Happily Divorced And After

VICTORVILLE, CA- Spring Valley Lake Country Club will be hosting a Sheriff’s Department Community Awareness Day for all High Desert residents and the Spring Valle Lake Community on Sunday, May 8 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Activities for the day will include CSI Truck, S.W.A.T, kids face painting, bloodhounds, Lady Be Aware Program, raffle drawings, and more. The country club is located at 13229 Spring Valley Lake Parkway in Victorville. For more information call (760) 245-5356.

COLTON, CA- The Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) Foundation will recognize five honorees at its Inaugural Gala and Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 8. The event, which will be held at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, will benefit Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. This year gala committee and members of the community were asked for nominations in five categories that consists of Honorary Chair; Arrowhead of the Year; Physician of the Year; Partnership of the Year; and Philanthropist of the Year. The Gala’s nominating subcommittee based its selections on support for the medical facility and the community.

The award winners for the Inaugural Gala are: County of San Bernardino Fifth District Supervisor, Josie Gonzales, Honorary Chair; Dr. Dev GnanaDev, Arrowhead of the Year; Dr. Steven M. Beutler, Physician of the Year; Professional Hospital Supply, Partnership of the Year; and Anne Hirschman Cress, Philanthropist of the Year.

The award winners will be recognized at the Gala and receive a distinctive plaque. The theme for this year is, ‘What I love about ARMC,’ which reflects the appreciation that the community has for the great care the hospital provides,” said Reyes. “The funds raised from the Gala will help purchase much-needed equipment for the hospital.”

The Gala will feature keynote speaker Sam Cunningham, a former USC running back, who also played nine seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots. For more information about the ARMC Foundation Inaugural Gala and Awards Dinner, call Event Coordinator, Patty Holohan at (909) 518-4612 or email PSHoloha@aol.com. For more information about the ARMC Foundation, visit www.arrowheadmedcenter.org/foundation

BOTTOM-LINE…Commentary By WallaceJ.Allen 

A billionaire, White man’s response to seeing his Black girlfriend with a Black man has caused more references to the “horror of racism” than the disproportionate number of Blacks kicked out of school, the disproportionate number of Blacks that are poorly educated when in school, the disproportionate number of Blacks that are unemployed, the disproportionate number of Blacks that are jailed, that live in poverty, that are without health insurance, the disproportionate number of Blacks that are homeless veterans, and the list goes on.

We cannot transfer America’s race relations problem and remedy to the Donald Sterling saga. Can everyone that is condemning Sterling pass the Michael Jackson test? The test that requires one to “look at the man in the mirror”? America’s racism is documented in our institutions. The reality of the race-problem is trivialized by the concept that an illegal tape recording is needed in order for the problem to be seen. Do we need to destroy our privacy rights to justify punishing acts of racism?

An illegal taping was used, again, to give us information that no matter how incriminating, is not new. How exclusive are the feelings expressed by Sterling? Are we satisfied that he is the only “rich White man in charge” that has made racist remarks or even performed racist acts?  As we place cell phone cameras and recording devices throughout society, do we want to simply trust that our privacy is respected?   So, as we joyously embrace the illegally taped “redundant evidence” of Donald Sterling’s racist views, do we also tighten the noose that is chocking the life out of our privacy rights?

The “last straw” concept is valid but how many straws do we ignore before one qualifies as the last? There were enough straws polluted in public by Sterling to have done something about him long ago. I am among the elated regarding Donald Sterling’s come-up pence, however, I think we all should be concerned about the tendency to sneak up and record a person in their private moment. WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Respond to walleniv@yahoo.com.

RIVERSIDE, CA- Jazz musician Isom Green Jr. will be performing live on Friday, May 2 at Mario’s Place located at 3646 Mission Inn Avenue in Downtown Riverside. Isom Green Jr. has a sound like no other. He has taken jazz to another level and is known for his silky, smooth sound and ability to transform a rhythm section making his musicians think outside of the box. Green’s latest project ‘Peace of Mind’, which has been on the top of the Jazz charts for months, is a reflection of his unique style and influences of many great musicians from the past and present that can be heard in his music. For more information on Isom Green Jr. visit www.isomgreenjr.com.

