Local

Photos by Naomi K. Bonman

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Saturday, June 6, the City of Riverside celebrated its annual Juneteenth celebration. It was a fun and educational day filled with live entertainment, food from Big Dees BBQ, and plenty of vendors.

GARDEN GROVE, CA- R. Byron Stringer, a Las Vegas Cop for over 26 years, took the stories he saw on the street and created the Toe Tag Monologues.  He presented the Toe Tag Monologues last weekend at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Garden Grove.

The Boys and Girls Club hosted their 1^st Annual Teen Leadership Conference from May 29 to 31, and was pleased to include Toe Tag Monologues.  This performing troop, coming from Las Vegas, consists of teenagers who performed life changing monologues about Bullying, Teen Suicide, Human Trafficking, Gang Violence, Drug Abuse, Drunk Driving, School Violence and much more.  There is no other program like it in our country!

Stringer, a native of San Bernardino, believes that the rest of America is only a moment away from becoming a Ferguson or Baltimore. The Toe Tag Monologues uses Drama to help kids get through their own Drama.

“We have to do what the City of Garden Grove, California is doing and begin to heal our children.  We can no longer just lecture our kids but we have to learn to listen as well,” Stringer said. “This conference, “Turn Up For Success”, is laying a template for others to follow.”

For more information on the Toe Tag Monologues, please visit byronstringer.com.

Front row: Dr. Gloria Fisher, President of SBVC (holding SBVC award); Nickolas Zoumbos, Trustee; Donna Ferracone, Trustee; Board President John Longville (holding SBCCD award); Board Clerk Joseph Williams; Gloria Macías Harrison, Trustee; and Board Vice President Dr. Kathleen (Katy) Henry. Back row: Dr. Donald Singer, Trustee; Chancellor Bruce Baron; Interim Vice Chancellor, Fiscal and Business Services Jose Torres; and Hussain Agah, Kitchell BRj Senior Campus Manager.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) and San Bernardino Valley College received the Project Management Award for the renovation of the San Bernardino Valley College Auditorium from the Southern California Chapter of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). The award was presented to the SBCCD Board of Trustees at the May 28 board meeting by Hussain Agah, Senior Campus Manager with Kitchell/BRj, which oversaw the construction project.

Chancellor Bruce Baron noted, “The renovation of the Auditorium at San Bernardino Valley College was a complex undertaking of a landmark site and taking into consideration the San Jacinto Fault Zone. Kitchell/BRj was instrumental in the cost-effective, on time, efficient completion of the project. The renewal of this beautiful building resulted in the addition of an elevator tower so the building is now ADA compliant, two outdoor courtyards and the expansion of the restrooms. None of this would have been possible without the support of the community through the Measure M and P bonds. The bonds allow us to maximize our resources as we design a quality learning and working environment for our students and employees.”

The second oldest building on the SBVC campus, the Auditorium is an academic, performance and community space. Its historic architecture created construction issues as all historic buildings do; the original construction documentation was unreliable and the project team was continually uncovering unforeseen conditions. Kitchell/BRj was involved in an exhaustive reconnaissance effort, working with numerous municipal and state agencies to ensure work could proceed on time and according to the budget. The project team also had to be especially resourceful in locating and even fabricating materials to fit the specifications of a 76-year-old building.

Started in July 2013 and completed in August 2014, the project came in under budget (less than $10 million), and included making the building earthquake-safe. The Auditorium is the closest of any building on campus to the San Jacinto Fault zone. A highly valued historic and visual landmark on campus, demolition and replacement was not an option. Due to the fault and folding zones, the new elevator tower was designed to split from the main building if an earthquake were to occur. In addition, a unique solution was utilized to minimize structural intrusion into the existing building. Fiberglass reinforcing was added to several walls to increase their structural capacity, which meant that no columns had to be added to building, which would have cut space and altered the building’s design.

Kitchell was originally tasked with providing Program Management services for the San Bernardino Community College District’s Measure M Bond program. The bond program was passed in 2008 for $500 million, but the SBCCD saw the available bond funds shrink by nearly half in the midst of the economic recession. The SBCCD and Kitchell worked together to eliminate non-essential projects from the Master Plan. Opportunities for the SBCCD to save money and even offset costs were identified so that much needed improvements to the San Bernardino Valley College campus, such as the Auditorium, could be completed.

