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SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- San Bernardino County Museum is pleased to present “The Afro, a historical view: From the Afro Comb to the Crown Act.” The show opens Thursday, January 30 and runs through March 1, 2020. A museum member reception takes place on Thursday, February 6, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.

Curated by Leah Goodwin, the exhibit tells the story of Dr. Willie L. Morrow, barber, creator of the Afro Pick comb, and author of 400 years Without a Comb. The exhibit includes artifacts that document the story of this beauty phenomenon, and features artworks by renowned African American artists Ernie Barnes and Albert Fennel.

Morrow, born in Tuscaloosa, AL in 1940, became a barber at age twelve. He relocated to San Diego, opened his own barber shop, and quickly began inventing tools, formulating products, developing techniques, writing, and teaching. At just 22 years old, Morrow carved his first Afro Pick comb out of wooden dowels. Shortly thereafter, he produced a plastic injection version of the Afro Pick comb, the first commercially produced in the United States, which became a household item and recognized political icon the world over. Several years later, the United States military contracted Morrow to train barbers and beauticians in the U.S., Europe, and Asia on the intricacies of cutting and styling Afro-textured hair.

Morrow’s collection is comprised of tools that he designed, was inspired by, and used in his barber shop; products and books that he collected in order to improve his own formulations; illustrations, paintings, and photographs he commissioned for the books and pamphlets on hair care and history that he wrote and published; and other related artifacts.

Guest Curator Leah Goodwin is a prolific curator, serving in many arts organizations including the Museum of Children’s Art in Oakland, VSA Arts of California, Aesthetics, Inc., and Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation in San Diego. Most recently, she has served as Director of Museum and Education for the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, where she presented 17 exhibitions over four years.

The San Bernardino County Museum’s exhibits of regional cultural and natural history and the Museum’s other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The exhibit and the exhibit opening reception are included with general admission. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Provisional Accelerated Learning (PAL) Charter Academy celebrates 20 years of providing educational and community services in Muscoy. 

On Tuesday, January 14, 2020, PAL Charter Academy (PCA) received its fourth consecutive charter school renewal from the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD). The board vote was unanimous. The PCA, chartered in 2000, was the first charter school in San Bernardino to be approved by the SBCUSD. 

The tentacles of PCA’s Founder, Dr. Mildred Henry, retired CEO and Professor Emeritus at California State University, run deep throughout Muscoy and San Bernardino. The SBCUSD honored her with a namesake school, the Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry Elementary School, several years ago.

PCA has two campuses. The school’s main campus is nestled in Muscoy, a rural unincorporated area of San Bernardino County.  PCA Muscoy campus is home to over 250 students and parents.  The second campus is located in the heart of the City of San Bernardino and serves over 150 students, which come from all areas of the Inland Empire. Most are in search of an opportunity to recover credits and graduate from high school. Others come to embrace the small classroom sizes, one-on-one instruction, and the family-like environment PCA provides. 

The PAL Charter Academy’s CEO, Dwaine Radden, Sr., states, “We have some great students; however, with most schools that provide students the opportunity to close achievement gaps, their state test scores are impacted. We have taken a 21st-century approach to help us curtail our academic gaps and improve test scores.  We have invested in technology, integrated testing curriculum into student’s classes and schedules, and partnered with programs that can provide our students with support.” 

The PAL Academy has graduated thousands of students over the years. The school received the highest WASC accreditation possible from the governing agency. The motto is, ‘Education with an Individualized Approach’. PCA’s holistic approach to help students academically, socially, and emotionally has elevated them to be a school of choice for communities and local districts. 

In addition to the customized Independent Study approach to education, the school offers all the benefits and opportunities of a traditional setting.  These include, but are not limited to: College prep, CTE classes, CIF sports, Concurrent enrollment with a Community College, Grad-nite, Prom, AVID, College Expos and visits, Mock Trial, Accelerated classes, vocational training, student transportation, and Adult High School. The PAL Center also has an Upward Bound program that provides college preparation services and training to 65 students at San Bernardino High School and the PAL Academy.

The Muscoy campus is currently installing a football field, soccer field, and indoor gymnasium to support their sports program for the students and community.

The school is a subsidiary of Provisional Educational Services, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been providing a variety of services in the community for over 35 years. 

For more information call (909) 887-7002 or visit PCA’s website: www.palcharteracademy.com.

ATLANTIC OCEAN— Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Tykie Nunn, from Apple Valley, California, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) aircraft intermediate maintenance department, performs a routine inspection on a blade clamp assembly in Ford’s aviation structures shop. Ford is currently underway conducting aircraft compatibility testing.

Write up by Naomi K. Bonman

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—On Monday, January 20, at Arroyo High School in San Bernardino, the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with several other community organizations, held the first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Expo. The parade started and ended on time which was another accomplishment.

“History was made today on the beautiful Westside of San Bernardino,” Lucrierta Dowdy, MLK committee member, stated. “We came together for the very 1st San Bernardino MLK Day Parade and Extravaganza. Special thanks to everyone that helped to make it a success.”

