Local

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Every year Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) strives to brighten the holiday season for thousands of low-income families throughout San Bernardino County, and this year was no exception. CAPSBC purchased over 4,100 turkeys, 2,000 holiday food boxes, and 15,000 hams to distribute to families in need of food with the total value exceeding $453,000.

To meet the demand for food assistance from families struggling to put food on their tables, CAPSBC hosted two large scale Annual Turkey Giveaway events in San Bernardino and Joshua Tree. The San Bernardino event was held on November 19th in the CAPSBC parking lot where approximately 1,000 low-income families received turkeys and holiday food boxes. The Joshua Tree event was held on November 21st at the Joshua Tree Community Center where 500 families received turkeys and holiday food boxes. Additionally, CAPSBC provided turkeys and holiday food boxes to the following organizations to support their community distribution events: (view site locations online).

“In the richest country in the world, we believe that no one should go without a meal. As a result, CAPSBC has partnered with over 250 organizations throughout San Bernardino County to distribute food. This holiday season, CAPSBC’s Food Bank Program will distribute over $500,000 worth of food,” stated Patricia Nickols-Butler, CAPSBC President and CEO. “Last year, our agency’s Food Bank Program distributed over 16 million pounds of food. The work that we do in this community could not be done without the partnerships that we hold dear to our heart. We are proud to serve our communities and the positive impact we have each year in our fight against hunger. We are grateful that so many families will enjoy a special meal with their loved ones and wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!”

CAPSBC has been serving the communities for over 57 years, and it is the largest provider of food throughout San Bernardino County.

Join San Bernardino Public Libraries for songs, stories and pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. There are four chances to see Santa this year – one at each city library location:

• Monday, December 5 at 4 p.m. – Villasen?or Branch Library – 525 N. Mt. Vernon Ave.
• Monday, December 5 at 5 p.m. – Feldheym Central Library – 555 W. Sixth St.
• Tuesday, December 6 at 5 p.m. – Inghram Branch Library – 1505 W. Highland Ave.
• Monday, December 12 at 5 p.m. – Rowe Branch Library – 108 E. Marshall Blvd.

For more information call (909) 381-8201.

SAN BERNARDINO — Rafael Trujillo was elected the chair of the San Bernardino County Committee on School District Organization during its annual meeting on Nov. 16. Trujillo is from Rialto and represents the Fifth Supervisorial District.

Resa Barillas of Adelanto, who represents the First Supervisorial District, was elected as vice chairman.

Prior to the meeting, incumbent members Trujillo and Patty Holohan joined newly appointed member Robert Bennett in taking the oath of office for four-year terms. Holohan, of Redlands, represents the Third Supervisorial District; Bennett, of Upland, represents the Second District.

The 11-member County Committee deals with proposed changes to school district organization issues, including number of trustees, trustee and school district boundary areas, and unification.

The committee has two representatives for each of the five supervisorial districts in the county, plus one member-at-large.

County Committee members cannot be employed by a school district in any county, community college district or county superintendent office. Monthly meetings of the committee are typically held on the third Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Meetings are conducted in accordance with the Brown Act or open meeting law. While a state declared emergency exists for health and safety concerns, the County Committee conducts its meetings virtually as allowed by law.

By Burrell Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio 

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON – (Nov. 18, 2022) – Native American Heritage Month marks a time to showcase and honor the many contributions Native Americans have made to the Department of Defense (DoD) and the nation.

For Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, Sara BlackCloud, a financial management analyst, assigned to the Resource Management and Acquisitions Directorate, is a representation of the highly professional and diverse civilian workforce within the Department of the Navy.

Born in San Bernardino, Calif., and raised in San Diego, BlackCloud has been a Navy civilian for six years. She first enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2002 and enter service in the U.S. Army in 2008 deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

“I wanted to work for the Navy because they offered me an opportunity to expand my DoD knowledge of another branch of service,” said BlackCloud. “All I need now is some Coast Guard experience, and I will have worked for all the services in some form or fashion.”

