Local

Photos by John Coleman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Maulana Karenga, PhD, Professor of Africana Studies at  California State University, Los Angeles was the guest speaker on February 27. He was invited by faculty, staff and students of San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) and other Inland Empire Organizations.

Dr. Karenga is internationally recognized as the creator of Kwanza,  the Pan-African and African American concept and holiday celebration. He has been a relatively frequent visitor to the area and has lead local observances of Kwanza festivities.

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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Public Library will be hosting two drawing workshops in observance of National Youth Art Month at the Feldheym Central Library, 555 w. 6^th Street in San Bernardino. The theme of Youth Art Month this year is “Your Art, Your Story”.

The first workshop will be on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 4 P.M. and will be presented by Emmy Award winning author and artist, Ruth Elliott. Her years of experience in the animation industry have given her a desire to share her love of art and stories with children, who enjoy participating and learning valuable character lessons.

Animation artist and author Ruth Elliott has worked for Hanna Barbera, Warner Brothers, Disney and other studios on shows such as The Smurfs, Scooby Doo, Space Jam, The Simpsons, The Tigger Movie, and countless others!  She brings a wealth of knowledge to share her tips on drawing with YOU!” Ruth will provide materials and takeaways for this free art session, including a free download of her book, SEE What You’re LOOKING At!

The second workshop will be on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at 4 P.M. and will be presented by author, artist, and cartoonist Phil Yeh.Phil Yeh, founder of Cartoonists Across America, and also known as “The Godfather of the Graphic Novel”, will present a “Design Your Own Story” workshop to help with creating plots and characters to make your own book.

Yeh is one of the pioneers of the graphic novel art form and published one of the first graphic novels in the U.S.  (Even CazcoGets the Blues) in the spring of 1977. He has written over 80 books for all ages. His children’s book, Dinosaurs Across America,was named one of 25 outstanding graphic novels for kids in a cover article of School Library Journal and also won a Children’s Choice Award. Participants will receive a free comic book.

Youth Art Month was founded in 1961 and is an annual observance each March to emphasize the value of art and art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs. Some of the goals of Youth Art Month are to recognize art as a necessity for the full development of better quality of life for all; direct attention to the value of art education for divergent and critical thinking; expand art programs in schools and stimulate new art programs; encourage commitment to the arts by students, community organizations, and individuals everywhere; provide additional opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in creative art learning; and to increase community understanding and interest in art and art education through involvement in art exhibits, workshops, and other creative ventures.

For more information on Youth Art Month, visit http://www.arteducators.org/news/yam.

This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library and is open to all ages. For more information call 909.381.8238 or visit www.sbpl.org or www.facebook.com/SBPLfriends/

Photos by John Coleman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Many people know that James Ramos frequently begins his public presentations with songs, rituals, behaviors and symbols that flow from his people and their history. When attending events (often held within churches) in the Black community, Ramos implies awareness of historic parallels in the treatment of Indigenous and Black peoples in the United States.

The program for the Community Swearing-in was inclusive of African Americans and the structure of many community events. The event opened with an invocation  by Pastor Reginald Young. Ecclesia Church Choir gave a musical selection and Terrance Stone of Young Visionaries was the Master of Ceremonies. The San Bernardino Pacesetters Drill and Drum Squad closed the event with a procession.

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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA— Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital hosted hundreds of children, teachers and parents at the 34th annual Children’s Day, presented by Farmer Boys, on Wednesday, March 6. Guests weren’t deterred by the heavy rain as all activities and booths were set-up under a large, tent-covered area on the Drayson Center’s Superfield.

The free event, designed for children ages 3-8, was attended by families, schools and day cares across the Inland Empire. Children’s Day has offered young children the opportunity to experience various healthcare procedures and hospital settings in a fun, interactive and non-threatening way since 1985.

Organized by the Child Life Services department at Children’s Hospital, the event offered many opportunities for children to learn — some of the activities included:

• Stitch station: children learned about having stitches through visuals and storytelling.
• Teddy bear clinic: children were encouraged to bring their own doll, stuffed animal or teddy bear for a “check-up.”
• Finger casting: children were able to learn about casts and create one out of plaster for their own fingers.
• Dr. Hayes’ venomous creatures: Dr. Bill Hayes taught children about his many creatures, including rattlesnakes, lizards and more.
• Stroke awareness
• Nutrition
• Dental health and care

Photos by John Coleman

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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— King Middle School is the District’s fourth and newest School to Watch.

King joins just 15 other schools across California to earn the prestigious honor this year from the California Department of Education and the California League of Schools.  Curtis, Golden Valley, and Serrano Middle Schools earned the Schools to Watch designation in previous years.

Becoming a state and national model of school excellence is the result of years of hard work on the part of teachers, staff, students, and parents, said Principal Maria Jauregui.  And, the focus of that work was not solely on improving academic achievement.

Cultivating caring connections with students has been a major emphasis for every King Middle School staff member, from teachers to custodians.

“We’re focusing on social-emotional learning along with academics,” said Jauregui, who has lead King for the past nine years. “If we don’t have a relationship with our students, we have nothing.  That’s why every interaction is an opportunity to connect with our students and all stakeholders.”

Teachers have undergone training in social and emotional learning, which emphasizes the approach of learning to be empathic and compassionate of others as a means to establishing relationships. Studies show that children who have been exposed to traumatic experiences cannot focus on learning. But when educators are given the tools to be aware of students’ emotional, social and behavioral needs they can help them address those issues so that learning is not interrupted, Jauregui said.

Teachers are not the only ones who benefitted from training.

