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LOMA LINDA, CA-Breast cancer survivors will show current styles and fashions, while specialists will present the latest medical information and advances, as Loma Linda University Health System Department of Plastic Surgery presents the 6^th annual “The Pink Runway” Breast Cancer Reconstruction Seminar and Fashion Show on Sunday, September 28.

The event starts at noon at Riverside Convention Center, 3637 5th St, Riverside, Calif. Tickets are from $35 to $45 each and may be purchased online at www.ThePinkRunway.com.

Building on success over the years, organizers promise a day of inspiration and empowerment with an all-new format. There will be exciting educational seminars preceding the inspiring fashion show featuring breast cancer survivors as the models showcasing apparel provided by Chico’s.

“We are very proud to ensure all women are educated on their reconstructive options post-mastectomy, which is the main goal of the Pink Runway event,” said Dr. Subhas Gupta, chairman of Loma Linda University Health System Department of Plastic Surgery.

“We believe it is critical to educate women with breast cancer about their reconstructive surgery options because of the positive impact of reconstructive surgery on them. I am very pleased to report that research supported by the Pink Runway and my department has found a 41 percent increase in the rate of breast cancer reconstruction in our Inland Empire community over the past 5 years since we began holding this educational event,” he said.

The agenda for the event includes “Pink Carpet” arrivals and photos, silent auction, opportunity drawings, video tribute to breast cancer survivors, delicious cancer-fighting food samples, and prizes.

The event will also feature Daniel and Shawna Head, owners and instructors of The Yoga Room, who will present exercise, yoga, and relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety, depression, and fatigue; and Robin Allen, founder of The Necessary Nutrition Academy, who will lead a session entitled “Key Nutrition Secrets and Superfoods Revealed!”

For more information please call (909) 558-5566.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino Police Department is currently accepting reservations for the next Community Police Academy. This is an eight-week program designed to give participants an inside look at local law enforcement. The program is designed to form a stronger partnership between the community and the Police Department through education. Participants will be exposed to a variety of topics, such as: Criminal investigations; Crime analysis and crime mapping; Gang enforcement; Traffic laws and enforcement; Animal Control; Community Policing and many more. Course material will be presented by Police Department administrators and veteran department staff. Participants will also have an opportunity to meet the Chief of Police, where they are encouraged to ask questions.  Enrollment is limited to 50 students per class. Potential candidates must live or work in the City of San Bernardino.

Classes will meet in the Police Department’s main training room, 710 N. “D” Street, on Wednesday evenings 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., for eight consecutive weeks.  Free parking will be provided to the front of the police station as well as on adjoining streets.   The Fall Academy will begin Wednesday, September, 24, and continue through graduation on Wednesday, November 12.

The Citizen’s Academy is a great way to learn about your community, meet nice people, and get to know the men and women of your police department.  For more information, contact Community Affairs at (909) 384-5753 or by e-mail, communityaffairs@sbcity.org.

Jennifer Eberhardt says the MacArthur fellowship will allow her to expand her research on race and the criminal justice system. (Photo: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation)

Stanford’s Jennifer Eberhardt has been named one of the 2014 fellows of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. A social psychologist, she studies the racial elements in the perceptions of crime.

BY CLIFTON B. PARKER

Stanford psychologist Jennifer Eberhardt, who studies race and the law, has been named one of the 2014 fellows of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

The fellowships, given to scholars for their achievement and potential, include a $625,000 stipend over five years. The honors rank among the most prestigious prizes in academia and the creative arts. They are sometimes referred to as the “genius” awards.

“I feel it gives me the space to pursue my research with new energy and motivation,” Eberhardt said. “It reaffirms how important the issues of race and inequality are in the legal system.”

When the foundation initially contacted her to inform her that she was named a fellow, Eberhardt was overwhelmed.

“I had no inkling, no idea they were considering me. It felt like a pivotal moment in my life.”

When the awards were publicly announced Tuesday night, Eberhardt received numerous calls and emails from colleagues, friends and family. “I think I had only a couple hours of sleep,” she chuckled. Thursday promised to be even busier – in addition to the MacArthur media inquiries, she was due to give two different presentations on racial disparities to the U.S. Department of Justice.