According to BlackCloud, who was recognized as NAMRU San Antonio’s Civilian of the Year in 2016, before enlisting in the Army, her intention was to join the U.S. Marine Corps.

A Lakota Sioux Native American from the Cut Head Clan, Oglala Tribe of the Spirit Lake Nation in Fort Totten, N.D., BlackCloud is a second generation veteran. Her Grandparents Ivan and Gail BlackCloud served as seamen in the Navy along with another Grandfather Victor Corona. BlackCloud is also Mexican American drawing her roots from Mexico City. She has 22 aunts and uncles, one brother, 39 cousins, and 61 second cousins.

BlackCloud said the Navy has granted her an opportunity to provide a life for her four children while doing something she feels passionate about.

“What we do at NAMRU San Antonio contributes to the lives of others,” said BlackCloud. “We are a well-oiled engine with many integral parts. If one part is off…. we all have a problem. So, it really is about the team. Pulling together for the greater good of everyone here.”

She states that the best part of being at the command are the people and the mission.

“We are a cut above the rest in both areas. I have made tremendous career progression with NAMRU San Antonio, but my proudest accomplishment is the relationships I have created with long time members here,” said BlackCloud. “When things got tough, the solid members at NAMRU helped guide me to greatness. That is something not many places can compete with.”

Two of BlackCloud’s short-term goals are to master the unit’s new financial system, the Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (NERP), and earn a college degree.

Her long-term goal is to one day having a small home in some secluded mountain range where she can live in harmony with nature as her ancestors.

“The Navy has broadened my knowledge base and experience that has challenged my way of thinking,” said BlackCloud. “I have had more opportunities to ‘think outside the box’ with this command than any other position in my 20 plus years of work experience.”

Possessing a diverse workforce is important to NAMRU San Antonio as it acknowledges individual strengths of each Sailor, Soldier, civilian and contractor, and the potential they bring to accomplishing the command’s mission.

“It is an absolute proud feeling to say I am a Native American, a woman, and a veteran who still continues to serve her country,” said BlackCloud. “I also love that my children show pride that they have a mother who has served, and I hope it plants a seed in them as well to continue the traditions our grandparents began.”

NAMRU San Antonio’s mission is to conduct gap driven combat casualty care, craniofacial, and directed energy research to improve survival, operational readiness, and safety of DoD personnel engaged in routine and expeditionary operations.

It is one of the leading research and development laboratories for the U.S. Navy under the DoD and is one of eight subordinate research commands in the global network of laboratories operating under the Naval Medical Research Center in Silver Spring, Md.

PASADENA, CA – Assemblymember Chris Holden hosted and participated in thankfulness and holiday celebrations over the weekend. On Saturday, November 19, 2022, Assemblymember Holden held a turkey drive in partnership with Inland Valley Hope Partners, UFCW 1428, and the City of Claremont. Over 200 turkeys were provided to the community.

On Sunday, November 20, 2022, Assemblymember Holden participated in the annual community event, Operation Gobbler in partnership with Friends Indeed and Pasadena Jaycees. Over 400 turkeys were provided to the community.

“With the burden of inflation impacting families across the state, this year more than ever, working with the community to provide holiday meals has made this thanksgiving even more special for my staff, family, and me,” said Assemblymember Holden.

He continues, “As we celebrate this holiday season, let us practice gratitude but also kindness, being kind to our neighbors and our communities.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On November 17, 2022, Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. donated over 100 turkeys to organizations in San Bernardino County’s Fifth District right in time for Thanksgiving. The event was held at Leno’s Rico Taco’s in Colton, where the chosen organizations drove in and had their turkeys placed into their cars. Those who received turkeys are planning on giving them out to members of their organizations who are unable to afford Thanksgiving dinner this year for their families.

“Giving back to our Fifth District community is the least I can do. I am thankful for many things in my life and being fifth districts county Supervisor is something I will forever be thankful for. There is no better way to show thanks then by giving back to those who need some extra help during the holiday season. It was so touching to see just how grateful these organizations were as they drove in to pick up their donated turkeys. We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, full of happiness, peace, and love,” Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. stated.

By Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

Around 48,000 academic workers at all 10 University of California (UC) campuses went on strike November 14, shutting down classrooms and research laboratories in the largest employee walkout at any academic institution in history.

The Post-Doctoral scholars, teaching assistants’ and associate instructors, graduate student researchers, and academic researchers are represented by the United Auto Workers union in contract negotiations with the UC system.

Bargaining between the disputing parties has been ongoing for months, and while UC officials recently called for a third-party mediator to address remaining issues, they are continuing to negotiate without one.

“When I was working in the lab, I worked 50-60 hours per week, and the salary was so low that every month I really had to think about if I would make it through the month,” said Neil Sweeny, President of UAW 5810, which is representing the striking UC employees. “I have two small children and my partner was a full-time student. We lived in campus family housing, and we went to the campus foodbank every month to make sure that we had food.  This was while my research was bringing in millions of dollars in research funding for the University.”

The workers are demanding better pay and benefits, including wage increases tied to housing costs. Housing costs in California are among the highest in the country, especially in the Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan areas

Aside from UC campuses located in the state’s biggest cities, many of the research university system’s campuses are in parts of the state that have relatively high costs living, like Berkeley, San Diego and the Westside of Los Angeles.

“UC’s pay falls below all their self-identified peer institutions, including Harvard, Stanford, Yale and even public schools like the University of Michigan where living costs are far less” the union said in a press release on Thursday.

The UC maintains that “On average, UC rents systemwide are 20-25% below market rates, with some campuses providing even deeper discounts. UC has offered wage increases for all UAW members which would further help them meet their housing needs.”

The aggrieved employees paint a different picture.

“Being a TA pays for tuition but there is no way I can support myself in this city with what they pay,” said Victor E., a PhD. student and Teachers Assistant on strike at UCLA. “With teaching, my own coursework, and my research, there isn’t really any time to pick up another job. This has resulted in me taking out loans just to live and eat here. This shouldn’t be the case. With the amount of work the university gets out of its graduate students, postdocs, and others, a living wage is a small ask… A number one ranked public university should be doing no less and certainly much, much more.”

Another priority for the workers is transportation costs. The cost of gasoline has gone up around the world and according to a statewide survey conducted by The Public Policy Institute of California, an independent and non-partisan research firm, 43% of Californians including half of lower income residents worry every day about the high cost of gasoline and the increasing unaffordability of various modes of transportation.

The union wants UC to cover regional transit passes, and additional subsidies and incentives for taking public transit or bikes to work.

Recently, UC has offered to pay campus fees to extend “existing student-funded transit discounts,” to UAW members.

Although agreements have yet to be announced, on Thursday the UAW reported that “parties made progress on issues related to Parking and Transit, Appointment Notification, and Paid Time Off.”

There continues to be a large gap between the salary asks and the UC proposals. On Friday, a UAW statement said, “UC made another economic proposal to Academic Researchers containing 4.5% raises that do not match the rate of inflation.”

However, they did report progress in some other areas. “We have reached agreement on a few issues – such as health benefits improvements for Postdocs – which, while important, are not the major ones dividing the parties.”

As final examinations approach for students in the UC system, so does uncertainty. “UAW remains ready to meet for round-the-clock negotiations, but UC has not agreed to schedule sessions for the weekend,” a UAW release said. “Workers will be back on the strike lines Monday Morning.”

Students, faculty and elected officials are showing support for the strikers. Some professors are cancelling classes, and some students are electing to walk out. California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon tweeted “Academic workers are essential to the success of all of our @UofCalifornia campuses. The UC must continue to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement with the @UAW.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce brings back The San Bernardino MLK Day Parade & Extravaganza in celebration of Dr. King’s birthday on Monday, January 16, 2023, at 11 a.m. The Parade starts at Graciano Gomez Elementary School at Mt. Vernon and Baseline and continues west on Baseline ending at Arroyo Valley High School and Anne Sherrell’s Park.

