YUCAIPA, CA – Nominations for the 2020 Outstanding Alumni Award from Crafton Hills College are being accepted through November 25. This prestigious award recognizes and honors the exceptional individuals whose attendance at Crafton helped them achieve their educational and professional goals, enabling great service to their communities. Each year, the Crafton Hills College Foundation recognizes a former student who exemplifies the dynamic and positive qualities the Crafton experience strives to produce. The Crafton Hills College Foundation Gala Committee reviews nominations and makes a final selection.  Nominees are judged on their accomplishments in their chosen fields and for their community service. The selected recipient is presented with the award as an honored guest at the Annual Foundation Gala, Dinner and Auction each spring.

Nominees can self-nominate or be nominated by someone else. Nomination forms can be found online at www.craftonhills.edu/alumni. For more information, contact the CHC Foundation at 909-389-3245.

Criteria for Nomination:

• Candidate attended Crafton Hills College and completed credit courses.
• The candidate demonstrates achievement of an exceptional nature and shows professional growth within their chosen field.
• Through leadership or active volunteering, the candidate has made a positive impact on their respective community.
• If selected, the candidate agrees to be present at the Foundation Gala on April 18, 2020, to accept the award.

Past recipients:

• 2019 – David Avila
• 2018 – Steve Leverette
• 2017 – Troy Mondragon
• 2016 – Lea Deesing
• 2015 – Scott McNaul Hernandez
• 2014 – Michael J. Smith
• 2013 – Raquel Prieto

By Corey Jackson

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—- Our Society Is Sick. It’s infected with Hate. This is the reality I came to after the death of Diego at Landmark Middle School and while watching the DC movie JOKER (I should get paid for the plug), it broke my heart to see adults pushing and threatening for the incarceration of the students involved. It was disappointing to see the tragedy being laid at the feet of their parents. What was even more disgusting to see adults using hate and violence to deal with this issue.

This is but a reflection of our society as a whole. You see, violence and hate is taught. It is modeled so perfectly by the actions and words of you and me. No one is innocent.

We saw the sickness again when Brandt Jean hugged his brother’s killer Amber Guyger. Throughout this nation, we saw our friends, family, and self-proclaimed Christians attack a young man in mourning, for showing LOVE to a fellow human being who will receive consequences for her crime. Yes, she is a murderer.  Yes, racism was probably involved. However, true LOVE has nothing to do with the actions of the other person. It is not based on how we feel about someone else. Instead of responding with hate, he chose to respond with love. Love doesn’t mean no consequences. Love doesn’t mean support injustice. Love means challenging you to be your better self. Love means a commitment to social justice in the face of hate and oppression.  Love means, leave hate and join me. That is BEAUTIFUL.

Hate is on the rise all over the world. After a study by the European Union, they concluded that “Racist and intolerant hate speech in public discourse is escalating; the main targets are asylum-seekers and Muslims,” the council’s Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) said in the report.

We are witnessing a global sickness that possesses a greater threat than Ebola, AIDS, or the Bird Flu. And we all have it. What is the cure? We must reach down deep in our soul to see what is causing it. Is this who we want to be? We must stop being silent when racism and hate is around us. We must call it out.

We must turn hate into love. It is easier to hate. It is easier to blame. It is harder to love. Let us choose the harder road.

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Corey Jackson is the Director of the Center Against Racism & Trama (CART) and Chairman/CEO of SBX Youth & Family Services

By Naomi K. Bonman

The last weekend of October was kicked off in an empowering and fulfilling way! It was definitely a great way to wrap up Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the 3^rd Annual Queens Brunch held Saturday, October 26 at the Ontario Gateway Hotel in Ontario, CA.

The day started at 9 a.m. with a social hour as ladies checked in. After checking in, as you entered into the doors into the ballroom, you were welcomed by pink decorations and ladies of all nationalities decked out in their ‘Sunday’s Best’ hats. You immediately knew that you were about to be blessed.

