By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – A Loma Linda University graduate serves as the executive officer at U.S. Navy Medicine Training and Readiness Command (U.S. NMRTC) Sigonella, in Italy, a role similar to a chief operations officer.

Capt. Michael Mercado, a native of Stockton, California, assumed the executive officer role at U.S. NMRTC Sigonella/U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella in July 2023 as part of a competitively selected group of medical professionals with varying clinical, administrative and operational backgrounds assigned to manage the operations of Navy military treatment facilities around the world.

Mercado earned a Doctor of Medicine from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 2004 and joined the Navy through the Health Professions Scholarship Program. Mercado graduated with a residency in Family Medicine from Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in 2007.

“I am humbled to support a high-performing team of professionals who diligently sustain clinical operations of our medical facilities in Sigonella, Sicily; Souda Bay, Crete; and the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said Mercado. “Truly an opportunity of a lifetime.”

Mercado has served in many teaching and leadership roles throughout his 20-year Navy career. Most recently, Mercado served at the Navy Bureau of Medicine & Surgery as director of Force Medical Readiness from 2021 to 2023, overseeing programs and policies that optimize the medical readiness and assignability for more than 600,000 active and reserve component members and their families.

“Though I cherish being a uniformed family physician, being selected to this senior leadership role enables me to elevate the quality, safety and overall experience of our very deserving patients in ways that I could never accomplish in the exam room,” said Mercado. “While I appreciate the strategic influence I bring into my current executive officer role, I especially enjoy the moments when I walk around the command and I get to inspire, motivate and connect with junior sailors on a personal level. Those moments are what keeps me in Navy Medicine.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Mercado serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

U.S. NMRTC Sigonella is a community hospital located in the heart of the Mediterranean in Sicily, Italy. Comprised of a local satellite clinic and two branch health clinics located in Bahrain and Souda Bay, U.S. NMRTC Sigonella’s staff of 387 serves approximately 8,500 active duty, family members, NATO members, retirees and other beneficiaries based on international collaborations and status of forces agreements.

ONTARIO, CA— More than a quarter-million visitors attended the 11^th Annual Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion in Downtown Ontario on September 20 and 21, making this year’s event the most popular and successful ever.

The event, presented by GOCAL (Greater Ontario California), attracted visitors from Southern California and beyond for a spirited weekend of classic cars, food, music and family fun. More than 1,100 hot rods and vintage automobiles lined the streets of Ontario during the two-day celebration of America’s most famous roadway.

“Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion has become one of Southern California’s premier events, and this year’s certainly lived up to that billing. We want to thank all our partners, our entertainers and vendors, and, of course, our visitors and participants for making this the best Cruisin’ Reunion ever,” said Michael Krouse, President and CEO of GOCAL.

Enthusiasm for the 2024 Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion was borne out in a survey of attendees, which showed that 98% probably or will participate again next year, while the same number – 98% – are very likely to tell others about the event. More than four in 10 were first-time attendees.

It was a hit with non-attendees as well. According to GOCAL’s audience metrics, Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion generated more than 20 million digital media impressions and earned-media audience reach of more than 30 million.

In addition to classic cars as far as the eye can see, highlights of this year’s event included headlining performances by the classic rock band Grand Funk Railroad and Yacht Rock favorites Ambrosia.

A highly coveted part of every Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion are the individual awards. This year’s honorees included Michael Kendall, Best of Show winner for his 1960 Cadillac Convertible, and Craig Pardue, the Mayor’s Choice Award for his 1951 Ford Crestline. For a complete list of award winners, please visit our website.

GOCAL also would like to thank the event sponsors: Stater Bros. Markets, Raising Canes, OmniTrans, Mark Christopher Auto Center, Petersen Automotive Museum, the City of Ontario and the Ontario Convention Center.

