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ONTARIO, CA— – The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) will be hosting the 2019 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Judging reception on, Wednesday, September25^th where our official 2019 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Semi-Finalists will convene with our judges face-to-face at the Spirit Judging reception (by invitation only). From this event the finalists will be determined. Once they have been determined, the 2019 Spirit Finalists will be featured at the Spirit Awards gala on November 13^th at the Riverside Convention Center. Finalists to be announced September 26^th, 2019.

The Spirit judging reception event is generously sponsored by Roorda, Piquet & Bessee, Inc. (http://rpbcpa.com) who have been providing tax, audit, and accounting and advisory services in the Inland Empire area for over 35 years.

THE JUDGING PROCESS (https://spiritawardsie.com/content/the-judging-process)

All nominees are initially screened and evaluated by the Spirit of the Entrepreneur awards staff to ensure that they meet the basic eligibility requirements. Those companies that pass the initial screening are eligible to participate in the judging reception.

Judges for the event are selected by the Spirit of the Entrepreneur producers and work independently, evaluating each nominee.  Each judge is chosen based on their prior business experience, integrity and willingness to dedicate a significant amount of time to review and evaluate the nominees.  The judging panel is almost exclusively made up of past Spirit award recipients and business leadership professionals that have been vetted to serve as our esteemed judges.  

Each eligible nominee provides extensive company information that is used in the judging process. Judging is based on financial metrics as well the nominee’s accomplishments, innovative approaches and their entrepreneurial spirit.

This year selecting the 2019 finalists from a vast field of over 220 entrepreneurial nominees will be a very difficult task! 

VIEW Our Chosen 2019 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Semi-Finalists (https://spiritawardsie.com/newsMgr/index.php?newsId=56&page=)

LEARN MORE About the Judging Process… (https://spiritawardsie.com/content/the-judging-process)

MEET OUR 2019 SPIRIT JUDGES (https://spiritawardsie.com/content/the-judges)

SECURE Your Tickets to the gala – this event is sold out every year! * (https://spiritawardsie.com/content/ticketing)

More information about sponsorship & volunteer opportunities please contact Mike Stull (909) 537-3708 or via email mstull@csusb.edu.

Ticketing

Attendees can book tickets online with direct seat selection for the 2019 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards gala event at https://spiritawardsie.com/content/ticketing. Attendees have the selection choice of pre-show standard reception or our VIP reception Ticket prices for the black-tie event range from $135 to $175 each. Full-table discounts are available. Details are located below:

Spirit Awards Event Features:

• Commencing at 5:00 p.m. on November 13th, attendees can experience either a Gala or VIP reception, three course dinner, stellar event entertainment, awards presentations, and for select parties, an exclusive after party! (https://spiritawardsie.com/content/spirit-schedule)
• The “Best of the Best” award. Sponsored by Best, Best & Krieger (https://spiritawardsie.com/content/best-of-the-best-award)
  One company from among the award recipients that best exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit will take home the additional 2019 Best of the Best award.
• The Garner Holt Student Fast Pitch Competition (https://spiritawardsie.com/content/garner-holt-fast-pitch-competition)
  Witness featured business pitches from the Top 5 student finalists. Audience members cast their votes for the best business idea through a live voting poll to determine which students will win the cash prizes. These Top 5 students will have competed in a semi-qualifying event that is held one week prior to the Spirit Awards gala in order to gain those top positions. A truly unique aspect to our awards program that celebrates and supports student growth and involvement.
• Entertainment
  Upcoming entertainment guest stars are always an anticipated reveal during the gala. Past events have included top flight entertainment such as: Rock Legend Eddie Money, Ekenah Claudin-Transcending Box, and Greg Adamson- Facing the Music Performance Art.
• VIP Reception Sponsored by City National Bank, an RBC Company (https://spiritawardsie.com/content/vip-seating)
  Treat yourself to a luxurious experience only available to VIP ticket holders. The 2019 Spirit VIP Experience includes access to the exclusive pre-show VIP reception with hosted wine bar, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, and preferred access to showroom seating for the gala presentation as well as top section seating for the main event while you enjoy specialty selected cuisine for your 3-course dining experience.

