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Time for Change Staff

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Kim Carter overcame addiction, incarceration and homelessness, and founded Time for Change Foundation to help other homeless women and their children. She helps them to stand on their own and be independent, to raise their children with love and healthy boundaries, and break the cycle of helplessness.

There are 9 other outstanding CNN Heroes in the competition to be #1.
The winner of the top prize will receive $100,000. Kim Carter is the only Top 10 Hero in California. She is working with women and children who live in our communities.

How do you feel after a productive day at work? There is tremendous dignity that comes from being able to support your family; providing food, shelter, care, love and a future.

Can you imagine not having food for your children, a roof over their heads, enough money to make ends meet? Many of Time for Change’s families have never been in a positive home environment. They only know violence, hunger, addiction, pain and fear.

Kim Carter’s vision and life’s work changes that reality for countless women. Time for Change Foundation teaches them how to live, helps them to heal deep wounds and how to provide the kind of home life for their children that we all take for granted.

Your vote, every day, will mean the world to countless women and their children. Please vote and tell your friends to vote too. Voting will be open until November 1 at heroes.cnn.com.

REDLANDS, CA – This past Saturday, Music Changing Lives, (MCL) hosted their 8^th annual Lights on Afterschool celebration at the Redlands Community Center.  Lights on Afterschool is a national celebration recognizing the importance of after-school programs for children, parents and the greater community.

Music Changing Lives celebrated by hosting a musical performance competition, visual arts display and a fashion show!  MCL students worked for several months preparing for the fun and entertaining celebration.  First place in the vocal competition went to 9 year old singer Valeria Solis who sang “Stay” by Rhianna.

Trisha Sherman is the Art Director at the MCL Redlands location and she worked with her student artists on the visual artworks display, along with coordinating the very stylish fashion show.

Two students, Julian Amaro and Angela Pallares from the Art Institute of San Bernardino who intern with MCL showcased their Spring Bloom Collection for the show, while art instructor Eva Urbano, designed the tutu dress collection for the young female art students strut in during the fashion show.

Program Director and lead Audio Engineer for MCL, Steven L. Hernandez organized Saturday’s showcase and commented, “I started at MCL three years ago and when I started I thought this was crazy because I hadn’t heard about a program like this before. But when I started working with kids who had difficulties and problems, I realized this was one of the places they could come to not only be themselves, but could grow and escape from what they may have to deal with every day.”’

Music Changing Lives offers students at the Redlands Community Center recording sessions, vocal coaching, piano lessons, guitar lessons and art lessons Monday – Saturday from 2pm-9pm for only $20.00 a month.

Former student and guest judge for the event, Jose Mariscal of Moreno Valley discovered MCL during his senior year of high school.  Jose credits MCL to opening many doors for him musically and for giving him confidence to perform and audition.

He also enjoys giving back and helping other young artists who were like him a few years ago.

“I was in bad shape, you know, and music got me to focus on what I love doing. I love singing. I love playing the guitar, the piano, the drums. It’s one of my dreams,” he said.

“We plan to celebrate Lights on After School every year because it not only recognizes the important role afterschool programs play in our communities, it also celebrates the kids in our programs, the arts, the music and all of the achievements we’ve reached,” said CEO & Founder of Music Changing Lives Josiah Bruny.

Afterschool programs keep kids safe, help working families and inspire learning. According to data from the Afterschool Alliance, 14.3 million children are without adult supervision in the afternoon hours.

Visit www.musicchanginglives.org to learn more about MCL or follow the movement on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MusicChangingLivesIE

SACRAMENTO – AB 914, a measure by Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino), has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. The bill authorizes the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) to implement an Express Lane program in San Bernardino County on the I-10 and the I-15 corridors.

“The Inland Empire is the fastest growing region in the state; and as result, we are subject to the worst traffic and air quality conditions,” stated Assemblymember Brown. “AB 914 gives SANBAG additional tools to reduce congestion and improve our air quality. Additionally, the project creates a significant number of new jobs.”

San Bernardino County is projected to have 3.4 million residents in 2060. The I-10 and I-15 corridors are among the most congested and urbanized in the state, seeing up to 483,000 vehicles per day.  By 2045, these numbers are expected to reach 668,500 vehicles per day, a 38 percent increase.

