WSSN Stories

Senator Norma Torres

POMONA, CA – State Senator Norma Torres (D-Pomona) has announced she will hold a community swearing-in ceremony in Pomona on Sunday, September 1st from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.  Local elected officials, community leaders and constituents are invited to attend and meet with the Senator and her staff.  The event is an opportunity for community members to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns about issues facing the district. An RSVP is required to attend and can be made by calling the district office at (909) 621-2783 or by sending an email to aura.sandoval@sen.ca.gov. The ceremony will take place at the Mountain Meadows Golf Course, 1875 Fairplex Drive, Pomona, CA 91768.

SB Police

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino Police Department will host a Community Police Academy for San Bernardino City residents every Wednesday from September 4 to October 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Classes will be held at the San Bernardino Police Department Main Station located at 710 N. “D” Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401. Academy classes will cover a variety of topics including narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, code enforcement, the canine program, pan handling, gang enforcement, SWAT and traffic enforcement. Participants will meet members of their police department, learn police department works and how to partner with police to make the community better. The academy is free, but space is limited. Contact the Community Affairs office for more information at 909-388-4946 or 909-384-5753.

Tools for Success

BLOOMINGTON, CA- Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) in partnership with the San Bernardino County Library, the National Investment Division of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NID) Housing Counseling Agency, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), Westech College and the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County hosted the 1^st Annual Tools for Success Day, a back to school celebration with giveaways, entertainment, food and gifts on Saturday, August 17 at Ayala Park in Bloomington and Saturday, August 24 at the Baker Family Learning Center in Muscoy. Between both events, nearly 250 students were provided a backpack stuffed with pencils, pens, notebook paper, coloring books, activity books, colored pencils or crayons, back to school haircut coupons, stickers, a ruler, a cookbook and literature.

During the event, special remarks were given by Assemblymember Cheryl Brown, San Bernardino County Librarian Leonard Hernández, San Bernardino County Superintendent Gary Thomas and Executive Director Linda Jackson, NID Housing Agency.  Assemblymember Brown shared information about California’s Legislature implementing the local control funding formula. This initiative allows our school districts to control the money that comes from the state and use it to close the achievement gap in our struggling schools at the local level.

Assemblymember Brown encouraged parents to be proactive and engage their children’s school principals, teachers and counselors to ensure that funding is being used to meet the educational needs of their children. The 1^st Annual Tools for Success Day also featured free health screenings, financial literacy information, financial assistance services for homeowners and other valuable educational resources for classroom success.

Kel Mitchell

GARDENA, CA- On Saturday, September 14, the City of Refuge Church and Consultant Entertainment will be presenting their 16th Annual ‘Stop The Violence, Think Education, Put God First’ Back to School Conference and Concert. The conference and concert will be held at City Refuge Church, 14527 S. Pedro Street, Gardena, CA 90248. From 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. there will be dynamitic workshops and seminars by fashion designer Clotee McAfee, Rev. Johnetta Tarkington (“Youth Empowerment 4 Destiny” Panel), Minister Lawrence Levy and Pastor Michael JT Fisher (“Hip Hop Power Hour”.). From 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. there will be a red carpet event followed by a celebration concert honoring those who bless our youth. The concert will be hosted by actor Kel Mitchell, songstress Adrian Anderson (Trin-i-tee 5:7) and radio personality DJ Elvee Scott (KJLH 102.3). R&B group Mindless Behavior will be in attendance as special guests. Tickets are on sale for $5 with proceeds benefiting the Noel Jones Scholarship. There will also be over 2,000 Back to School supplies given out. For more information please call 310-516-1433 or email edwardsdorean@yahoo.com

Brandi Mack (center, in hat) directs a girl’s program at Hunters Point

FONTANA, CA-  A group of girls from Hunters Point Family organization based in San Francisco made a visit to KRESTMORE Farms in Fontana where they helped Sis. Nova with weeding in the farm. Hunters Point Family organization has an entity called Girls 2000, a safe haven where girls give and receive support as they overcome the complex challenged they face in becoming self-filled individuals, future leaders and role models in their community. Through project-based learning and opportunities to exercise leadership, girls gain the knowledge, skills and self-confidence required to participate fully in their own empowerment process. GIRLS 2000 develops and leads activities based on the HPF philosophy that our youth can transform their current reality if they are given opportunities to gain awareness of their capabilities, develop the courage and ability to make life-affirming decisions, and have access to necessary resources and support. For more information on the program, please visit hunterspointfamily.org.