Since the inception of the brunch in 2017, the event has successful grew from 30 women in the founder, Adrienne Braxton’s backyard, to over 200 women in a hotel ballroom. The Queen’s Brunch is definitely a life changing event filled with empowerment, encouragement and support.

The event kicked off at 10 a.m. with a prayer and ice breaker. The ladies were able to get to know one another with selfies. This period of the event is the perfect way to kick the event off because it allows guests to get a little comfortable, especially for those who come to the brunch solo. They get to feel like they know some people.

Brunch was then served immediately after the ice breaker with the program starting shortly after. Each year the highlight of the event is remembering those who received their wings by calling out their names during a tribute and moment of silence.

A week prior to the brunch, the community lost a shero, Wyteria Musgrove, to breast cancer. In her honor, a special table was decorated in gold and red towards the front of the stage.

Although those who have passed are remembered at the event, the event was all filled with empowerment, encouragement and support through powerful testimonies of survivors, poetry and song selections of inspiration.

If you missed the brunch this year, mark your calendars for October 10-11, 2020. The brunch will be two-day event. Stay tuned!

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

Two African-American women, both Democrats, are among Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 11 new appointees to California superior court judgeships in seven counties. 

Newsom announced the appointments last Friday, his first batch of Superior Court nominations since becoming governor in January.

Eight of the 11 appointees are women. All of them are filling vacancies left open by retired justices.

Black women only make up around 5 percent of California’s more than 1,500 trial court judges. And only 19 out of the state’s 58 counties have ever had Black women superior court justices. 

“Thus in 39 counties, no African-American woman’s experiences have brought life to the law,” writes Alameda County Judge Brenda F. Harbin-Forte in the Daily Journal. Harbin-Forte, who is Black, researches and writes about the history of African Americans in the state’s judiciary.

“Gov. Gavin Newsom follows the hard act of Gov. Jerry Brown,” she added. Former Gov. Brown, Harbin-Forte says, “made many historic appointments and created the most diverse court system in the history of our great state.”

One of the two new African-American judges, Terrie E. Roberts, 54, lives in Chula Vista. She will now serve as a San Diego County Superior Court Judge. 

The other, Tricia J. Taylor, 39, who lives in the city of Los Angeles, is joining two others the governor appointed to serve as Los Angeles County Superior Court judges. 

“Roberts and Taylor’s appointments are significant, said Dezie Woods-Jones, state president of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA).  “These appointments speak volumes. I am extremely pleased and excited that there are two new highly professional and qualified African-American Women judges appointed to the California Superior Court.” 

Roberts, a former prosecutor and public defender, and Taylor, a former deputy district attorney, both bring broad experience in private law – as well as public law – to their new roles as justices.  

Since 2008, Roberts served as a commissioner at the San Diego County Superior Court. Before that, she was deputy district attorney at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Roberts has also worked in private practice and served as a deputy public defender in San Diego County.

Before becoming deputy D.A. in Los Angeles County, Taylor also worked in private practice and at the Children’s Law Center, a public interest law firm and advocacy group. 

In California, all of the state’s 58 counties have now voted to have a single superior court in each of their jurisdictions. That county superior court serves as the main trial court for each county. In June 1998, California voters approved Proposition 220, a constitutional ammendment that allowed the counties to fold their municipal and superior courts into one unified county superior court.  Annually, county superior court justices earn $213,833 and they serve nearly 34 million people across the state, according to the Judicial Council of California. 

This week two different celebrations take place, with shared themes of recognizing and celebrating otherwise taboo topics surrounding death and dying. USC experts explore the origins of the traditions, dig into death rituals and explain why we love all things scary.

Day of the Dead celebration has indigenous roots

“Given the timing, it may be tempting to equate Day of the Dead with Halloween, a ghost-themed U.S. holiday. But the two holidays express fundamentally different beliefs.

“Spanish conquerors faced difficulty in convincing native peoples to give up their rituals honoring death goddess Mictecacihuatl. The compromise was to move these indigenous festivities from late July to early November to correspond with Allhallowtide – the three-day Christian observance of All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

“With this move, the holiday was nominally connected to Catholicism. But many practices and beliefs associated with the worship of the dead remained deeply indigenous.”

