Happily Divorced And After

Taco and rapper Trina

By Naomi K. Bonman

Seattle, Washington native Turner Yarbrough, more commonly known as “Taco”, is on the brink of becoming a well-known celebrity nationwide hair stylist. As a child, Taco spent countless Saturdays in the salon with his mother as she received her weekly style. Though he and his brother hated being dragged there for hours on end, a spark for an interest in hair styling emerged in him.

Upon high school graduation, the charismatic Cancer enrolled in cosmetology courses at Seattle Central Community College and later transferred to Gene Juarez where he received his license in 2001. From there he opened his first salon, Reign Concept Salon, at the tender age of 19 where he was able to establish a loyal clientele.

Throughout the early stages of his career, Yarbrough continued to learn more to perfect his craft. He has received education from well known trainers which include Paul Mitchell, So. Cap, CHI, Unite and many more.

Not only is Taco an inspiration to his hair clients, but he is also an example for those struggling with weight loss. He has lost over 126 pounds and is now a certified personal trainer. In a recent interview with the rising stylist and fitness guru, he discussed his future goals, motivations and most memorable career highlights.

Naomi: What inspired you to get into the hair industry?

Taco: My mother. She used to drag me to the hair salon and I hated it! [laughs] My cousin LaShawn was also a braider when we were growing up and she [subconsciously] kind of helped to push me into this.

Naomi: What makes you stand out from other stylists? What makes you unique?

Taco: My character. I’m just a funny guy. I’m a big personality. I know that there are a lot of hair stylists that have big personalities, nut I’m just different. I love to have fun and to make sure that everyone is okay by catering to the atmosphere. [I like to make sure that] that everything flows cohesively.

I think what also separates me is that I’m just crazy, passionate. I can only separate myself from the things that within myself meaning that I’m not separate from people, but that my own challenge is myself.

Naomi: You mentioned that your personality shines on set. Is there a reality show in the works?

Taco: There are talks of it. We’re actually putting some things together. I think it would be hilarious [laughs]. I’m just Taco, there’s no explanation for it. I’m just a crazy guy who’s always singing and doing something different. If someone is shy, I’m that kind of guy that helps them get out of themselves so that they can have an awesome experience.

Naomi: How did you come with the name Taco? It’s a very interesting and unique nickname?

Taco: My name came from my Grandma, In larger families, you tend to get stuck with various nick names that follow you for life”. [laughs].

Naomi: [laughs] Interesting. So who are some of your top celebrity clients?

Taco: I just wrapped up a photo shoot with Colyesia Chestnut from MTV’S ‘Are You the One?’ My main client that I love so much is Bad Medina, which is Floyd Mayweather’s massage therapist. One of my long time clients is Tori Lucas who just married Jamal Crawford. I just had the opportunity to cut Trina’s hair. She was really sweet, warm and welcoming.

I’ve also done several events such as a Women Standing Tall calendar which featured Shonie O’Neal and the rest of the basketball wives before they were on the show. It was cool to be a part of that before they went big.

Naomi: How did you get your start into doing hair for celebrities?

Taco: I’m a firm believer in what’s for me is for me. It just comes. I’ ve never advertised or put myself in the newspaper. I let my clients spread the word which say’s a lot on what people believe and see in my skills which I’ ve seen as a blessing to have come so far off just recommendations.

Naomi: How do you make the every day, average client feel like a celebrity?

Taco: My salon in Seattle is called Reign Concept Salon where I work with some of the most amazing girls, and there we create an experience. I’m always singing and serenading them (clients). I make them feel like celebrities because with every single client, no matter how tired I am, I’m going to give them that attention. To me, they are celebrities because they patronize me, and they feel a part of the process of me coming to new horizons [in my career].

Naomi: How did you come with the name Reign Concept Salon?

Taco: I am a Christian, and my whole belief system is to always know and to allow God to reign in your life. When I think of reign, I think of God. It’s my reminder to never puff myself up and to always be humble, and that He reigns over all.

Naomi: What has been your most memorable highlight in your hair career thus far?

