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SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, December 10, community members and elected officials came out to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration. The annual celebration was held at San Bernardino Valley College. This year there was a special skit presented by the PAL Charter Academy.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Mu Xi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc will be hosting its Men of Tomorrow Rites of Passage ceremony on Saturday, December 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at California State University, San Bernardino in the Student Union, Event Room A.
The program will be in collaboration with our fraternity’s national initiative, to inspire young men to complete high school, and college.  Over the past eleven months, members of the fraternity have been mentoring a group of young men (ages 8-18) on various skills that are vital to their future success.  They have attended workshops on goal setting, self-respect, and peaceful conflict resolution, to name a few.
These young men will be honored during Saturday’s luncheon to celebrate their commitment to complete this intensive learning program they began at the beginning of the year.  To RSVP to this event, please contact Kevin Hall at khall1949@yahoo.com by Thursday, December 15. The event is free but parking is $6 for vehicles that do not have a CSUSB parking permit. The street address of the student union is 5500 University Pkwy, San Bernardino, CA 92407.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, December 10, PAL Charter Academy students Jesse Hamilton, Brent Matthews, Rica Taylor, Jacqueline German, Edward Orrego and Devyn Graves attended the 50th Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration at San Bernardino Valley College.  These students actively participated in the event by presenting a skit that highlighted The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, working together, supporting one another, purpose, creativity and faith.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Thirty-five Reading Heroes who raise the bar for literacy throughout San Bernardino County were recognized by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday as part of the Countywide Vision project’s Vision2Read initiative.

In February, the Vision2Read campaign asked the public to identify people in the community who go above and beyond the call of duty to motivate others to read and improve literacy skills and nominate them as Reading Heroes.

“I’m pleased to learn that so many sectors in our community are collaborating to improve literacy in this county,” said James Ramos, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “These Reading Heroes come from private business, public schools, libraries, and community organizations. Several of these Reading Heroes are spending their own personal time to make sure our children and adults are learning what they need to succeed in life.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- For the first time, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians lit up The Arrowhead in memory and tribute to the 14 lives lost in the December 2 terrorist attack in San Bernardino one year ago. The iconic Arrowhead is a natural formation on the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains that can be seen for miles throughout the valley. The brilliant lighting of the Arrowhead formation will stand as a memorial to each life lost on December 2 and a symbol of solidarity and hope for this proud and strong community. 

“Even as we struggle to make sense of those events from a year ago, we remain strong in our commitment to the values that make us a strong community,” said Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. “We are proud to join with the San Bernardino and our community partners to shine a new light in memory of those we lost.” 

The Arrowhead was lit on Thursday, December 1 and will remain lit until December 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Arrowhead formation is located in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, just north of San Bernardino’s Wildwood Park (40th Street and Waterman Avenue). Lit up with over a dozen 120,000-lumen arc lights, it can be seen from nearly anywhere in the cities of San Bernardino or Highland. 

FONTANA, CA- The Ephesians New Testament Church and the City Of Fontana cordially invites you to participate in the 29th Annual Birthday Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Nobel Peace Prize Winner) and slain Civil-Rights leader. The celebration will encompass two (2) days, January 13th and 14th, 2017

On January 13, 2017 the Annual Worship Service will be hosted by the Mountain View Community Church, 8833 Palmetto Avenue, Fontana, California at 7:30pm. This year’s annual speaker will be the Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes Jr., Sr. Pastor Emeritus of Riverside Church of New York.  A renowned speaker and much sought after lecturer ranked and noted by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top “10’” preachers the country. He has written several books his most recent books “Who’s Gospel”, “The Holy Spirit and Preaching” to name a couple of his works.

Special music guest that evening The Grammy Nominated Los Angeles Gospel Messengers under the direction of Rev. Quincy Fielding Jr. and also the renowned Psalmist, Ms. Betty Griffin Keller. This worship service is free to the community and open to all faiths.

In a tribute to culture, a Jazz Concert will be hosted January 14, 2017 at the Fontana Steelworkers Auditorium 8427 Sierra Avenue, Fontana, California at 7:30pm; featuring the following artist:  

Kirk Whalum, Smooth Jazz Artist and Grammy Award Winner, he  has worked with artists such as Whitney Houston, Willie Norwood, Babyface, Nancy Wilson, Yolanda Adams, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Barbara Streisand, Kirk Franklin, Quincy Jones, Kevin Mahogany, Al Green and Luther Vandross just to name a few. He has also worked on film scores including those for The Prince of Tides, The Bodyguard and Grand Canyon. Kirk Whalum is known for his gospel hit, Falling In Love With Jesus.

Ms. Jeanette Harris and the Jeanette Harris Band, Whom have served as the  opening act for artist such as the late BB King, Kirk Whalum, Grammy Award winner Denise Williams, Eric Marienthal, and Paul Jackson to name a few.

Ticket prices are: You & Me tickets $100, VIP tickets $95, and General Admission tickets $60. Show will begin at 7:30pm. Doors will open at 6:30pm. For ticket information: www.ephesianschurch.com or call the church office (909)823-2310; there are also hotel packages available through the Fontana Hilton Garden Inn.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Sherman Garnett was elected as the new president of the San Bernardino County Board of Education during its meeting on December 5.

Garnett, who was the vice president of the Board, takes over the presidency from Alen Ritchie, who held the position for the past year. In addition, Hardy Brown II was elected vice president of the Board.

Garnett has served on the Board since 2014. He represents Trustee Area B, which includes the districts of Alta Loma, Central, parts of Chaffey Joint Union High, Etiwanda, Mt. Baldy, Ontario-Montclair and Upland.