Proceeds from the Spirit of the Entrepreneur event benefit the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Scholarship established by Dr. Mike Stull, Director of Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at California State University, San Bernardino. (https://spiritawardsie.com/content/spirit-scholarship)

About the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) (https://entre.csusb.edu/)

Established in 1999, the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) supports and celebrate Entrepreneurship & Small Business through innovative programs and educational resources. IECE coordinates academic programs that lead to business degrees in Entrepreneurship for undergraduate and graduate students as well as delivering experiential learning and student support programs such as the Fast Pitch Competition.  In the local community, IECE offers existing and aspiring entrepreneurs a wide array of business advisory and mentoring services and entrepreneurial training programs that help them achieve greater levels of success in their business ventures.

IECE was recognized internationally by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and received the Entrepreneurship Spotlight Challenge award for demonstrating leadership in creating (and incubating) cutting-edge business innovations through enriched student learning and experiential education; which ranked them among the top 35 entrepreneurship programs globally.

California State University, San Bernardino is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in Inland Southern California. Opened in 1965 and set at the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, the university serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually. CSUSB offers 48 undergraduate, 35 graduate, and 1 doctoral degree programs and 14 academic programs with national accreditation.

The Upland Unified School District will tap into a $140,000 grant to create a teacher-residency model in partnership with Cal Poly Pomona.

The district received the funding from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and will work on developing the model with the College of Education and Integrative Studies’ Educational Specialist Credential Program, which prepares teachers to work with students with disabilities.

Associate Professor Joanne Van Boxtel, CPP’s project lead, said the grant will provide financial assistance to education specialist teacher residents and their mentor teachers as they participate in a one-year residency program with UUSD. The candidates’ time in residency will satisfy their clinical practice requirement.

“I am thrilled to partner with Upland Unified School District to design an innovative and effective model for teacher preparation,” said Van Boxtel. “Through the residency model, education specialist candidates will engage in powerful hands-on learning in the field from experienced and supportive mentor teachers—it’s a perfect fit with Cal Poly Pomona’s learn-by-doing philosophy!”

The teacher-residency program will formally launch in Spring 2020. Van Boxtel, along with co-project lead Associate Professor Heather Wizikowski, will be working with UUSD to recruit residents until then.

“One of the most exciting features of this grant is the ability to work with Upland to train teachers right in the district’s own classrooms. It’s a win-win in that Upland is able to train high-quality special education teachers and CPP is actively involved with meeting the needs of our surrounding communities,” said Wizikowski.

In order to qualify, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field and be accepted into the Education Specialist Credential Program. All qualified applicants will be considered for the residency program through a joint vetting process with Upland USD. Each candidate must commit to teach in Upland once they complete the program.

For more information, email jmvanboxtel@cpp.edu or hewizikowski@cpp.edu.

This year’s forum will be held at Ecclesia Christian Fellowship, 1314 E. Date Street, San Bernardino, CA 92404.  Check-in and Continental breakfast start at 8 a.m.  The program starts at 9:00am and ends at 3 p.m.

Speaker:  Brette Steele serves as the Director of Prevention and National Security at the McCain Institute for International Leadership.  Prior to joining the McCain Institute, Steele served as the Regional Director of Strategic Engagement for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Terrorism Prevention Partnerships.  In that role she advised the State of California in the development of a statewide Preventing Violent Extremism Strategy and partnered with counties, cities, and nonprofit organizations to develop and implement Preventing Violent Extremism programs.

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Rialto continues to move forward and constantly looking at welcoming emerging technology. In terms of technology, it takes on different forms in Rialto from being the first in the nation to have water-efficient projects and ways of treating water, transforming organic waste into energy to partnering with local universities to develop and repurpose lost energy. Also, recreating a lost basin into a purposeful lake is in the future of Rialto. Though we have to react to the external economic indicators, it does not stop us from thinking about how to make this community better. From complexing a new park such as Joe Sampson and other productions that are underway, which you can reference in the City Administrator’s newsletter, is a great contribution to our community. As Mayor, I am committed to never falling short on advancing and investing in the quality of life in Rialto. Through economic investments, investing in our youth, and time with our youth.

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Rialto’s National Night Out Features The Wyland Foundation Interactive Van!

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Bike Rodeo Gives Away Over 200 Bicycles! 

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Inaugural NBA Legends Basketball Academy features WNBA and NBA Players

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Olive Garden Grand Opening at Renaissance Marketplace!

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Kome Ajise, Executive Director of SCAG, visits Rialto!