“But I feel good and have the energy,” Eberhardt said. “I’ll keep doing what I’m doing.”

Joined Stanford in 1998

Since she arrived on campus in 1998, Eberhardt has examined the role that racial stereotypes play in the criminalization of African-Americans. She joined the Stanford faculty after teaching at Yale University, and is currently an associate professor in psychology and co-director of SPARQ, a university initiative that addresses social problems.

Her colleague Greg Walton, a Stanford assistant professor of psychology, said that Eberhardt’s research has vital social significance. “In helping understand our minds, Jennifer’s research helps us see the kinds of changes we need to make in society to help give all people a fair shot,” he said.

A first-generation college graduate from Cleveland, Ohio, Eberhardt said that her parents instilled in her a love of education. She witnessed the disparity in education in the different neighborhoods where she grew up, and soon fell in love with learning. Her late father, Harlan, a postal mail worker, “understood the power of education,” she said.

And her late mother, Mary, was inspired enough by her daughter’s collegiate success – she earned a doctorate from Harvard – to go to college herself at midlife.

“Education is transformational,” Eberhardt said.

Expanding research

Now, the MacArthur fellowship will greatly expand her research plans and resources to connect with real-world policy. “I hope to work with more law enforcement agencies and do things off the beaten path,” Eberhardt said, noting that she’s currently engaged with the Oakland Police Department on the analysis of racial profiling data. “Many of the (law enforcement) agencies collect the data but often don’t know what to do with it,” she said.

As Eberhardt pointed out, although African-Americans constitute only 12 percent of America’s population, they represent 40 percent of the nation’s prison inmates.

Her statistical analysis has shown that police officers are more likely to identify African-American faces than white faces as criminal. In one experimental study, people who were exposed to black faces were then more likely to identify a blurry image as a gun than those who were exposed to white faces or no faces.

Eberhardt plans to combine social psychological insights with technology to improve outcomes in the criminal justice context and elsewhere.

“I’m hopeful to bring about real social change,” she said.

The Board of Directors of the California Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Executive Director. The California Black Chamber of Commerce is a state-wide business association that has been in existence for over 20 years, headquartered in Sacramento, California. The CBCC is the states’ largest African-American organization representing more than 8, 000 African-American- owned businesses. It serves as the umbrella organization for more than 22 member chambers statewide and it actively promotes the economic growth and development of entrepreneurs.

Attached is the position description that describes the responsibilities, experiences and education requirements and working environment for this position.

All Applicants are encouraged to submit a cover letter/ letter of interest and resume by email at: cbcc@calbcc.org with attachments, please include “Executive Director” in the subject line or by mail to the following:
Mailing Address:
California Black Chamber of Commerce
ATTN: Aubry Stone
1600 Sacramento Inn Way, Suite 232
Sacramento, California 95815

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST REACH THE CBCC OFFICE
NO LATER THAN
5:00 PM ON OCTOBER 1, 2014 TO BE CONSIDERED.

Application link:
http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1103180196120-363/President+Position+Description.pdf

Eligible donors encouraged to give during National Preparedness Month

LOS ANGELES, CA — Disasters can strike at any time, and the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to help their communities prepare for emergencies by giving blood during National Preparedness Month.

The mission of the Red Cross is to help the public prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. During National Preparedness Month, the Red Cross reminds Americans to take simple steps to get ready for emergencies in their homes, workplaces and communities. One way to support this mission is to become a regular blood donor.

A stable blood supply is central to ensuring patient needs are met in emergencies. Blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and made available for patients. It’s the blood already on the shelves that can help save lives when disaster strikes.

To help increase donations during the month of September, those who come out to donate blood or platelets throughout the month will receive a coupon by email for a free haircut at participating Sport Clips locations.