Kirby Farah is an anthropological archaeologist and lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Her research and teaching interests intersect archaeology, ethnohistory and critical cultural heritage. This commentary originally appeared in The Conversation.

Contact: kirbyfar@usc.edu

Are human wired to enjoy being terrified?

“Some of the attraction of being scared comes from the deviation of having a new experience that we know is safe. We like novelty, something that departs from our everyday experience.

“Your amygdala will give you a fear response, an avoidance response to stay away from something that is legitimately frightful.”

Irving Biederman is a specialist in cognitive neuroscience and the Harold W. Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on the brain’s role in vision, investigating the brain processes underlying humans’ ability to quickly recognize and interpret what they see.

Contact: bieder@usc.edu or (310) 614-3903

What’s at the core of a good horror movie?

“Horror as a genre is an expression of the collective anxieties of a society at the time in which these films are made. They allow us to collectively get a sense of catharsis by the vanquishing of these fears.

“Conquering the fear of death is at the core of all horror films. It’s the way in which that problem is presented by the film that speaks to the specifics of the society at any given time.”

Alex Ago is a horror movie buff and director of programming and special projects at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Contact: aago@cinema.usc.edu or (213) 740-2330

With burials on the decline, is the cemetery dead?

“Today, we’re in a very extraordinary moment. For over a hundred years, Americans have taken care of their dead in very specific ways, and each of these is being challenged. Each of these is being a little pushed by what’s happening in our world.

“If everyone can scatter their ashes or have them in their home, then you don’t need a cemetery.”

David Sloane is a professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy and an expert in urban history, health disparities and community development, and public and private commemoration. He comes from a long line of cemetery superintendents and is the author of Is the Cemetery Dead?

Contact: dsloane@price.usc.edu or 213-740-5768

Photos via Pixabay.

SAN BERNARDINO— Charleys Kids donated to San Bernardino’s Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy (YVYLA), to help give support to their S.A.M. Program, which stands for Student Achievement Mentor Program. Charleys Kids Foundation primarily gives grants designed to support the development and enhancement of the children’s program by providing tangible resources such as school supplies, books, and food. http://www.charleyskids.org/

A donation of $3,000.00 was donated to the Young Visionaries SAM Program. Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy’s Student Achievement Mentoring (SAM) is a program designed to address and reduce suspensions through effective implementation of positive behavior support systems. SAM is a goal-oriented program designed to support the educational and professional aspirations of all students. The Program seeks to increase the completion of developmental courses, retention and graduation rates. To accomplish this, the program increases exposure to educational, professional, and civic opportunities.

The Student Achievement Mentoring Program through mentoring works to:

• Improved Self Confidence and Self Esteem
• Increase Motivation
• Broaden horizons and experience of students
• Raise Achievements and Aspirations
• Build Relationships
• Establish Employment Development Skills
• Support to Graduation

The City of San Bernardino is home to a diverse and prominently minority population: 66% Hispanic, 14% African American, 13% White, 4% Asian, and 3% other. 23% percent of the population is foreign-born. In San Bernardino, the 2016 median household income was $39,472, compared to $63,783 for the State. Unemployment has remained above both state and national levels since the 2008 financial crisis, and the 2018 unemployment rate for the City was 5%, compared to 3.9% for the county, 4.6% for the state, and 4.1% for the United States. 

Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy has large annual outreach events for the San Bernardino community. For example, February, “Hearts for Hygiene” at this event YVYLA collects 200 bags of hygiene and distribute them to the youth in our programs that need hygiene. June is Young Visionaries Annual Youth Conference, this conference average up to 300 youth in attendance.

The month of August the youth group has an annual “2000 Backpack and School Supplies” giveaway, the month of November is a Thanksgiving event giving out 1000 Thanksgiving Turkeys and boxes of food to 1000 families in need. During the month of December for Christmas YVYLA has their annual 1000 Toy giveaway to 1000 community youth. 