Taco: I had a woman, just an ordinary woman, that came in and she thought her hair was damaged.  You could tell she had low esteem and that she was going through some things in her life. When I did her hair, I did it with so much love and took my time to not only love on her hair but to love on her. When I finished and turned her around to the mirror, the level of emotion that she expressed made her feel as if she was brand new, and it healed her. For me that was my gift to her. I didn’t make her pay. Sometimes it’s the little things that have the biggest affect on your life.

Naomi: Going into the fitness side of things, what kept you motivated to keep pushing towards your weight loss goal?

Taco: I was always a sort of overweight kid. I battled with a lot of low self-esteem. I definitely covered that up through my personality. It’s been three years since I lost over 126 pounds. I used to be 358 pounds, and was cast for The Biggest Loser twice, but that didn’t come through. They always chose the next person over me.

I have a wife and 5-year-old daughter, and needed to live for them. In this career you have to be healthy. So, I just said ‘ I’m tired. I can’t wait for The Biggest Loser to do it for me. I have to do this’. I just started. My inspiration is myself. I have to conquer me, and I want to do me as a physique body builder one day.

Taco, before and after his weight loss journey

Naomi: Nice! So with body building being a fitness goal, what are some of your others?

Taco: That’s the next fitness goal, to compete as a Physique Body builder. I’ ve been blessed to pick up an international sponsorship with Pro Supps. They are absolutely amazing and they took me on because I started with them in the beginning of my weight loss journey and I was loyal to them. They give me so much love and support and I really appreciate that. I also want to lose another 35 pounds to aid me in my “road to the stage” to compete.

Naomi: What changes did you make in your diet?

Taco: Whew, so many changes! Your diet has to be on point. I learned healthy eating habits from pro body builder Alden Gamet who coached me in losing my first 100 pounds. I went from eating McDonalds three times a day to learning how to prep meals, weigh my food and portion control.

Naomi: What advice do you for those who struggle with weight loss and lose that focus to get to their goal, and that try different regiments that don’t work out for them?

Taco: My advice is to just go. The first step is to just get there. In the beginning you don’t want to do it because your body is used to whatever current routine that it is in. Your mind changes as you begin to change. Also, connect with people that will encourage you and keep nothing but positivity around you. Anything that is new is going to be difficult; the key is to just go. If you do fall back, don’t stay there. Get back up and keep moving.

Naomi: What are your overall personal goals that you want to achieve in life?

Taco: My overall goal is for the world to know me and  to not only be successful, but highly respected and sought after  globally for hair and health.

The sky is the limit for me, and I’m very excited about my publicist. I absolutely love her. Trea Davenport and Trea Day Management are just amazing. I have a lot of support around me, and at the end of the day, I’m just ready to go and welcome success.

To keep up with Taco’s career endeavors, follow him on Instagram @TacoMarche and @TacoReign. For booking inquiries, please contact Trea Davenport at treadaypr@gmail.com or (678) 327-8281

Officer Gabriel Garcia

The WSSNEWS organization offers sympathy and encouragement to the family and friends of Gabriel Garcia, the San Bernardino Police officer who was wounded in a shooting early Friday morning.  According to the SBPD, the incident resulted in the death of a known member of a criminal gang based in Redlands.  At the time of this writing, Officer Garcia was recovering from surgery at Arrowhead Medical center.

Officer Garcia started with the San Bernardino Police Department in March 2008. He served as a Patrol Officer for six years, and was highly commended and recognized for his work with San Bernardino Graffiti Task Force. He also participated in SBPD’s Baker to Vegas relay. Garcia was 31-years old and a father to one. His the son of SBPD Captain Ron Garcia.

“Gabe is an outstanding officer, a great team member and a great man.  He has always displayed extreme professionalism and a great attitude toward his job, earning the utmost respect from fellow officers and the department as a whole.  His calming and compassionate nature has earned multiple letters from citizens thanking him for his assistance with crimes such as armed robberies and carjackings.  He is exemplary in every sense of the word”, S BPD Chief Jarrod Burguan stated.

Luis Dominguez, Vice President and Branch Manager, MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

Your home may be the biggest investment you’ll make in your lifetime.  Regular home improvement projects can help add value and make your home a more comfortable place to live. Your home is likely one of the largest investments you’ll make in your lifetime, and home improvement projects can add value to your investment.