“AB 914 gives our region the ability to reduce congestion and improve mobility for those that travel within and through our county.  The projects being considered for the I-10 and I-15 corridors are anticipated to produce 11,000 jobs for our region and save $40 million annually in delay costs for travelers countywide by 2045,” said Raymond Wolfe, Executive Director of SANBAG. “AB 914 appropriately requires that we reinvest funds generated from any projects developed on these corridors on local street and road improvements, which means that all drivers would see benefits, even if they were to never use Express Lanes.”

Submitted by Angela Coggs

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Tuesday, October 20, parents, students, and community members in San Bernardino will demand that San Bernardino City Unified School District adopt the Progressive Discipline Policy to do more to reform the district’s discipline that funnel students of color through the school-to-prison pipeline.  The district has used the Progressive Discipline Matrix as a guide to help schools change their practices by adopting strategies such as School-wide Positive Behavior Support and Restorative Justice which has resulted in significant drops in overall student suspension rates from 11% in 2010-2011 school year to 6.4% in 2014-2015 school year.

The community believes that the criminalization of youth of color remains a threat, especially to African American students who continue to experience significantly disproportionate discipline for disruption/willful defiance and face higher rates of school related arrests and referrals to law enforcement than other subgroups of students. Research has shown that when committing the same or similar subjective behavior offenses, African American students are inclined to receive more severe disciplinary consequences (Noltemeyer & Mcloughlin, 2010a; Noltemeyer & Mcloughlin, 2010b; Skiba, et al., 2002).  African American and Latino students combined experience school-based arrests at higher rates than those who complete A-G course requirements and are prepared for college and career.

As California is home to a significant number of state and federal prisons consequently, schools in San Bernardino County experience higher rates of suspension, citations, and school-based arrests in comparison to other counties in the state making this region a direct feeder into the school-to-prison pipeline.  Parents, students, and the community members a new policy that will, among many things, end to willful defiance suspensions, define articulate the role of police on campus and the use of alternative strategies to reduce the use of citations and student arrests in disciplinary matters, and establish a structure for community oversight.

This is effort is being organized by Inland Congregations United for Change, Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement, Youth Action Project, American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, in solidarity with Pico California Network and the Statewide School Discipline Action Team, a coalition of community-based and advocacy groups working to reform school discipline practices across the state of California.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at Cal State San Bernardino has announced the finalists for the 2015 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards program. Award winners will be announced on November 10 at the black-tie gala at the Riverside Convention Center.  Now in its 13^th year, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards event has honored the top business leaders of the Inland region since its inception in 2003.

“We continue to be amazed at the truly unique entrepreneurial success stories in the Inland Empire,” said Mike Stull, founder of the event and director of IECE. “This year’s finalists are another group of advanced companies that represent the type of innovation and risk taking that this event celebrates.”

The program will feature awards given out in nine categories, and also presentation of the 2015 “Best of the Best” award to one of the nine (9) award recipients that best exemplifies what it means to be an entrepreneur in terms of taking risks and building a successful enterprise that creates jobs and value where none existed before.

Entrepreneurial finalists for 2015 include: Consulting Entrepreneur: Mary Barnett, Another Brilliant Idea, Inc. – Corona; Patti Drinville – The PLD Group Inc. – Thousand Palms; and Virgal Woolfolk – VIRTEK Company – Menifee. The Corporate Entrepreneur includes Kathy Griset, Cibaria International, Inc. – Riverside; David J. Greiner, Greiner Buick GMC – Victorville; Antonio Myrell, Premier Medical Transportation, Inc.- Colton; and David Hsu & Ching Liu, SolarMax Technology, Inc. – Riverside.

In the Family Business category is Bud Luppino, Bud’s Tire Pros – Riverside; Mark Peabody and Larry Peabody, Peabody Engineering & Supply, Inc. – Corona; and Wesley L. Golay, Redlands Prosthetic & Orthotic Group, Inc.  – Redlands.

The General Entrepreneur section includes Angela Weymar & Tony Di Guglielmo, ICON Vehicle Dynamics, LLC – Riverside; DeAnne Stidham – LuLaRoe – Corona; and Jeff Van Dam, That Solar Guy – Murrieta.

The Innovator/Technology Entrepreneur includes Shahriar “Nick” Niakan, Advanced Flow Engineering, Inc.   – Corona; David Bertolini – HotelRSV – Murrieta; and Eddie Rowland – Nexbelt LLC – Rancho Cucamonga. The Manufacturing Entrepreneur includes Taylor Hale, Crown Paper Converting, Inc.  – Ontario; Dave Grimes, Edge Plastics Inc. / ODI Grips – Riverside; and Jack Fovell, Southwest Sign Co. – Corona.

