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SAN BERNARDINO, CA- United Nations of Consciousness is now accepting enrollment in their Youth Afterschool Enrichment Program. Program begins in October 2016. Pre-Register by visiting www.uncyouth.org

Registration is on a first come, first serve basis, with priority given to San Bernardino City Unified School District students. They are currently accepting children ages 8 to18 years old.

Stay up to date by subscribing to UNC’s text messages by texting UNCYOUTH to 31996. (Standard messaging rates apply, see carrier for details.) 

Water is essential to our everyday lives so it’s important to conserve our water supplies. Cutting water use outside is really important. If each of us changed our water-use habits even a little, we could save billions of gallons of water. Here’s a few ways you can help:

• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks and save up to 150 gallons each time.
• Check and repair promptly your sprinkler system for leaks, oversprays and broken sprinkler heads to save up to 500 gallons per month.
• Water your plants in the evening or early in the morning to reduce evaporation and to save up to 25 gallons each time.
• Install a smart sprinkler controller that adjusts watering based on weather, soil type, amount of shade and plant type to save up to 40 gallons per day.

Be a team player. Follow your local water agency’s suggested watering days to save up to 840 gallons per week.

Metropolitan Water District’s conservation website, bewaterwise.com, offers additional tips on how to reduce indoor and outdoor water use. Love Water. Save Water.

Jon Eady

SANTA MONICA, CA- Santa Monica College (SMC) is pleased to announce that SMC grad and Santa Monica native Jonathan Eady has been awarded a Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The scholarship supports students who are pursuing a degree in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields.

Upon graduation, all SMART scholars are placed in civilian jobs in a DoD lab or facility. The DoD developed its SMART program to increase the number of civilian scientists and engineers working at DoD laboratories. In addition to covering tuition and other educational expenses, SMART recipients receive a generous cash award and health insurance allowance, as well as a monthly stipend. Summer internships are also included.

Eady is an Army National Guard veteran who completed six years of service at the end of July. He was a fire finding radar operator, “which is basically using a radar to track artillery firing around the area,” said Eady. He also served as a liaison with the National Guard’s efforts to help the homeless in the Santa Monica and Los Angelesarea. During his time in the National Guard, Eady said he often struggled to juggle his studies with his military duties, and even had to drop classes at times to meet his military obligations.

Despite the delays in his educational pursuits, Eady earned an Associate degree at SMC in General Science-Mechanical Engineering preparation this June. He transferred to California State University-Northridge (CSUN), where he is majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Mechatronics and Robotics, and minoring in Automation and Computer Design. Eady says he chose CSUN because it has a “more robust robotics program than they have at UC,” adding that he is “proud to be CSUN’s first SMART scholarship participant.”

For Eady, who grew up with the struggles and wants of poverty, one of the many benefits of the SMART scholarship is that it includes a paid internship, with a direct path to a career. He called the scholarship “liberating, just knowing that I can take care of my mom now.” Eady recently learned that his mother had been diagnosed with bipolar schizophrenia.

The internship also gives him the opportunity to become familiar with working at a DoD facility. “It’s basically like a trial period to see how things feel,” he said. For his internship site, Eady selected the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme. He will be working with the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program. The LCS is a fairly new type of small, but very agile, high-tech surface vessels designed to operate in coastal waters close to shore.

Eady is a former President’s Ambassador of Santa Monica College and participant in the college’s STEM Science Research Initiative. He is also the founder of the STEM Club at SMC, and was elected by the student body to serve as student trustee on the SMC board for 2015-16.

Eady credits several of his SMC instructors for his success, especially Professor Muriel Walker-Waugh, who “got me into the STEM program and got me started on this path of success that I didn’t know was there.” SMC Academic Computing Instructional Specialist Lee Peterson, who runs the student computer lab in Cayton Center, has been “instrumental in everything,” said Eady. “His mentorship is a huge reason why I was successful.” Eady added that SMC’s trustees were all very supportive and he benefited especially from being “actively mentored” by board member Dr. Susan Aminoff.

Gaining the engineering knowledge to go into robotics is one of Eady’s dreams. “I want to understand how all this technology works, so I can have that little bit of information and the scientific literacy that’s necessary for the future,” he said. “I want to use technology to help people in some way. I’m going to try to be that person who says, ‘Let’s make our priorities our people, education, and making sure we advance ourselves technologically.’” In the end, added Eady, “It’s all public service. That’s where I’ve been my entire life.”

For more information on the SMART scholarship, visit smart.asee.org.

Karla Quebec

ONTARIO, CA- San Bernardino Author T’ana Phelice has accomplished a lot in the past two years with three book releases, and now is she gearing up to expand her brand by bringing her books to the stage. “The Diamond Monologues” will debut on Saturday, October 1 at 2455 E. Riverside Drive in Ontario, California 91761 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“A Woman is something precious to this world, but you have to decide if you’re a pig or a pearl,” T’ana Phelice quotes.