Tracy Holmes visits EMPIRE TALKS BACK radio

Review written by Alexis Reaves

This self help book is one of three books in the authors series of “Say it Twice Books”. To begin with, the author introduces the reader to the primary colors in Spanish as well as providing a pronunciation and an illustration of the color on each page. As you read, you will learn not only what each color is in English, but how to say each color using an English guided pronunciation tool. The author proceeds to add learning interaction into the book by  including  a fun quiz for children that  ask them to fill in the correct color on the page. This gives its readers an opportunity to assess their learning and unintentionally helps children to remember what they have learned. Colors works as a tutorial book, teaching children Spanish beginning with the basics. The goal of this book is to educate the youth on different languages, thus increasing the amount of bilingual children. This book is beneficial to children and will work as a start up for Spanish learners in the future.

COLORS is available online from Amazon and Barnes And Nobles. The author of COLORS, Tracy Holmes is scheduled to be at the Montclair Plaza Barnes And Nobles on June 13th for a 2 p.m. book signing.

Tracy was a guest on the April 19, 2015 EMPIRE TALK’S BACK radio program with host Wallace Allen. You can see the video of the show by following this link  http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/61303982

staff photo

sax player

RIVERSIDE, CA- On Saturday, May 16, the red carpet was rolled out for student artists who rocked the stage at the UCR Campus Theater in the much anticipated Changing Lives Showcase!

The red carpet extravaganza was presented by Music Changing Lives, (MCL) a non-profit music and art after-school program for at-risk children and youth, which works to inspire kids through performing arts programs to keep them focused on their education and their futures.

The evening was definitely a night to remember. As guests arrived, they walked on to the red carpet to have their photo taken, then were treated to delectable Hor D’oeurves and refreshments as they entered the theater. Then shortly after there was an incredibly entertaining show from students who set the bars high for talent in the Moreno Valley for the fourth year in a row.

Four schools from the Moreno Valley School District, where MCL offers its programs, brought their A-game to compete for the Bruny Awards.  Teens from Vista Del Lago High and Moreno Valley High battled it out, while younger students from Butterfield Elementary and Edgemont Elementary competed against each other.

Participants competed for the Bruny Award in four categories – Musical Instruments, Lyrical Performance, Band, and Visual Arts, while the schools competed for Overall Performance.  The fate of these talented kids rested in the hands of two celebrity guest judges, hip-hop artist L’Marco Smith and singer Joamber Armijo.

The competition was fierce, but in the end Butterfield Elementary beat Edgemont Elementary and Moreno Valley High triumphed over Vista Del Lago for the third year in a row! First place winner for the Bruny Award in Musical Instruments was Jose Davalos from MoVal High and Edgemont Piano Group: Albelina Perez, Pilar Ramirez, Carolina Cortez, Yoselinee Barajas and Isidro Quitnero.

In the Lyrical Performance Jabri Baqvet from MoVal High and Jalie Leon from Butterfield reigned in first place.

Vista del Lago students: Fernando Barrera, Luke Bythe, Peter Bythe and Justin Allen dominated the Band category and took home the first place Bruny Award.

The very talented Sandy Calero from MoVal High and Maria Lomeli from Butterfield both took home first place in Visual Arts.

Every student who participated also was honored with a certificate from Senator Richard Roth’s office and Assemblymember Jose Medina for their dedication to make a difference in their community.

As students prepared to compete in the showcase they also managed to increase their school performance by volunteering for a minimum of five hours in their community.  Participants were instilled with the message, “Together we can be the change we would like to see in our community.”

The Changing Lives Showcase was sponsored by Music Changing Lives, MVUSD, Wells Fargo Foundation, UC Riverside, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Target, Edison International, Goliath Graffix and Clothes the Deal.

For more information about Music Changing Lives send an email to info@musicchanginglives.com or visit them on the web at www.musicchanginglives.org.

From left: Dr. Joshua Beckley, CAPSBC Board Chairman, Julie Borlaug, Borlaug Institute of International Agriculture at Texas A&M; Patricia L. Nickols-Butler, CAPSBC Chief Executive Officer; Robert Lovingood, Vice-Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, First District; and James Ramos, Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, Third District.