This is just the beginning for more to come to the City of San Bernardino. 

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA— Los Osos High School in the Chaffey Joint Union High School District will be the site for the 37th annual San Bernardino County Academic Decathlon competition, which will be held over two weekends, January 25 and February 1.

Approximately 450 high school students have signed up to compete in this year’s event that features teams representing 25 high schools. Both weekends of the competition will take place at Los Osos, located at 6001 Milliken Ave. in Rancho Cucamonga.

There are 10 academic events for students to compete, including written tests in the areas of math, economics, music, art, language/literature, science and social science. Students also write an essay, face a panel of interviewers and give impromptu and prepared speeches.

For the final event on February 2, teams compete in a Super Quiz, a college bowl-style event consisting of multiple-choice questions. This year’s overall competition theme is “In Sickness and in Health: An Exploration of Illness and Wellness.” Rancho Cucamonga High School from the Chaffey district is the defending county champion of Academic Decathlon.

Teams consist of nine students, three from each grade-point category: “A” (Honors), “B” (Scholastic) and “C” (Varsity). Students compete for individual and team awards.

This year’s participating high schools and their districts are: Alta Loma High, Chaffey High, Colony High, Etiwanda High, Los Osos High, Montclair High, Ontario High and Rancho Cucamonga High, Chaffey Joint Union High; Chino Hills High, Chino Valley Unified; Jurupa Hills, Kaiser High and Summit High, Fontana Unified; Citrus Valley High, Redlands East Valley High and Redlands High, Redlands Unified; Eisenhower High and Rialto High, Rialto Unified; Arroyo Valley High, San Bernardino High and San Gorgonio High, San Bernardino City Unified; Upland High, Upland Unified; and Cobalt Institute of Math and Science, Lakeview Leadership Academy and Victor Valley High, Victor Valley Union High. Aquinas High School, a private school, also is participating. Winners and finalists from the Academic Decathlon will be announced at an awards banquet on Feb. 7. The winning team and possible other qualifiers will represent the county at the statewide Academic Decathlon competition in March.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Mr. Joseph G. Paulino, Chief of Police for San Bernardino City Unified School District Police Department spoke to participants of the Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion program on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the Center for Youth in San Bernardino on leadership and facts about police youth contact.  Chief Paulino emphasized, “when people see you they see your history” using visuals of his identification cards from grade school, middle school, high school, military, and current identification card as Chief of Police.  Future leaders were encouraged to guard their history.  It was important for future leaders to be reminded, “don’t let an uninformed person speak into your life.”  As leaders, Chief Paulino shared the importance of relationships, “it’s not who you know, but who knows you.”

Mr. Neuman Sneed II, Sir Knight 2019, sophomore at University Merced also guest speaker was in the audience prior to speaking appreciated Chief Paulino words of wisdom.  Sneed II entered college as a sophomore. He shared with future leaders “college is hard.” He earned an Associate of Arts Degree while in high school and assumed college would not be as challenging as earning the AA degree while in high school.  Sneed II plans to be an Optometrist.  He shared living on his own, experiencing dormitory life, learning various faculty style has been challenging, one in which he welcomes and looks forward in the upcoming semester.  Both Chief Paulino and Mr. Sneed II inspired the youth to “be good stewards as they pursue their goals in life.”

The 2029/2020 Beautillion Scholarship program will commence on Saturday, March 28, 2020.  For more information regarding the Beautillion Scholarship Program, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Tina Darling at tribicu2@msn.com or Ms. Lisa Blacksher, President at lisasocialities@gmail.com or Mrs. Bettye Brewster, Business Manager, bettyebrewster@yahoo.com

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- San Bernardino Valley College welcomed Senator Connie Leyva and Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes for a ceremonial presentation of a $35 million check towards the renovation of the Applied Technology building on campus.

After championing the building’s renovation as a state budget priority earlier this year, these elected officials celebrated the project with other dignitaries on the grounds that will house a new 21st century training center for Inland Empire students. The $35 million check matches the state funds approved to build this nearly 100,000-square-foot modern career training hub, where students will receive the necessary preparation to sharpen their skill sets to meet the needs of today’s tech economy. Built in 1964, the current 78,000-square-foot technical facility is one of the oldest on campus. With the $70 million in state and Measure CC funds, it will be a huge boon for SBVC students to be able to not only learn but do hands-on training with state-of-the-art equipment. 

“A new cutting-edge job training facility will elevate career technical education training in the Inland Empire and create pathways to the highly skilled, good paying jobs that our communities deserve,” said Senator Leyva to the San Bernardino Community College District. “I am proud to partner with Assemblymember Reyes and SBVC to bring good jobs and quality public education to the Inland Empire.”

Approved by 61 percent of voters last year, Measure CC will generate $470 million for upgrades to classrooms and job training facilities in the San Bernardino Community College District. The new Applied Technology Building is expected to begin construction in July 2021, with its final debut anticipated for 2023.

To learn more about San Bernardino Valley College, visit www.valleycollege.edu. 

