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ROSEMEAD, CA — Thanksgiving Day is usually full of food, family and football. Southern California Edison (SCE) reminds its customers to add safety to the list since cooking fires are three times more likely on Turkey Day than any other day, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Cooking equipment, overloaded circuits and extension cords are leading causes of electrical accidents and home fires during the holiday season, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. About 2,000 fires occur annually in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day, causing an average of five fatalities, 15 injuries and $21 million in property damage, said the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).
“An increase in indoor activities combined with cooking and entertaining family and friends can cause many customers to forget basic home safety,” said Bill Messner, principal manager of Health and Safety at SCE. “Safety should never take a holiday.”
The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking, said the USFA. Never leave cooking equipment or appliances, such as toaster ovens, unattended. Turn them off if you leave the room. Another key precaution is to check for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mark on appliances. UL is the leading independent product safety organization and is a trusted symbol among consumers and manufacturers.
SCE recommends some other safety tips for Thanksgiving:
•         Plug countertop appliances into Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)-protected outlets.
•         Replace appliances that have frayed electrical cords. Contact with them can cause electric shock and serious injury.
•         When using electrical appliances, keep electric cords out of reach of children.
•         Do not overload outlets with multiple adaptors or power strips.
•         Do not use extension cords with major appliances.
•         Unplug appliances that aren’t in use, preventing them from being turned on accidentally.
•         Locate all appliances away from the sink. Remember that water and electricity do not mix.
•         Never fight an electrical or grease fire with water. Keep a fire extinguisher, UL listed and rated for electrical fires and grease, nearby.
For more on electrical safety at home, visit www.sce.com/safety. Follow SCE on Twitter and Facebook.
About Southern California Edison
An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of nearly 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-  The San Bernardino City Unified School District is looking to fill Groundsworker, HVACR Mechanic, School Police Officer and Educational Interpreter III positions. Groundsworker positions pay from $2,703.26 to $3,288.92 per month. HVACR Mechanic positions pay between $3,628.44 and $4,414.54 per month. School Police Officer positions earn from $3,699.50 to $4,501.00 per month. Educational Interpreter III positions pay between $19.07 and $23.20 an hour. Benefits for all positions include paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation days; medical, dental, and vision insurance; and retirement. Benefits are based on a 40-hour workweek. Groundsworker applications must be submitted before midnight on Sunday, November 3. HVACR Mechanic and School Police Officer applications are due before midnight on Sunday, November 10. Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants for all positions must have a valid California driver’s license. Educational Interpreter III applicants must be fluent in sign language. View the job flyers at www.sbcusd.com/employment for additional minimum experience and qualifications. Only online applications will be accepted. Free computer access is available for applicants at the Personnel Commission office and the District’s Family Resource Center. All applicants must be willing to submit to a pre-employment drug/alcohol screening, background check, and T.B. (tuberculosis) screening. For more information, call the Personnel Commission at 909-381-1280 or visit www.sbcusd.com/employment.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches Health Committee ( IECAA) will host an annual “Physical and Mental Health Wellness Promotion and Disaster Preparedness” Festival on Saturday, November 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at New Hope Family Life Center, 1505 W. Highland Avenue in San Bernardino.

The committee has partnered with Time for Change Foundation, an organization that works to empower disenfranchised women who are transitioning from homelessness and re-entry recidivism.  Organizers confirmed they are participating in the National Food Day Campaign whose goal is to help people eat more healthy. There will be healthy cooking demonstrations, screenings, educational information and more.

The festival’s intent is empowerment through disaster preparedness information; the role of emotions and mental health on the overall health and well-being of an individual. There will be forums detailing the issues or conditions that may cause an unhealthy mental state, and the need of reducing the stigma of mental health within the community. Breakout sessions include information on Disaster Preparedness, Cover California and Medicare enrollment, and healthy nutrition. There will also be physical health demonstrations which include karate, Zumba, hula hoops and jumping rope, as well as a  Kids Zone with face painting, carnival games, a train ride and other age-appropriate activities. This a free community event. For more information call Veatrice Jews at 909-518-5170.