ROUTE 66 CRUISIN REUNION

The Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion®, a 501-(c3) organization, created by Greater Ontario California (GOCAL), is a Southern California ultimate weekend celebration of America’s love affair with the automobile and its world-famous highway, Route 66. Two days of cruisin’, contests, live entertainment, fabulous food and revelry make it one of the best events of its kind. Held annually each September along historic, tree-shaded Euclid Avenue in Ontario, California, Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion is where classic cruisers, convertibles, hot rods, and wicked Woodies fuel a jam-packed jamboree.  Visit  GOCAL.ORG or www.Route66CruisinReunion.com for details.

GREATER ONTARIO CALIFORNIA

Greater Ontario California (GOCAL) is the official destination marketing organization to promote the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, California to visitors nationally and internationally.  As destination experts we provide leisure, meeting groups and meeting professionals with an unbiased, comprehensive resource when booking a tour, convention, meeting or event within the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, California.  Ideal for leisure and business travel, the region boasts scenic mountains, deserts, vineyards and metropolitan areas that are both historic and cosmopolitan in character. Under the umbrella of the Greater Ontario California is the California Welcome Center and several Signature Events to support the overall mission to drive visitors to the region, stimulating economic growth.  GOCAL provides the necessary destination support tools to execute a successful experience. Visit www.GO-CAL.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—The City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department in partnership with the Angel City Football Club and the non-profit Football for Her will be hosting free soccer clinics on October 5th and 12th for girls between the ages of 7 and 18 of all skill levels.

“Our girls will have the unique opportunity to train with the best and grow as both athletes and individuals,” said San Bernardino Parks and Recreation, and Community Services Director Lydie Gutfeld. “Space at these clinics will fill up fast so we are asking people to sign up as soon as possible to ensure they have a spot.”

The clinics will include high quality training from trained coaches and former professional players along with mentorship and mental health sessions to build confidence, positive thinking, and personal empowerment.

Participants can register online at www.sbcity.org/classes. Click on the “Activities” bar and type “soccer clinic” into the search box.

There will be both a morning and evening clinic on October 5th and 12th. No gear is needed. However, participants should wear comfortable workout clothes and shoes to run in (no open toed shoes).

The times and locations are as follows:

The Angel City Football Club is a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team that began play in 2022. Based in Los Angeles, a controlling interest in the team was recently purchased by Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay, making the team the most valuable women’s sports team in the world. Current board members include actress Natalie Portman and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

Football for Her is a Los Angeles based non-profit organization dedicated to providing free soccer training and mentorship to girls and non-binary youth. Their programs are facilitated by high level female coaches who are committed to fostering growth both on and off the field.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and CalFresh Healthy Living, the state’s nutrition assistance program, recently launched a health campaign to illuminate the risks of drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and the health benefits of hydrating with water.

The “Not So Sweet Side” initiative encourages families to make informed decisions about the drinks they choose and to be aware of the sugar content present in them.

According to the campaign, consuming too much sugar has been associated with an increase in chronic conditions and diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay. African Americans face a higher risk of developing diabetes mellitus, heart disease and tooth decay.

Dr. Redieat Assefa is a pediatrician at Riverside University Health Systems. She spoke at a webinar hosted by California Black Media introducing the campaign to ethnic media publishers across California.

Assefa underscored the importance of reading labels on sugary drinks you may consume and how to identify drinks that contain too much.

“When reading a nutrition label, there are a few key components that I would like us to consider. The first thing is the serving size of your sugary drinks. Is it one can? Is it one bottle? Then you go down to your total carbohydrates, which can be broken down to your fibers and sugary, added sugars or non-added sugars. Another part of the nutrition label is looking at the ingredients and the red flags. When reading ingredients, it’s going to be high fructose corn syrup, fruit, glucose, and sucrose. So those are the main ones that are harmful to our bodies when we have them in excess, of course.”

To simplify the process, compare the grams of sugar in a box of Apple Juice with preservatives that could be around 40 grams of sugar and that of natural juice which averages around 6 grams. The healthier choice is the 6-gram option due to significantly less added sugars.

