IMPORTANT DATES

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PEACE MARCH /

       CIVIL RIGHTS MEMORIAL DEDICATION

 Presented by Victor Valley NAACP Branch 1082

 Join us in the commemoration and Dedication !!!

 Hear brief updates on the issues and concerns of the community from Honorable Darren Parker, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, and Victorville City Manager Doug Robertson presenting the Civil Rights Memorial.

Date & Time: 10:a.m.

 MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015(MLK Holiday) 

Location : Corner of Seneca Rd. and Civic Dr . near Victorville City Hall     

14343 Civic Dr., Victorville, CA 92393

This event is FREE to the public. ALL ARE WELCOME!!!!!!!

William E. Spriggs

By William E. Spriggs

So, too, common sense dictates that a high school degree in a world of computer processors and cell telephone communications cannot meet the needs of a changing world where webpage designers, “app” writers and cybersecurity specialists are in high demand.

The president is simply asserting the obvious in extending free associate’s degrees as a democratic right. The price of the basic ticket to the game has changed. That means the full access to society has a new predicate.

Unfortunately, we live with a dysfunctional democracy where anti-democratic forces are strong. There are those who are fighting hard to limit voting rights instead of the American ideal to protect and strengthen those rights. So it isn’t surprising that voices are being raised to limit economic rights, and to instead rail against “government” extension of opportunity. Of course, the movie “Selma” reminds us that small minds have sought to limit opportunity in America for a long time.
But beyond the obvious need to redefine the right to a basic education in a world in which “basic” has clearly changed, the rest of the president’s case is short on the fuller problems and issues facing America.

First is the notion that the extension of the educational right is a solution to the sagging earnings of Americans. At the beginning of this century, in 2001, the median earnings of American men was $42,755, but in 2013 they had dropped to $39,602. This was despite an increase in the share of men with associate’s degrees from 7.5 percent to 9.1 percent and declines in the share of men with less education than an associate’s degree from 63.4 percent to 58.1 percent. It also came despite an increase for those holding bachelor’s degrees or higher from 29.0 percent to 32.8 percent.

So, despite increasing educational attainment, the income of men fell. More to the point, the income of men holding associate’s degrees fell from $51,144 to $42,176. More emphatically, the median earnings of men with bachelor’s degrees fell from $65,769 to $58,170.

Second is the argument that a better educated workforce will lead to a more productive workforce. This is clearly the case. Productivity of America’s workers increased from 2001 to 2013 by 27 percent. And increases in productivity are traditionally the source of increasing wages. But wages did not increase.

The president’s proposal deserves immediate support. But it must be supported in the framework of extending rights and opportunities that is the hallmark of America-the nation that always looks forward. And we must fight against those who want to take us backward.

Still, as the AFL-CIO’s recent National Summit on Raising Wages highlighted, the United States is facing a more fundamental structural problem that must be addressed. We have a better educated and more productive workforce, but a workforce that is getting paid less. Those lower wages are not the workings of the market or some economic necessity. Those lower wages are the result of clear choices to feed corporate coffers at the expense of an economy that functions for all. As AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said, we must have policies that treat corporations as part of America, not above America.

We must commit ourselves to reinvest in America. Those who look backward will see costs; those who look forward see dividends.

Q:   I just paid my registration online, but forgot to change my address.  Can I go back online to make the correction so I can receive my registration tags at my new address?

A:    Unfortunately, it is too late.  When you pay for your registration tags online, our system immediately updates your information and your tags are mailed to you in approximately three days.   Changing your address takes our system a little longer to update.  If you do not receive your new registration tags within 30 days, please apply for duplicate registration tags.

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Q:  I heard that select DMV offices will be open on Saturday beginning in January 2015. Which offices will be open and which types of transactions will be handled?

A:   Beginning January 3, 2015, the DMV began offering Saturday hours at 60 select offices statewide from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. where customer representatives will process ONLY driver license transactions for individuals who have scheduled an appointment.

The DMV has also opened four temporary driver license processing centers in Granada Hills, San Jose, Stanton, and Lompoc where individuals with or without an appointment can receive assistance with driver license transactions only.

