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SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Last week Assemblymember Eloise Reyes launched her inaugural Senior Advocacy Week from August 14 to 18.  During Senior Advocacy Week Assemblymember Reyes visited 15 senior facilities and met directly with hundreds of seniors to hear about their challenges and to identify ways on how to improve the quality of life for seniors in the Inland Empire.

“With over 200,000 Seniors in San Bernardino County, their specific issues and concerns can’t be ignored,” said Assemblymember Reyes “We will take a proactive approach to address the serious issues that are impacting their daily lives. In the 8 months since I have been in office seniors have shared with me the inequitable policies that diminish their quality of life, including lack of income, public transportation, unnecessary fees, lack of community spaces and affordable housing.”

The next decade is expected to see a boom in the over 65 population in California.  According to the Public Policy Institute of California the senior population in California will grow by four million people.  By 2030 over 1 million seniors are expected to need some assistance with self-care and another 100,000 will require nursing home care which will have a direct impact on state funding for senior care.  This has far reaching implications as the state will need more facilities and trained workers to assist the senior population as well as policies that allow seniors to stay longer in their own homes.  California will need a spectrum of policy responses to protect and advance the needs of aging populations.

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Saturday, August 20, Riverside Community Health Foundation held their annual “My Hair, My Health” conference at Riverside City College. The conference featured speakers, vendors, activities and a documentary screening. Dr. Leita Harris, of Nurturing You Women’s Health and Wellness, spoke on “My Hair, My Hormones”. Dr. Dede Teteh also spoke where she held a dialogue session entitled, “Sister to Sister.”

Sapira Cheuk

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) is proud to present Sapira Cheuk and Andrew K. Thompson’s two-person exhibition, Grey is the Color of Theory, in the Clara and Allen Gresham Art Gallery, opening August 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Andrew K. Thompson

The exhibition, Grey is the Color of Theory, will compare two dynamically different art practices that share visual similarities. The exhibition will showcase how art made from different mediums and motivated by different concepts can share stylistic commonalities. This exhibition will showcase the capacity of style and value to unify and create conversations across divergent mediums and themes.

The opening reception for Grey is the Color of Theory will be held on August 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The gallery is free to the public and is located at 701 S Mt. Vernon Avenue in San Bernardino. Please check out the Clara and Allen Gresham Art Gallery’s website for more information at www.valleycollege.edu/artgallery.

About the Artists:

Sapira Cheuk’s work revolves around issues of the body and women’s sexuality. Her practice incorporates traditional Sumi Ink painting techniques and geometric elements to depict the complexity of the subject and corporeality. Cheuk has taken part in over 50 exhibitions, including those at the Orange County Contemporary Art Center, Riverside Art Museum, Rochester Contemporary Art Museum, Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art, and The Robert & Frances Fullerton Museum of Art. She received her BA at University of California, Riverside and MFA from California State University, San Bernardino.

Andrew K. Thompson lives and works in Riverside, California. Thompson holds a MFA degree from the California State University, San Bernardino, and a BFA in Photography from the Academy of Art, San Francisco. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States including exhibitions at the AIPAD Photo Fair, Klotz Gallery in New York, Gallery 1/1 in Seattle, and two recent solo shows at the SRO Photo Gallery at Texas Tech University and C.A.C.t.T.U.S. Long Beach.

LOS ANGELES, CA- Dr. Joel McLeod, Chancellor of the Next Dimension University, an accredited Bible College, with campuses throughout California and extension schools throughout the USA, is pleased to announce the 2017 Decennial Commencement and Awards Ceremony Weekend.  This year marks ten years of academic excellence at N.D.U. The Commencement will be held Saturday, August 19 at 2 p.m. at West Angeles Cathedral located at 3600 Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles.  The Commencement is free and open to the public. 

Dr. Kenneth Ulmer, of Faithful Central Church, will give the commencement address, and Dr. Michelle Corral will give the official “Send Off” address.  NDU will be honoring local and International gospel greats, Warryn and Erica Campbell and Teddy and Tina Campbell (Mary Mary), Donald Lawrence, Vanessa Bell-Armstrong, David Hollister, Bobby Jones and more; honor will also be bestowed upon other ministry leaders such as: Apostle Beverly BAM Crawford, Apostle Jean Perez, Apostle Felix Larsen (from Botswanna, Africa) Dr. Margaret Douroux, Apostle Sarah Morgan, Apostle Venissa Jackson, First Lady Patty Shipp, Bishop Roger Thomas, Bishop Kevin Truitt, Bishop Curtis Kelley, and from the Netherlands, Apostle Evelyn Kuwoe and Howard and Danielle Taylor.

Other notables include: Kevin Nash, Vickie Mack, Reginald Utley, Paul Jackson Jr., Nate Watts, Sharon Takaha, Linda Johnson-Hayes and Nwannia Lyles.  

