Local

Derron Smith, Fresno State University

Re-edited by Naomi K. Bonman

FRESNO, CA- Derron Smith, Banning, California native, was recently named by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation to the 2014 Loft IMPACT Trophy watch list. He was one of 42 players on the list. He plays football for the Fresno State Bulldogs in the position of safety. Every year the IMPACT trophy goes to the college defensive player who has the biggest IMPACT on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

In addition, Smith is a two-time first-team All-Mountain West selection and enters his senior year as the nation’s active leader in career interceptions with 14. He was the Defensive MVP of the 2013 Mountain West championship game, which was the second-straight conference championship Smith has helped lead the Bulldogs to. Smith was also a quarterfinalist for the award last season where he tied for second in the nation with seven interceptions, one of which he returned 41 yards for a touchdown in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl against USC. He had 18 tackles in the game against USC, which set a new Mountain West record and tied the Fresno State record for tackles in a bowl game.

For those that would love to listen in to Smith and his teammates during football season, the official Fresno State Bulldogs station is 940 AM ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes 1600 AM.

Re-edited by Naomi K. Bonman

For the past 63 years, JET Magazine has been providing positive and introspective news for the Black Community on a weekly basis. Now that the digital age as transformed the way the Journalism world operates, JET released its final print issue on Monday, June 9. The cover of the issue salutes JET magazine’s iconic history with images of previous covers throughout the years. Inside, readers will find a retrospective of the news covered in the magazine dating from 1951 to the present.

Jet will be launching a new weekly digital magazine app later this month, which is scheduled to launch on June 30,and will be available on all tablet devices ad mobile platforms. It will feature weekly updates on entertainment, sports, and news of importance to the readers, as well as an enhanced functionality for the Beauty of the Week.

LA QUINTA, CA- The La Quinta Resort and Spa comes alive on Saturday, June 14 when the Family Health and Support Network, Inc. presents the Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Pioneer Awards. The venue will resonate with the sounds and performances of gifted and talented area youth and young adults, as well as a performance by Ms. Alfreda James. The emcee of the evening will be actress Gye Nyame Maat. This premier event is a “White Soiree” for those who cannot resist a fabulous night out enjoying live music and dancing while celebrating our talented youth.

The keynote speaker this year is Mr. Oronde Miller, Senior Director of Strategic Consulting at Casey Family Programs and Operator of the Institute for Family and Child Well-Being. In addition, a live band will be playing smooth R&B for guests dance the night away.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with a V.I.P. Reception at 6 p.m. The main event begins at 7 p.m. V.I.P. tickets are $85 and general admission is $65. Tickets can be purchased online at www.juneteenthcv.com or by calling (760) 340-2442. All of the proceeds from this event will directly benefit the early intervention services and enrichment programs provided to children in foster care and at risk youth serviced by the FHSN.

This year’s Celebration promises to excite, motivate and move you with these energy filled performances and presentations. Saxophonist Chase Huna. The La Quinta Resort and Spa is located at 49499 Eisenhower Drive in La Quinta (92253).

Join the NAACP, 211 Riverside County and the Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce this Saturday at the 14^th Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Riverside where they will be educating the community about Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace.

The educators will be at Bordwell Park from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. to inform residents about health care plans through Covered California, Special Enrollment and Medi-Cal. By the end of March, 1.4 million people had selected a Covered California health insurance plan, including 40,377 in Riverside County.

Although open enrollment has ended, consumers who experience a qualifying life event can still enroll in a health insurance plan through Covered California. Qualifying life events include losing health coverage through a job, getting married or entering into a domestic partnership, having or adopting a child, changing where a person permanently lives or gaining citizenship. For a list of common types of qualifying events, visit www.CoveredCA.com.

The Magnolia at 9th Senior Apts

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Magnolia at 9^th, a 119 unit , affordable senior housing community, invites the community to tout the facility on Wednesday, June 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The apartments are located at 181 E. 9^th Street in San Bernardino (92410).

The Magnolia at 9th Senior Apartments is a public, private non-profit partnership of The City of San Bernardino, Western Community Housing, Inc. and Meta Housing, Corp., professionally managed by Western Seniors Housing.

“This is a great example of what private, public partnerships can accomplish,” said San Bernardino Mayor Cary Davis. “It is a great place for seniors. They have a wonderful opportunity to improve their lifestyle.”

Magnolia at 9th is located in San Bernardino near the corner of 9th and Lugo Street.  Open since February, the apartments provide seniors age 62 and older with an upscale and affordable living option.  The apartments include 100 one-bedroom units, and 19 two bedrooms apartments, a pool, garden, workout room and large community room. Rent ranges from $557 to $807 a month depending on income and availability.

For more information or to reserve a spot call the Magnolia at 9th Street Senior Apartments at Call Julio Martinez at 909-388-1203

San Bernardino cast of Menopause

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Four women with nothing in common but shopping for lingerie — as well as hot flashes, chocolate cravings, too little or too much sex, memory loss and night sweats–connect with hilarious results in “Menopause the Musical,” on stage at the California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. Fourth Street, in downtown San Bernardino.

