Local

LOS ANGELES, CA- The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is ready to take moviegoers on a cinematic journey with international film screenings from around the globe with the announcement of its Call for Submissions. The 24th annual PAFF, the nation’s largest and most prestigious Black film festival will be held on February 4^th to the 15^th, 2016 in Los Angeles. Over the years, it has showcased films from all parts of the world, representing such countries as Angola, Nigeria, Jamaica, New Zealand, Rwanda, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, England, Mexico, Japan, France and of course, the United States. With the pulse on the international film market, PAFF has opened the minds of its audiences, and transported them to faraway lands and back home again.

“Over the years, the filmmakers from around the world have become more sophisticated in telling their stories,” says Asantewa Olatunji, the director of programming for PAFF. “In our ever shrinking world, it is so important to understand the experiences and points of views of other peoples and cultures.”

Last year, more than 40,000 people attended the film festival, which has long been a highly anticipated event in Los Angeles attended by local, national and international guests. Currently, PAFF is accepting submissions of features and shorts; narrative and documentary films made by or about people of African descent. You can currently apply by going online to the PAFF website at www.paff.org and clicking onto “Submit Film”. Fill out the online application and either upload your film with your completed application or send in a DVD to PAFF at 6820 LaTijera Blvd. Ste. 200, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

PAFF is currently accepting applications for films and videos made by and/or about people of African descent. (Please note: the filmmaker need not be of African descent.) Preferably, films should depict positive and realistic images and can be of any genre – drama, comedy, horror, adventure, animation, romance, science fiction, experimental, etc. PAFF accepts features and shorts both narrative and documentary.

The PAFF competition categories are: Best Narrative Feature, Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary, Best Director – First Feature, plus a variety of Audience Favorite Awards. Films in competition must be copyrighted no earlier than 2014. With the exception of Audience Favorite Awards, films are judged by industry professionals. In addition to competition awards, other programming and festival special prizes will be awarded.

For information about the festival, submission procedures, fees and registration, click www.paff.org or email submissions@paff.org. Early submissions will be accepted beginning July 20 through August 7; regular submissions begin August 8 and run through October 2, 2015. Late submissions will be accepted from October 3 to October 31

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Thanks to an initiative first recommended by Board of Education member Danny Till­man, with full support from fellow Board members, 5,000 socio-economically disadvantaged families in the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) will receive 21st Century technology through a program designed to close the digital divide.

SBCUSD is offering the Family Chromebook Initiative beginning July 6 in partnership with California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF). CETF is providing $100,000 in funding, as well as its School2Home curriculum in support of the Initiative. Through the Board of Education’s Family Chromebook Initiative, SBCUSD will provide free Chromebook computers and T-Mobile Internet service to 5,000 SBCUSD families. Eligible families were contacted by the SBCUSD automated phone system to identify those interested in the program. About 5,000 were willing to participate in the pilot program.

“So much of our society is going digital and we want to provide families who don’t have devices and Internet access at home the resources they need to help their children be successful,” said Barbara Richardson, the director of Accountability & Educational Technology for SBCUSD. “The Chromebook Initiative and School2Home program help provide those with the most need and the fewest resources a chance to even the playing field.”

As part of the Board-led Initiative, one adult and one student from each family must attend the School2Home training program in July. The Board of Education felt the program would only be successful if it included a training component for students and parents. The initial training focuses on basic computer literacy skills and helps participants set up a free email account and connect to Internet-based educational services, such as the SBCUSD Parent Portal. Additional, optional School2Home computer training will also be offered throughout the school year to help parents and students develop their computer skills and build a closer connection to the school community.

All School2Home training will be provided in English and Spanish. Parents and students who need additional accommodations, including services in other languages, will receive those services upon request. SBCUSD will loan participating families one Chromebook and provide limited, home Internet service for one year, as long as they attend SBCUSD schools. The home-based Internet access will have the same protections as school-based Internet access.

