Local

PERRIS, CA- Thomas the Tank Engine is chugging into the Orange Empire Railway Museum for the 2013 “Go Go Day Out With Thomas” tour on November 9, 10, 11 and 16 and 17. “Day Out With Thomas” offers aspiring engineers and their families the opportunity to take a 25-minute ride with the classic story book engine and meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Superintendent of the Railroad on the Island of Sodor. According to board chairman Tom Jacobson, this is a great family event that introduces a new generation to timeless excitement of railroading. He has been lead organizer of “Day Out With Thomas” since it began 12 years ago.  In addition to the train ride, children may also engage in a petting zoo, hay bale maze, entertainment by Jules Music 4 Kids and caboose train and trolley rides. It is encouraged by museum staff that tickets be purchased early and that that families should arrive no later than one hour prior to scheduled departure. Tickets start at $19 for ages two and older. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Orange Empire Railway Museum office at 951-943-3020 or visit www.oerm.org.

Thomas the Tank Engine Returns to the Inland Empire

(Back row, left to right: Superintendent Dale Marsden, Jones Elementary School students, WWAM Board member Juanita Webster, WWAM Board member Josh Scott and Dr. Margret Hill. Front row, left to right: Jones Elementary School student, WWAM supporter Lenda K. Winn, WWAM Sectary Aubrey Winn, WWAM President Dr. Deborah Winn, Jones Elementary Principal Ramone Valslo and CAPS Youth Leader Chevangh Green.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Willing Winn Association and Mission, Inc., (WWAM) adopted Juanita Blackly Jones Elementary School on Tuesday, November 5. The adoption ceremony was part of the Adopt-A-School program, a joint effort by the San Bernardino City Unified School District and San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce to forge partnerships between schools and the community. WWAM members are committed to implementing the It Starts At Home (ISAH) program into the school. The CAAP program at the school has already been providing tutoring and meals to students after school. ISAH will assist in being a benefit to the school by bringing in more activities such as sports and music programs. ISAH will also have a parenting education center will they will assist parents in becoming more self-efficient and getting back on their feet through basic living and life skills programs. According to WWAM, Juanita Blackly Jones Elementary School is the first school to be adopted in San Bernardino. To learn more about Jones Elementary School, visit www.sbcusd.com/jones . For more information regarding the Adopt-A-School program, visit www.sbcusd.com/adoptaschool.

IE Invaders

INLAND EMPIRE, CA- Many have thought the American Basketball Association (ABA) was long gone after the merger with the National Basketball Association (NBA) back in 1976 and that was true up until 1999 when they re-emerged and took the basketball world by storm once again. With nearly 90 teams to date the ABA has rebuilt a strong brand and they have continued to grow at a rapid pace. Outgoing President of The Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce and now owner, Ms. Christy Lancaster didn’t know much about the ABA but thought it would be a great business venture and create many opportunities for the Inland Empire so she said “Why Not?”

Ms. Lancaster was quoted saying “This has been the best experience for me. Being able to see the eyes of so many children light up when they see a Professional Ball Player show up at their school is priceless.” The team has been extremely active in the community with outreach to local schools and grand openings since the establishment of the team including National Walk to School day which they participated in with Castle View Elementary along with Mayor Rusty Bailey and a grand re-opening of Canyon Crest Athletic Club which happens to be a Championship sponsor to the team this 2013-2014 season. Their first game is scheduled for November 9 at 7 p.m. Games will be played at Riverside City College (Wheelock Gym). They have dedicated the first game to stopping violence in our community and the Invader Girlz have been working on a special dedication in memory of Treyvon Martin and many other lost to this senseless cause . If you have lost a loved one due to violence under 18 please email clancaster@abaieinvaders.com so they can add their name to their program so they can recognize them as well.  Names and Ages must be received by November 5 by 5 p.m. Please visit our www.abaieinvaders.com for more information.

KING OF THE CAGE

HIGHLAND, CA- Here’s a ghoulish treat for your Halloween enjoyment, an evening of colorfully, tatted, caged warriors engaged in hand-to-hand, foot-to-body, and all manor of something-to-something combat. Those who love a good fight, will have to be at San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino on Thursday, October 31 to see what gets bumped in the night as the men of King of the Cage make a special Halloween visit that promises to be filled with all sorts of tricks and treats. Tickets range from $40 to $75, and are on sale now through www.sanmanuel.com.

AAAM

RIVERSIDE, CA- The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) is in final negotiations with the Riverside Convention and Visitors Bureau to host the 38th AAAM conference in downtown Riverside in August 2016. The conference will be held for three days, attracting more than 1,000 curators, historians, librarians, museum professionals and cultural leaders from 200 museums, libraries and institutes from around the globe. The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) is a non-profit organization established to support African and African American focused museums nationally and internationally, as well as the professionals who protect, preserve and interpret African American art, history and culture. Riverside is the host city and the Dora Nelson African American Art and History Museum in Perris, is the host museum in collaboration with Riverside African American Historical Society, The Black Voice Foundation and the Riverside Convention and Visitors Bureau.  To take advantage of hosting world’s foremost authorities in the preservation and promotion of African-American Culture to downtown Riverside, the Riverside African-American Festival Committee is planning to host a week long African-American Cultural Celebration to coincide with the conference.  Previous AAAM conferences were held in major eastern cities including Charlotte, North Carolina; Washington D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; Tallahassee, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Birmingham, Alabama; St. Louis, Missouri and the farthest west, Denver, Colorado. The Riverside AAAM Conference 2016 is charged with raising the funds to host the conference.  The initial fundraising goal is $15,000, with a third of the funds already committed.  The committee is looking for business and community organizations, along with local leaders for sponsorships and advertising at the conference. For more information on sponsorships, advertising and promotions contact Carl M. Dameron at 909-534-9500.