“Everyone is invited to attend the parade and & Extravaganza in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his legacy of freedom. Come rejoice with vendors, music, community booths, First 5 children’s zone, custom and classic cars, motorcycles, fun and entertainment at the parade and after at Arroyo Valley High School and Anne Sherrell’s Park,” said event Chair Lou Dowdy.

Set up and staging for The San Bernardino MLK Day Parade & Extravaganza begins at 11:00 am at Graciano Gomez Elementary School in San Bernardino and the parade starts at 1:00 PM. The celebration at Arroyo Valley High School and Anne Sherrell’s Park continues until 8:00 PM.

Collaborators for The San Bernardino MLK Day Parade include: The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, Lue ProductionsCommunity Umbrella Services, Dameron Communications, YouthBuild Inland Empire, Chords Youth Enrichment Program, San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino Airport, Off the Chain Alliance, Westside Story Newspaper, Empire Talks Back and Black Health Coalition.

For more information or to sign up to be in the MLK Day Parade go to BlackChamberofCommerce.org follow the link for information and registration or call (888) 466-7408.

By Gail Fry | Westside Story News Contributor

As Gail Fry, Contributor to The West Side Story, waited at Gram’s Mission BBQ to meet with its owner, Benita Bratton, a new customer was overheard sharing with a friend of how she was digging into the mac & cheese exclaiming, “it was so good.”

The new customer was not wrong as Fry placed her own order for beef BBQ ribs and a healthy side of fresh grilled vegetables, which was exceptionally delicious, despite the temptation to try the mac & cheese, or the fried green tomatoes.

Benita Bratton, the owner, explained that in 1987 her dad, Robert Bratton, was the founder of the Gram’s Mission BBQ restaurant, which for ten years was located directly across the street from the Mission Inn Hotel.

Robert Bratton found an opportunity, an abandoned restaurant building in a prime location.  The name, Gram’s Mission BBQ, was to tie in the Mission Inn Hotel directly across the street, under renovation at the time of the restaurant’s opening day.

Photo of Robert Bratton

Benita Bratton recalled the struggles her father went through when his restaurant became a political hot potato and a struggle to exist ensued when the owner of the Mission Inn Hotel attempted to influence elected officials of the City of Riverside that he wanted something “classier” than Gram’s Mission BBQ, where meat was grilled outside in a big barrel.

In response Benita Bratton remembered, “The community banded together, and rallied in a petition to fight against the City of Riverside and its effort to close my dad’s restaurant.”  Press-Enterprise humorist columnist Dan Bernsteinregularly covered her father’s battle with the city, she recalled.

Robert Bratton persevered with the community’s support and help that came from all cultures and races when they realized what the City of Riverside was doing to Gram’s Mission BBQ wasn’t right, as Benita Bratton remembered.

Eventually, Robert Bratton sued the City of Riverside which led the city to award him with a settlement and paid for his restaurant’s relocation to where they are today at 3527 Main Street in Riverside where the restaurant was equipped with an indoor smoker.

At the time, according to Benita Bratton, the area was an older dilapidated area of town with sidewalks in disrepair, the Convention Center, a Sheraton and a Holiday Inn, and abandoned businesses.  However, Benita recalled, her father fought back through hustling. until where Gram’s Mission BBQ is today, 25 years later, basically in the sweetest spot in Riverside.

Photo of Gram’s Mission BBQ

Benita Bratton shared that she was there with her dad in 1987, when the restaurant opened, as she had restaurant experience from working at a restaurant in Las Vegas.  But when they did not see eye to eye she left and worked for AT&T for many years.

Robert Bratton is a great businessman, a great community leader, people liked him like to be around him.  “My dad knew how to make a business happen, how to hustle,” Benita Bratton credited, by then he had remarried, and had a new wife who liked to cook.

Benita Bratton shared she found herself becoming increasingly unhappy with her job at the phone company, and kept going to church and praying asking the Lord for guidance on what she should do, and the answer that kept coming was to help her dad at the restaurant.

