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SAN BERNARDINO, CA-Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Gamma Omega Chapter was honored to present Ernest Carter II a scholarship to help him with his educational needs on May 25, 2014. Ernest is a graduate of Etiwanda High School and will be attending Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University this fall.  We are proud of his accomplishments and encourage him to continue on the educational path of his choosing.  We pray for his success in the future.

Dr. Deborah Winn (Front, Center) with summer volunteers.
Photo Credit: Naomi K. Bonman

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – On Friday, August 1, Willing Winn Associates and Mission  (WWAM) Inc., hosted a special luncheon for its volunteers that assisted with the Summer Food Program which was held at Juanita Jones Blakely Elementary School. The next community event that WWAM will be presenting is the grand opening of its I.S.A.H. (It Starts At Home) program on Thursday, September 18. For more information on how you can become involved with the event, please email Dr. Deborah Winn at wwaminc92@yahoo.com.

UCLA Bruins football players Aaron Sharp (left) and Jordan Lasley (right) play with patients Kaiden Cressy, 2, (left) and Jhordan Moncrief, 2 on Thursday, July 31.

LOMA LINDA, CA – Members of the UCLA Bruins football team visited patients at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital on Thursday, July 31. Four freshman players played video games, puzzles and chatted up with kids on the hematology/oncology unit at the hospital.

“The kids were eager and excited to have the Bruins visit,” said Dorothy Brooks from LLUCH’s child life services. “Spending just a couple of hours with the players was a treat that will be treasured for a long time by our patients. It was so good to hear the laughter in the playroom during this visit.”

Players who came out were Jordan Lasley, wide receiver; Aaron Sharp, quarterback; Dwight Williams, linebacker; and Kenny Young, linebacker. They were in preparation to begin open training camp, which started on Monday, Aug. 4 at California State University, San Bernardino. This is the third year CSUSB has hosted Bruins football for training, with support from Stater Bros. Markets.

“Stater Bros. truly believes in giving back to the communities that we serve,” stated Susan Atkinson, vice president, corporate affairs for Stater Bros. Markets. “As strong supporters of both the UCLA football training camp and Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, we are especially proud to provide an opportunity to brighten a child’s day.”           

UCLA’s 2014 football season will kick off when the Bruins take on University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va on Saturday, August 30.  

COLTON, CA – Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) is conducting a Purple Ribbon Campaign during August to help raise awareness about the dangers of leaving children  unattended in cars. The campaign features purple ribbons, fliers, signs and posters that will be  displayed inside and outside of the Medical Center. Purple Ribbon Month is held each year in  memory of children who have lost their lives because of vehicular heatstroke.

“I was a nursing student and had just left class when a mother in distress approached me and  urged me to break her car window to get her infant, who had accidentally been locked in the car,”  said ARMC Trauma Coordinator, Richard Vara. “We got her child out in time. I reacted as a  concerned parent, and I hope that other people would do the same when they see children who are left in cars.”

As of July 2014, at least 19 U.S. children have died because of vehicular heatstroke, according to  Kids And Cars, a nonprofit child safety organization dedicated to preventing injuries and death to  children in or around motor vehicles. Last year, 44 children died of vehicular heatstroke in the  U.S.

“Heatstroke-related injuries and deaths are preventable,” said Vara. “It is important to be vigilant  about checking inside your vehicle before locking up and walking away.”

A child’s body temperature can rise up to five times faster than an adult’s. Leaving the car  windows partially down does not significantly slow the heating process in the vehicle. Reduce the  number of deaths from heatstroke by remembering to ACT:

• Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car.
• Keep your car locked when you are not in it so children do not get in the car on their own.
• Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
• Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.

Sources: Kids And Cars; Safercar.gov; Safe Kids Worldwide
California state law makes it illegal to leave a child 6 years of age or younger unattended inside a  motor vehicle without the supervision of someone who is at least 12 years old.

For more information about ARMC visit www.arrowheadmedcenter.org.

REDLANDS, CA- The Redlands Police Department and Micah House, with help from local businesses, churches, community groups and City and County agencies, will give away bicycles and backpacks during a Back2School Jam and Community Resource Fair at Sylvan Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 2. There will be free snacks and music provided for the community.

The giveaway is held in conjunction with the Community Clean Up day from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, August 1, at a number of neighborhood locations, including Post Street and Brockton Avenue, Cook Street and Cero Court, the Micah House (Oxford Avenue and Brockton), and Second Baptist Church, 420 E. Stuart St. Each participating child or teen giving one hour or more of community service will receive a free backpack and school supplies.

Organizers hope to match last year’s donation of more than 1,200 backpacks and school supplies to children and youth. Donations were funded by various groups including the Redlands Police Officers Association, Trinity Church, Walgreens Stores, Tom McGrath School Supplies, Fox Banquets and Events Inc., Kiwanis Club of Redlands Morning and grants from the Redlands Police Department.  Toyota of Redlands assisted in raising supplies by offering 10 percent discounts on services in exchange for donated school supplies. Sponsors from Music Changing Lives also donated backpacks and school supplies.