“This show is good fun from beginning to end and is one of those special shows that once you see it, you’ve got to see it again and bring all your friends,” Joseph Henson, producer with Theatrical Arts International, said. “It’s has become a pop icon all its own.”

The show features such songs as “Staying Awake/Night Sweatin’,” “Please Make Me Over,” “Hot Flash” and “Puff, My God I’m Draggin’, “Menopause The Musical” pays hilarious tribute to that  time of life for every woman in her 40s and 50s.

The show will be in town on Saturday,  June 7 and Sunday, 8. Show times are 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on June 7 and 3 p.m. on June 8. Tickets range from $35 to $65, and are available by calling (909) 885-51552 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

Randy on the football field

Randy Haley on the track

MORENO VALLEY, CA-Randy Haley, 9, is a dual sport athlete. He runs track for the TJ Striders where he participates in running 100m, 200m, and 400m. His best times are 14.47 seconds (100m), 29.78 seconds (200m), and 108.74 (400m). His goal was to perfect his running time for football, but he ended up loving track and making it to the championships in all three events. He also plays football where he is the starting running back for the Moreno Valley Falcons. The best thing that Haley loves about sports is winning. His overall goal is to be a running back for University of Southern California (USC) or University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Westside Story News sends out special congratulations to two of our interns. Miss Noelle Lilley graduated from Arroyo Valley High School, and Mr. Mitchell Young graduated from San Bernardino High School. We wish them both much success and blessings has they embark on the career journeys.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Thursday, May 15, at the Santos Manuel Student Union on the campus of California State University San Bernardino, Youth Action Project (YAP), the Black Voice News Foundation, Young Visionaries and Buffong Consulting Solutions came together to present the 4th Annual Inland Empire High School Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony. The evening was filled with cultural celebration and community connectedness. It ended with a mantra from the students who pledge to continue to support each other, be responsible family members, and leaders within the Inland Empire.

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Will Greer. He challenged the students to look at the crucial role that education has played in the history of African Americans, as well as a tool to achieve any desired dreams. There were approximately 200 students that were recognized and awarded Kente Stoles that symbolized academic excellence, community leadership, and personal reasonability. In addition, there were eight $500 scholarships awarded based on essays, G.P.A., community service and recommendations. Carolyn Tillman was awarded the Dorothy Ingram Award which signifies a celebration of youth, accomplishment, and culture through the advancement of higher education among underserved population. Tillman represents a drum major that connects and creates opportunities for students of the Inland Empire to ensure their success in college and to develop their potential.

(Front): Shayla Calleros, Hollie Woods, Jahnel Denise Walker, Cierra Joseph, Mysha Ross (Back): Nicole Swearingen, Angela Nelson-Swearingen, Constance Yvanna Ann Logan, Rodniesha Angel Griffin, Christina Antionette Francis, Kiana Janae Landrum, Annette Weathington, President

RIVERSIDE, CA- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Nu Omega chapter, gathered with family, friends, and members of the local community to honor high school and college graduates this past weekend of Saturday, May 31. The celebration was held at Creola’s Restaurant in Riverside. The 2014 accomplished scholarship recipients included Shayla Calleros, Alta Loma High School;  Cierra Joseph, Eisenhower High School; Mysha Ross, Eisenhower High School; and Hollie Woods, Canyon Springs High School. They each were awarded $1,100.

Each student expressed their gratitude for the scholarship as they prepare to pursue undergraduate work at institutions as prestigious as UC Berkley, UC Davis, and Fisk University in fields varied from pre-med, education and law. Ms. Jahnel Denise Walker of Kappa Theta, University of California Riverside (UCR) was awarded the “Sharon Thomas of Eta Nu Omega” scholarship for holding the highest grade point average within the undergraduate chapter.

Additional graduates were awarded a certificate of recognition and gift from Eta Nu Omega chapter. Honorees included graduates of members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Theta chapter at UCR: Christina Antionette Francis (B.S. Sociology); Rodniesha Angel Griffin (B.A. Business Administration); Ta’Neill Marche Hope (B.S. Sociology); Constance Yvanna Ann Logan (B.A. Psychology); Janelle Cherise Prothro (B.S. Biology); and Jahnel Denise Walker (B.A. Political Science/Law and Society).

Graduating members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Eta Nu Omega chapter included Angela Nelson-Swearingen (M.S. Organizational Leadership).  Children of Eta Nu Omega Chapter graduating from high school included: Chelsie Blacksher, Aquinas High School and Kiana Janae Landrum, Eisenhower High School.

Children of Eta Nu Omega chapter graduating from college included: Kierie Steward (B.S., Alabama State University); Richard Blacksher (B.A., California Baptist University); Brandon A. Brooks (Juris Doctorate in Law, Cooley School of Law); Nicole Swearingen (M.A., Brandman University); and Malcolm Thomas (M.S. California State University, San Bernardino) Keynote speaker, Dr. Mallanie Harris provided a motivational message to “Construct Your Educational Journey.” For future events, please visit www.etanuomega.org.