Assefa also added that research indicates that African American women who drink one to two sugary beverages daily have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Sugary drinks can lead to high blood pressure, hype, and hypertension, contributing to a greater risk of heart disease among African American young adult men who, on average, consume sugary beverages at a higher level than other groups.

Assefa pointed out that there are about 10 teaspoons of sugar in a single can of soda.

Dr. Maxmillian Chambers, a dental professional and public health advocate, also spoke on the panel promoting the campaign highlighting the impact sugary drinks can have on dental health.

“As we continue this dialogue, it’s crucial to turn our focus to oral health, a key component of our overall well-being that doesn’t often receive the attention it deserves. Sugary drinks are a significant contributor to tooth decay. Research shows that drinking more than two eight-ounce servings of sugary beverages per week can drastically increase the risk of cavities. And for our youth, particularly those aged 9 to 18, sugary drinks are primary sources of added sugar in their diets.”

Chambers added that the issue is amplified when we consider that Black adolescents who consume high amounts of these beverages and brush their teeth no more than once a day are at a significantly higher risk of developing cavities.

Lakeysha Sowunmi, a mom and public health advocate who has worked to influence state policy and mobilize communities, including churches, around health issues, said, “I work with families on a budget, for example, and help them understand CalFresh and the resources that are available. We talk about portion control. We talk about feeding big families.”

Sowunmi, who is a founding member of the San Diego Women’s Affordable Housing Network, added, that making healthy food choices can seem like a luxury to families overwhelmed by housing insecurity. As she helps them find permanent or more affordable housing, Sowunmi says she continues to stress the importance of avoiding bad food choices.

The campaign recommends families set new health standards when it comes to the beverages consumed in the home. Flavored water alternatives for children returning from play, not ordering drinks during fast food stops, and increased awareness of sugar content in drinks are among their recommendations.

The CDPH and CalFresh believe that a community focused outreach effort ensures the ‘Not so Sweet Side’ campaign will reach diverse families across California. The CalFresh Healthy Living Program is led by CDPH’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Branch. To explore recipes, resources, and tips for making healthier beverage choices, visit http://uncoverhealthyhabits.com/

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media Partners

For decades, Medi-Cal has played a vital role in California’s healthcare infrastructure. Today, it provides health coverage to more than 15 million people, representing about 40 percent of the state’s population.

This includes 1.6 million people dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal.

Medi-Cal, California’s version of the federal program Medicaid, has piloted a program in several counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Fresno, Kings, Madera, Sacramento, and Tulare, that presents an option for Californians who qualify for both Medi-Cal and Medicare. By 2026, the Department of Health Services aims to make the program available to eligible individuals in all counties.

Transforming Medi-Cal: A Vision for Better Health Care

Medi-Cal transformation focuses on improving health care coordination, integration, quality, equity, and accessibility.

A key component of this broader vision to enhance healthcare access and improve health outcomes for Californians is Medi-Medi Plans, a type of Medicare Advantage plan. Medi-Medi Plans are designed to coordinate care for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medi-Cal by combining their Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits into one plan.

Medicare and Medi-Cal operate separately, with different benefits and plans. This fragmented system can be confusing, hard to navigate, and may not provide person-centered services. Medi-Medi Plans are helping integrate care for members dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal.

Key Features of Medi-Medi Plans

In a Medi-Medi Plan, a member’s Medicare plan takes the lead, with Medi-Cal providing wrap-around support.

This integrated approach simplifies access to health care services, allowing qualifying individuals to receive primary care, specialty care, prescription medications, transportation assistance, and other benefits in one coordinated plan.

Features of the comprehensive range of services include:

Dedicated Care Team: Medi-Medi Plans have a dedicated team to assist members in understanding their benefits, scheduling appointments, managing chronic conditions, and accessing preventive care.

Network of Providers: Primary care, specialist services, hospitals, clinics, labs, pharmacies, and medical equipment suppliers are all included in a Medi-Medi Plan’s network, ensuring members can find quality care for various medical needs.

Mental Health Services: Medi-Medi Plans offer access to therapy and counseling. This ensures access to resources essential for stress management, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

Transportation Assistance: Medi-Medi Plans provide transportation support to ensure members can make it to scheduled medical appointments.