Come and enjoy contemporary jazz from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. There is no cover charge but there is a $10 per person minimum on items at the club. For more information on Mario’s Place call (951) 684-7755 or visit www. Mariosplace.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Thursday, May 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. California GEAR UP in conjunction with King Middle School AVID program will be hosting a College Night .King Middle School is a recipient of the CA GEAR UP Grant where students had the opportunity to participate in a competition to earn a $2,000 ScholarShare trust award that can be used for college. Six King Middle School students won and the winners will be announced during the evening. For more information, email tawiah.finley@sbcusd.com.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- In honor of Nurses Week, the Global Nursing Program will be showing the new film “The American Nurse” in the ASU Fox Theater in San Bernardino on Friday, May 9 at 7 p.m.. Tickets are $8 at the door or online at www.gNp193.com. Doors open at 6 p.m.

 The American Nurse is a heart-warming documentary that gives a voice to nurses who are on the front lines of the biggest issues facing America: aging, war, poverty, prisons through the work and lives of five nurses. It is an examination of real people that will change how we think about nurses and how we wrestle with the challenges of healing America. The American Nurse is an important contribution to America’s ongoing conversation about what it means to care.

Professionals that see the documentary can earn 1.5 CE credits through an arrangement with www.nurse.com. A portion of the proceeds from The American Nurse Project have been earmarked to a new scholarship program under the auspices of the American Nurses Foundation.

The historic ASU Fox Theater was originally opened in 1929 and was the site for the West Coast premiere of the original “King Kong” film in 1933. Located at 374 West Court Street, the ASU Fox Theater is just a block from City Hall in downtown San Bernardino, across the street from the Bank of America.

Suddath Relocation Systems, one of the largest relocation providers in the country, is actively recruiting for summer positions available across the U.S., including our location in Los Angeles. Multiple positions include customer service support, billing support, operations support, movers, packing assistants, drivers and warehouse personnel.

“Suddath embraces a promote from within culture and we are proud to have several long-term employees who began their careers here as seasonal staff, including Jose Marrero,” said David Cox, president.  Marrero has been with Suddath for 10 years, starting as a college intern while attending the University of North Florida.  Through his dedication and hard work, Marrero worked his way from intern to supervisor of import/export services and once again has been promoted. He will be relocating to New Jersey to begin his new position as operations manager later this spring. Suddath is committed to helping employees flourish and find new opportunities on their road to success.

The Suddath Companies has more than 2,000 employees nationwide and operates in 23 locations throughout the U.S. and strategic partnerships in more than 150 countries around the world. Suddath is also the largest agent of UniGroup, Inc. (United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit). Suddath is committed to promoting diversity through the equitable consideration of candidates without regard to ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or other protected status.

To apply for available summer positions please visit http://suddathrelocation.com/about-us/careers/seasonal-staffing.aspx

Suddath Relocation Systems of California, Inc. is located at 14221 Artesia Boulevard, La Mirada, CA, 90638, 562-445-3343.

LOS ANGELES, CA – Union Bank, N.A., in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, has opened its first Los Angeles student-run branches at Lincoln High School located at 3501 North Broadway and Crenshaw High School located at 5010 11th Ave.  Grand opening celebrations are scheduled at both schools in May.

The branches are part of an innovative program designed to provide students with real-world financial education and work experience.  Located on the schools’ campuses, the full-service student-run branches are each staffed by student bankers who have an opportunity to acquire skills in finance as well as teamwork and leadership and the hands-on experience of working in a bank.  Traditional banking products and services are available to students, school staff, school administrators and teachers, and Union Bank has plans to establish a Parents Academy that will offer financial education, in English and Spanish, for parents and guardians of the students at both schools.