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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—LOS ANGELES, CA— The 2^nd Annual Women of Color Empowerment Brunch produced by founders Raquel Wilson and Tynisha Lewis of the Empower Her Network hosted a groundbreaking platform for women of color. The brunch took place in the city of Watts California and was met with an overwhelming community response of young professional women of color starting out in business. The afternoon was hosted by Wilson and Lewis who honored three outstanding women of color in politics, activism, community service for their vast achievements, with a panel of seven influential women of color from various industries, moderated by Syd Stewart,Founder & Executive Director of Better Youth. Each panelist shared their stories, challenges, victories and secrets to success. 

This year’s honorees included Jan Perry, Former Los Angeles City Councilwoman; Linda Miles, Community Partnership Consultant; Susan Burton, Activist. Panelists includedB. René Norman, Celebrity Photographer; Deborah Griffin, Entertainment Publicist; Ericka Chancellor, Professional Cosmetologist; Natasha D Burton, Producer and Brand Builder; Sauda S. Johnson, Attorney; Tonya McKenzie, Author, Motivational Speaker, and PR Consultant; Umaymah Rashid, Content Creator, Digital Media Producer, and Marketing Manager. 

Raquel Wilson is a former foster youth and Tynisha Lewis is a former homeless youth who both use the Empower Her Project to provide professional development and advocacy opportunities for young professional women of color starting out in business with the space to network and be inspired. Both women are dedicated to empowering, educating and encouraging young women of color who are in and around the community of Watts, California. The goal is to shed light on the many resources available for young women of color to be able to accomplish extraordinary things through business.

Social Media:

Twitter: @empower_inc

Instagram: @theempowerherprojectinc

Facebook: @theempowerherproject 

Official Social Media Hashtags: #WCEB2019 #TheEmpowerHerProject

RIVERSIDE, CA— The Society of Extraordinary Women (SOEW) invites the community to an engaging evening of “Empowering Conversations” on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at the Culver Center of the Arts in Riverside, CA. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the conversation will begin at 6:00 p.m.

The 5^th in SOEW’s Conversation Series, this discussion will feature five of the most dynamic women in their fields, each representing the very best in technology, leadership and entrepreneurship.

The evening’s conversation is designed to encourage and support great endeavors that benefit the spirt of the community. Attendees are certain to be inspired as these powerful women share their stories of overcoming adversities, achieving successes, and the joy of civic engagement and philanthropy. Speakers will include:

Dr. Tamica Smith-Jones

Smith-Jones is Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of California, Riverside.  A leading voice on women in sports and minority coaches, Smith Jones serves on multiple NCAA working groups on these important issues which includes serving as an active member of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee. In 2017, she was named the Women Leaders in College Sports Division I Administrator of the Year, awarded the 61^st Assembly District Woman of Distinction Award by California State Assembly member, Jose Medina, and recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential African Americans in Los Angeles.

Ana Yeager-Lee

Yeager-Lee is the owner of Women in Tandem, a lounge and workspace for women to focus, connect and get stuff done. Ana is working to bring a supportive community of women together to help each other make the hard work they are all doing just a little bit easier. A Riverside native she served a decade as a criminal defense attorney specializing in juvenile defense and treatment courts such as Mental Health Court, Drug Court and Girls Court.

Whitney Kotlewski

A Senior User Experience Architect with Esri, Kotlewski’s core responsibilities are to support product teams, for mobile, desktop and web applications, with designs that embrace UX Principals and User Research. A Co-Founder of Black Girls M.A.P.P. Her personal research objectives are centered around empowering various members of her local community, specifically young African American students, to impact and improve their own communities by avenue of advanced technology.

Toushonta Hogan

The creator of Scentsational Soaps, an all-natural skincare line for both men and women, Hogan is described as a modern-day Renaissance woman with an entrepreneurial spirit. Hogan’s daughter, Shaiann of Shai’s World, started her own business at the tender age of 10 under her mother’s guidance and leadership. She has been featured on The Real TV show, Teen Boss Magazine, Good Morning Washington and Harry TV. Today, Hogan is the Vice President of Raising A Mogul. The organization provides parents with the tools, knowledge and confidence needed to raise their young moguls to build their own empires. 

Nefertiti Long

Chief Operating Officer of Alta Loma Enterprises and Founder of the LaVerne Jones Legacy Fund,  Long currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Alta Loma Enterprises and is the Secretary of the Board of Directors for TCF. She is also one of the founders of Alliance for Black Women Accountants (ABWA), a nonprofit that provides mentoring to young women of color interested in the accounting/finance profession. 