The Service Based Entrepreneur includes Daniel Hallisey, Artic Mechanical, Inc. – Rancho Cucamonga; Cory Chalmers, Crime Scene Steri-Clean, LLC – Rancho Cucamonga; and Manuel Acosta, Pepe’s Towing Service – Moreno Valley. The Small/Emerging Enterprise consists of Don Gilmartin, APRIS Fire & Water Restoration – Corona; Nathan Greenberg, Arkside Marketing, Inc. – Riverside; and Gene Sherman – Vocademy – The Makerspace – Riverside. Lastly the Social Entrepreneur consists of Jed Davis, HomeStrong USA – Rancho Cucamonga; Dr. Temetry A. Lindsey, Inland Behavioral and Health Services, Inc. – San Bernardino; Damien O’Farrell, Path of Life Ministries – Riverside; and Karen DiCarlo, Santa Claus, Inc. of Greater San Bernardino – San Bernardino.

The finalists and award recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges consisting of past Spirit Award recipients.  The 29 finalists represent the culmination of a nomination and evaluation process that included more than 130 nominees.

Individual tickets for the Nov. 10 event are $110 per person and tables of 10 can be purchased for $1,000. Special Premier VIP experience ticket packages are also available. For more information or to make reservations, call (909) 537-3708 or visit www.spiritawardsie.com

Commencing at 5:30 p.m., the gala includes a cocktail reception, dinner, special entertainment guests and the awards presentation. All proceeds benefit the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Scholarship at Cal State San Bernardino.

Rev. “J” Edgar Boyd

LOS ANGELES, CA- More than 5,000 members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church will convene at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport, 5711 W. Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, October 19 thru 25, for the 91st Session of the Southern California Conference (SCAC) and the Planning Meeting which will follow, October 26 to 27.

Both sessions will be led by the Right Reverend Theodore Larry Kirkland, Presiding Prelate of the 5th Episcopal District, with First AME Church of Los Angeles (FAME), pastored by the Rev. “J” Edgar Boyd,  serving as host. This will be the last annual conference led Bishop Kirkland as head of the 5th District, prior to his scheduled retirement in the summer of 2016.

Under the theme, “Rebuilding the Walls,” the schedule features day and evening worship services, business meetings and educational sessions for conference delegates, clergy, laity, youth, young adults, and missionaries.

Prior to the official conference opening, the Young People’s Division will hold their annual convention and the SCAC Women’s Missionary Society will also begin their sessions.  The annual pre-conference musical will be held on Sunday, October 18, 4 p.m. at Bethel AME Church, 7900 Western Avenue, Los Angeles.  Additional activities at the Hilton include:  Opening Night Worship Service, Wednesday, October 21, 7 p.m., with the Rev. John Cager, Senior Minister, Ward AME Church, delivering the Word.  Mayor Eric Garcetti, along with other elected officials, will bring greetings from the City of Los Angeles; Men’s Witness Night Worship, Thursday, 7 p.m.; Consecration & Ordination Service, Saturday, 10:30 a.m.; and Closing Worship and Commissioning Service, Sunday, October 25 at 3 p.m.

“We are honored to serve as host of this conference session,” said Pastor Boyd.  We are thankful to our Bishop and Presiding Elders who continue to encourage us in the building of our churches and our communities.”

The public is invited to attend the pre-conference musical as well as the noon and evening worship services.

REDLANDS, CA- The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Nu Omega Chapter (serving San Bernardino/Riverside) are serious about health education and eradicating cancer.  The “Pink and Green Divas”  of Eta Nu Omega participated in the 8th Annual Stater Bros. Believe Walk on Sunday, October 4, which benefits cancer fighting organizations in the Inland Empire.  The walk raised over $350,000.

The members of Eta Nu Omega, do not just participate in walks, they take time during their meetings to educate one another about how to conduct self- breast examinations and to be advocates for your own health.  Through various community activities, the ladies conduct youth development programs, provide scholarships and attempt to make a difference in the lives of others.  For future events, please contact President, Linda Gaines Brooks at (909)874-7206 or Ivy Leaf Reporter, Kimberly Isaac at (626) 319-1390.