Yolanda Holder

CORONA, CA- Imagine walking 521 miles in a 15 day period. You’re engulfed by extreme heat, sweat pours down your brow, and with every step your feet throb like a heartbeat. This will soon be the reality for Yolanda Holder, Guinness World Record holder for most marathons run in a year. Yolanda has experienced many hardships to get to the top, but nothing could prepare her for the loss of both parents to type 2 diabetes. When her mother passed September 2,2012, Holder vowed to do her part to prevent diabetes from taking another loved one. Despite being grief stricken, she took to action and ‘Extreme Walk 4 Diabetes’ was born.  On August 19th, she will embark on an amazing journey across California, starting in Corona, at Corona Nissan and finishing in Oakland, at the American Diabetes Association office, on the anniversary of her mother Annette Norton’s passing. Her mission is to promote the benefits of walking 30 minutes a day and encourage people of all ages to get out and get fit while having fun! Holder hopes to raise over $5,000 when she crosses the finish line in Oakland. She is also encouraging her fans, and supporters to join her as she passes through their cities. You can track Yolanda’s progress through her Facebook page and at www.yolandaholder.com.

Black Culture Foundation Committee

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-  Now is the time to nominate unsung heroes in your community for the 24th Annual Black Culture Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year, Community Service and Black Rose Awards, which take place Friday, September 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the National Orange Show Renaissance Room, 689 South E Street.

To nominate someone for this award, go to www.sbbcfoundation.org to download a nomination form, or email the incoming chair Troy Ingram at firstvice@sbbcfoundation.org.  Nominations are due by July 31. The Foundation is now selling tickets to the award ceremony at the price of $60 per person, until August 17.  Tickets purchased after that date will be $75. To order tickets or reserve a table, contact Troy Ingram at firstvice@sbbcfoundation.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- For  those that are trying to eat healthier or love fresh produce, then the KRSTMoor/Crestmore Produce Stand is the place to go. Every Saturday at the Dorothy Ingram Library from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. there will be a booth for KRSTMoor/Crestmore Produce. The market offers whole, fresh and self sustainably grown produce that support healing and healthy nutrition. In addition to fresh produce, KRSTMoor has several new features to better cater to customers, which include an EBT machine and a food box program. The food box program offers a delivery program in the Inland Empire that consists of fresh farm produce. Vendors are also needed for the Farmers Market. If you have products that you produce or distribute, please contact KRSTMoor Produce.  The Dorothy Ingram Library is located at 1505 W. Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92311. For more information on KRSTMoor farms contact Sis Nova Kafele at 562-786-9898 or visit krstmoorproduce.spruz.com.

San Bernardino Trayvon Martin Verdict Protest Starts Outside of The SB Court.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- With Trayvon Martin protests going on through out the state of California, Visual Voices decided to gather a group together and protest for justice and equality. The group meet in downtown San Bernardino in front of the court house where they chanted “We want justice!” as cars honked in agreement as they drove by. The group then walked through downtown San Bernardino from the court house. They plan on having more protests and meetings to bring awareness to more issues regarding human rights in America.