During the evening attendees will also learn about how they can be a part of history by joining with SOEW to bring the renowned Tuskegee Airman Exhibit—including an actual C51 fighter jet like those flown by the airmen—to March Air Reserve Base in Riverside during the air show on September 19, 2019. The historic and celebrated Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military pilots in the history of the United States Armed Forces and SOEW is proud to be a part of preserving and honoring their legacy. If you would like to help sponsor the exhibit email SOEW at shirleycoates@soew.org or call (951) 289-9535.

“This will be an evening of inspiration and motivation as we share in the strength of the human spirit to rise above triumph, and thrive,” said Shirley Coates, President of the Society of Extraordinary Women.

SOEW will also share news about the expansion of the organization’s Ignite Leadership and STEM (Saturday) Academy. This one-of-a-kind program teaches middle school girls’ practical application of GIS Technology and includes a Civil Aviation component where the girls learn how to fly and obtain a pilot’s license.

Virginia Blumenthal of Riverside’s Blumenthal Law Offices will serve as the evenings Mistress of Ceremonies. Blumenthal has practiced criminal defense law in Riverside for more than 40 years and was named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the United States by The National Trial Lawyers. Additionally, she has been selected by her peers again in 2019 for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, an honor she has held for more than 30 years.

The Culver Center of the Arts is located at 3834 Main St, Riverside. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and you must RSVP to attend as space is limited. Please register at CaliforniaSocietyofExtraordinaryWomen.org or call (951) 289-9535. 

National Science Foundation award will help increase the number of low-income students pursuing graduate and doctorate degrees in STEM fields

ONTARIO, CA—Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $279,000 grant to Cal Poly Pomona to increase the retention of low-income students in graduate-level mathematics programs. The NSF award will help recruit and support students pursuing Master’s degrees, and encourage them to continue with their doctoral studies in mathematical sciences.

“As one of the top universities for STEM careers, Cal Poly Pomona is known for its commitment to ensuring equity in the success and education of all students,” said Torres. “This grant will help academically promising low-income students access higher education and economic mobility, while strengthening diversity and representation in STEM.”

Torres is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for making decisions regarding federal spending.

Campaign Kicks Off Online Voting Competition  Today

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Time for Change Foundation (TFCF) announced today that they were selected as one of Aetna’s 2019 Voices of Health award recipients. This award places TFCF as a finalist in Aetna’s 2019 Voices of Health campaign, a competition and celebration of grassroots non-profit organizations across the country that are working to address social determinants of health in their communities.

Online voting will be available to the public between September 9 – October 13 at www.aetnavoicesofhealth.com.All organizations participating in this year’s Voices of Health competition, including Time for Change Foundation, were selected in April, during a public nomination period. Aetna will award $20,000 to the organization that receives the most online votes in its market. 

“TFCF understands that housing status is a powerful indicator of overall health status and a major social determinant of health,” said Director, Vanessa Perez. “The absence of a home directly correlates with increased risks of chronic illnesses and diseases which is why TFCF makes housing a priority.

“Since 2002, Time for Change Foundation has been dedicated to helping homeless women and children achieve self-sufficiency by using an array of evidenced-based practices coupled with a strength-based approach to address their needs. Our programs and supportive services help to assist families and individuals with the skills necessary to recover from the effects of homelessness, addiction, incarceration, mental and physical abuse. To date TFCF has helped over 1,200 women and children reach self-sufficiency and has reunited 282 children back with their mothers.

Campaigning for VotesThe Aetna “Voices of Health” website will feature a one-minute video from each organization describing how the prize money would help it further its mission. Organizations will be able to advocate for votes in different ways, including sharing their videos through social media and other communication channels. 

To learn more about Voices of Health or to vote, visit http://www.aetnavoicesofhealth.com/ To cast your vote for Time for Change Foundation click the link below. You can vote once per day with your Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and email accounts! 

To learn more about Time For Change Foundation, please visit: https://www.timeforchangefoundation.org/

Position Title: CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Location: Southern California such as the San Diego area, Los Angeles area, California Desert – i.e. Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Victor Valley, Barstow, Moreno Valley, Redlands, San Bernardino

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF) is a national non-profit organization headquartered in Durango, Colorado with offices in San Francisco, Anchorage, Las Cruces, Joshua Tree, Las Vegas and Washington, DC.  The Conservation Lands Foundation was established in 2007 on the belief that our public lands are best protected when there is a national network of local advocates working to advance a common conservation vision. CLF and its Friends Grassroots Network work to protect the premier lands and waters under the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) jurisdiction – specifically the 36+ million acres and 2,400 miles of National Monuments and National Conservation Areas, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers and National Scenic and Historic Trails that make up our National Conservation Lands.