This heart-wrenching, dramatic, and touching stage production will go into the lives of five dynamic young women. Veronica, Precious, Nicki, Tia, and Samantha are used to beauty and scandalous behavior in a means to get them ahead, but God has other plans in mind. Twisted affairs leave a few of the ladies praying for redemption, while true love leaves one facing tragedy and another with what she has finally become worthy of. Each of these ladies are at a crossroad that will either test their faith or restore the strength that they didn’t know they had. Some will make reality of their dreams, while others refuse to face reality all together.

To compliment the message of the stage production, there will be a special keynote speech from Karla Quebec of the Inland Empire Black Chamber of Commerce, in addition to other young, dynamic women speakers. The evening will also consist of spoken word, photo op opportunities on the red carpet, and light refreshments will be served for a small fee.

Early bird tickets are on sale on for $20 and after Saturday, September 24 they will be $25. Grab you tickets and your seat now at www.tanaphelice.com. Seating is limited.

RIVERSIDE, CA— More than 60 middle and high school students from California and Arizona came to the University of California, Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering on Saturday, Sept. 10, to learn how nanotechnology and biology are increasingly being brought together to address important problems in a variety of fields. The event was hosted by UCR and the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, or CTY.

The workshop was part of CTY’s Science and Technology series, which offers one-day experiences that connect academically gifted students and their parents with scientists at leading research institutions across the country to encourage their interest in science, technology, engineering and math majors and careers.

The workshop at UCR highlighted how nanotechnology—science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale—is being used to enhance biological systems, as well as the inverse situation, where biology is providing new means for addressing critical challenges in the field of nanotechnology. The event included faculty seminars and hands-on demonstrations, an undergraduate research panel discussion, and tours of UCR’s Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering Nanofabrication Facility and Central Facility for Advanced Microscopy and Microanalysis.

“We wanted to transform our guests into nano-bioengineers for the day so they could experience firsthand how research in this area is addressing many unmet needs, not only in biology and medicine but also in energy, electronics, the environment and numerous other fields,” said Masaru Rao, an associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and engineering at UCR. “The students were extremely talented, very engaged, and we hope that some of them are inspired to consider pursuing educational paths and eventual careers in nanotechnology and biology.”

“This is the first time UCR has hosted a CTY event, and based on its success, we look forward to the opportunity to do so again in the future.”

Rao hosted the workshop with fellow BCOE faculty and staff, including: Victor Rodgers, professor of bioengineering; Elaine Haberer, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering; Hideaki Tsutsui, assistant professor of mechanical engineering; Monica Wilhelmus, assistant professor of mechanical and chemical and environmental engineering; Jun Wang, director of student development and international initiatives; and Rosie Zhang, professional development officer. The workshop also involved the efforts of more than a dozen BCOE graduate and undergraduate student volunteers, who served as guides, demonstration leaders, and discussion panelists.

Established in 1979, The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth is a non-profit center that identifies and develops the talents of academically gifted K-12 learners worldwide. CTY identifies young people of great academic promise through its annual talent search and nurtures their intellect and personal growth through summer programs, online courses, and other services and resources.

Support for the event was provided by CTY, UCR BCOE, and National Science Foundation grants CMMI-1254999, OISE-1545852, ECCS-1406795, and CBET-1606181.

LOS ANGELES, CA- Real To Reel Global Youth Film Festival showcases works of youth filmmakers ages 14-23 and is spearheaded by 22-year-old co-founder Johna Rivers, an emancipated foster youth from the community of Watts, CA.  Better Youth, a mentoring and creative development agency will host its “2^nd Annual Real to Reel Global Youth Film Festival” from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Los Angeles Film School on Saturday, October 8, 2016. Actress Monique Coleman (“High School Musical”) will serve as a featured speaker for an audience of future youth filmmakers from local media literacy and media production training programs, Actor Melvin Jackson Jr. (BET’s “The New Edition Story”) and Johna Rivers (Real To Reel Youth Producer) will serve as co-hosts.

The festival will screen a diverse slate of short films by youth filmmakers from different countries. In between screenings will be acting workshops, filmmaker panels featuring industry professionals, producer and film financing panels featuring industry experts. This year’s panelists include Meg DeLoatch (Creator of Eve), Shawn Boxe (HBO’s Silicon Valley), and many others.

The festival is created for youth by youth providing an amazing platform for youth filmmakers to showcase their latest work and to receive direct feedback from the film community. The festival is free and open to the general public thanks to its sponsors The National Endowment for the Arts, The Los Angeles Film School, Final Draft, NAMAC, Girl Up, Trader Joe’s and Film Freeway. For more information, visit www.betteryouth.org.