LOS ANGELES – Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital (“MLKCH”) announced that the privately-owned, non-profit hospital is now fully licensed, accredited, and opened to the public as of Tuesday July 7, 2015.  An opening dedication is scheduled for August 7, 2015.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital is a brand new state-of-the-art facility, with all new equipment, technology, staff, and administration. MLKCH has a total of 131 beds, including 93 medical/surgical beds, 20 intensive care beds and 18 obstetrical beds. Inpatient specialties will include Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Emergency Services, Gastroenterology, General Medicine, General Surgery, Infectious Diseases, Neurology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology, Pathology, Radiology, Pulmonary Medicine and Urology.  The hospital’s medical staff includes six hospital-based physician groups that will be on-site 24/7.

“After much hard work and dedication, we are excited to open our doors to the public,” said MLKCH’s Chief Executive Officer, Elaine Batchlor, MD, MPH. “We designed this hospital from the ground up to meet the urgent health needs of our community, and we are eager to welcome them. Working with our staff, physicians, and partners at the County of Los Angeles and the University of California healthcare system, we are bringing compassionate, collaborative, quality care to South Los Angeles.”

MLKCH has completed licensure by the California Department of Public Health, and accreditation by The Joint Commission, a national agency that monitors health care organizations and promotes the highest standards of quality and patient safety.  The Emergency Department, Labor and Delivery, and other hospital services will be open for patient care on July 7^th.

“MLKCH will be a leading model of innovative, collaborative, community health care,” added Dr. Batchlor. “We have assembled a world-class healthcare team that includes highly-qualified clinical leaders and a diverse, multilingual staff.  MLKCH will be a leading force in addressing the long-standing health disparities in our community.”

ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital is a private, non-profit, safety-net hospital, administered by the Martin Luther King, Jr. – Los Angeles Healthcare Corporation (MLK-LA), a 501(c)(3) organization.  The 131-bed community hospital has a 21-bed emergency department, 20 ICU beds, and 18 labor, delivery, and postpartum beds.  The hospital’s mission is to provide compassionate, innovative and quality care, and collaborating with providers and our community to create a healthier South Los Angeles. The hospital will serve 1.35 million residents of South Los Angeles regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

#

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Nu Omega Chapter announced at their chapter meeting on June 6, at Brandman University in Riverside that five men who provided support to the sorority programs and the underserved in the Inland Empire have been identified and recognized as recipients of the 2015 Men of Valor recognition award.  Ms. Shalimar Anderson Horsley, Committee Chairman stated, the recipients of the Men of Valor 2015 recognition included: Mario Hall, Eric Issac, Ratibu Jacocks, Jerry Murry, and Danny Tillman. Each recipient received from the chapter an Eta Nu Omega Chapter Certificate of Recognition, as well as a Certificate of Recognition from Assembly Member Cheryl Brown.  Congratulations to all recipients who are all so deserving of this recognition for their support to the communities in which they live and serve.

For more information regarding Eta Nu Omega Chapter events, contact Linda Gaines-Brooks,  at rmzbroks@yahoo.com

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Craving some local produce wrapped up into warm, freshly baked French bread? Jimmy John’s is coming to San Bernardino and many other cities all over Southern California! Jimmy John’s opened its first doors in 1983 and since then has opened over 3,000 locations in more than 43 states. The franchised company has over 300 in route to open in the next two years in Southern California alone!

Alright, alright enough with numbers and history! What makes Jimmy John’s so special?! Aside from the fact they support local businesses, they deliver! When you call up some of their delivering competitors it can take up to an hour or more… with Jimmy John’s you can expect freaky fast delivery time in less than 10 minutes. Work in the area and can’t find the time to clock out for lunch? That’s no problem! Their veggies are sourced right here within the community and the meats are premium cuts. They also do catering for all occasions.

Come join them on Tuesday, July 21 for the opening of your soon to be (if not already) favorite sandwich location! They open at 10:30 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.! Jimmy John’s is located at 1060 Harriman Place in San Bernardino, right behind the Costco off of Harriman Place and Tippecanoe Avenue.

For Catering Inquiries contact Angie Eichmeier, Director of Marketing, at (480) 818-8254.