Our mission is to protect, restore and expand the National Conservation Lands through education, advocacy and partnerships.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The California Associate Program Director will help advance the Conservation Lands Foundation’s (CLF) expansion, protection and grassroots engagement efforts for the National Conservation Lands in Southern California. The position works collaboratively with regional and statewide conservation organizations, Friends groups, diverse partners, Bureau of Land Management and other federal agency staff to enhance support for the National Conservation Lands in Southern California. The California Associate Program Director is part of the Field Team and works under the leadership of the California Program Director. This is a tremendous opportunity for a motivated leader with strategic instincts, high-level organizing, and policy experience to maximize and strengthen CLF’s Friends Grassroots Network in Southern California and its efforts to defend, protect, expand, and restore the National Conservation Lands in the region.

The California Associate Program Director will have strong leadership and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to lead by creating opportunities for others to develop and grow, the ability to work with people from a range of diverse backgrounds and work on dynamic, high-performance teams. The candidate is committed to CLF’s mission, is emotionally intelligent and has high integrity.

POSITION OBJECTIVES:

?      Secure permanent and inclusive protections for the California Desert Conservation Lands that will withstand administrative and political variability

?      Defend current protections for California’s National Conservation Lands, particularly those in Southern California

?      Work with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and grassroots partners to ensure inclusive and strong conservation planning and management for the National Conservation Lands in Southern California

?      Strengthen and build the Friends Grassroots Network and partnerships in California to support inclusivity and diversity among leaders, partners, and coalitions.

?      Provide leadership, support and strategic direction for defensive and proactive campaigns in the California Desert.

Qualifications of a successful candidate:

?      Outstanding leadership skills and proven ability to build effective, results-driven advocates and coalitions.

?      Experience with grassroots advocacy, organizing practices and principles, and a proven track record of success connecting with, organizing, and mobilizing different communities.

?      Experience developing campaign strategies and managing campaigns.

?      Experience with or desire and ability to learn and apply BLM public lands policy. Understanding of non-profit management and organizational effectiveness

?      Technology savvy with experience using a wide range of traditional and cutting edge social, digital, and multimedia tools to share information and reach target audiences.

?      Ability to travel and work extended hours as needed. Driving, travel, temporary assignments and extended work hours are required. A valid driver’s license is required.

?      Experience handling confidential information appropriately

?      Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within the organization and in the environmental movement.

?      Ability to prioritize, adjust focus and wear many hats in a fast-paced environment.

?      Passion, creativity, integrity, positive attitude, and intellectual curiosity.

Salary Range and benefits:

Salary based on qualifications.

401(k) plan; health/dental/vision insurance; health and dependent care Flex Spending program, short term disability.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter and resume to socal@conservationlands.org

No phone calls, please.

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The Conservation Lands Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability or status as a U.S. veteran.

 This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN) ONTARIO, CA—- Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) visited Phoenix Motorcars in Ontario as the last stop on her annual “Made in the 35^th” manufacturing tour. Each all-electric zero-emission vehicle produced by Phoenix Motorcars reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 tons of carbon monoxide per year as compared to a comparable commercial vehicle.

“Fighting climate change begins here in the Inland Empire. For more than 15 years, Phoenix Motorcars has been a leader in manufacturing electric vehicles that make our region cleaner and greener. I’m pleased to close out my ‘Made in the 35^th’ tour with such an innovative business,” said Torres. “I’ll continue pushing for policies that help our local manufacturers grow, create good paying jobs, promote sustainability, and keep California’s economy strong.”

“As always our focus it to provide a safe, zero emissions, 100 percent electric vehicle of the highest quality to our customers while providing exceptional jobs and job training with our cutting edge technology all while making the planet a better place. We are very excited to host Representative Norma Torres and show her all the exciting projects we are working on,” said Tarek Helou, Vice President of Sales for Phoenix Motorcars.

Phoenix Motorcars, founded in 2003, is a leader in developing medium and heavy duty electric vehicles for the commercial markets. Phoenix Motorcars strives to provide fleets with clean transportation and renewable energy through advanced technology solutions and remains committed to excellence in electric vehicle innovation. More information available at www.phoenixmotorcars.com.

Torres is a member of the House Rules and Appropriations Committees.