Appointments to donate and help the Red Cross prepare for patient needs across the country can be made at redcrossblood.org. Information about other ways to help prepare for emergencies is available at redcross.org.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Apple Valley

9/17/2014: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Sitting Bull Academy, 19445 Sitting Bull Rd

Bloomington

9/23/2014: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Hope Academy Charter School, 1055 Bloomington Ave

Chino

9/24/2014: 1 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Chino Neighborhood Activity Center, 5201 D Street

Chino Hills

9/18/2014: 1:45 p.m. – 8 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3354 Eucalyptus

Rancho Cucamonga

9/23/2014: 1 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., TR AM Red Cross Ontario Chapter, 10600 N Trademark Pkwy Suite 406

9/24/2014: 9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., First American, 11175 Azusa Ct

San Bernardino

9/18/2014: 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., San Bernardino Valley College, 701 South Mount Vernon Ave

West Covina

9/24/2014: 12:45 p.m. – 7 p.m., Cameron Elementary School, 1225 E Cameron West

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

CULVER CITY, CA – Sony Pictures Television’s The Queen Latifah Show, hosted by global entertainment icon Queen Latifah, returns with an all new season on Monday, September 15 (visit queenlatifah.com for “Where to Watch” in your local market).  This season Queen will expand her platform with more entertainment, more fun and the launch of several season-long initiatives designed to spark forward momentum in the lives of her guests and viewers through transformational, life-changing opportunities and unexpected surprises that will play out on the air.

“This show is truly the embodiment of my journey,” says Queen. “Nothing makes me happier than to have the opportunity to share my experience with others and give people a chance to realize their dreams. For those viewers who have been with us from the beginning and those who may be tuning in for the first time, season two of The Queen Latifah Show is going to deliver some great surprises and a whole lot of feel-good fun.”

In her season premiere, Latifah will welcome Academy Award-winning actress and producer Reese Witherspoon to discuss her upcoming role in the feature film The Good Lie, which tells the story of an American woman whose life was forever changed when she befriends three refugees who were among the Lost Boys of Sudan.   This inspirational story of a woman whose simple act of kindness impacted the lives of so many others is an ideal example of someone taking their life “One Step Further” and to that end, Reese and Queen will together introduce this season-long initiative with a big surprise for a deserving guest.

The “One Step Further” initiative is designed to empower viewers to take their own lives one step further in pursuit of their dreams, with Queen Latifah as the motivating force in taking the first step on their journey. “One Step Further” will help viewers to discover possibilities for their lives they never imagined and provide them with opportunities they may not have otherwise.

Throughout the rest of week one, Queen welcomes the effervescent comedic icon Goldie Hawn, Sesame Street favorites and fun-loving, fan favorite Kristen Bell.  Queen is also bringing back iconic TV games with a celebrity twist this season playing The Dating Game with Toni Braxton and taking on Kristin Bell in a round of Pyramid, complete with host John Davidson, with more to come. Plus, Queen delivers an unbelievable surprise to Mo’ne Davis, the Little League pitching phenom whose breakout performance has inspired a new generation of aspiring athletes, then the Golden Sisters are back for a sky-diving adventure and Queen presents a YouTube Daddy/Daughter Dance-off!

The week of September 22, the star power continues when two of Hollywood’s biggest names make their debut on the show. Monday, Jada Pinkett Smith, who is also an executive producer on The Queen Latifah Show will make her first in-studio appearance, and on Friday, September 26 the one and only Academy Award-winning Denzel Washington of the upcoming film The Equalizer will grace Queen’s “Big Sexy” stage for the first time.

Other new features on the show this season include “QUEEN SCREEN,” an interactive surprise that will allow Queen Latifah to pop up where she is least expected with great prizes for unsuspecting folks and “THE HIGH NOTE,” a recurring segment to wrap up the show during which Queen Latifah, a celebrity guests and/or members of the studio audience share good news, big or small to send the viewers off with a smile.  The series will also feature Queen’s comedic commentary and parodies of pop-culture events and happenings.

The Queen Latifah Show is a daytime talk-variety series that showcases Queen Latifah’s extraordinary range of talents as a global entertainment icon.  The show is produced by Flavor Unit, Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television and is cleared on major station groups around the country, including the CBS Television Stations.  Todd Yasui is Executive Producer with Co-Executive Producers Jack Mori and Ianthe Jones.