Special music by Beau Williams with the NDU Choir.  Lastly, we want to acknowledge and honor Mary Virginia Jones, a grandmother that served 33 years incarcerated and was faithful to God, studying the Word of God, believing her release was in God’s hands.

After the commencement, there will be a formal banquet: “The Black, White and Gold Gala” at the LAX Hilton. The Black, White and Gold Gala will be held at the LAX Hilton 5711 Century Bl. LA 90045.  Guest Speaker will be Dr. Beverly BAM Crawford.  This event will include The God Awards.  Recipients will be presented their Awards by special guest, to include Dr. Joel McLeod, the NDU Chancellor, Dr. Evelyn Saucer, Dr. Evelyn Reason and Dr. Rose Parker and other distinguished presenters.

NDU Alumni and Past Honorees, included Fred Hammond, Apostle Frederick K.C. Price, Yolanda Adams, Randall Cunningham, Judge Mablean, Janet’ Dubois, Judy Jacobs, Bishop Noel Jones, Cecil Murry, Jack Hayford and more.  

Red Carpet will begin at 12 noon on Saturday for the Commencement, and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday night for the banquet.   

For more information and for Banquet tickets; contact Dr. Evelyn Saucer, e.saucer@yahoo.com 951 567-9716.  For Press Conference, Interviews and Media credentials, contact Dr. Rose at drrose.ndu@gmail.com 909 528-8350. 

For information about Next Dimension University call 888 206-4344.  Visit our website at www.nextdimensionuniversity.com.   

LOMA LINDA, CA- Miss Los Angeles County 2017, Katie Bozner, visited patients at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) Wednesday, August 9. The 22-year-old beauty queen, a Corona native, spent the afternoon talking to patients in playrooms and went bedside to those who were unable to leave their rooms.

A University of Redlands graduate, Bozner’s interactions with the children came naturally. “I really enjoy visiting with kids,” she said during her visit, “and they seem to like me too.”

In addition to taking photos with the kids, Bozner delivered princess crowns, goodie bags and other gifts she made herself to patients, whose smiles reflected the sparkly crown adorned on her head. 

Bozner won the Miss LA County title in October 2016. Although she will give up her title in two months, she is looking forward to competing in the Miss California pageant in December.

LOS ANGELES, CA- The Leimert Park Village Book Fair will celebrate its 11th anniversary on Saturday, August 19 in Los Angeles. The book fair will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the promenade of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza (BHCP), located at 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The family-oriented event is held in the heart of Leimert Park, which is considered the center of the African American arts/intellectual scene in LA. The book fair will be held outdoors, and luckily, it rarely rains in Southern California!

“Voted One of LA’s Five Best Annual Book Festivals,” the LPVBF has become a much-anticipated cultural tradition in the community.  It provides authors an opportunity to promote their newest work as well as meet some of their fans up close and personal. Meet some of LA’s favorite and best-selling authors like Pamela Samuels Young, Gary Phillips, Tananarive Due, plus Jodi Baker, the YA writer of the “Between Lions” series, which New York Times calls it ” … definitely the YA series to follow.” 

The LPVBF is produced by Exum and Associates in collaboration with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, District 2; the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs; City of Los Angeles and Capri Capital Partners of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza mall. City leaders and philanthropists Dr. Bernard W. and Shirley Kinsey serve as the book fair’s chairperson.

Kim Carter

SACRAMENTO, CA- On Tuesday, August 15, Time For Change Foundation founder, Kim Carter, traveled to Sacramento for her Governor’s Pardon Review. It has been 24 years in the making. Time For Change’s mission is to empower disenfranchised, low-income individuals and families by building leadership through evidence-based programs and housing to create self-sufficiency and thriving communities.

Carter has led an extraordinary life. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, she overcame a dark past filled with addiction, abuse, homelessness, and imprisonment. During her battle, one choice would change the course of her life forever: she was chosen to participate in rehabilitative program and for the first time in her life she was offered treatment and a solution.

After treatment and counseling, Carter began working as an accountant. She had reintegrated back into society and was able to reunify with her daughter. Life was finally good, but she felt that there was still more for her.

“I knew that my life had meaning and that I had to go through the darkness to get to where I am today,” said Carter.

After starting Time for Change Foundation she knew she had found her purpose. Aside from providing homeless women and children with a place to call home, she became an advocate and started to develop leaders out of the women she was helping.

Over the last 15 years, Carter and TFCF have helped over 1,000 homeless women and children in San Bernardino County achieve self-sufficiency, 227 children have been reunified with their mothers, and in 2015 she was honored as one of CNN’s top 10 heroes of the year.

