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SAN BERNARDINO, CA- For one day only, students can save a little extra change by riding OmniTrans for free on November 15. Download and print the pass below.

Omni Trans Free Pass

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- In appreciation for the contributions of the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces, Omnitrans is offering free bus rides to US military veterans on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11.

Veterans simply need to show retired military ID when boarding any Omnitrans route including the sbX rapid line, 215 freeway express, 25 local bus routes, or 5 OmniGo community shuttle routes. Acceptable veteran IDs include those issued by the US Department of Defense, Veterans Administration, and San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs.

Approximately 79,000 veterans reside in the Omnitrans service area of the San Bernardino Valley, stretching from Yucaipa in the east to the LA County line in the west. On January 5, 2015, Omnitrans will introduce a new reduced fare category for veterans.  “As part of our Veterans Day free ride offer, we hope to build awareness for the new fare and encourage veterans to get a retired military ID, if they don’t have one already,” said Omnitrans spokesperson Wendy Williams.

“Our veterans ID cards are offered to veterans with honorable military service at no charge and can be used to earn veteran discounts at over 1,000 local businesses,” said Bill J. Moseley, Director of San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs.  ID application information at http://hss.sbcounty.gov/va or 866-4SB-VETS (866-472-8387). Personalized trip planning assistance is available through the Omnitrans information center, at 800-9-OMNIBUS (800-966-6428), or online at www.omnitrans.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The 15th annual Cruizin E Street Veterans Day Parade and Car Show will be held Saturday, November 8. Activities take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are free to the public.

The event includes a parade, a classic car show, exhibits and demonstrations, museum tours, musical entertainment, and food and merchandise vendors. The parade includes marching bands, vintage military vehicles, military marching units, classic cars and more. The Grand Marshall is Sgt. Pete Martinez, a Korean War combat veteran. Highlights of the parade are the beautifully restored military vehicles courtesy of the Inland Empire Military Vehicles Preservation Association.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. at San Bernardino High School, 1850 N. E St., and proceeds south on E Street, ending up at the site of the original McDonald’s located at 1398 N. E. Street in San Bernardino. There are two museums on the property: the Inland Empire Military Museum and the unofficial McDonald’s /Route 66 Museum.

Veteran organizations in the parade include The Catholic War Veterans Post 762, IE Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 47, Military Order of the Purple Heart and other VFW and American Legion Posts in the area. Following the parade, Veterans from all branches of the service who are present at Cruizin E will be honored.

More than 500,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Riverside and San Bernardino counties will have an additional option for accessing health care services. As of January 1, 2015, Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans will be able to choose Loma Linda University Health as their primary and specialty care medical group. In 2015, UnitedHealthcare will be the only Medicare Advantage plan contracted with Loma Linda University Health, which provides access to hundreds of primary care physicians and specialists with expertise in a full spectrum of specialties at Loma Linda University Medical Center, as well as its centers of excellence, including the Proton Treatment Center, the Cancer Center and the International Heart Institute.

UnitedHealthcare members with questions about how this change affects them are advised to call the number on their member ID card. Beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare coverage during the Open Enrollment Period, which began October 15 and ends December 7. (News report submitted by Casey Anderson on behalf of UnitedHealthcare).

LOS ANGELES, CA- The Westside’s original high intensity interval training (HIIT) studio, Burn 60, in partnership with Reimagine, the other half of cancer care, is bringing back the 2^nd Annual “Bro 60” charity event on Wednesday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. at their Brentwood location located at 159 S. Barrington Place in Brentwood (90049) to help educate and raise awareness about men’s cancer.

Unless you’re living on a deserted island, we all know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but most are unaware that November is Men’s Cancer Awareness month, or “Movember”, a movement where men grow a moustache for 30 days to spark conversation and raise awareness for men’s health issues.  Statistics show that 1 out of every 3 people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime, and men have an even higher occurrence than women. This event helps participants emerge from their cancer journey feeling empowered, self-aware, connected to their loved ones and reengaged in life.

To support this amazing cause, all men are invited to the “Bro 60” event.  There will be a trifecta workout taught by three of Los Angeles’ most sought after and committed trainers which include Liam Glennon, Nick Malizia and Kris Cueva.  Class space is limited to 24 participants.  To sign up, log on to www.burn60.com while spaces last.  All proceeds benefit Reimagine’s nonprofit arm, the Pillars4Life foundation. For additional information, please contact brentwood@burn60.com. To learn more about Reimagine please visit: www.reimagine.me.

What it Do! OMG, if you missed our TOP COOK COMPETITION/COMEDY SHOW Fundraiser on Friday, October 24 then you missed one heck of an event. The night was beautiful, as well as the dishes presented by our three competitors Iesha Nelson, Lawanda Lee, and Lanoris Brown. However, as we all know there can only be one winner. That night Chef Lanoris Brown reined supreme receiving high scores in taste, presentation, skill, and overall performance. Chef Brown, along with his team, came with their A-game on all levels, and he was crowned LUE PRODUCTIONS TOP COOK.