This fall, every high school student athlete in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) will be eligible to receive a free head and heart Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. PUSD has partnered with the Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) to conduct a cutting-edge research program focused on diagnosis and prevention of sudden cardiac death and traumatic brain injury in student athletes.  This program is motivated by increased public recognition of traumatic brain injuries by the National Football League and others and the deaths of students across the country due to sudden cardiac death. This study is a first for Pasadena high school athletes.

“I am extremely excited to partner with the Huntington Research Institute to provide this service to PUSD students and I believe this program is beneficial for our athletes,” said PUSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald.  “As someone who witnessed the sudden heart related death of a childhood friend immediately after a soccer game, I understand the importance of preventative care to protect our student athletes.  We are grateful to the HMRI for their willingness to include us in this important endeavor.”

Student athletes will be eligible to receive a free cardiac MRI designed to identify an inherited heart condition that predisposes a student to sudden cardiac death (SCD), a non-traumatic, non-violent, unexpected event resulting from the cessation of the heart beating within six hours of a previously witnessed state of normal health.  People at risk for SCD are usually without symptoms and unaware that they have a predisposing condition. An Altadena resident and former PUSD student who was attending Harvard-Westlake succumbed to SCD last year. Devastating events such as this could potentially be prevented by the simple scan offered to PUSD athletes.

“I am excited to be able to offer this new benefit to our PUSD athletes,” said Ann Rector, PUSD Coordinator of Health Programs. “This study has the potential of not only saving a life, but also helping researchers understand sports-related trauma.”

PUSD athletes can also receive brain scans designed to diagnosis and prevent brain injuries resulting from a concussion.  Concussions are traumatic brain injuries that can lead to chronic cognitive and neurobehavioral difficulties especially if the concussions are recurrent. Although the majority of athletes who experience a concussion are likely to recover, an unknown number of these individuals may experience difficulties related to recurrent injury, commonly referred to as Post-Concussion Syndrome.

Two MRI head screening exams, an initial screening early in the school year and a follow-up at the end of the school year, are available to student athletes free of charge.  Any athlete who experiences a concussion while participating in a PUSD sporting event will also receive a follow-up scan to see how the injury has affected the brain.  Participation in both the brain and heart scans is optional and will supplement the annual physical exam that athletes receive. An MRI does not involve radiation exposure and the scans are very safe.

“HMRI’s expertise in non-invasive imaging is an important resource for PUSD and we are pleased to offer these normally expensive studies to young athletes at no cost to the student or the district,” said HMRI’s Chief Scientific Officer, Marie Csete MD, PhD. “HMRI scientists will also benefit from studying students because there is insufficient data about the incidence of cardiac abnormalities that could lead to SCD.  Importantly, HMRI is at the forefront of understanding how imaging can be used to diagnose and follow patients after they sustain a head injury, but we have focused on older patients to date, so important information about trauma to young brains can help fill in the scientific picture and, we hope, help future athletes.”

For more information about these programs, contact Ann Rector at rector.ann@pusd.us.

“Three Feet for Safety Act” Takes Effect September 16, 2014

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is alerting drivers about a new law that requires them to give bicyclists, traveling in the same direction, three feet of clearance when passing. The Three Feet for Safety Act takes effect September 16, 2014.

According to the new law (AB1371, Bradford), signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. on September 23, 2013, if traffic or roadway conditions prevent motorists from giving cyclists three feet of space, drivers must “slow to a speed that is reasonable and prudent” and only pass when a cyclist will not be in danger.  Violations are punishable by a $35 fine.  Motorists who collide with cyclists and injure them while violating the Three Feet for Safety Act can be subject to a $220 fine.  Under the previous law, a vehicle was simply required to pass to the left at a “safe distance.”

Each year in California, more than 100 people are killed and hundreds of thousands more are injured in bicycle collisions. Some bicycle related crashes are connected to the bicyclist’s behavior, while others are due to the motorist’s lack of attention.

• Bicycle riders on public roads have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, and are subject to the same rules and regulations. Refer to the California Driver Handbook to become familiar with these rules.
• Motorists must look carefully for bicyclists before turning left or right, merging into bicycle lanes, and opening doors next to moving traffic. Respect the right-of-way of bicyclists because they are entitled to share the road with you.