If major home improvement isn’t in your budget this year, here are a few inexpensive tips that may help:

Paint

On average, a gallon of paint costs around $25, making painting one of the simplest and most cost-effective improvements to add appeal to your home.  Review design magazines and Web sites or visit model homes in your area for ideas about how you might add a splash of color or freshen up a room with paint.  Identify areas inside and outside of your home that need attention. Then use sand paper to smooth out rough or peeling areas and use spackle to fill holes.  You might also reference DIY Web sites for tips to help you prep, paint and clean up.

Curb appeal

Simple and inexpensive landscaping projects can create a great first impression.  Planting flowers in pots by the front door, along a walkway, or in window boxes is a simple and inexpensive way to add charm to your home.  Shade trees planted strategically not only add appeal, but could help lower cooling costs.  Contact your utility company for tips on varieties that grow well in your area, as well as where they should be planted to maximize shade and avoid coming into contact with power lines.

Welcoming entrance

Invest in a new front door, or repaint,stain or refinish your existing door.  Install a brass kick plate and polish the hardware, or purchase a new door knob and deadbolt.  Make sure your visitors can find you by installing inexpensive, yet stylish address numbers available at home improvement stores.  Complete the look with a tasteful welcome mat.

Kitchen or bathroom facelift

Even if you can’t afford a full remodel, small changes that freshen up an outdated kitchen or bathroom can have a big impact.  For a few hundred dollars, you can replace the faucet, hang new racks or shelves, and add new cabinet pulls and handles.  Consider new paint, stain the cabinets, or visit manufactures’ Web sites to purchase new doors at a fraction of the cost of replacing the cabinets. If the countertop looks dingy, consider re-grouting and replacing chipped tiles, or shop for a remnant piece of granite or marble for a new countertop or backsplash.

Lighting

Interior and exterior lighting not only provide your home with functionality and security, but  updating old lighting fixtures with brighter, more energy-efficient ones can create an appealing ambiance while lowering energy costs.  A simple track lighting kit can be purchased at home improvement stores and allows you to brighten just about any area.  Bring architectural details, plants and other objects to life with inexpensive freestanding or clip-on lights.  Or simply purchase a new lamp shade or use a little spray paint to give new life to an old chandelier.

Architectural interest

If you’re handy with a saw and other tools, adding a chair rail, picture molding, crown molding, or baseboards are inexpensive ways to bring value and beauty to your home.  Consider purchasing a few extra yards of molding or trim to make some practice cuts, and be sure to always wear appropriate hearing, eye and respiratory protection when operating power tools.

On a final note, look for construction surplus businesses like Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores— nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. To find one in your community, visit www.habitat.org/restores.

The foregoing article is intended to provide general information about home improvement on a limited budget and is not considered financial or tax advice. Please consult your financial or tax advisor.

About MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

Luis Dominguez is a vice president and branch manager of the MUFG Union Bank, N.A., Miracle Mile branch.  MUFG Union Bank, N.A., is a full-service bank with offices across the United States.  We provide a wide spectrum of corporate, commercial, retail banking and wealth management solutions to meet the needs of customers.  The bank also offers an extensive portfolio of value-added solutions for customers, including investment banking, personal trust, capital markets, global treasury management, transaction banking and other services.  With assets of $108.8 billion (USD), as of June 30, 2014, the bank has strong capital reserves, credit ratings and capital ratios relative to peer banks.  MUFG Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE: MTU), one of the world’s largest financial organizations with total assets of approximately ¥259 trillion (JPY) or $2.5 trillion (USD)¹, as of June 30, 2014.  MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation, the financial holding company and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. have corporate headquarters in New York City.

¹ Exchange rate of USD=¥101.36 (J-GAAP) as of June 30, 2014

(From left to right): Danielle Oehlman from Stater Bros. Charities; Lindsey Holderness, Corporate Events Coordinator from Stater Bros. Market; Victor Ruiz, Stater Bros. Meat Supervisor for District 4; Patricia L. Nickols, Butler and CAPSBC CEO; and Dr. Joshua Beckley, CAPSBC Board Chairman.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-Stater Bros. Charities presented a check in the amount of $20,000 to the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County  Board of Directors on July 15. Over the summer months when food reserves are traditionally low and children are also out of school, not receiving meals through school food programs, Stater Bros. Charities steps in to help.  These funds were generously donated by Stater Bros.’ customers and employees this past holiday season during from their Harvesting Hope Summer Campaign.