KIWANIS SB3

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Up, up and away went the laughter, fun and words of appreciation. On September 21, Cal-Nev-Ha/Division 36 Lt. Governor Diane deBourguignon proudly pinned the newly appointed “Super Hero’s of Service” officer’s of ICK Club of San Bernardino. The club’s immediate past president, Wilbur Wilson, thanked former  promoted officers and the new officers put on their super hero mask, dawned their super sabers and accepted their mission. Special guests who were in attendance included former Lt. Governor Elect Don Orosco, former First Lady Carolyn, Banning Mayor Debbie Franklin (also a member of Banning/Division 6 Kiwanis), and Lt. Governor Elect Reyes “Rocket” Rios (IC Kiwanis Club Member). Over 40 family, friends, community partners and members attended the affair. For those who would like to join Inland Center Kiwanis (ICK), they meet every Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. at Denny’s, 702 E. Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92404. For more information, visit ickiwanis.webs.com or email pamickiwanis@yahoo.com.

Danielle Simone Photography

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- “We walk the steps our babies will never take.” That will most likely be the mantra of the participants of the 4th annual Walk to Remember-Inland Empire on Saturday, October 19 at Cal State San Bernardino. The remembrance walk commemorates the lives of families affected by the passing of a baby, through pregnancy lost, stillbirth or infancy loss of any kind. Registration to participate is $20 and check-in begins at 8 a.m. The ceremony will start at 9 a.m. The walk is sponsored by the CSUSB Institute for Child Development and Family Relations. Two Cal State San Bernardino graduates, Amanda Balderrama (B.S. nursing, 2003) and Sarah Miles (B.A. human development, 2006), founded the non-profit organization, Walk to Remember-IE, in January 2010 after experiencing their own tragedies; each lost a son. Last year, more than 600 participants remembered and honored the memories of 104 babies. The walk raised more than $11,000.  These funds were able to help with a broad range of projects.  The funds raised by the 2012 Walk to Remember also provided supplies for a local peer support group to create keepsakes for the members’ babies and to celebrate their motherhood on the International Bereaved

exercising woman

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Ladies come out and learn how to treat your heart and about other issues that affect woman of color. Heart of Color will be presenting a ‘Heart Health and Lifestyle Change’ community event on Saturday, October 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Henderson Auditorium at the Community Hospital of San Bernardino, 1805 Medical Center Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92411. Cheyenne English, of the American Heart Association and Healthy Heritage, will be the guest speaker for the event. Registration and a continental breakfast will be held at 830 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. For those who are interested in attending, please RSVP by Thursday, October 17 because seating is limited. To RSVP please call Joyce Fairman at 909-746-6153, Dolores Armstead at 909-214-6274, Jean Barron at 909-936-1718 or Alice Anderson at 909-717-9448, or visit http://www.heartsofcolor.org.

Jennifer Holmes (J Boss)

This week I am happy to highlight businesswoman Jennifer Holmes, also known as J Boss of J Boss Entertainment. It feels good to not be the only female out here in the game. Women are really stepping up their game.
Jennifer Holmes, CEO of J Boss Entertainment, and Don Colman, CEO of Flipside Entertainment, have linked up to provide a platform for artists every Tuesday night at Seville’s Night Club in the beautiful city of Riverside. Several local artists are given an opportunity to showcase their talents at “Taco Tuesday Night” held at Seville’s Night Club starting at 8 p.m..     “The goal is to bring Hollywood to the IE while providing an upscale atmosphere,” Jennifer stated.
Holmes and Colman are currently working to bring headliners such as, R&B sensation Ray J, Young Sam, Problem, Joe Moses and many more to the City. Last week Glasses Malone took the stage and gave an awesome performance along with local acts, which included, Speaker Junkiez ENT, Kolby Cordell and Young Stress. On October 8, Paul Douglas will bless the mic.
Colman and Holmes do more than provide entertainment. They also go above and beyond to give back to their community.  The dynamic duo is coordinating a blanket and jacket drive. The fundraiser will take place on October 22. Entry into Seville’s that night will be free until 11 p.m. with a donated item. For more information on how to support the mission or to perform, please contact J Boss at 760-486-3111.

Miss Cardinal group

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- This past weekend, Saturday, September 6, 22 young women competed for the honor of representing San Bernardino High School, Cardinal City and the City of San Bernardino. During the pageant, Miss Cardinal City contestants were ranked by a panel of judges in on-stage categories ranging from sportswear, evening gown and an on-stage question. Off-stage categories included grades, attendance and personal interviews.
According to pageant director and Bilingual School Outreach Worker Jamie Rios, two of the goals for Miss Cardinal City and related pageant Mr. Cardinal City are to develop students’ confidence and raise community awareness and pride in San Bernardino High and the city.
“San Bernardino High is the oldest public high school in the entire county,” she states.  “It is also part of two cities. Many people don’t realize the high school itself is a chartered city, Cardinal City.  With that kind of history and community significance, I felt we needed ambassadors, young people who could represent all these different and note-worthy aspects of San Bernardino High School.”
Sponsors that helped to make the pageant a success were Stater Bros. Markets, D’Arca Formal Wear, Angel’s Closet, Fairview Ford, The Way World Outreach, Marinello Schools of Beauty, San Bernardino Sun newspaper, San Bernardino High School Class of 1961, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hickey, Mrs. Pat Williams, First Ward Councilwoman Virginia Marquez, Mr. Jim Smith, Mr. Anyabwile Naazir, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Noble, Ms. Charlene Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Arellano, Mr. Richard Carlos, San Bernardino City Unified School District, and San Bernardino High School Associated Student Body (ASB).