“We would like to Thank Charleys Kids Foundation for their generous donation and recognizing the need in our community” says Terrance Stone, CEO and Founder of Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy. 

Photos by John Coleman, Community Photographer

Family,  faculty and friends from the CSUSB community,  co-workers, students, and others,  from far and near,  whose professional and academic careers  Dr. Rosemary McCaslin had helped to facilitate attended the Saturday,  beautiful  ‘Indian Summer’  afternoon  Memorial Ceremony,  held October 19, 2019,  on the campus of  the California State University,   San Bernardino.

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As text-obsessed as we’ve become as a society, there’s still an argument to be made for making a human connection. Here, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile’s digital etiquette expert offers 12 tips on how to perfect the art of mobile communication.

With more ways to communicate on our phones than ever before, it’s no surprise that the etiquette around choosing a method to deliver your message is far from clear. A text often seems exceedingly more convenient than a phone call, but, as digital etiquette expert, Elaine Swann, explains, texting is not always appropriate.

When should I text?

1. Logistics CoordinationAccording to Swann, daily situations involving logistics — directions, arrival times, departure times, etc. — are always better suited to a text message, as the recipient will have the information easily at hand on their mobile device should they need to review it.

2. Requests / FavorsSwann notes that it’s perfectly fine to send a “Running late, could you pick me up something?” request that involves daily routines like procuring food or running errands.

3. NewsSwann’s rules here are simple: “If it’s big news you’re texting, it should only be good news like I got the job, we got the house, etc.”

It’s also okay to text when the news isn’t so good, but only if you aren’t able to talk or if people are awaiting an update. An example would be, “We’re at the hospital, keep us in your thoughts — can’t talk.” Or, if someone is having surgery, texting an update to loved ones is acceptable.

4. LengthThis has less to do with the content of the text, and more to do with how long your message may be. Swann says that if your note is short, a text is fine, but if it goes beyond a few short sentences or becomes complex in nature, then that would be your indication to pick up the phone.

5. If you can’t talk, don’t answerThis is a perfectly acceptable — and common — situation to send a text that you’ll call the person back when you’re free.

When should I talk?
1. Big [Happy] AnnouncementsThe rule here, according to Swann, is that huge life-changing news, like a new baby, wedding, engagement, etc., should be delivered over the phone, especially to a close loved one. Although joyful in nature, its more respectful to deliver these kinds of big announcements over the phone.

2. Not-So-Good NewsWhen news is life-changing and not in a good way, Swann says this should always be a phone call.

3. When You’re Concerned About Someone“If you kind of get the feeling that a person is taking a little mental break, it’s fine to text to touch base letting them know you’re thinking of them,” Swann says. “But, if you’re gravely concerned about their wellbeing, then a phone call is more appropriate.”

4. When There’s Lots to SayTypically, Swann says, you should try to respond in the same manner that you were contacted. However, if you receive a text and have a lengthy response, it would be more appropriate to call the person instead of text back.

5. When You’re DrivingOne instance where you should not text, even in response to someone, is of course when you’re driving. If you’re able to use your device hands-free, call the person and tell them you’re on the road and can’t text back.

6. To Clarify an Increasingly Difficult Thread“We all know that technology doesn’t always translate everything well,” Swann says. “Instead of sending three or four text messages to clarify something — a location to meet, understanding directions, etc. — it’s a good idea to call someone and shore up those details.”

7. Asking Someone out on a Date“This should always be a phone call,” Swann says. “The same goes for breaking up with someone.”

Want to get even more out of your device? Check out ourZen Guide to Using Your Device!

By Tim Rhatigan, UnitedHealthcare of California

Earthquakes are unfortunately a common occurrence, especially in places with high seismicity, such as California. Because earthquakes occur without warning, it’s important to take steps to prepare.

The Red Cross and FEMA offer tips for a safety checklist to know what to do before, during and after an earthquake. Here are additional reminders of what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.