Supplemental Benefits: Medi-Medi Plans may offer extra benefits like dental, hearing, vision, and over-the-counter benefits, in addition to what Medi-Cal covers.

Choosing the Right Plan

For example, Los Angeles County residents have several Medi-Medi Plans to choose from. Available plans include:

• Anthem Full Dual Advantage Aligned – call 833-236-2366
• ?Blue Shield Total Dual Plan – call 800-452-4413
• ?L.A. Care Medicare Plus – call 866-522-2736
• ?Molina Medicare Complete Care Plus – call 800-665-0868
• Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Medicare Medi-Cal South P1 – call 800-443-0815
• Wellcare Dual Align – call 800-431-9007

To be eligible to join a Medi-Medi Plan, you must have both Medicare Part A and B and Medi-Cal and must be 21 years of age or older.

Take Charge of Your Health

To help you find the right plan, Los Angeles County offers free support through the Center for Health Care Rights, Los Angeles County’s Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP).

To learn more about Medi-Medi Plan eligibility, available plans, and additional resources, contact the Center for Health Care Rights at (800) 434-0222. You can also call your Medi-Cal plan or 1-800-Medicare.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Proposition (Prop) 6 would repeal language in the California Constitution that prohibits “involuntary servitude except to punish crime.”

Instead, it will replace it with language that prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude absolutely.

The amendment would also prohibit the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from disciplining any incarcerated person for refusing a work assignment and authorize the department to award time credits to incarcerated persons who voluntarily participate in work assignments.

To gain a greater understanding of the proposition and the experience of incarcerated individuals impacted by the current language, California Black Media spoke with Dr. Tanisha Cannon, Managing Director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children (LSPC).

The LSPC organizes communities impacted by the criminal justice system and advocates to release incarcerated people, to restore human and civil rights, and to reunify families and communities. They also build public awareness of structural and systemic racism in policing, the courts, and the prison system, and aim to advance racial and gender justice in their work.

“There are really two main messages for this to be a yes vote,” said Cannon. “The way that the Constitution names what’s going on in these prisons is called involuntary servitude. Involuntary servitude is just another name for slavery. That means that there’s a force and there’s coercion. People don’t have autonomy over their bodies or their decisions: if they even want to work. So, the main message here is that involuntary servitude is slavery.”

The LSPC also facilitates focus groups to gain understanding on how individuals who have not been impacted by the prison-industrial complex view the involuntary servitude currently utilized.

“They’re like, ‘Oh, people are in prison; they do the crime; they should do the time.’ That has nothing to do with bodily autonomy. You should still be able to make decisions — if you want to work or an option maybe if you want to go to school instead or maybe if you want to take anger management classes instead you should have the choice to create what you believe is your rehabilitative process.”

So far, eight states, including California, have made provisions in their constitutions permitting involuntary servitude, but not slavery, as a criminal punishment. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 34 states have “earned time” credits that are awarded for participating in or completing education, vocational training, treatment, and work programs. Time credits can later be applied towards early release from secure custody.

The Anti-Recidivism Coalition has also been on record supporting Prop 6, stating that, “More than 94,000 Californians are currently enslaved in state prison. African Americans account for 28% of the prison population despite making up less than 6% of California’s overall population. Although no courts explicitly order forced labor as a part of criminal sentencing, it’s standard practice to force incarcerated people to perform labor.”

Of those roughly 90,000 inmates, the state’s prison system employs nearly 40,000 who complete a variety of tasks including cleaning, cooking, firefighting, construction and yard work. Most of these workers earn less than 74 cents an hour, excluding the firefighters who can make up to $10 a day. State law permits the corrections department to pay up to half of the current minimum wage in California ($16).

Eighty percent of the employees at LSPC have been directly impacted by the prison-industrial complex. Cannon’s brother works there as well and was in prison at the age of 16 experiencing first-hand how forced labor can negatively impact an individual’s psyche.