ONTARIO, CA- The 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire, Inc. will hold its Inaugural Gala on Saturday, October 10 at the Ontario Double Tree Hotel from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. During this event, the 100 Black Men will honor exceptional black professionals throughout the Inland Empire who have made significant contributions in their fields.

The following professionals will be honored at the event: Admiral Edward Moore, Jr. (Ret.), for his historic contributions to the United States Navy rising to the rank of Vice Admiral as an African American; Judge Richard T. Fields, for his historic contributions as the first African American presiding judge in Riverside County; and Dr. Ernest Levister, M.D., for his significant contributions in the field of medicine in the Inland Empire and to the formation of the J. W. Vines Medical Society.

Tickets can be purchased at www.100bBlackMenIE.com. The 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire, a chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, is committed to intellectual development of youth and the economic empowerment of the African American community based on the following precepts: respect for family, spirituality, justice and integrity.

Dr. Tim Hougen, Jennifer Pacheco, DBH Director CaSonya Thomas, Douglas Fazekas, Imo Momoh.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Board of Supervisors was recently recognized and commended the County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) for winning six Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that enhance services for residents.

NACo recognized the following DBH projects in their respective categories: Mountain Breeze Villas in Community & Economic Development; Remote Group Supervision for Rural Intern Placements in the Employment and Training for County Residents; Culture Specific Subcommittees in Civic Education and Public Information; Child and Adolescent Needs Strengths (CANS), Homeless Outreach Support Team (HOST) and Access, Coordination and Enhancement (ACE) in Human Services.

DBH’s Culture-specific Subcommittees are community-driven advisory groups that engage in policy advocacy, outreach activities and program planning.  Feedback provided by members assist the department in designing programs and services that are culturally informed.

DBH, through these NACo award winning programs, is supporting the Countywide Vision by creating a county in which those who reside and invest can prosper and achieve well-being.  Information on the Countywide Vision and the Department of Behavioral Health can be found at www.sbcounty.gov.

LA VERNE, CA- Garrett Management Group, LLC presents “An Experience Under the Stars”, a captivating dinner show featuring soul stirring music performances by Men of Motown and world renowned saxophonist/vocalist, j.dee. Relive the spirit of classic Motown Saturday, October 24 at the beautiful Hafif Estate located at 4742 Live Canyon Road, in La Verne. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy a 3-course dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the show kicks off at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person, which includes parking, dinner and show.  Patrons will be shuttled from the parking area to the amphitheater.

Alphonso Boyd’s, Men of Motown, are a legendary culmination of Motown vocalists and songwriters. Consisting of four gentlemen, the Men of Motown continue to keep one of the greatest sounds in music alive and kicking. Group members Al Boyd, Kevin Carroll, Russell Watts and Ron Preyer each have a unique story that helped shape the history of Motown Music. Singing professionally for over 50 years, Al Boyd has performed with The Calvanes, The Elgins, The Sixteens, The Olympics, Dennis Edwards, David Ruffin and toured with the The O’Jays. Boyd later became a staff writer for Motown and penned the tune “Shakey Ground” originally recorded by the Temptations and made famous by Elton John. From the Doo Wop era, Kevin Carroll is most known for as the lead singer of The Platters. “When we sing the songs of Motown, people remember where they were and what they were doing when those songs came out,” says Carroll. Russell Watts began his music career with the soul group Imperial Wonders and he continued singing with The Drifters, and toured with the O’Jays alongside fellow group member Al Boyd. Fourth member Ron Preyer also sang and toured with the greats of Motown, including the Temptations, Mary Wilson and the Supremes.

j.dee, a phenomenal soprano saxophonist, adds elements of sultry, funky and smooth jazz sounds guaranteed to put the audience in a cool groove.   A natural born writer, producer and arranger, j.dee has worked with the great Grover Washington, Jr., Lalah Hathaway, Doc Powell, James Brown, Cherrelle, and WAR, just to name a few. j.dee wrote the theme song and several tunes for the motion picture, “Original Gangtas”, and produced the hit song, “12-15-22-5 (LOVE)”, which was placed in the film, “Losing Isaiah”.

Experience Under the Stars is an amazing mix of soul and jazz, under a gorgeous starry night. For event information and tickets for this great show, call 1-866-514-3391. Tickets are available for advanced purchase online at, www.gmgevents.net and at Hafif Family Foundation, 265 W. Bonita Avenue, Claremont, CA, 909-625-7971.