 RIALTO, CA – Under the authority of the Board President, President Channing Hawkins initiated a special meeting to review and scrutinize professional services contracts. The direction by the Board President is the next step of strengthening transparency and accountability at West Valley Water District. 

President Channing Hawkins stated, “As President, I will continue moving forward in ensuring our community and ratepayers are given the opportunity they deserve to review, scrutinize, and provide input on how their funds are spent.” He added, “This is an additional step I have directed towards achieving the Transparency Certificate of Excellence.” 

The special meeting held by the Board was live streamed for the public view. It provided the public and ratepayers an opportunity to review contracts approved by the Board or within the $25,000 authority allowed by the General Manager per district policies. Fifteen contracts were reviewed or considered by the Board, which included professional services for software integration, engineering, and employee recruitment among others. 

Vice President Kyle Crowther stated, “Together, our Board of Directors are moving to develop new policies and procedures to ensure the ratepayers funds are spent wisely. We will hold consultants accountable for their agreements with the District.” 

During the meeting, the Board of Directors sought additional information and clarification for scope of services, length of agreements, and a timeline of deliverables. The public scrutiny by the Board is historic as continued action is taken towards gaining the public trust. 

On December 19, 2019, the Board of Directors took action to immediately develop a plan towards earning the distinguished Transparency Certificate of Excellence. The certificate is recognized by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF). These steps include: 

? applying for a Transparency Certificate of Excellence Award. The certificate covers all general, website and outreach best practices and requirements regarding transparency for special districts. The certificate is administered by the SDLF, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides recognition and certifications to special districts and officials to enhance services to the public. 

? live-streaming the meeting for customers and community stakeholders. New meetings and workshops will now be live-streamed for the public on the WVWD website and Facebook page. 

? producing digital copies of Board of Directors meetings for the public in compliance with the California Public Records Act. 

? publishing a master calendar for scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees. 

? reviewing our human resources policies. The agency will be conducting a hiring freeze while we are taking action to ensure our policies are fair, transparent, and consistent. 

? review and scrutinize third party consultant/professional services contracts in special public meeting. 

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- A weekend of celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. life and legacy started on Saturday, January 18, 2020 for the participants of the Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion program learning from Mr. Derek Williams, Chief of Police for the City of Ontario and ending on Monday, January 20, 2020 performing community service at the 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. prayer breakfast held at California State University, San Bernardino Coussoulis Arena.  Dr. Anthony Blacksher professor at San Bernardino Valley College, former Beautillion Sir Knight  who took time to mentor young men in the program along with Mr. Rikke Van Johnson, former Knight and Councilmember for the City of San Bernardino along with Mr. Hardy Brown II, San Bernardino County Board of Education Trustee.  It takes a village to help youth become the best of the best.  “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’

The Beautillion Knights and their court (Fairmaidens, Squires, and Pages) are participants in a mentorship program sponsored by The Social Lites, Inc. of San Bernardino. The five-month extracurricular program centered around academic and community service projects, is focused on leadership, character, life development skills and health education for students of color from elementary to high school.  

The 2019/2020 Beautillion Scholarship Program is in its 53^rd year.  The program will commence on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at the National Orange Show of San Bernardino.

For more information regarding the Beautillion Scholarship Program, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Tina Darling at tribicu2@msn.com or Ms. Lisa Blacksher, President at lisasocialities@gmail.com or Mrs. Bettye Brewster, Business Manager, bettyebrewster@yahoo.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Redlands High School extended its record for San Bernardino County Mock Trial championships to 16 on Saturday, January 18 as it defeated Rancho Cucamonga in the 38th annual competition.

The victory marked Redlands’ fifth title in the past seven years as it advances to the state competition in March in Los Angeles.

For Rancho Cucamonga of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, it was the team’s first time reaching the finals in the competition.

Presiding Superior Court Judge Michael Sachs congratulated both teams for their knowledge and determination during the two rounds of the finals held at the Foothill Law and Justice Center. County Superintendent Ted Alejandre also congratulated both teams for their spirited competition.

Approximately 450 students representing 32 high school teams have participated in the Mock Trial competition this year. This year’s case was the People v. Matsumoto, a murder case. The county Mock Trials competition is co-sponsored by the San Bernardino County 

Superintendent of Schools and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office.

Under the direction of coach Donna St. George, team members for Redlands include: Julia Baroi, Santino Calvanico, Vidushi Dwivedi, Hailey Farrokhi, Isabella Farrokhi, Lauren Garcia, Ashlynn Lenertz, Alison Marshall, Emma Moralez, Luca Moralez, Anagha Nambisan, Ria Perencksik, Jude Rafter, Matthew Risley, Shaida Shahmohammady, Jackson Shamp and Neha Vijay. For Rancho Cucamonga and coach Arik Boles, team members are: Sebastian Bendezu, Anelly Brown, Brendan Carbone, Brian Donaldson, Riley Espaerza, Alexis Gamboa, Dylan Gono, Zane Gonzalez, Laila Khalilieh, Soffee Khalilieh, Uesli Kuli, Eisen Loc, Jett Otska, Karam Oumran, Lauren Roushin, Devon White and Ophelia White.