RIALTO, CA- Youth Action Project as part of their role in the Rialto Summer Bridge to Success presented 46 Rialto youth and their parents each with $150 as an incentive/reward for completing four of a twelve week long summer incentive youth and parent development program.

Each family had the opportunity to earn the cash incentive if they agreed to complete each of YAPs youth and parent sessions facilitated by Edward Brantley and Keith Hosea. As part of the agreement each family demonstrated understanding of 7 specific habits of effectiveness and developed and presented a family vision board.

Youth Action Project is a youth development agency founded by Rialto resident Joseph Williams; its mission is to empower youth and young adults in the development of the skills and habits needed to experience economic and social success. Williams also represents the city of Rialto and Muscoy as a member of the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees. 

“The Rialto Summer Bridge program was both fun and inspirational, being able to see not only these young students but their parents also learning how to become more productive in different aspects of their lives.” YAP Member and youth specialist Marisa Gomez

The Rialto Summer Bridge to Success is a 12 week intensive program that targets youth between the ages of 7-16. The program is in its second year of a planned three year initiative. Resilience, culture, discipline and character development are the main tenants of the program.

“This program was great to myself and children, and I will be brining my kids back to participate until they graduate from high school” Alana Rialto Parent

The Rialto Summer Bridge is a collaboration between the City of Rialto, Rialto PD, MHM and Associates, Young Visionaries, Black Voice Foundation, The Bethune, Big Brothers and Sisters, Serge and Youth Action Project.

Joseph Williams stated, “This year’s program was so powerful; youth along with their parents were exposed to habits of effective, they had the opportunity to develop family vision board together. The whole effort was invest in building families capacity to support one another”

 For more information on the next summer session contact MHM and Associates at (951) 682-4MHM(646)  Ext.100.

LaToya Flowers Jones and Rochelle Wright

By Angela M. Coggs

On Saturday, September 10^th Young Women Empowerment Foundation (YWE) hosted their fourth Annual Women’s Wellness Conference at San Bernardino Community Hospital Henderson Auditorium, 1800 Western Avenue San Bernardino, CA 92411, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. YWE welcomed family, friends, students and community supporters to the augural event that focused on emotional and physical health and wellness. It was a free event for women of all ages in the Inland Empire. The event was hosted by Carletta Loflin, who was also speaker at last year’s Wellness Conference.

This year’s theme was Double D’s. Double D’s refers to diabetes and depression. The theme was based on the idea of a dual diagnosis.  Both of these diseases plague all people but especially minority women. The conference focused on the prevention of diabetes and depression as well as learning to live with and maintain it if diagnosed with either. The women in attendance participated in several interactive demonstrations/exercises which included routines by the energetic Harriette Coggs Stuckey from Heart and Soul Dance. Coggs- Stuckey blessed participants for the past two years. “I attended last year and the line dancing was one of my favorite parts. I’m glad that she returned this year,” said one enthusiastic participant. “She’s awesome. I feel renewed and ready to go.”

There were life changing testimonials from women on diabetes and depression. The speakers for the wellness conference will focused on issues that are important and relevant to women, diabetes and depression. The keynote and guest testimonial speakers’ included:

Dee De La Cruz (Diabetes Keynote) of Lue Productions 1st Big Beautiful Woman Modeling Queen Winner 2016, Pasha Fruman, PA-C (Depression Keynote) – Health Educator and Community Health Activist, Deborah Smith (Depression Testimony) Community/Business Relationship Specialist- Personal Banker WFAW, Gloria Dowdy (Diabetes Testimony)-Retired IT Specialist (Programmer)-Department of Veterans Affairs, and Lea Michelle Cash (Depression Informational) President/CEO- The Brightest Star, Inc

LaToya Flowers-Jones and Rochelle Wright (Mary Kay vendor) attended the event for the first time and had a really good time. Both enjoyed themselves and indicated that they intend on returning next year.

In addition to providing useful health and wellness information at the conference, the attendees had their funny bone exercised as comedian Amber Thorney-Croft explored the humorous side of life in general. It was the perfect ending to a successful event. Many reported leaving the event feeling hopeful, informed, inspired and refreshed.

Several vendor booths were available for attendees to visit and gain information and resources. Vendors included: San Bernardino County Nutrition Program, Mary Kay, African American Mental Health, Coalition, Sonnier Beauty, Restaurando Vidas (Restoring Lives), Riverside/San Bernardino County Indian Health Inc., Inland Behavioral and Health Services, Inc. and Inland Empire Black Nurses Association.

“I want to thank you (YWE) for having me as a vendor. I appreciate the fact that I was able to provide the services that my company has to offer and I was also able to be part of this awesome conference that you guys organized,” stated Diana Silva, Outreach Specialist for Inland Behavioral Health Services, Inc. “It was inspirational, educational and empowering.”