Monty B. Sharpton a.k.a. Lamont Bonman

TORRENCE, CA- Legends of Motown presents, “Komedy Slamm and Singles Dance”, August 9at 7:30 p.m. This event will be hosted by Monty B. Sharpton from TBN’s Comedy Specials. Featuring comedians from HBO’s Def Comedy Jam; tributes to musical greats like Diana Ross, Al Green, and Lionel Richie; and smooth jazz recording artists from 94.7, this will be a night to remember. Come out to the Alpine Village Center in Torrance, CA as the event will also include free parking! Seating is on first-come, first-serve basis so be early! Dinner is also available and the dance begins at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available now for $25 or $35 at the door. The Singles after party dance (couples welcome) are $5 if you purchase now or $10 at door. Bring your dancing shoes and have a night filled with music and laughter! For more information visit www.alpinevillagecenter.com/events.(By Noelle Lilley)

LOS ANGELES, CA-The Los Angeles office of UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) will step out for students at the 32^nd annual UNCF Walk for Education on Saturday, August 2 at Exposition Park (South Menlo and Coliseum) in Los Angeles. The event, which takes the theme “Building Better Futures: The Value of a UNCF Investment,” is a celebration of education that will bring together an estimated 900 community supporters to raise vitally needed funds to help students get to and through college.

Families, teachers and the community at large are invited to participate in the UNCF Walk for Education.  Participants can walk or run a 5k course. Members of the community are invited to support UNCF and its students by forming a Walk for Education team or registering as individuals. UNCF is encouraging everyone to register early.  

A $60 donation will qualify participants for a 2014 UNCF Walk for Education T-shirt and a $25 donation will qualify all students with I.D. for a 2014 UNCF Walk for Education T-shirt.Honorary Co-chair for the Los Angeles UNCF Walk for Education is Tarrance Frierson, Supplier Diversity and Development Program Manager, Southern California Edison.Event sponsors include Title Sponsors Southern California Edison, Superior Grocers, and Tesoro.  Start/Finish Sponsors include Union Bank of California, UPS, and Xerox.

UNCF Walk for Education participants will also enjoy food, music, a Kids Play Zone and more.For more information on the Los Angeles UNCF Walk for Education or for sponsorship packages, please contact UNCF at 213.639.3800, or visit UNCF.org/LAWalk.

Antonique Smith singer

LOS ANGELES, CA – The YEL Program in association with “Play Well, Live Better!” will be hosting their 9^th annual community Health & Wellness Fair Saturday, August 2 in Los Angeles. The block party will be held at 3747 West Boulevard beginning at 10 a.m.

The event will provide access to health workshops, such as disease preventative services including immunizations, as well as medical and dental check-ups and access to free and reduced cost health insurance for community members that have been unable to access and/or qualify. The fair also aims to inform youth and their families about the importance of health and wellness at all ages through games, interactive activities, panels, and seminars. The fair will provide free school supplies, nutritional and home-cooked meals to all attendees as well, provided on behalf of the Youth Edutainment League (YEL Program).

Founded by Darius Farrelly, The Youth Edutainment League or YEL Program was created after Mr. Farrelly observed youth in the area that were disenfranchised, disconnected and struggling to find a place in their individual communities. Deciding to take the initiative to bridge the gap, Mr. Farrelly created the YEL Program, an interactive after-school workshop that interfaces with young adults to help expedite possible career opportunities in areas that they are interested in; such as sports and entertainment.

Additionally, each year, live performances by some local and celebrity talent grace the stage of the Block Party to provide an exclusive soundtrack to the event. This year performances will include music by the Wylde Bunch, Antonique Smith, Justin Hunt, La Fonz and Tia P, as well as stand-up comedy from G-Thang, and Kevin Tate will serve as the live entertainment for the duration of the fair.

To help donate, sponsor or participate as a partner, in addition to more information and/or media inquiries, please call DF Enterprizes at (213) 380-0457 or send an email to darius@dfenterprizes.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Yesterday, the Rail to Redlands Working Group held its fifth meeting in a continued effort to bring awareness and build public support for the Redlands Passenger Rail Line project.

Committee members heard a special presentation from the Deputy Executive Director John Standiford of the Riverside County Transit Commission and the lessons they have learned during the expansion of their Perris Valley line. “I wish we had formed a working group like this one before we started our expansion,” stated Standiford. “Finding champions such as you have found in ESRI founder, Jack Dangermond is crucial in being successful with such a major infrastructure expansion.”

Supervisor Ramos was pleased to have RCTC present at the meeting. “I think it is important to collaborate with Riverside County in finding common ground on ways to address some of our transportation challenges.  We need to look at our infrastructure needs from a regional viewpoint and work together to find solutions.”

The working group also viewed a short video clip from Mr. Dangermond where he expressed his strong support of the Redlands Passenger Rail Line. This video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PPrhTxpH1s.  Also in progress is the development of a website for the working group as well as social media outlets.

Mitch Alderman, Director of Transit/Rail Programs at SANBAG, provided an update on the status of the rail project.  In the upcoming months, public hearings will be conducted on the Environmental Impact Statement and the Environmental Impact Report where public comment will be requested. More information can be found at http://www.sanbag.ca.gov/projects/redlands-transit.html.

As always, members of the public were able to provide comments and ask questions at the end of the meeting. Ryan Berk, founder of A La Minute in Redlands, was present at the meeting where he offered support for this project. “As local business owners, I feel it is our job to beautify the City of Redlands and bring a sense of uniqueness to attract visitors to our downtown area. I am very much in support of this project and what it will do for our local economy.”

The next Rail to Redlands Working Group meeting will be held on November 13, 2014, location TBD.  To contact the Rail to Redlands Working Group, please send an email to rail2redlandsworkinggroup@gmail.com.