“My grandmother passed away and he received that news in the evening. On the outside, you’d get some grieving time. That wasn’t the case for him,” said Cannon.

“He had to wake up at five o’clock the next morning. So, imagine learning that the woman who raised you just passed away. You’re due for work at 5 a.m. in the morning to operate heavy machinery and you cannot say that you don’t want to work because there’s no excused absence in prison.”

So far, there hasn’t been any organized opposition to Prop 6 in California.

A “yes” vote supports amending the state constitution to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime and authorize the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to award credits to incarcerated persons who voluntarily participate in work assignments.

A “no” vote opposes amending the state constitution to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

That no human lives would be spared “UNLESS” those days were shortened. [Matthew 24:22]. I ask you; Should we take God seriously? Absolutely Yes! Because God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man that He should repent; hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? [Numbers 23:19].

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you [ Matthew 23:37-39]. Do you see all these things? I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down [Matthew 24:1-2]. The whole earth is about to be visited with Judgment and Destruction [Isaiah 24-27; Isaiah 34]. A period marked by unparalleled suffering and distress, unlike anything seen before or after. [Matthew 24:21; Zephaniah 1:15].

The disciples were speechless. They sat for a while in silence, and then they asked Him three specific questions. When will these things take place, what will be the signs of His coming, and what will be the signs of the end of the age. [Matthew 24:3]. Jesus replied, it is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority [Acts 1:7].

I tell you; there are many biblical warnings that leave us in no doubt that increasingly cataclysmic events will occur. So, watch and repent and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man [Luke 21:36].

Even Paul warned Timothy, “After I am gone, things are going to get worse before they get better. So, buckle up. Terrible times are coming. Pay attention to this. Don’t be naïve and think everything is going to be okay [Romans 1:18-32]. A future time so horrendous is on the horizon [Ezekiel 5:17]. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Repent and get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW!

In the Book of Daniel, Belshazzar saw the writing on the wall. Judgment had been declared. It was too late. That night Babylon fell, and Belshazzar was slain. The Bible records his trembling, his fear, his knees smote together in terror. He found no place of repentance, he found no mercy, he found no grace.

I tell you, these are the end times, the time of great tribulation, when God will pour out his wrath and judgment on an unbelieving world. Repent and get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW because once the door of opportunity closes, it will be too late.

God’s wrath and judgment is coming to this world. I have told you these things before they happen, so that when they do, you will remember that I told you about them [John 14:29; John 16:4].

Unfortunately, the people didn’t respond. They didn’t care. They continued to live their lives the way they pleased. They ignored God. God tells Ezekiel that He is about to cut off the food supply in Jerusalem and only give the people rationed water. He tells Ezekiel the people will waste away because of their sin. They were to be scattered to the wind. Nations would hate them. The wild beasts will be against them. And plagues and bloodshed were coming. Bones were going to be scattered, towns laid waste, and the high places of idolatry were going to be demolished.

Be careful that you do not refuse to listen when God speaks. Your ancestors didn’t escape when they refused to listen to God, who warned them on earth. We certainly won’t escape if we turn away from God, who warns us from heaven [Hebrews 12:25; Ezekiel 5:11].

Even Paul warned Timothy, “After I am gone, things are going to get worse before they get better. So, buckle up. Terrible times are coming. Pay attention to this. Don’t be naïve and think everything is going to be okay [Romans 1:18-32]. A future time so horrendous is on the horizon [Ezekiel 5:17]. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Repent and get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW!

In the Book of Daniel, Belshazzar saw the writing on the wall. Judgment had been declared. It was too late. That night Babylon fell, and Belshazzar was slain. The Bible records his trembling, his fear, his knees smote together in terror. He found no place of repentance, he found no mercy, he found no grace.

I tell you, these are the end times, the time of great tribulation, when God will pour out his wrath and judgment on an unbelieving world. Repent and get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW because once the door of opportunity closes, it will be too late.