AT&T was outsourcing jobs to other states and foreign countries, she had thoughts of retiring, there was an opportunity for a buyout, Benita Bratton explained she finally let go and surrendered to what the Lord wanted for her life returning to help her dad at the restaurant, however, their views still differed on its direction.

Benita Bratton explained she wanted a smaller menu, their foods to be really fresh, grilled every day, offering collard greens with turkey, not pork, to increase quality and service, add music, and desserts.  Benita Bratton told West Side Storyshe took ownership of the business in 2012.  A link to Gram’s Mission BBQ: https://gramsmissionbbq.com/

Photo of Benita Bratton

Benita Bratton shared she continues to go to her dad for guidance, that he is a visionary always looking at the big picture, reminding her the restaurant is about community, giving back, nourishing families, providing food, giving people jobs, sponsoring youth sports teams, scholarships for college, and looking out for each other.

Benita Bratton explained she started offering the grilled vegetables when her father suffered a stroke and needed to change his eating habits, she grew a vegetable garden, which increased her dad’s appreciation of vegetables.

“I love what I do, it’s hard work,” Benita Bratton acknowledged, that she wouldn’t have it any other way, observing, “Cooking brings people together, to the table, most people they want to eat with somebody, they don’t want to eat alone.”

Our weekly coverage of local news in San Bernardino County is supported by the  Ethnic Media Sustainability Initiative, a program supported by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support minority-owned-and-operated community newspapers in California.

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

On Election Day, Golden State voters emphatically rebuked the sports gambling initiatives on the ballot.

With 67% of the ballots counted at press time, according to the Associated Press (AP), 83.31% or 5,628,855 California voters voted against Proposition 27, which would have legalized online sports gambling. The initiative was backed by gambling-industry titans Bally’s, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, PENN Entertainment, and WynnBet.

Prop 27 was the second least successful ballot measure in the last 30 years, based on the percentage of yes votes. Nearly 17% or 1,127,983 voters marked “yes.”

Prop 27 was opposed by over 50 of California’s Native American tribes who said Internet sports wagering would harm gambling business at tribal casinos statewide.

Greg Sarri, chairman of the Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria Tribe in the Bay Area, a member of the Coalition for Safe Responsible Gambling, No on Prop 27, said the No on 27 campaign is thankful voters stood with state Indian tribes and downed the proposition supported by the gambling companies.

“Today’s vote is a show of support for tribal self-reliance and a total rejection of corporate greed,” Sarris said in an election night statement.

Anthony Roberts, Tribal Chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in northern California, said No on 27’s polling before the Nov. 8 election revealed Californians do not support online sports betting.

“Voters have real and significant concerns about turning every cellphone, laptop, and tablet into a gambling device,” Roberts said, “and the resulting addiction, and exposure to children.”

Another sports wagering measure – this one supported by dozens of Indian tribes — was also smacked down.

Proposition 26 would have legalized sports betting at tribal casinos and allowed them to offer craps and roulette. According to the AP though, 69.71% or 4,665,484 voters marked “no” on their ballot to the question of whether they supported the initiative, while 30.39% or 2,036,734 Californians marked “yes.”

Santa Monica voter Clint Thompson, 39, doesn’t gamble but voted in favor of Prop 26 and opposed Prop 27.

“I wanted the tribes to keep money,” Thompson said. “I feel like it’s hard for them to make money. Any possible hustle they can do on tribal lands, they should have it.”

The runup to Election Day saw advertisements for and against both of the propositions overwhelm the airwaves and digital platforms.  The campaigns combined waged the most expensive ballot measure contest in U.S. history — spending nearly half a billion dollars.

Both campaigns sought support from various individuals and entities across California. Many civil rights organizations, including the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California, the Black Business Association, California-Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP, and the California African American Chamber of Commerce supported Prop 26.

Voter rejection of the gambling initiatives leaves the largest market in America, California, out of reach to legal sports betting.

Nathan Click, the Prop 27 campaign spokesperson, told media the coalition knew passing Prop 27 would be an uphill battle, but they remain committed to it.

“This campaign has underscored our resolve to see California follow more than half the country in legalizing safe and responsible online sports betting,” Click said.