One of the most talked about item of the day was the Double D’s t-shirts worn by the Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation board members. Although some attendees were able to win a few shirts during the opportunity drawing, many more people wanted to purchase one. In response to the inquiries about how to purchase the Double Ds Diabetes and Depression event t-shirt anyone can visit the Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation website donation link at youngwomenempowerment.org to obtain one.

“This event was so informative and impactful for the women in the community,” Rochelle Wright said. “Every woman that presented at the Young Women’s Empowered Conference, blessed my life with their transparent, transformational and inspiration testimonies. The organization has a bright future ahead of them because they are planting great seeds of wisdom in preparing our youth to be successful and healthy global citizens.”

Attendees registered on Eventbrite under “Free Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) 4^th Annual Women’s Wellness Conference.  They were encouraged and invite family and friends to also register and attend the noteworthy opportunity focused on empowering women to live mentally and physically healthy lives. Over 100 women attended the event.

YWE T-Shirt Pic

Kaiser Permanente was a Gold Sponsor for the event. San Bernardino Community Hospital, European Wax Center, and San Bernardino Symphony also provided for the event. Volunteers from the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority were also on hand to ensure the conference ran smoothly.

YWE serves to strengthen the character of young women of high school age in the San Bernardino City region of the Inland Empire in Southern California. Young Women’s Empowerment was founded by Gwendolyn Dowdy- Rodgers. The mission of our program is to empower these young women to achieve at their highest potential, particularly in education, and to instill in them a commitment San Bernardino city council member Bessine Littlefield – Richard San Bernardino Community College Trustee Joseph Williams San Bernardino County Superintendent of School Trustee Hardy Brown II Senator Connie Leyva’s Field Representative Micheal Townsend San Bernardino City Unified School Board Superintendent Dale Marsden County Board of Supervisor Josie Gonzales Field Representative Erika Willhite to return to their community as leaders and mentors.

Dignitaries who attended included:

• San Bernardino City Council member Bessine Littlefield – Richard,
• San Bernardino Community College Trustee Joseph Williams,
• San Bernardino County Superintendent of School Trustee Hardy Brown II,
• Senator Connie Leyva’s Field Representative Michael Townsend,
• San Bernardino City Unified School Board Superintendent Dale Marsden,
• County Board of Supervisor Josie Gonzales, and Field Representative Erika Willhite

The Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation (YWE) is dedicated to strengthening the self-esteem, character, integrity and capacity of young women ages 12-21 so that they may achieve their highest potential. YWE accomplishes its purpose through strategic partnerships with other organizations. YWE is guided by ethics and principles which exhibit respect for cultural diversity.

Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation next event: Girl Talk V (March 2017)

Evan T. Carthen

Mr. Evan Tyler Carthen, 22, Pepperdine University Law Student, former California Lutheran University Student Body President, former Arrowhead Christian Academy High School Graduate (2012) and former Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion Sir Knight 2012, passed away on September 5, 2016. He was the son of Tracy Carthen and Twillea Evans-Carthen, twin brother to Eric Carthen and brother to Megan Carthen Jackson (Marcus).

Carthen, 2016 graduate from California Lutheran University with a dual major, BA in English and BS in political science.  Carthen was known for his compassionate heart and deep desire to make the world a better place. As an undergraduate, he served as president of the Associated Students of California Lutheran University Government executive cabinet and was secretary of the Black Student Union of California Lutheran University. Carthen was inducted into the California Lutheran University Scholar-Athlete Society in 2013 and 2014 in recognition of his performance on the men’s basketball team as well as in the classroom. He chose Pepperdine School of Law for its Christian mission and to fulfill his dream of becoming a district attorney.

Evan’s life was celebrated on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in addition to a celebration of life service honoring Evan Carthen on Friday, September 9, at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA and a candlelight vigil on Tuesday, September 6, at California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Tributes in memory of a life well lived are welcome by going to www.dignitymemorial.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The deadline to apply for the eighth annual San Bernardino County Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project is September 23.

Applications for the Veterans Diploma Project are to award diplomas to men and women whose high school education was interrupted due to military service or internment in a Japanese American camp. The effort is sponsored by the County Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. Diplomas will be awarded to qualified applicants at a ceremony in November.

Applicants will be notified of their status and qualified applicants will be provided with the date, time, and location of the presentation. 

Veterans who served in and received an honorable discharge from World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War; or individuals who were interned in a Japanese American relocation camp and are San Bernardino County residents are eligible to participate. There is no charge to participate.

For assistance with verification of military service and/or discharge papers, contact the County Department of Veterans Affairs at (866) 472-8387 or (909) 387-5516. For more information, contact Samantha Koker at County Schools at (909) 386-2412.