California is among 24 states that require motorists to give bicyclists three feet of clearance while passing, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

For more information about safely sharing the road, check out these helpful DMV resources:

Safety Tips for Bicyclists and Motorists, Bicycle Resources, and an Informational Video.

Save Time, Go Online! Doing business with the DMV has never been easier. The DMV offers an array of services to customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through its Website(www.dmv.ca.gov), including online advance appointments for written and drive tests; vehicle registration and driver license renewals, selection of personalized license plates, changes of address and payment of fees via secure debit transactions. Customers can also effect transactions by calling DMV customer service at (800) 777–0133. The DMV is a department under the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA).

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – This academic year, students throughout San Bernardino County will take part in academic competitions and musical performances in events organized by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office.

Events range from the Academic Decathlon to the Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino (RIMS) Inland Science and Engineering Fair with events running from November through May. Below is a description of student events and their dates.

Academic Decathlon: About 40 high schools from the county are expected to compete this year for the team championship, which follows with state and national competitions. The 32nd annual event will be held over two weekends – Jan. 31 and Feb. 7, 2015 – at Redlands East Valley High School. The awards banquet will be held Feb. 12 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino. The winning team and other qualifiers will represent San Bernardino County at the state competition in Sacramento in March.

History Day: This program for individuals in grades 4-12 will be held on March 14. History Day encourages students to research and prepare papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, websites and posters on an annual historic theme. County winners advance to the state finals in Riverside in May and nationals in College Park, Md., in June.

Mock Trial: Held in collaboration with the District Attorney’s office, Mock Trial is a team competition where high school students gain a working knowledge of legal institutions and the

judicial system. Each year, students research a case developed by the Constitutional Rights Foundation. The first round of competition is Nov. 4. The finals will be held at the Foothill Law and Justice Center in Rancho Cucamonga on Dec. 13. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 15 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino. The winning county team will advance to the state competition in San Jose in March.

Music festivals and clinics: Choirs, bands and orchestras for elementary, middle and high schools are held throughout the academic year. The basin honor band (San Bernardino Valley) will perform in February, as will the High Desert honor band for elementary, middle and high schools. The honor orchestra will perform in the late winters as well.

RIMS Inland Science and Engineering Fair: This annual individual competition for grades 4-12 promotes science projects designed, developed and displayed by students from schools in Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino counties. The event, which is held at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino, will be held April 6-7. Winners (grades 6-12) advance to the state competition in Los Angeles on April 27.

In addition, there will be events such as academic pentathlon for middle schools, a family reading rally in mid-April and senior recognition for Advancement Via Individual Determination students in May.

For more information about student events, contact David Maya in Student Activities at County Schools at (909) 386-2640.

With above average temperatures expected, the County of San Bernardino Health Officer Dr. Maxwell Ohikhuare has issued a heat advisory for residents. High temperature above 100^°F forecasted for the inland valleys, mountains and desert regions are expected to continue into early next week. Residents are urged to take precautions that will help prevent heat-related illness.

High or unusually hot temperatures can affect your health. Most vulnerable are the elderly, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, the homeless or poor, and people with chronic medical conditions.

Take the necessary precautions to prevent serious health effects such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke by following the tips below.

Stay cool

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings.
• Find an air-conditioned Cooling Center open to the public by dialing the United Way’s toll-free resource telephone line at 2-1-1, or online at www.coolingsb.org
• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
• Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when it is the hottest part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature.
• Check on at-risk friends, family and neighbors at least twice a day.

Stay hydrated

• Drink more than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
• Drink from two to four cups of water every hour while working
• Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
• Make sure your family, friends and neighbors are drinking enough water.

For more information on the extreme heat visit the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health website athttp://www.sbcounty.gov/dph/publichealth/ph_divisions/preparedness_response/natural_disasters.asp

Or visit the California Department of Public Health website at:http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/BeInformed/NaturalDisasters/ExtremeHeat/Pages/ExtremeHeat.aspx