LONG BEACH, CA- The Fifth Annual Long Beach Gospel Fest, founded by Pastor Wayne Chaney, Jr. and wife Myesha of the Antioch Church of Long Beach, just added Grammy-nominated star of WEtv’s hit series Mary Mary, Tina Campbell, to this year’s star-studded lineup for the highly anticipated citywide worship event. Showcasing some of the best gospel artists in music today, Campbell joins previously announced multi-award winning performers Tasha Cobbs, Deitrick Haddon, Kierra Sheard, Jonathan Nelson, Myron Butler, Jessica Reedy, Brian Courtney Wilson and more. The free, open-to-the-public event takes place on Sunday, July 19, at Marina Green Park.

Inspiring fans on the shores of Long Beach since its inception in 2009, the successful annual event is one of the city’s premier summer festivals.  Anticipating more than 20,000 attendees, the Festival experience includes a monumental morning worship service led by Pastor Chaney, followed by the afternoon concert with Gospel’s top performers.  A special tribute with clergy and performing talent honoring the victims of the Charleston Emanuel AME Church mass shooting is planned. In addition to the worship service and concert, a vibrant marketplace with vendors for food, merchandise, and fun family-friendly activities is accessible to festival goers throughout the day.

The Gold Experience ($50) is also available to attendees who prefer to enhance their Festival experience through priority check-in, reserved seating, vendor concierge service and artist meet and greets. Tickets are available online.

Marina Green Park is located at 386 E. Shoreline Drive in Long Beach. The worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the concert at 12:30 p.m.  Red carpet arrivals begin at 3 p.m.  Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are still available for a limited time only; for more information, tickets, and updates, please visit www.longbeachgospelfest.com.

Our Beloved 777 Community Warehouse – a Nonprofit Public Benefit Organization located in San Bernardino, California – needs your help! Every Tuesday, from 10 am to 2 pm (and by appointment on all other days) the Food and Clothing Ministry of 777 Community Warehouse is open to the homeless population and anyone in the community who is in need of clothing and food. According to an exclusive study done by Graduate students from the University of Redlands, 777 is in a prime location in regards to the homeless population and the far distance of sparsely located food banks in San Bernardino (2015). Unfortunately, the Warehouse has recently fallen on hard times and is in immediate need of donations.

During the dates of July, 17^th – July 20^th 777 Community Warehouse will be hosting a marathon of fundraisers, entitled “Save 777”. There will be various live entertainers volunteering their time to entertain those that would like to contribute a donation. These entertainers include local acts, such as Marwan Freeman (from the Frienz Band), CATERPILLAR FLIGHT, and the Young Ladies in Training (from the C.H.O.R.D.S. children’s music program) just to name a few.

In addition to the live entertainment, there will so be a Flea Market with various donated items for sale. These items range from beautiful one of a kind consignment items (such as, antique chinaware and mink coats) to African essential oils and African Shea butter. If you are limited to donating items of value, we will gladly accept those donations as well.

777 Community Warehouse as an experience

To date, Mr. Walker has transformed the warehouse into the community resource and event center that he envisioned, presenting the community with a beautifully furnished, art decorated environment for population of San Bernardino to enjoy. 777 Community Warehouse is designed to accommodate conferences, meetings, business/social mixers, performing arts presentations, visual arts presentations, religious services, educational seminars, musical concerts, wedding receptions, quinceaneras , and other events that support the needs of the community in a spirit of excellence.

Again we ask for your help so that our team at 777 Community Warehouse can continue helping the San Bernardino community by contributing to the expansion of community peace, cultural awareness, artistic expression, educational enlightenment, and consciousness building for personal/collective growth.

For other inquires please contact 777 Community Warehouse, located at 777 South Allen Street, San Bernardino CA 92408. Phone: 909-890-0999. 

SAN BERNARDINO – – San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) celebrated the success of the 42 graduates of Class #197 of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy on June 18 at the Abundant Living Family Church  in Rancho Cucamonga. The event was hosted by SBVC and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Public Safety Regional Training Center. Board of Trustees member Donna Ferracone represented the San Bernardino Community College District.