God’s wrath and judgment is coming to this world. I have told you these things before they happen, so that when they do, you will remember that I told you about them [John 14:29; John 16:4].

Unfortunately, the people didn’t respond. They didn’t care. They continued to live their lives the way they pleased. They ignored God. God tells Ezekiel that He is about to cut off the food supply in Jerusalem and only give the people rationed water. He tells Ezekiel the people will waste away because of their sin. They were to be scattered to the wind. Nations would hate them. The wild beasts will be against them. And plagues and bloodshed were coming. Bones were going to be scattered, towns laid waste, and the high places of idolatry were going to be demolished.

Be careful that you do not refuse to listen when God speaks. Your ancestors didn’t escape when they refused to listen to God, who warned them on earth. We certainly won’t escape if we turn away from God, who warns us from heaven [Hebrews 12:25; Ezekiel 5:11].

I will choose their punishments and will bring on them what they dread. Because I called, but no one answered, I spoke, but they did not listen. And they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight” [Isaiah 66:4].

The final period of catastrophic events, climaxing in Christ’s return to earth, shows God punishing a wayward world that has refused to heed the warnings He has set.

Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! An uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together! The Lord Almighty is mustering an army for war to destroy the whole country. Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty [Isaiah 13].

Throughout the month of September, Californians had hundreds of opportunities to beautify local waterways and contribute to healthier, cleaner communities as part of the 40th Annual Coastal Cleanup Month.

Caltrans partnered with the California Coastal Commission to celebrate four decades of cleaning the state’s rivers, streams and coastlines.

Coastal Cleanup Month events were designed to rid the natural environment of unsightly litter and harmful debris and educate participants to better understand their impact on community waterways, such as lakes, rivers, creeks and the ocean. Increasing awareness and changing behaviors related to waterway preservation aligns with Governor Gavin Newsom’s $1.2 billion Clean California initiative, a sweeping three-year, statewide litter reduction and beautification program.

“I encourage everyone to participate in a local clean-up event and do their part to protect our majestic coastline and precious waterways,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “Volunteerism is a powerful way to inspire eco-friendly habits in others and establish a legacy of environmental conservation in communities throughout the state.”

Litter, pet waste and other refuse can pose significant risks and negative impacts to waterways when they aren’t disposed of properly. Even garbage discarded far from rivers and the ocean can make its way there by traveling down storm ways, underscoring the need to keep these valuable natural resources free of pollutants.

Trash accumulates during the drier months when Californians travel, recreate and spend more time outdoors. The first heavy rains of the season often wash untreated waste and debris into waterways and the ocean. Coastal Cleanup Month aimed to generate urgent community action before the winter season to mitigate potential impacts of these contaminants.

“The support by Californians for our coast these past decades has been incredible,” said Coastal Commission Executive Director Kate Huckelbridge. “It’s amazing that volunteers who turned out to the earliest cleanups are now bringing their children or even their grandchildren out to participate. It’s a testament to the strength of the cleanup movement that it has thrived for so long. We can see the impact year-round.”

Following are some of the largest Caltrans co-sponsored cleanup events that took place across the state on Saturday, Sept. 21:

• Inland Empire Waterkeeper’s River Cleanup, Martha McLean Park, 5759 Jurupa Ave, Riverside, 92504
• Orange County Coastkeeper’s California Coastal Cleanup Day, Huntington State Beach, Tower 8. 21601 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, 92646
• San Diego Coastkeeper’s Cleanup, Liberty Station NTC Park, 2455 Cushing Road, San Diego, 92106
• Refuse Refuse San Francisco’s Cleanup, Ocean Beach, 800 Great Hwy, San Francisco, 94121
• River City Waterway Alliance’s Coastal Cleanup Day 2024, Tower Bridge Promenade, 1450 Front St., Sacramento, 95814

About Clean California and the Caltrans Stormwater Public Education Campaign:

Both programs are administered by Caltrans. Clean California is Governor Newsom’s sweeping, $1.2 billion, multiyear cleanup effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs, and join with communities throughout the state to reclaim, transform and beautify public spaces. The Caltrans Stormwater Public Education Campaign complements this endeavor by working to increase understanding of the sources and pathways of stormwater pollution across California.