Fanco Family

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) held its 50^th Anniversary Gala celebration on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino.  The event was a celebration of five decades of helping low-income residents of San Bernardino County with quality programs designed to help eliminate poverty and empower people to achieve self-reliance and economic stability.

Those in attendance came out in support of CAPSBC and experienced an inspiring evening with a VIP Reception with music by Jazz saxophonist, Vaughn Fahie, an inspiring message from keynote speaker Julie Borlaug from the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M.  Event Masters of Ceremonies for the evening were James Ramos, Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, Third District and Robert Lovingood, Vice-Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, First District.

Frances Grice

CEO Patricia Nickols-Butler welcomed attendees and stated, “Since 1965, Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) has worked diligently to improve communities and assist residents to achieve economic stability.  We ar­­e proud of our accomplishments and partnerships built over the years.  CAPSBC has created many wonderful community service programs that have had a great impact on the lives of those in need.   50 years ago, we began this ‘War on Poverty.’  Tonight we pledge to continue to do all we can to help our communities and assist our fellow residents in need.”

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Community Action Legacy Awards by the CAPSBC Board of Directors.  The Venny H. Newman Humanitarian Award was presented to Frances J. Grice outstanding efforts in fighting poverty in San Bernardino County.  Ms. Grice is a long-standing leading advocate for diversity, promoting civil rights and equal opportunity in education, employment, housing, and economic and community development.  She was a member of the San Bernardino grassroots organization known as The League of Mothers for whom diversity and economic opportunity was their mission.  Her work represents our local San Bernardino history in the national movement to address the poverty and its symptoms since the 1960’s.

The Spirit of Hope Achievement award was presented to Luis and Leticia Franco, successful graduates out of CAPSBC’s Individual Development Accounts (IDA) Program.   Through IDA, the family was helped to navigate through the process of saving and buying their first home.  The family of five previously went through very difficult circumstances and were living in a converted garage sharing one set of bunk ­beds.   They spoke in jest about what an adventure it was and how the family really got to know each other during this time.

The Legislative Advocate Award was presented to Assemblymember Cheryl Brown for her dedication to community reform and improvement.  She is an active community leader and a small business champion.  She has worked with numerous community support groups and councils.   Ms. Brown generously presented CAPSBC with a donation of $3,000 in support of the agency’s programs and services.

Also receiving Community Action Legacy Award honors this year were:  Helping People, Changing Lives Award – Amazon; Community Partner Awards –  Kohl’s and Mitsubishi Cement Corporation; Spirit of Hope Achievement Awards – The Fellas and Generation Now.

Gala wide shot

Cmdr. David M. Garlinghouse

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Hurd, CNIC Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 25, 2015) — An Upland, California, native will soon become the first limited duty security officer in Navy Reserve history to hold the rank of captain. Cmdr. David M. Garlinghouse, the reserve deputy force protection program director for Navy Installations Command reserve unit headquarters in Washington, was selected April 6 for the promotion.

“This is an amazing acknowledgment,” said Capt. Brian S. Hurley, the commanding officer of the reserve unit. “You could not have picked a better leader to lead this enterprise of law enforcement.”

Garlinghouse enlisted in the Navy in 1975 as a surface sonar technician. Aboard his first ship, USS Henry B. Wilson, Garlinghouse was the junior petty officer in his rating. Looking for increased responsibility, he went to his department head, who was looking for a nuclear weapons security petty officer.

“He told me, ‘You’re it,’” Garlinghouse said. “He dumped a manual on me and said, ‘Here you go. Learn everything there is to know about being a nuclear weapons security guy.’ And so I did!”

Garlinghouse went on to run the ship’s security alert team and was often picked for shore patrol when the ship pulled into port, joking that he had become known as the ship’s “permanent shore patrol”.

After the ship began a maintenance availability period at Naval Station San Diego, Garlinghouse was assigned to the base police force. There, he went through the police academy, and then requested to change technical career paths into the master-at-arms program. He took the exam, passed and then transitioned from sonar technician second class to master-at-arms first

In his last year on active duty, Garlinghouse was assigned to the Naval Station Long Beach criminal investigation division’s narcotics section. He worked as a plain clothes narcotics investigator and often testified at courts-martial. The defense attorney would often try to discredit him, he recalled.