Stater Bros. Markets Chairman and CEO Jack Brown stated, “We are in the business of helping our neighbors and right now, some of our neighbors need a little bit more help than the rest.  It’s our hope that these donations will have a major impact in their lives.”

The food items donated by Stater’s is redistributed through the CAPSBC Food Bank network of over 200 agencies.   These agencies include community centers, schools, and faith-based locations such as Salvation Army, The Rock Church, Boys & Girls Clubs, domestic violence shelters, adult re-entry sites, and churches.  This food also supports 30 soup kitchens serving daily meals to the homeless and disadvantaged. (To read more, visit www.wssnews.com).

LUE PRODUCTIONS TEAM

MARINA DEL REY, CA – What Up IE! It’s ya’ girl  LUE and I’m happy to be back in the thick of things. So many wonderful things have been going on with our production company, LUE Productions. Our purpose is to highlight the talent within the Inland Empire and surrounding cities that may get over looked. We pride ourselves in providing UNIQUE platforms for all artists while providing entertaining shows for the community.

Eric Bellinger with DJ Mpress

On Thursday, August 7, we held our first “ALL WHITE MASQURADE HIP-HOP & R&B EVENT” in Marian Del Rey. With GOD’s help and other supportive entities, our company was able to pull off its biggest event ever, in the beautiful city of Marina Del Rey. We wanted to do something over the top

The Real Freeway Rick Ross with a couple of the ladies

and extreme! We wanted artists who may have never experienced performing outside their city, or on an event such as this one, to see what it feels like and to know it can be done. We wanted them to feel like the stars they are. So we rented a multi-million dollar yacht for our talented LUE P. artists and other talented artists to perform on.

The event was amazing! The networking was righteous too. We had live performances from our amazing artists Paul Douglas, Speaker Junkiez, and Mack Pepperboy. Other artists included Yung Miss, Tae The Gifted, Killa, Mrs. Dynasty Dino, Sp’s, Hazel, and many more.

The night was beautiful and elegant like the yacht. Attendees were dressed in their all white with their masks ready to get it in. People had four levels to choose from and tasty entrees to enjoy. We sailed off into the moonlight on the calm waters and turned up!

Our DJ’s for the night were DJ Muda and DJ Mpress along with host Radio Personality 5 Cent. They each kept the crowd going and engaged. The celebrities were in the building, or should I say on the Yacht, included R&B singer Eric Bellinger, The Real Freeway Ricky Ross, celebrity producer Bugsy On Da Beat, rapper Av LMKR, and rapper White Dogg.

  Celebrity producer Bugsy On Da Beat with a couple of the ladies

CEO and Founder of LUE Productions, Lue Dowdy (left); and Supervisor of LUE Productions, Deeveetva Foy

I want to give a special thanks to Tammy Martin-Ryles, President of the “Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Cities” for making an appearance and not being afraid to network with all walks of life, as well as to our LUE Productions Core: Darrell Mattison, Freddie Washington, and Deeveatva Foy. Special thanks to WillieWill of Family First Entertainment, and a special thanks to our LUE P. media team: Freddie Washington, LUE P. Media Director/Photographer; Aaron Swift, mymoma.tv; and Michael Napper, Mike TV.

Our message was simple! You can accomplish whatever you want to accomplish with works. Stop hindering yourself with doubts. This will definitely be an annual event. We hope to see you next year on the waters of the marina. Oh, did I mention, the yacht is the same yacht, Snoop Dogg got married on. Please follow LUE PRODUCTIONS on Twitter and Facebook for more events. Swoosh and one luv!

So Cal Black Chamber-Inland Cities President Tammy Martin-Ryles with Lue Productions Marketing Director Darrell

Family First Entertainment

LUE PRODUCTIONS YACHT PARTY

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Thanks for the love!  We’ve all got some haters among us. We all have had enemies or so-called friends who have stabbed us in the back.  These are called “Haters.” I too am not immune to haters, drama seekers or the occasional bully! Every now and then I get hated on.  And what is most aggravating and annoying is the fact that you can mind your own business and still get hated on.  Even though you are not in their business and you don’t concern yourself with what they are doing, it seems like they are always in your business and always concerning themselves with what you are doing? And you ask yourself why are they hating on you? Instead of wondering why they are hating on you, as a wise friend once told me, “Let your haters be your motivators.”