Brown represents Trustee Area D, which includes the districts of Rialto, San Bernardino and Snowline.

In addition to the reorganization of the Board, members Laura Mancha and Ritchie took the oath of office from County Superintendent Ted Alejandre, after they were elected to new four-year terms in November.

The Board establishes policy, adopts an annual budget, approves building plans and hears

student expulsion, inter-district transfer and charter school appeals. The Board meets monthly, regularly the first Monday of the month.

NORCO, CA- Several thousand young female soccer players descended on SilverLakes, the newly minted 130-acre soccer facility in Norco, California, for the three day SilverLakes’ College Soccer Showcase, November 25-27, 2016. The young athletes participating in this signature event hoped to seize the rare opportunity to have their athletic prowess assessed by college coaches from around the United States. The annual College Soccer Showcase is focused on welcoming college coaches as well as U.S. Soccer youth national team scouts, to evaluate the skills and abilities of aspiring young female soccer players as they look to earn scholarship offers and invitations to attend U.S. youth National Team camps. More than 2,500 players from more than 140 teams, including some of the top clubs from the Western Region, were on-hand for this unique event.  A highlight of the showcase was an All Star Game between the Canadian Whitecaps and USA All Stars.

“We are incredibly excited to host this first-of-its-kind showcase event for young women at SilverLakes. The participation by high-level coaches throughout the country, including among others, Stanford, Texas A&M, Cornell, North Western, UCLA, Cal Berkeley and the thousands of young women was incredible to see. It is often difficult for youth players looking to take their game to the next level to gain access to key coaches who will enable them to fully realize their abilities and play at the collegiate level. Our first annual College Soccer Showcase has already succeeded in providing this access and it is our hope that this experience will be a ‘game changer’ for these young people,” said R.J. Brandes, President, SilverLakes.

As SilverLakes continues to build a full offering of programs and events to fulfill its mission to empower young athletes to reach their full plans to add an event for men’s soccer in the near future.  The competition for more than $2.7 billion in athletics scholarships granted annually by the NCAA Divisions I and II schools is extremely competitive and often comes down to demonstrating an athlete’s skill to a select few, and hard to access, coaches and recruiters. SilverLakes hopes to tear down the barriers for student athletes by convening showcase events, such as the November 25-27, 2016 opportunity.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- “It’s not about the food, it’s about human connection, feeling that they belong and included,” said The Way World Outreach Senior Pastor Marco Garcia.  “What’s missing in a lot of people’s lives are relationships, and we’re here to fill that gap and to show them they are loved.”

Garcia bent down and placed his hand on a woman’s shoulder to pray privately with her during the 12^th annual Thanksgiving luncheon on Tuesday, November 22 where over 1,500 people gathered at The Way’s downtown mission in San Bernardino.

Nearly 500 volunteers bustled from the kitchen to the courtyard and main dining hall to dish and serve plates brimming with turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn and stuffing to the area’s underserved population.

According to Garcia, the volunteers gain as much, if not more, joy than the recipients.

“It’s a blessing to serve others and to feel that love and sense of family,” said Vanessa Miranda, celebrating 3 years of sobriety from a 12-year methamphetamine addiction with help from The Way.  “I am so thankful that I am healthy today and able to give back and show others that they are cared for.”  

A homeless mother and her two young children who found shelter by means of The Way two weeks prior to the Thanksgiving event were eager volunteers.  

“Her 10-year-old son told me how much joy he was getting through service to others and that he will never forget this experience,” Garcia said.  

Dozens of gift baskets filled with groceries were raffled away.  Winner Scott Collins, who lives at the Gibson House for Men battling drug addiction, gave his basket away to a stranger, Eddie Weaver, because he felt moved to do so.  Others followed suit.

That same sentiment of generosity, inclusion and connection was palpable amid the lively conversation and laughter among strangers bound by prayer and breaking bread.

“People aren’t looking for a handout, but a hand up,” Cuencas said.  “This event shows the nature of this community, one that comes together in communion, love and service.”

VICTORVILLE, CA- On Thanksgiving Day, Recording Artist Justified connected the dots with Ronalds Fish Market in Victorville and served 200 residents with an awesome Thanksgiving Meal, all for free.

Ronald Butler, owner of RFM, stated that he wanted to show his appreciation to his customers and the community by serving up some excellent food by bringing a blessing to families of the High Desert. Justified, who has been well known for his HEAL THE VILLE efforts, was more than willing to step up and Co-sponsor this awesome act of giving back.

Justified and his daughters attended the situation and brought along his friends from Sunshine Face Painting to make balloon hats and distribute candy leis to the kids. Justified also gave away free advanced copies of his latest project “Man On A Mission”, including legendary features from E40, WC, Suga Free, AV LMKR, Blue Flame Mega, and more.

Overall, it was a successful event and Ronald says he’s looking forward to doing it even bigger next year. Justified’s next form of giving will be his “12 days of christmas giveaway” from December 13 to 25, where everyday one family will be blessed with a gift from justified and participating sponsors including Street Positive, LA Stereo, Yakety Yak Wireless, IMOB, and more. 

If you’re heart leads you to want to donate to Justified’s HEAL THE VILLE efforts, please visit Gofundme.com/healtheville. 

For more information and updates on Justified visit JUSTIFIEDMUSIC.NET and make sure to FOLLOW THE WINGS on Social Media. Twitter: @Darealjustified and Instagram: Justified_Smith.