Bronco Riding

CITY OF INDUSTRY – The exciting Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, the only nationally touring Black Rodeo, brings two days of enjoyment for the whole family for days on Saturday and Sunday July 20 and 21 at the Industry Hills Expo Center, and featuring Urban Cowboys and Cowgirls performing feats of bravery and expertise.  It is by far “The Greatest Show on Dirt!”  These competitors will also be joined by horse riding celebrity cowboys like actors Glyn Turman, Bill Pickins, Jr., and Delroy Lindo. In fact you never know who is going to show up to celebrate the historical cultural legacy of Black Americans shaping America’s Western heritage at the Bill Pickett Rodeo!

Events will include Bare Back Ridin’, Tie Down Ropin’, Ladies Steer Undecoratin’, Barrel Racin’, Bull Ridin’, Muttin Bustin’ (for kids), and of course Bull Doggin’ the rodeo stunt invented by none other than the  Legendary Black Cowboy from Texas Bill Pickett!

“Bull Dogging” is when horse-mounted rider chases a steer, drops from the horse to the steer, then wrestles the steer to the ground by grabbing and twisting its horns. Pickett also used his teeth, as a dog would do.  His exploits also made Mr. Pickettl one of America’ s first stunt men.  He provided the vision for all those cowboy movies where the hero jumps from his horse to stop wild horses or a runaway stage coach.

Born in 1870, Pickett was also a ranch cowboy and he and his brothers also operated Pickett Bros. Bronco Busters and Rough Riders Association in Texas.  Pickett became very famous for his work on the rodeo circuit where he was often billed as the “Dusky Demon.” In 1905 the Miller Brothers who operated the famous 101 Ranch Wild West Show, hired Pickett for their show and moved him and his entire family to Oklahoma. Pickett performed across the U.S. as well as in Madison Square Garden in New York and across the seas in England, and appeared in at least one cowboy movie.

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma inducted Pickett into its Hall of Fame in 1971, and the museum (www.nationalcowboymuseum.org)  hosts a regular Bill Pickett Program every Saturday where children learn all about the feats and exploits of this pioneering Black rodeo cowboy.  In 1987, a large bronze statue depicting Pickett bulldogging was unveiled at the Fort Worth Cowtown Coliseum and a . The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum in Fort Worth, Texas (www.cowboysofcolor.org ) features displays and programs on prominent figures in American history, including African American, Native American and European trailblazers from the Old West and the Buffalo Soldiers and inducted Pickett into its Hall of Fame in 2003.  The Texas Historical Commission and the Woodson-dickey History Club erected a monument plaque to Pickett in 1991.  Mr. Pickett is also depicted on a U.S. Postage stamp (so is his brother Ben due to a photo mix-up.) Pickett died in 1932 and is buried on White Eagle Monument Hill in Oklahoma.

The Saturday show starts at 7 p.m. and the Sunday show starts at 3 p.m.  Tickets: Children $17 Adv/$20 at gate; Adults $20 Adv/$24 at gate; Arena $30 Adv/$35 at gate.  Tickets for the Bill Pickett Rodeo are available at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, Black Voice News in Riverside-San Bernardino; in Carson, CA at  Venni Mac’s M&M Soul and at the Postal Annex on E. University Dr.; in Inglewood at  Inglewood Tickets on S. Market Street,  at Ms. B’s M&M Soul Food on W. Manchester Blvd at Zahra’s Books N. Things on N. La Brea Ave., and also at A Cultural Affair Boutique also on N. La Brea Ave.; in Long Beach at Shades of Afrika on E. 4th St.; in Los Angeles at Zambezi Bazzar on Degnan Blvd. in Leimert Park and at Simply Wholesome on W. Slauson Ave..

Proceeds also benefit the Bill Pickett Memorial Scholarship Fund which provides scholarships to Black high school and college students involved or interested in pursuing careers in Rodeo or animal Science. The Industry Hills Expo Center is located at 16200 Temple Ave. in the City of Industry, CA 91744. For Information and Group Sales call 310-674-6700, or the Hotline at 310-599-5555, and visit online at www.billpickettrodeo.com, 866-LVRODEO. (L.E. Pezant, WSSN 7-11-13)