VICTORVILLE, CA- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., High Desert Alumnae Chapter will be hosting a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Fair on Thursday, October 10 at Silverado High School, 14048 Colbalt Road in Victorville from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Students will be able to meet college recruiters and representatives from HBCU’s. There will also be information packets on college preparation and admission and free giveaways and prizes. For more information, call Sharon Cobb ay 760-245-6559 or Peggy Moore at 760-240-7147.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Social-Lites, Inc., of San Bernardino are preparing for the 47th Annual Knights of the Beautillion. The Beautillion Scholarship Program is designed to provide scholarship funding, as well as, computers, gifts and awards to young men in the Inland Empire and surrounding communities, who are high school seniors and freshman in college, and maintain a G.P.A. of a 2.0 or higher.
The Beautillion program will begin in October and commence on the annual event in April 2014. The Social Lites, Inc. is looking for young people to participate in this year’s Beautillion. All young men interested in participating in the Beautillion are encouraged to attend the Beautillion Briefing beginning on Saturdays, October  5,  October  12, October  19 and October 26, from 2 p.m.  to 4 p.m.  at the New Hope Family Life Center located at 1505 W. Highland Avenue in San Bernardino (Corner of Highland and Western Avenue). For additional information call Ms. Donna Little at 909-528-9793 or Ms. Sheri Lewis at 909-320-0799.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- San Bernardino City Unified School District students who attend Program Improvement (PI) schools may be eligible for special services or school transfers. A school is designated Program Improvement if it has not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in the same category for two consecutive years. A school exits PI if it meets its AYP targets for two consecutive years. AYP data for all California public schools is available at www.ed-data.k12.ca.us/welcome.asp. This week the District is mailing letters to parents whose children may qualify for Public School Choice or free Supplemental Educational Services under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Public School Choice gives parents the option to transfer their child from a PI school to a non-PI school. Supplemental Educational Services provide low-income, low-achieving students with the opportunity to receive free tutoring from state-approved providers. Parents interested in either program must complete the application form they receive with their letter. Completed applications must be received by the District’s Categorical Programs Department by Friday, October 11. Only students who meet the necessary qualifications will be accepted into each program. Parents of students who qualify for Supplemental Educational Services are encouraged to attend a Provider Fair. The Provider Fairs are Friday, October 4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, October 5, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the San Bernardino Adult School. For more information, please call 909-381-1200.

BUENA PARK, CA- The American Diabetes Association (ADA) will host its annual ‘Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes’ on Saturday, October 5 at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. The walk will be 2.5 miles through the scenic grounds of the theme park. Walkers will be able to get a behind the scenes look as they pass through the park grounds and Soak City. There will also be a shorter walk for participants who are not ready for the full walk. Check-in time for the event is at 6:30 a.m. and the walk will begin at 7:45 a.m. at Independence Hall.
Step Out is the signature fundraising walk of the ADA. Each year participants come together to walk and raise funds in order to aid the organization in its mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all those affected by diabetes. There is no cost to participate in this event, but participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of $125 to get the official 2013 Step Out t-shirt on the day of the event. All registered walkers will receive 50 percent off a regularly priced adult admission to Knott’s Berry Farm and free parking the day of the event. This event would not be possible without the generous support from sponsors, which include United Health Care, Knott’s Berry Farm, Hoag Mary & Dick Diabetes Center, Sweet Leaf, Walgreens, Sela, Stock Cross, Fountain Valley Regional Hospital & Medical Center, Jackson Hewitt, Orange County Breeze, and Corner Bakery.
For more information and to sign up for the event visit diabetes.org/stepoutoc or contact Step Out Event Manager Tiffany Updike at tupdike@diabetes.org or (714) 662-7940 x7517.

VICTORVILLE, CA- If you are an active military service member or an honorably discharged Veteran you can enter to win a newly, renovated 1,489 square foot home in Victorville. The home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. HomeStrong USA is donating this home to honor military members. The winner of the home must occupy the home as their primary residence. To enter the contest, please fill out an application at www.HomeStrongUSA.org or call 877-647-8764 and write an essay to describe your time serving the Country.
All entries must be received by October 25. The winner will be announced on Saturday, November 9-Veterns Day. If you have any questions, please contact Marisa Valenzuela at the San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency at 909-387-4389.

A friend of mine thought you’d be interested in my letter to the Editor. I’ve become aware of a book on the history of World War II written by Robert Welch who founded the John Birch Society in 1958. This book is based largely on the explosive allegations; it contains the alleged crimes of General Dwight Eisenhower in the war in Europe, which have never been properly investigated.
To stop the treason of today, which will continue unless we stop the modern-day traitors destroying our country now by economic and political means, we should read the book, “The Politician,” (see the Internet and JBS.org). We need to understand such critical history exposing the treason against the U.S., including the thousands of our prisoners of war that Eisenhower allowed Joseph Stalin to kidnap to the Soviet Union for forced labor.
Eisenhower stood on Lenin’s tomb and was given the highest honor of the Soviet Union, that reportedly came with an annual monetary payment. We must use historical understanding to stop the current treason now upon us, wake up people! Sincerely, Ed Nemecheck, Landers, CA

FONTANA, CA- The United Christian College West Coast Campus is pleased to announce its grand opening on Sunday, September 22 at 4 p.m. at 16388 Merrill Avenue in Fontana. The college is a fully accredited college out of Goldsboro North Carolina that has extended to the West Coast. It has been in existence and charted since 1953 with an accreditation under the Accrediting Commission International. The United Christian College West Coast Campus will be offering classes this quarter in Beginning Theology, Church History, How to Study the Bible and Reading Writing and Comprehension. Potential students can register now. During the second quarter, online classes will be offered. For more information, call the registers office at 909-823-2310.