King students also learn about positive ways to resolve conflict.  The school’s new Wellness Center is a quiet place where students can meet with a counselor or student support specialist to receive extra support or to just self-soothe by engaging in individual mindfulness activities.

The emphasis on the whole child has resulted in students making academic gains, Jauregui stated. More than half of King’s 700 students have a grade-point average of 3.0 or above for the first semester reporting grades this academic school year. Halfway through the school year, only four King Middle School students have faced suspension.

“Campus is calm, students are learning, we are a school on the move,” Jauregui said.

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Erica R. Gardner, Navy Office of Community Outreach
U.S. Navy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— PEARL HARBOR – An Ontario, California, native and 2011 A.B. Miller High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile cruiser, USS Port Royal.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Tovar has served in the Navy for one-and-a-half years and is a U.S. Navy quartermaster aboard guided-missile cruiser operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

A Navy quartermaster, Tovar is responsible for navigating the ship.

Tovar credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Ontario.

“I was taught to be patient, disciplined and make the best out of every opportunity,” said Tovar

Approximately 300 men and women serve aboard the ship. According to Navy officials, their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the cruiser running smoothly. They do everything from maintaining gas turbine engines and operating the highly sophisticated Aegis weapons system to driving the ship and operating small boats.

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Tovar is most proud of earning a letter of commendation from the commanding officer of the USS Chung-Hoon.

“I was rewarded for working hard during my underway with them,” said Tovar

A Navy cruiser is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea Navy officials explained. The ship is equipped with a vertical launching system, tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons systems.

Being stationed in Pearl Harbor, often referred to as the gateway to the Pacific in defense circles, means Tovar is serving in a part of the world taking on a new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances, and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”

The Navy has been pivotal in helping maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region for decades. The Pacific is home to more than 50 percent of the world’s population, many of the world’s largest and smallest economies, several of the world’s largest militaries, and many U.S. allies.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Tovar and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.

“It’s an honor to serve and since no one in my family has served, it feels great to be the first,” added Tovar. “Being able to be a part of the best military in the world is amazing.”

Twenty-one African American artists featured in show recognizing Black History Month

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— The San Bernardino County Museum, in partnership with the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, Inland Cities, East, presented an exhibit featuring the fine art works of prominent African American artists from throughout Southern California to recognize Black History Month. “Images of Black Culture, Life, & History” was featured at the Museum on February 1through March 3.  The Chamber hosted an exhibit reception at the Museum on Thursday, February 7.

Guest curated by Charles Bibbs, who also had two works in the show, the artists who participated included  Adeola Davies-Ayeloja, Alva, Bernard Hoyes, Christopher J. Wesley, Derrick Dzine, Diana Shannon Young, Emmy Lu, Errol Cook, Keith Mikell, Kenneth Gatewood, Manuelita Brown, Michael Massenburg, Maurice Howard, Nathaniel Bustion, Rosalind McGary, Synthia Saint James, Shaz Taylor, Theresa Shellcroft, Viveca Mays, and Zeal Harris. The show included paintings, watercolors, collages, ceramics, and quilts.

Curator of visitor engagement and exhibits, David Myers said, “these images are reflective of an array of experiences expressing power, beauty, provocation, hopelessness and hope. Charles Bibbs, with his immense talent and profile in the arts, brought together both established and emerging artists to weave a complex story of the African American experience. We are truly grateful to Charles and the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce for helping us ensure that our exhibits are representative and reflective of our community both during our Black History Month celebration and all year long.”

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.

Photos by John Coleman

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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— U.S. Navy Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Atrian Voorhees, from Apple Valley, California, prepares lobsters in the wardroom galley aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the South China Sea, March 1, 2019. The John C. Stennis is deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ikenna Tanaka)

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA— Josh Maldonado, an engineer for Loma Linda Fire Department, was recognized with the Hometown Hero Award at the 26^th annual Foundation Gala on Thursday, February 21.

Maldonado has been a key player in raising over $50,000 through the annual Tip-a-Firefighter at The Old Spaghetti Factory, an event that he initiated in 2012. He continues to volunteer for a full day at the event, which is hosted at the Redlands and Rancho Mirage restaurant locations.

With two kids of his own who had both been treated at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Maldonado has been committed to giving back to the hospital that has been integral in his family’s life. He volunteers at numerous events, including the K-Froggers for KidsRadiothon, Gingerbread Village, Dishes for Wishes and the Quaid Harley-Davidson Toy Run. He has also coordinated thousands of dollars’ worth of toys to be donated to patients.

Maldonado not only gives of his personal time, but he also supports Children’s Hospital with an annual monetary donation. He shares his passion of giving back with others as well, being the voice for those who don’t have one, something that was instilled in him as a child.

“My family has always been one to help out where we can,” Maldonado said. “As a kid we always outreached in the city parks and at events. I’m trying to pass that on to my kids — that we can make life better for people, even if it’s just opening a door for someone.”

An Inland Empire native, Maldonado grew up in Colton. He married his high school sweetheart, Katie, 20 years ago, and they now reside in Grand Terrace.

After going through the explorer program at Colton Fire Department during high school, Maldonado attended Crafton Hills College Fire Academy. He was a firefighter at San Bernardino County Fire and then Fort Irwin before coming to LLFD in 2007.

“I feel very lucky to do what I do every day,” he said. “To be able to put this uniform on — to be able to have the platform to do things is humbling for me.”

According to Tiffany Hoekstra of the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation, Maldonado is a true champion for children.

“He is always right there willing to help without any reservation,” Hoekstra said. “Josh is so incredibly humble and never seeks recognition for all that he has done, but from the bottom of our hearts we know he truly deserves it.”