Her impact on society is evident through her advocacy work and history of awards and accolades from esteemed public figures and organizations. Through her work, she has empowered others to be the agent of change by using their voices and votes to make a difference. She is a published author, motivational speaker, and life coach and trainer. Carter is instrumental in making laws and creating programs that work to end homelessness, which includes emergency shelter, permanent supportive, and affordable housing services. 

When asked why she pursued a Governor’s Pardon, Carter responded, “I want my life to be a testimony and to break the generational cycle of incarceration. I want to leave a positive legacy for my family. This is something that I pray will have an everlasting impact for many generations to come. They will have the freedom and opportunities to make a far greater impact in the world than I.”

Jordyn Grady displaying her medals and ring that she won in the AAU Junior National Olympics. (Photo Credit: Naomi K. Bonman)

By Naomi K. Bonman

Great athletes always start young and stay focus on perfecting their craft. Upland High School freshman, Jordyn Grady, is one of those athletes. In her course of running track for six years, her perfection of her craft has paid off in the AAU Junior Olympic Games which were held from July 30 to August 5 in Detroit, Michigan.

Grady, who regularly runs the 100 and 200 hurdles as well as the 100 and 200 meters, took first place in the 14-year-old girls division while running the 100 and 200 hurdles. Her time in the 100 hurdles was 14.26 seconds and 26.66 seconds in the 200 hurdles. She was the only San Bernardino and California native that competed in those races.

While being a stellar athlete, she is also able to maintain an A and B average in school. “I know that school comes first and then sports,” Grady states of how she manages to balance both sports and her studies.

After high school, she wants to continue to run track, as well as to study to become a Veterinarian because she loves animals.

UPLAND, CA- “Concert in the Park”, “Stone Soul Picnic”, and “Inland Empire Family Reunion”, are the three names to describe the community event to be held on Saturday, August 19 at Upland Memorial Park located at 1100 E. Foothill Blvd. in Upland.

There will be plenty of shade to relax under with your family, friends, and associates. The gates open at 11 a.m. and the part won’t stop until 5 p.m. Live entertainment will be provided by Phazze One Band from Los Angeles, along with Andre Ray formerly with LTD, Monique Renee will blow sounds from artists Teena Marie and Anita Baker. This event will have plenty of great food vendors Including J&J Soul food, Pomona. Not to mention other great entrees such as: gumbo, shrimp and grits, Brazilan soul food, kettle corn, shaved ice, taco mobile, Q’s waffles & Wings and much more.

The Kids Zone will have lots of games and freebies. Mommie Helens will have the kids decorating cupcakes, along with selling delicious pies. They will be judges for the dessert baking contest. There will also be plenty of vendor to shop at, which include: Mary Kay, Paparazzi Jewelry, Damsel Defense, Sports shirts/hats, Behavioral health and more. In addition to the vendors, there will be a raffle for a FREE 7-day cruise, tickets are $10 to participate. Heart2heart-4-You, a non-profit, will also be giving away back to school tennis shoes.

So, come on down and dance to some oldies, eat, relax, and just have a ball! Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs, blankets, dancing shoes, and singing voices. It’s a meet up reunion, come and meet in the park people from your home town of Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Texas, Mississippi, New York, etc. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10. at the gate. Get your tickets online at www. HayesEvents.org or call (909) 437-3391 and ask for Kathy.

INLAND EMPIRE- Parents from local schools have a new tool in their back-to-school bag of tricks this year as all their school’s supply lists are now posted on TeacherLists.com.  

With just one or two clicks, parents can find their child’s exact supply list and then click right over to pre-filled shopping carts on Target, Walmart, Jet.com or Amazon to purchase their list and have it shipped right to their home.  Target and Walmart also offer in-store pick-up.  Super easy, super convenient.  

The site already includes lists for: Bloomington Christian Elementary School, Bloomington; Cajon High School, San Bernardino; Cooley Ranch Elementary, Colton; Dollahan Elementary School, Rialto; Excel Prep, San Bernardino; Grand Terrace High School, Grand Terrace; Lugonia Elementary School, Redlands; North Ridge Elementary, Moreno Valley; Packinghouse Christian Academy, Redlands; Palm Avenue Elementary School, San Bernardino; Reche Canyon Elementary School, Colton; Samuel W Simpson Elementary School, Rialto; Seneca Elementary, Moreno Valley; St Catherine Of Siena School, Rialto; and Valley Of Enchantment Elementary School, Crestline.

“For decades, the supply list process has been a frustration for parents,” points out TeacherLists President, John Driscoll.  “Where to find the lists?  When are they available?  Forgetting the list on the counter at home.  Hunting the isles for the specific items their teacher has requested.  All of those issues are solved with TeacherLists.”

More than 50,000 schools now have lists posted on TeacherLists.  Lists for more than 1 million classrooms are live on the site and include required and requested items as well as specific notes and clarifications from teachers and school staff. 

Complete details and all the lists are available at www.teacherlists.com/parents.