For a list of offices open Saturday: http://dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/fo/fotocds

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Q:  When will the Legacy license plate be issued?

A:  There is a lot of excitement building for our new Legacy license plate and you will soon be seeing them on vehicles driving down our roads and highways.  It’s estimated that production will begin within nine to 12 months.

Legislation introduced the California Legacy License Plate program which offers vehicle owners the opportunity to purchase replicas of California license plates similar to those issued in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.   View them at www.dmv.ca.gov.

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Q:  What happens if applicants, under AB60, cannot provide the primary identification documents necessary to verify their identity and residency to obtain an original driver license?

A:   AB 60 applicants may provide additional documentation to verify their identity and residency through the Secondary Review process. An appointment will be scheduled to meet with our specially trained staff in order to review the additional documentation which must be original or certified. The interview may last as long as one hour.

The following documentation may be considered during this appointment: school documents, marriage license or divorce decree, expired foreign passports, foreign driver license, income tax return, and other DMV approved documents. For a full list of DMV approved documents visit ab60.dmv.ca.gov .

If an applicant cannot provide the necessary documentation to verify identity and residency, the AB60 driver license application will not be completed.  Individuals can appeal the decision through the DMV Driver Safety Appeal process.

Photos by Earl Heath

L to R New Rose Bowl inductees Dick Vermiel UCLA, Knute Rockne lll (Notre Dame) Kijana Carter (Penn State)as
M-Cee Harvey Hyde looks on.

Larry Mellon (L) and Ki-jana Carter new Hall of Famer share a moment

The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Rho Chapter, held its 4th Annual Educators Prayer Breakfast in December 2014.  This year’s honorees are Gloria Macias-Harrison, San Bernardino Community College board member and Dr. Gloria Fisher, newly appointed president.  Mr Ted Alejandre, newly elected County Superintendent, was the keynote speaker.

This sorority of educators was chartered in 1982 and is proud of its many contributions to the community.  Not only do we recognize contributors to education, but also provide scholarships to graduating seniors, partner with San Bernardino Valley College and host an annual Teach-A-Rama, and sponsor a Black History Bee for all students in grades 3-8 each year.

For additional information, please visit our web site at: www.pdkdeltarho.org and/or e-mail us at jep431@yahoo.com.

Loma Linda University School of Dentistry’s 25th “Clinic With A Heart” event will provide individuals with free limited dental care on Sunday, January 11. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and concludes when all patient care times are filled. A limited number of patients will be seen on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Procedures provided may include a cleaning, a filling, or an extraction.  No crowns, root canals, or dentures will be performed. Children under 18 will not be treated without an accompanying parent or legal guardian, who must remain with the child the entire time that care is provided. For directions or more information, please call (909) 558-4697.

The County of Riverside Commission for Women is accepting nominations for its 2015 Woman of the Year and Young Lady of the Year awards. The awards are bestowed upon an outstanding woman and young lady in each supervisorial district who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the community by working to improve the status of women, young ladies and families within Riverside County.

The Young Lady of the Year participants must be 10 to 18 years of age. Nominations may be submitted by U.S. mail, email or fax.

Nomination applications are due no later than 5 p.m. Feb. 6 and should be as detailed as possible. To be considered:

1. Nominee must reside/work/attend school in the supervisorial district of Riverside County for which she is nominated.
2. Nomination must outline the areas in which the nominee has made an important and noticeable contribution to her community as a leader who helped make Riverside County a better place for women and/or young ladies to reach their full potential.
3. Nomination must explain the areas in which the nominee has gained the respect of her peers. Is she often called upon for advice, mentoring or decisions in these areas? Is she willing to help?
4. Nominee may have been recommended for a specific achievement, program, project, cumulative volunteerism or professional achievements that demonstrate her impact on the lives of the women and families in Riverside County for the better.