Surrounded by friends, family members, law enforcement and future employers, the ceremony included a keynote address from California Assemblyman Tom Lackey (36^th Dist.), presentation of awards and certificates, and a recitation of the code of ethics, led by Chief of Police Mark Garcia, Redlands Police Department.

Sergeant Mike Huntsman presented the special awards to Francisco Ancona, Top Academic Honors; Stephanie Garcia, Tactical Staff Award; Ian Gosswiller, Top Shooter; James Hendrickson, Physical Fitness Award; Dylan Gosswiller, Top Overall Award. Class President was Jesus Diaz.

The Academy course is 920 hours of instruction, extending over a 23-week period and features instructors from a variety of law enforcement agencies. All training is certified by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

Class #197 Graduates (hometowns withheld for confidentiality reasons)

Francesco Ancona

Blaine Bailey

Kenneth Bubier

Zachary Carlos

Daniel Cherpin

Thomas Cho

Kevin Connors

Kyle DeLuca

Jesus Diaz

Cory Drost

Alexandra Duarte

Amanda Eirich

Itai Estrada

Joshua Forsberg

Stephanie Garcia

Brad Gomez

Dylan Gosswiller

Ian Gosswiller

Dalton Hendrickson

James Hendrickson

Derek Hoffman

Jesse Horn

Christopher Jones

Travis Kleveno

Lauren Laidlaw

Marina Landeros

Ryan Layos

Michael Lucifora

Matthew McKibban

Kristina Neff-Fergot

Chris Petruse

Loraine Pinedo

Kevin Pope

Edward Salgado

Stacey Spurlock

Blake Stebbing

Jeremiah Van Brimmer

Craig Vanden Bossche

Ariel Whitney

Christian Zaragoza

William Ziemer

Edward Zimmerman

For more information on the program, please contact the San Bernardino Valley College Police Academy Office: (909) 384-4431, North Hall, Room 139, or visit ValleyCollege.edu.

Roxanne Williams

SAN BERNARDINO, CA– Educator, community advocate, and city Parks and Recreation Commissioner Roxanne Williams is running for the Ward Six seat on the San Bernardino City Council.  Williams will be a voice for working families. As a member of the city council, she will fight to create jobs in San Bernardino, and restore fiscally sound management to the city –including improved basic services, stopping the threats of the closure of our community centers, libraries and parks, and fixing the potholes and street lights.

“I’m running because San Bernardino can do better,” said Williams. “I’ve proven that I know how to get results.  We can be a model community for southern California.  We must fix up our neighborhoods and make them safer, bring in good jobs, and reinvest in our children — but we can do none of that unless we restore our fiscal house. We need a new vision for San Bernardino and the 6^th ward that will help our families.”

Williams has assisted in building a playground in a park on the West side, and identified unmet needs as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner.  As a bilingual Spanish speaker, she has worked with leaders in both the African-American and Latino communities to engage students and parents, helped coach small business people in three local Chambers of Commerce, and empowered neighbors from several blocks to form their own neighborhood watch programs.

Local community leaders, including Hardy Brown, II, and Sherman Garnett, San Bernardino County Trustees, and small businessman Shab El Awar have pledged their support.

“I have worked with Roxanne for the past three years and have seen her dedication to parent and student engagement for residents on the West side. Her passion to see student success shows by how hard she is always willing to work,” said Hardy Brown, II.

Williams was a Teacher of the Year in 2001, was a Top 10 Teacher in 2011, nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), and
continues to work as a Program Specialist in San Bernardino City Unified School District. As a single mother with five children, ages 13 to 24 years old, she knows howhard San Bernardino families work and what it’s like to struggle. She also knows how to succeed in tough moment.

“We have so much potential in San Bernardino, but we can’t lift our people up if we don’t fix our finances,” said Williams.  “I’ve worked on budgets and finance throughout my private and volunteer career—and I served on my church board for 14 years. I’ll be ready on day one to tackle the big problems our community faces.”

For more information, visit RoxanneCanWin.com and hear what she’s up to at Facebook.com/roxannewilliamsforcouncil.