Since launching Clean California in July 2021, Caltrans and its local partners have picked up more than 2.6 million cubic yards of litter—enough to cover nine lanes of Interstate 5 from San Diego to the Canadian border. Caltrans has hosted more than 500 free dump days in communities throughout the state—resulting in the collection of more than 12,000-plus mattresses and 50,000 tires. For more information, visit CleanCA.com and CleanWaterCA.com.

About the California Coastal Commission:

The California Coastal Commission is committed to protecting and enhancing California’s coast and ocean for present and future generations. It does so through careful planning and regulation of environmentally sustainable development, strong public participation, education, and effective intergovernmental coordination. The Coastal Cleanup Day Program is part of its effort to raise public awareness of marine and coastal resources and promote coastal stewardship. For more information, visit Coastal.CA.gov

CHINO, CA— – Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm, today announced that construction is complete on a new two-story administration building for the Chino Valley Unified School District. Ware Malcomb provided architecture, interior architecture and design, and branding services for the 60,000 square foot build-to-suit project located at 13461 Romona Ave. in Chino, CA.

“The new facility will serve as a larger and much more updated administrative headquarters for the district,” said Tom Myers, Principal, Ware Malcomb.

Ware Malcomb’s interior architecture and design team focused on classic aesthetics that complement the school’s colors while introducing pops of color, neutral colors, and accent paints. The building’s ground floor design incorporates public-facing uses, including a secure lobby, a board meeting room with dais seating, training rooms, conference rooms, an IT and server room, a coffee bar and break rooms.

“This new headquarters aligns with the district’s goals of continued growth and supporting the students and local community,” said Analisa Olson, Director, Interior Architecture & Design for Ware Malcomb.

The ground floor also includes a test kitchen for the district’s Nutrition Services department to develop new recipes to serve in its school locations, with district employees serving as test subjects. The building’s upper level accommodates office space and facilities for the district’s business services, student support services, attendance, special education, curriculum, technology, communications, facilities, human resources, and other departments.

Ware Malcomb’s in-house branding services included planning, design and coordination of the exterior building and ground-mounted identity signage, entry and interior lobby branding, as well as office, room and workstation identification. Site design and development for the concrete tilt-up office building included an amenity patio, generator system for emergency backup power and separation of public and employee parking.

General contracting services for the project were provided by Xebec Building Company. Chino Valley Unified School District partnered with Xebec Building Company to develop the project on district-owned land. Xebec is a commercial real estate design & build construction firm based in Seal Beach, CA.

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sierra Garcia, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

NORFOLK, VA. – Seaman Isabella Candelaria, a native of Ontario, California, serves aboard USS New Jersey, the U.S. Navy’s newest fast-attack submarine homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.

Candelaria attended Ontario High School and graduated in 2023.The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Ontario.

“I learned from my parents, Brenda and Clarence Candelaria, and family in general the importance of working hard,” said Candelaria.

Candelaria joined the Navy one year ago and today serves as a sonar technician (submarines).

“I joined the Navy because it felt like there were good benefits and the opportunity to do something different.,” said Candelaria. “I also wanted to be the first in my family to join.”

Known as America’s “Apex Predators!,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.

Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition. New Jersey is the first Virginia-class submarine designed and built for a full gender-integrated crew.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.

Candelaria serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Candelaria has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment was finally finishing ‘A’ School and sub school,” said Candelaria. “I am also proud of completing my first underway on a submarine, which was two and half weeks.”

Candelaria can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy means I get to do something that most people don’t do,” said Candelaria. “Being on a submarine is something not many people get to do so I think that’s cool.”

Candelaria is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I’d like to thank my family for always being there for me when I needed them and everyone else that I’ve met, including Angelica Ramos and Jan Gomez,” added Candelaria. “They endured ‘A’ School with me and supported me in a way that I needed, especially being out here alone.”