What I have come to understand is that the difference is that it is just something about you that they just can’t quite put their finger on. 1 Peter Chapter 2 call it “Peculiar.”  Which also means “Set Apart,” or Different from the rest.” We have a special, unique calling from God to do good works. So I say, rejoice in the Lord when you are being hated on. Why? Because haters never hate on somebody that is not doing anything.  You’ve heard that saying before. Haters only hate on folks that are doing something.  If David would have never defeated the giant then the women would not have had anything to sing about and Saul would not have started hating.  But because David was doing something then David was attacked. It was in the text that David had slayed the giant Goliath and it was a time of celebration in which the nation of Israel had overcome the Philistines.  But just as everyone else was celebrating over the victory, the Bible declares that King Saul starts hating because he felt threatened because of the response from the women who sing, saying that Saul killed his thousands and David killed his ten thousands.  I bet they didn’t hate on you as long as you were working at McDonalds, but the minute they heard that you were enrolling in college they started hating.  They had no problem as long as you rode the bicycle, but when they found out you had a Benz, they started hating.  They were okay that you were their co-worker, but when they found out that you were their new supervisor, they started hating. Hater’s you got to love them!

If you are in a similar situation of haters, remember that people do not define who you are, you do! “Let your haters be your motivators.”  When you come across haters in your life, let that motivate you to press on and do what you’ve set out to do. The problem with haters is that they see your glory, but they don’t know your story.

Remember, the battle is not yours. You must understand that whenever the haters attack you they are not fighting against you, but they are really fighting against God.  And I know that there have been a lot of people that have tried to fight against God and lost.  Goliath tried to fight against Him and he lost his head.  Pharaoh tried to fight against Him and drowned in the Red Sea.  Herod tried to fight against Him and the worms got him.  It is not your job to take care of the haters. That’s God’s job.  Your job is to stick with the mission.  If He took care of Goliath and He took care of Pharaoh, then I just believe that He will take care of your haters. Stop fusing and fighting with that other brother that is hating on you.  Stop going toe to toe with them.  Save your energy for the work. Never argue, confront, or struggle with haters.  When you engage the hater, you give them the power to control and manipulate you.  Wisdom is too high for a fool. Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you yourself will be just like them. As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.

No matter what the hater does or says remember and practice The Golden Rule, treat them the way you want to be treated, despite how they treat you or what they say about you.  It can be difficult, especially when what they are saying is not the entire truth.  But take the high road, and know that they will continue to drown in their own negativity and jealousy and people will begin to see them for who they actually are. What goes around comes around, you will reap what you sow; Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  {Matthew 5:10-12}

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”  What an amazing, astounding, and unexpected statement from the lips of Christ.  Haters, got to love them!

BOTTOM-LINE… Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace J. Allen

The nation was shocked with the recent release of a video depicting New York police chocking a Black man to death. As the impact of that visual was fading from the front pages, yet another incident was reported on the alarming news of a police shooting and killing an unarmed Black male in Missouri. Several days later the Los Angeles Police Department shot and killed a Black male and one day later on August 12, a San Bernardino County Deputy Sheriff electrocuted a Black Male by tasing him multiple times.

These police killings, though shocking to all, still represent old news to many in the Black community. As the Black Male body count continues to climb, social media and internet journalism push today’s speedy flow of information, giving a new focus to the police killing spree.  As heart wrenching and predictable as the years of police killings of Black males can be, the fact is that society has reacted as if each killing is an isolated event; however, social media and the general press’ struggle to deliver “breaking news” have caused “real time” response to the killings allowing the public to see the frequency of police killings.

I regard the police killings of Black men as a symptom of the “State of Emergency” that exists in America. America’s potential has been warped since her birth, resulting from being nursed by the lie of white supremacy.  Some of us realize the great human potential that is sacrificed in the name of racism. That racism starts to express itself in pre-school, and is documented in the disproportionate statistics that describe dropout rates, unemployment rates, and ultimately the incarceration rates for Black Males. If the white population matched the dropout, unemployment and incarceration rates of Black Males, a “State of Emergency” would surely be instituted, and solutions solicited.