“What law school did you graduate from?” the attorney would ask.

Garlinghouse did not have a law degree at the time, but he went on to earn one. Leaving active duty after six years, Garlinghouse used his GI bill benefits to earn his bachelor’s degree in political science from California State Polytechnic University, graduating –summa cum laude in 1985. As a scholarship student, he earned his law degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

With his juris doctorate in hand, Garlinghouse joined the Navy Reserve in 1989 as a master-at-arms first class.

“It was time to put a uniform back on,” he said. “Returning to the Navy as a reservist gave me the opportunity to pursue my civilian career options while still serving our great Navy.”

Garlinghouse was commissioned as a law enforcement and physical security limited duty officer in November 1994.

“This is what I had been shooting for all my life,” he said. “I always wanted to be a naval officer.”

Garlinghouse has been called back to active duty twice, first in 2001 in support of Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom and again in 2008 for special work as the regional security officer for Navy Region Southwest in San Diego.

Garlinghouse, who expects to be promoted in fiscal 2016, now mentors over 150 reserve security officers and 4,000 reserve Sailors in the master-at-arms community. He is also now the senior law enforcement and physical security officer in the Navy Reserve and the entire Navy.

“It’s very humbling,” he said. “It’s one of those things where it’s hard to believe sometimes. It’s something that I never really imagined.”

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“Why Being There Matters”

On our planet, more than 70 percent of which is covered by water, being there means having the ability to act from the sea. The Navy is uniquely positioned to be there; the world’s oceans give the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, and at any time. Your Navy protects and defends America on the world’s oceans. Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and, most importantly, tens of thousands of America’s finest young men and women are deployed around the world doing just that. They are there now. They will be there when we are sleeping tonight. They will be there every Saturday, Sunday and holiday this year. They are there around the clock, far from our shores, defending America at all times.

RIVERSIDE, CA- Art Institute of California- Inland Empire is launching “Aspire” an alluring fashion show event for a wide range audience on Saturday, June 13. Aspire will be held at the Downtown Riverside Main Street mall. The event starts at 7 p.m., followed by the start of the Fashion Show at 8 p.m. Student Designers will be showcasing their collections that correlate with the “Then, Now and Always” theme.

The Aspire Fashion Show “Then, Now and Always” is an inclusive theme that incorporates a wide range of designs inspired by different fashion eras. Art Institute students have developed their collections using their knowledge of fashion history and blending them with the most current trends. Their collections are not just for show, but to influence future fashion fads. In addition to the fashion show a unique opportunity will be given to local high schools to show off their talents as well. Local high school participants can win scholarship grants provided by The Art Institute.

The Art Institute Inland Empire campus provides an Associates and Bachelor’s degrees Fashion Marketing and Fashion Design Founded in 2006, The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is part of The Art Institutes, a system of over 40 educational institutions located throughout North America, providing students with career- oriented curricula in areas of culinary arts, and various programs in design and media arts.

For more information please contact aspiretheshow@gmail.com, or call (909) 915-2189.

Bertha Chatman

Bertha Mae Chatman was born on March 30, 1930 and was called to rest on May 2, 2015. She was preceded in death by her Father George Johnson, her Mother Mittie Lee Jones, her Husbands (Limmie Poole’, Lee Carter, Willie Fort, Lee Nettles and Joshua Chatman), her Sister Mary Lee Luckey and her Son Lonnie Poole’.

Bertha leaves to cherish her memory with her sister Queen Esther Jackson, her Children Freda Samuel, (Robert Samuel), Jacqueline Banks (Dwight Banks Sr.), and Andre’ Poole’, her Daughter-in-law Alesia James-Poole’ (Late Lonnie Poole’), 33 Grandchildren, 61 Great-Grandchildren, a host of Family, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends.

The wake for Mrs. Chatman will be held on Thursday, May 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Colton Funeral Home located at 1275 N. La Cadena Drive in Colton. The Home Going celebration will be held on Friday, May 22 promptly at 10 a.m. at Life Changing Ministries Church located at 5395 North “F” Street in San Bernardino. The Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park located at 21300 Via Verde Drive in Covina.