Before an Earthquake

• Create an earthquake readiness plan with your household. Everyone in your family should know what to do and where to go as soon as they feel the vibrations of an earthquake, as well as a common place to reunite after an earthquake in case there is limited or no means of communication.
• Be prepared with an earthquake kit comprised of water, food, medications, a first-aid kit, bandages for injuries, a flashlight, batteries, a radio, blankets, a pair of sturdy shoes, a change of clothes and other personal items. Because you don’t know where you will be when an earthquake occurs, prepare a kit for your home, workplace and your car.
• In your emergency kit, include copies of important documents – such as insurance policies, financial records, credit card numbers, medical insurance cards, a list of medications and prescriptions, plus phone numbers and addresses for key contacts. Also include a small amount of cash, as ATMs, banks, and credit card systems may not be operating.
• Be sure you know how to turn off the water, gas and electricity in your home. A multi-function tool may be needed. 
• Choose an “earthquake safe location” to take cover in every room of your house, office, school or any place that you go to on a regular basis. This location should be away from windows and any furniture that could fall on you.

What to Do During an Earthquake  

• Drop down to your knees and cover your head and neck with your arms or an object so that you are protected from any debris or furniture falling during the earthquake.
• Stay away from windows and furniture that can fall on you, such as book cases and televisions. 
• If possible, go to your identified “safe location” or find a wall near the center of the building or house you are in, take cover in a doorway, or crawl under a heavy piece of furniture, such as a desk or table. 
• If you are outside, get away from anything that could fall on you, such as trees, powerlines, buildings and houses. 
• If you are in a car, pull over to a spot that is away from trees, powerlines and buildings. Wait in the car until the shaking stops. 

After an Earthquake

• Once the shaking has stopped, if you are in an unsafe area (ceiling has collapsed, exposed electrical wires, broken glass, gas or smoke odor), find the safest way to evacuate to an open space or take shelter in another area of the building.
• Check your water, gas and electric lines for any damage. If they are damaged, shut off the valves. If you can smell gas, open all your doors and windows and leave your home immediately. Report a broken gas line to the authorities as soon as possible.
• Do not use candles, matches or any open flames as a source of light. Earthquakes often result in broken gas lines, which should not be mixed with open flames.
• Only use your phone for emergencies. You will want to save your battery for as long as possible. 

Be prepared to repeat everything in the likely event of aftershocks, which usually happen within the first few days following an earthquake. 

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA—-  U-Haul Company of California is pleased to announce that Cruisin’ Along has signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Rancho Cucamonga community.

Cruisin’ Along at 13670 Victoria St. will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, pre-tow inspection, moving supplies and boxes.

U-Haul Truck Share 24/7® is revolutionizing the moving industry through its more convenient, more secure way to pick up and return a truck. Since 2017, U-Haul Live Verify? technology has allowed customers to conduct transactions entirely on their smartphones at any hour – day or night. There are no membership fees. Create an online account at uhaul.com to start skipping the lines and stop worrying about store hours.

Normal business hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. every day. Reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by calling (909) 581-8522 or visiting https://www.uhaul.com/Locations/Truck-Rentals-near-Rancho-Cucamonga-CA-91739/036689/ today.

Cruisin’ Along owner Michael Mancinelli are proud to team with the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage to better meet the demands of San Bernardino County.

U-Haul and Cruisin’ Along are striving to benefit the environment through sustainability initiatives. Truck sharing is a core U-Haul sustainability business practice that allows individuals to access a fleet of trucks that is larger than what they could access on an individual basis.

Every U-Haul truck placed in a community helps keep 19 personally owned large-capacity vehicles, pickups, SUVs and vans off the road. Fewer vehicles means less traffic congestion, less pollution, less fuel burned and cleaner air.

Cruisin’ Along is a great place to become U-Haul Famous®. Take your picture in front of a U-Haul product, send it in and your face could land on the side of a U-Haul truck. Upload your photo through Instagram using #uhaulfamous, or go to www.uhaulfamous.com to submit photos and learn more.