Today’s racism is an echo of the past. A past, not forgotten, and certainly, not corrected. The stain is deep in the fabric and therefore the fabric needs deep cleaning.  We need to do as much to change it as we did to arrange it. What was targeted for destruction must now be targeted for construction!  Any true depiction of America’s history will show the consistent rate of contribution by Blacks to America’s growth and development, from Crispus attucks to Barack Obama.  The bulk of those contributions were made despite race-based barriers.  Trading Black male potential for a few jobs in jails and correctional institutions is a bad investment, especially when one considers the social benefit that comes when race based barriers are replaced with efforts to target Black men for development.

Racism has isolated and targeted Black males for destruction and all of America is suffering for it. There are things that can be done to change the potential of Black men, and thus the potential of America.  There are some quick fixes as well as long term projects and campaigns that I will suggest in this as well as in future writings.  There is a tendency among people who know that they have been maliciously mistreated to want to “get even”.  I submit that, “You cannot get ahead if your goal is to get even”!

One quick fix that has long term benefits is, ‘Public Service and Safety Training.’ All citizens,      Black men in particular, should be given the opportunity to learn to become first responders.  We cannot predict who will be in a position to provide first response care at an emergency; therefore, training first responders is a public benefit.  Status and self esteem is a personal upgrade for the trainee and a societal asset in case of emergency.  Businesses can sponsor public safety teams as a means of advertising and public relations.

This is not the greatest idea in the world, but it is based on “getting ahead” as opposed to “getting even”.  What do you think?  Please write me at walleniv@yahoo.com.

Center for Employment Training (CET), a leading, nationally accredited, non-profit provider of career and technical education broke ground on its latest center located at 1099 N. Pepper Avenue in the City of Colton. The event took place on August 14th and was attended by several community and elected leaders including Josue Castillo, representing the Office of Assembly Member Cheryl R. Brown, City of Colton Mayor Ms. Sarah S. Zamora, City of Colton District 1 Council Member David J. Toro, City of Colton District 3 Council Member Frank Gonzales, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chetay Catalano, CET CEO Hermelinda Sapien and CET center directors from Coachella, El Centro, Oxnard, and San Diego. The new center will more than double the number of programs currently offered by CET to the Inland Empire region. Once in full operation, the center is expected to annually enroll about 300 students for training on in-demand occupations and have a significant and positive socio-economic impact on the community.

At the event, CET leadership was presented with a resolution by the Office of Assembly Member Cheryl R. Brown and a certificate of recognition by the City of Colton. Throughout the event, the new center location was visited by various community partners and local citizens eager to learn about the new center and the training programs that will be offered. Juan Pollo and Sushi Miguel’s Style provided a little taste of Colton to everyone in attendance while Home Depot proudly showed their support by providing shovels used for the ground breaking.

Scheduled to open late fall, the new center will offer several industry-driven programs including Automotive Technology, Business Office Administration, Electrical, Logistic Technician, HVAC Technician & Green Technology, Machinist Technology-CNC, and Welding Fabrication. The programs will be affordable and accessible to individuals seeking skills that are in demand by industry. CET leadership is excited about the new campus and looks forward to working with the community to make this new endeavor a success for the City of Colton and the Inland Empire.

Founded in 1967, CET has been nationally recognized for excellent outcomes in program completion and job placement assistance. With a national network of 15 centers across California, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, and North Carolina, CET successfully provides job placement assistance to over 3,000 individuals per year.

Mayor Pete Aguilar

SAN BERARDINO, CA – Today, Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar, Democratic candidate for Congress in California’s 31st district, announced his campaign’s Middle Class Initiative, a set of priorities to expand our nation’s middle class, focusing on the issues that affect the daily lives of Inland Empire residents. In his statement, Aguilar pledged his commitment to these issues and the middle class families he hopes to represent in Congress.

“This race is all about the Inland Empire’s middle class,” Mayor Aguilar said. “As our economy continues to recover, we must remain committed to policies that will grow our middle class and expand opportunity for those aspiring to get there, like raising the minimum wage. As I meet with voters and listen to the concerns that affect their families, the same issues come up again and again: a quality education for their kids, a good paying job after college and a secure retirement”.