“We are thrilled to open the first LAUSD student-run bank in Lincoln High School and offer services that help students learn money management skills that prepare them for college and real-life experience,” said District 2 Board Member Mónica García. “I am grateful to have partners like Union Bank.”

“This is an exciting way to help our high school students learn critical financial management skills,” said District 1 Board Liaison Dr. Sylvia Rousseau.  “We are happy to partner with Union Bank to celebrate the grand opening of these student-run branches in Los Angeles.  The real-world life experience will be a benefit to the student bankers long after high school, and we are pleased to be involved in a collaboration of this type, which will also help to enrich our communities.”

In addition to building skills in finance, leadership, management and marketing, the students receive a $500 stipend for working in the branch and a $1,000 scholarship for college when the course is completed.

Union Bank opened its first student-run branch in 2011 in Fresno, California, at McLane High School.  Thirty student bankers have graduated from the program and five McLane graduates are currently employed by Union Bank in the Central Valley.

“This marks a major accomplishment for Union Bank and LAUSD, and celebrating the opening of our first-ever student-run branches in L.A. at Lincoln and Crenshaw High Schools is a dream come true for everyone who collaborated on this project,” said Union Bank Executive Vice President and Regional President Leticia Aguilar, who manages the bank’s branches in the Los Angeles and Central California divisions.   “We’ve seen tremendous talent and success from the students in our student-run branch in Fresno, and our goal is to replicate that in Los Angeles – this is another example of our commitment to responsible banking and of our dedication to increasing financial awareness within our communities.”

Union Bank Branch Manager Wendy Estrada* manages the Lincoln branch.  Estrada has more than 10 years of banking experience.  She joined Union Bank in 2007 and most recently served as branch manager of the Burbank branch.  Previously, she was a senior relationship banker at the Highland Park and California Mart branches.  Active in the community, Estrada volunteers with Junior Achievement, the American Heart Association and Operation Hope.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Northridge.  She also holds series 6 and 63 licenses.

Estrada is joined by 12 student bankers and Branch Service Officer Grace Buenrostro, who joined Union Bank in 2007 and has held various positions, including customer service officer and relationship banker.  Passionate about financial literacy, Buenrostro often volunteers with organizations and schools to teach students about money management.

Union Bank Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager Vernell Taylor manages the Crenshaw branch.  Taylor has more than 25 years of financial services industry experience.  She began her career at Union Bank as a teller.  Engaged in the community, Taylor serves on the advisory board for the Coalition of Mental Health Professionals.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix.

Taylor is joined by 13 student bankers and Customer Service Officer Daisy Torres who has nearly 10 years of experience in the banking industry.  Torres started with Union Bank in 2005 and has also worked as a senior teller and customer service manager.

The high school branches are open during the school year – the Lincoln High School branch is open Monday and Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the Crenshaw High School branch is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors personally invites you to celebrate the launch of Give BIG San Bernardino County. The event to launch the Give BIG campaign begins at 3 p.m. on April 30  at the San Bernardino County Government Center, 385 N. Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino. Give BIG San Bernardino County is a 24-hour online giving campaign which allows you to give to your favorite causes in the community. The goal is to get everyone who cares about the residents of San Bernardino County to assist in raising a minimum of $300,000 in just 24 hours on May 8, 2014. For information, visit www.giveBIGsbcounty.org and Give BIG!

HIGHLAND, CA- The community is invited to come join Immanuel Baptist Church for their prayer breakfast on Thursday, May 1 at 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.. The event will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church in the Fellowship Hall, “C” Building. The main purpose of the event is for the community, pastors and church staff to come together in prayer. They will be praying for our communities, our state, nation, and asking God to send revival and spiritual awakening. The breakfast will start at 8 a.m., and prayer time will proceed after. There will be no charge to attend, but guests must RSVP as soon as possible, no later than 12 p.m. on Monday, April 28. For more information and to RSVP, please call or email your response to Kim Skalky at (909) 425-1777or kskalky@ibchighland.org. The church is located at 28355 Baseline Street in Highland (92346).