Current members of the County of Riverside Commission for Women are ineligible for nomination. Nominations will be reviewed by distinguished Riverside County leaders and the name of each award winner will be forwarded to the Commission for Women. Each winner will be selected based on her work to bring about social and economic change, promote women’s equality, serve as an outstanding role model to women and girls, work on behalf of women’s issues or outstanding performance within her profession to further advocate women’s rights and improve the status of women in Riverside County.

Award winners will be notified and awards will be presented at the Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 14 at 9 a.m. The Board’s meeting chambers is at 4080 Lemon St. in Riverside, first floor.

Nominations may be submitted by mail to: County of Riverside Commission for Women

Attention: Sundae Sayles

2015 Woman of the Year & Young Lady of the Year

4080 Lemon St., 7th Floor

c/o Human Resources

Riverside, CA 92501

Faxed nominations may be sent to (951) 955-3479 and email nominations should be sent to CFWEMAIL@rivcocfw.com. For more information, go to www.rivcocfw.com.

Loma Linda University Health will announce a new partnership with Zipcar, one of the world’s leading car sharing networks, to offer a Zipcar car sharing program on campus.  The new program will be launched on Wednesday, January 7, noon, on campus in front of Magan Hall, where two of the new vehicles will be showcased.  The event will feature a large group of curious staff and students, brief remarks from officials, and computerized sign ups, in which the first 100 individuals will receive free one-year memberships.

The convenient transportation option will be available at an affordable rate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for students, faculty, and staff ages 18 and older, as well as members of the local community ages 21 and over.

Loma Linda University Health will initially offer two vehicles, a Toyota Prius and a Ford Focus. The Zipcars will have designated parking spots located in a campus lot near the southwest intersection of Anderson and Mound streets (lot P) for convenient pick-up and return.  Zipcars will be available on-demand and easily reserved and accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This year, Loma Linda University Health students, faculty, and staff can join for $25, with rates for Zipcar vehicles on campus starting as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day.  After the first year, members will pay an annual membership fee of $35. Gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in Zipcar rates, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days.  Loma Linda University students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/llu.

“Loma Linda is pleased to partner with Zipcar to help reduce the number of cars on campus by giving students, staff, patients, and community members mobility without the need for car ownership,” said Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, Loma Linda University Health President.  “Zipcar is becoming a popular option on campuses across the country.  We believe this resource will help us continue to make our campus a more pedestrian and bike friendly place; it fits well with our culture of wholeness.  Some students and others who don’t own cars will no longer need to buy a car when they move to Loma Linda. Enjoy the Zipcar convenience!”

Participating members with smartphones, including iPhones and Android devices, will be able to  download the Zipcar mobile application to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles, and honk the horn to help locate the vehicle.  They will also be able to make reservations over the phone or on Zipcar’s website.

“Together with Loma Linda University Health, we’re enabling this next generation of drivers to experience a new generation of cars and transportation in a way that is both convenient and cost-effective, not to mention fun,” said Katelyn Lopresti, general manager for Zipcar University.

Zipcar has established relationships with more than 400 universities across North America. For more information and to learn how to become a member of Zipcar at Loma Linda University Health, please visit www.zipcar.com/llu.  Additional information and promotions can also be found by following @ZipcarU on Twitter.

Alejandre taking Administration of Oath led by Mr Mark Sumpter, President, S B County Board of Education
(Photo by John Coleman)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-Ted Alejandre took the oath of office becoming San Bernardino County’s 34^th superintendent during a ceremony today at the National Orange Show. Alejandre pledged to form a team among educators, stakeholders, community members and education partners to further academic opportunities for the more than 411,000 students who attend public school in San Bernardino County.

“Together, we will transform lives through education in our county,” Alejandre said.

About 500 community members, family, staff and dignitaries attended the oath of office ceremony. Alejandre was sworn into office by Mark Sumpter, president of the County Board of Education. Starting his career with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office in 2008 as the assistant superintendent of Business Services, Alejandre brings more than 25 years of experience in public education to his new role as county superintendent. Alejandre is the first-ever Hispanic to serve in the position. Alejandre, who is a native of San Bernardino County, has worked in the Rialto, San Bernardino and Yucaipa-Calimesa school districts as a teacher, principal and administrator, prior to his stint with County Schools.