“These are the values of the middle class, the values of my family and families across our region. I will do everything I can to make sure we deliver”.

Pete Aguilar’s Middle Class Initiative is a 3-part priorities list that focuses on strengthening education, creating a robust and fair economy with good paying, middle class jobs and a commitment to our seniors and future generations of retirees.

Education: A fair economy starts with an equal shot at success, and every student in America deserves an opportunity to succeed. As the father of two young children, Pete supports early childhood education for all students and robust funding for schools across the country. He is also an advocate for Pell Grants and student loan reform. College graduates should enter the workforce ready to start their adult lives, not drowning in debt that will prohibit them from buying a home or starting a family.

Economy: Pete is committed to supporting policies that will grow our economy and create jobs. He supports small businesses, one of the greatest engines of economic growth in our communities, equal pay for women and raising the minimum wage. Pete also believes that corporations should pay their fair share and be encouraged to keep jobs here in America instead of outsourcing good paying, middle class jobs overseas. He is a strong advocate for smart investments in manufacturing, infrastructure and renewable energy.

Retirement: Pete believes that we have a moral obligation to keep our promise to seniors and future generations of retirees. He will always support Medicare and Social Security and refuses to balance the budget on the backs of seniors. Americans who work hard their entire lives deserve to retire with dignity.

Pete Aguilar is a small business owner and Mayor of Redlands. He is a strong advocate for economic growth and fairness in the Inland Empire, a leader who has reached across party lines to serve the best interests of middle class families in San Bernardino County.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Festival in Las Vegas set for November 14-16 on the Strip at Night

Las Vegas, NV  – Guaranteed to be one of the biggest weekends in running this year, pop-culture icon Snoop Dogg will headline the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Festival in Las Vegas on November 14-16, 2014. The global superstar will perform on Sunday during the pre-race concert at 3:00pm, prior to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon to benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America taking over the Las Vegas Strip at night.

“Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas has proven over and over again to be one of the biggest and most anticipated running events in the world,” said Josh Furlow, EVP of Global Events for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series. “We are thrilled to continue this legacy in 2014 by announcing Snoop Dogg, one of the most legendary, chart-topping artists of the past two decades, as the headliner for this year’s festivities.”

A multi-platinum artist, actor and entertainment icon, Snoop Dogg is at the forefront of popular culture as one of the most commercially successful artists in music. He’ll kick off the pre-party by performing chart-topping hits, which include “Gin & Juice,” “Who Am I? (What’s My Name?),” “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang,” “Next Episode,” “Beautiful,” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”

The 2014 Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Festival returns to Las Vegas the weekend of November 14-16; the only running event to be illuminated by the neon lights on the Las Vegas Strip. Each of the marathon and half-marathon courses run down both sides of Las Vegas Boulevard, featuring everything from the iconic  ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign to the Fountains of Bellagio with the finish line at the base of the Mirage Volcano.

The unique course and nighttime start attracts thousands of participants from around the world to experience the one-of-a-kind event with live bands at every mile, a Run-Thru Wedding for couples to elope on the go, the infamous group of Running Elvi and pre and post-event parties throughout the weekend at Vegas’ top nightlife venues.

Weekend activities begin with a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo where all participants pick up their race number, gear bag and t-shirt. This ultimate running resource will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15.  New in 2014, festival weekend will include the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll 5k presented by SLS Las Vegas on Saturday night where runners can take the on Remix Challenge; running two events and potentially garnering three medals in one weekend.

As the event’s official charity, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America will return with the Team Challenge half-marathon training program. Over the now six-year history of the Rock ‘n’ Roll event in Las Vegas, more than $20 million has been raised for CCFA through the Las Vegas race to find a cure for the 1.4 million Americans living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

For more information or to register for Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas, visit StripatNight.com or follow @RunRocknRoll on Twitter.

About Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas

A Competitor Group event, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon to Benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America will take over the world famous Las Vegas Strip on Sunday night, November 16, 2014. Since 2009, more than $20 million has been raised for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America at the Las Vegas race and the event annually generates $165 million in annual economic impact to the region. Race participants enjoy the sights and sounds of lavish hotels, world-class entertainment and some of Vegas’ hottest music sensations performing on the course.