care/covidtesting, or for those without internet access call 888-634-1123.

“Testing is for everyone, regardless of immigration status or insurance, and it is free,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “Testing has been expanded to be available for those with and without symptoms, and we encourage our young people to get themselves tested at one of our many testing sites.”

There is no cost to the person being tested at either the county or state operated facilities.

YUCAIPA, CA—- – Crafton Hills College will virtually celebrate the institutions 48th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 6 p.m.

“We are proud of our graduates and hope they will join us to celebrate their accomplishments at this virtual event,” said Crafton Hills College President, Dr. Kevin Horan. “We also invite the Class of 2020 to celebrate in person during Commencement in May 2021.”

The 2020 Commencement Ceremony will recognize the 794 graduates who earned 1,281 degrees and certificates. During the reading of the names, there will be an accompanying slide with each graduate’s information and photo. Students who want to participate are asked to submit their information by May 13th.

The event will include all traditional elements of the ceremony. The ceremony order will follow as:

• Salute to the Flag – Tyrone Ross, CHC Student Senate President (Class of 2020)
• National Anthem- Performed by Vanessa Terry (Class of 2020)
• Welcome – Dr. Kevin Horan, President, Crafton Hills College
• Introductions- Jose Torres, Interim Chancellor San Bernardino Community College District
• Student Commencement Speaker- Karina Lewis (Class of 2020)
• Commencement Keynote Address- Dr. Judith Valles
• Presentation of Graduating Class- Dr. Keith Wurtz, Vice President, Instruction, Crafton Hills College
• Awarding of Degrees- Dr. Anne Viricel, Chair Board of Trustees, San Bernardino Community College District
• A Thought for the Future- Julie McKee, President Academic Senate, Crafton Hills College.

Crafton Hills graduate, Vanessa Terry, will sing the National Anthem. Terry is a part of the CHC class of 2020 and is a theater art major. Terry will be graduating with two theater arts degrees one with a concentration in performance, the other in technical theater and a fine arts degree. She served as president for the Theater Arts Association Club on campus this semester, and earlier this year performed for the Black History Month Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

The 2020 Crafton Hills student speaker will be graduate, Karina Lewis. Lewis is a communication studies AA-T major. She is transferring to CSUSB and will be dual majoring in English and communication studies. Lewis works at the Crafton Hills Tutoring Center, tutoring in English and communications studies. She is also a member of the Crafton Hills Honors Institute and the vice-president of the Communications club. Lewis is graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 G.P.A.

This years’ Keynote Address will be given by Dr. Judith Valles. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Judith Lopez Valles graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1951 and attended San Bernardino Valley College from 1952 to 1953. Valles taught elementary and high school for several years and simultaneously graduated from the University of Redlands with a bachelor’s degree in English (1964). She later earned her master’s in Spanish literature at the University of California, Riverside (1970) and did doctoral work at UCLA. Valles was appointed to the SBVC faculty in 1965 and taught Spanish until 1984. She headed the department of foreign languages from 1972 to 1976, chaired the division of humanities from 1976 to 1981 and was dean of Extended Day and Summer Session from 1981 to 1983. 

Valles was the administrative dean of academic affairs from 1983 to 1987, she also held the position of chief instructional officer at the college and the position of executive vice president of academic and student affairs from 1987 to 1988. Valles was appointed president of Golden West College in 1988 and was chief executive until retiring in 1993. Valles has also served as acting president of Coastline Community College, Oxnard College and was a San Bernardino Community College District trustee. She produced and hosted a Spanish-speaking television show, “Impacto,” for KVCR-TV and “La Voz” at KCSB and has been involved in the performing arts.

Valles has been the subject of three doctoral dissertations on leadership and invited to lecture on gender and leadership issues as a visiting professor at Harvard University. She received the Citizen of Achievement Award from the League of Women Voters in 1989 and the YWCA Outstanding Women of Orange County Award in 1990. She was inducted into the SBVC Alumni Hall of Fame in 1991. In 1998, Valles established the Valles Family Scholarship at San Bernardino Valley College as an embodiment of her love of family and commitment to students and higher education. She received an honorary doctorate from the University of Redlands in 2000 and the California Community Colleges’ Distinguished Alumni Award the same year. She received the Ohtli Medal in 2003 from the government and people of Mexico for her contributions to the Mexican-American community. Valles was elected mayor of the City of San Bernardino on February 3, 1998 and was reelected in 2002. Valles was the first Hispanic mayor of the City. After completing her terms as mayor, she was appointed President of Los Angeles Mission College.

The 2020 Virtual Commencement event will be live on the Crafton Hills YouTube channel and Crafton Hills College Facebook with links posted within a few days prior to the event so students, faculty and staff can share with family and friends. Everyone is encouraged to join in the celebration by using #chcgrad2020 when posting on their personal social media accounts.

For additional details, please visit www.craftonhills.edu/commencement.