Audience members were able to experience some of the fabulous entrees that each cook made. The competitors had to present a three course meal for a panel of comedy judges. Talk about no pressure.

Chef Lanoris’ meal consisted of the following: an appetizer which was blackened chicken spring rolls. The entrée consisted of stuffed airline chicken breast with a mousseline forcemeat and asparagus, and to top it all off, for dessert he cooked a deep fried granola bar with cream cheese frosting, blue berries and raspberries, and then topped it with whipped cream and powdered sugar. All I have to say is when I get some more pocket change I will defiantly hire him as a personal chef, he’s that good! Congratulations, Chef Brown.

Chef Lanoris Brown graduated from Riverside Culinary Arts where he learned from some of the best in the field. This allowed Lanoris to create his own unique style. His fusion of Soul Food, Mexican, and Asian cuisine mixed with a little bit of French keeps folks wanting more. His desire is to one day be a restaurant owner. He stated that “he wants to see people eating and enjoying his food.”

Until next time and see you next week IE, much love!

(left to right) Tavis Smiley; Assmeblymember Cheryl Brown, 47th District; and Dr. Gloria M. Fisher, Interim president of SBVC. (Photo credit: John Coleman)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Thursday, October 23, renowned media personality, Tavis Smiley, paid a special visit to San Bernardino Valley College where he enlightened the crowd on different issues within the community. Smiley has received 16 honorary doctorate degrees for his 30 years of dedicated and committed service as a talk show personality, political commentator, activist, author, advocate, producer, and benefactor.

During his speech at Valley College, Mr. Smiley urged both the young and seasoned individuals in the crowd to assist in changing the world to make it a better place. After the event guests were able to take photos and get an autographed copy of Smiley’s latest book.

2013 Fashion Show

ONTARIO, CA- The lovely ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Nu Omega Chapter, and The Inland Ivy Foundation are combining timeless fashions and a legacy of elegance through their annual Fashion Show fundraiser. The show attracts over 300 entrepreneurs, educators, public officials, and other professionals from the Inland Empire, Riverside and San Bernardino communities. Entitled “Timeless Elegance… Through Timeless Pearlfection,” the fundraiser will be held on Sunday, November 9 at the Radisson Ontario Airport Hotel located at 2200 E. Holt Boulevard in Ontario.

The audience should prepare to “expect the unexpected” as the models grace the runway in an array of beauty featuring all shapes, sizes and generations.  The show offers timeless fashions as seen through the pearlescent scope of Los Angeles’ top beauty and fashion experts as provided by Franzine Beauty, Model group and Runway production team.

In addition to the show, guests are invited to splurge in a shopping area featuring local small business owners or indulge in hot and chilled hor d’oeuvres and dessert bar. Guests have the opportunity to win a vast selection of door and raffle prizes ranging from vacation stays in Las Vegas and Oceanside to wine-lovers’ basket and designer clutches.

For Tickets please visit www.akafashionshow.eventbrite.com. For Advertisement and Vendor information please contact Gerri Foxall-Kater and Nellie Moore at akafashionshowhno@yahoo.com.

What It Do beautiful people of the inland empire! So, I have a question. Is food considered art? Well, in my eyes yes, yes, and yes! Okay you guessed it I’m greedy and love to eat new and exciting foods, and this Friday it’s going down! My company LUE Productions is holding a TOP COOK Competition and Comedy Show Fundraiser! Food and laugher goes hand and hand. I will be your lovely event host. Come out and sample a variety of food and get your laugh on, all at the same time.

Who will be known as the TOP Cook for our LUE Productions 2014 TOP COOK Competition and Comedy Show? We have five cooks in the mix. Come watch as these talented and amazing cooks go head-to-head competing for $100, an internet show interview, a write up in the Westside Story Newspaper, a spot in the final competition, bragging rights, and more! The roster of cooks consists of Iesha Nelson, Lawanna Lee, Kawanna Richardson, Lanoris Brown, and Dee Williams.

The following comedians will have you laughing your butt off! They include, Tamiko Kirkland, Bret As-is, and Ms. Arkansas. The event goes down this Friday, October 24 at 7 p.m. at 114 S. Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino. Tickets are on sale now for pre-sale at $8  and it comes with one free drink. Tickets at the door are $10.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/730802746993650.

Jack Hill has served many years of dedicated service on the library board. (Photo credit: John Coleman)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The community gathered together at the Norman Feldman Central Library in downtown San Bernardino to honor a legend within the city. Jack Hill, a public servant and community leader, was honored on Thursday, October 16 for his many years of service to the library board.

Mr. Hill is also a war veteran. He also owned and operated a successful catering business, started the first African American Boy Scout Troop in San Bernardino, and he is the first African American president of the San Bernardino Area of the Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he is a dedicated family man that loves working hard for his community and doing the works of God. More photos coming soon.