SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On July 4, the community of Ridgecrest was hit by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake, followed a day later by a 7.1-magnitude quake. Those were the largest earthquakes to hit California in two decades, and they were a sobering reminder that an earthquake can hit any time and you never know if the next one will be the big one.

That is why all San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) schools and offices will participate in the Great California ShakeOut on Thursday, October 17.

Beginning at 10:17 a.m., all SBCUSD students and staff will drop, cover, and hold on. Sites will also practice emergency response procedures, such as evacuations, and reporting and coordinating with the SBCUSD Emergency Operations Center. Visitors to SBCUSD schools and offices will be required to evacuate. As in a real emergency, SBCUSD sites may be unable to answer phones and emails during the drill and evacuation.

“The more we prepare as a community, the quicker we can recover following a disaster,” Eric Vetere, SBCUSD emergency manager, said. “That’s why it’s important to always practice and have a plan. The annual Great California Shakeout is the perfect time for our entire community to practice for an earthquake.”

The Great California ShakeOut is a statewide earthquake and disaster preparedness drill. Everyone in California, including private businesses and individuals, is encouraged to participate to better prepare for natural disasters. Earthquake- and disaster-preparedness materials are available at http://www.shakeout.org/.

Parents should take this opportunity to update emergency contact information with their child’s school.

To stay up to date on emergencies affecting SBCUSD schools and communities, follow SBCUSD OES on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SBCUSD_OES, on Instagram @SBCSUD_OES, or on Facebook by searching for “SBCUSD OES.” Parents can also receive emergency notifications by installing and configuring the free SBCSUD app. Search for “San Bernardino City USD” on the iTunes or Google Play stores.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- SAC Health System has partnered with San Bernardino City Unified School District to start a school-based health clinic to serve and help our communities with their medical needs for school admissions. SAC Health System H.O.P.E. Center (Healthcare Options for Prevention & Education) will offer services on a walk-in basis.

This collaborative project will bring ease to the health screening process for parents and students as they start their new school year. Parents and their children will need to drop-off immunization cards and paperwork to their schools once completed at their medical appointments.

SAC Health System H.O.P.E. Center will be open three days a week: Monday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday at 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

SAC Health System H.O.P.E. Center official grand opening is on October 15, 2019 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. located inside the Welcoming Resource Center at 781 W. 2nd Street Suite A, San Bernardino, CA 92410.

Hollywood Power Broker Koshie Mills is the creator and executive producer of “The Diaspora Dialogues” talk show and docuseries. A live taping is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 1, 2019 at the California African American Museum, 600 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037 at 6:30 pm.

Born in Ghana, West Africa and curated in Los Angeles, California, Koshie Mills initial experience in the entertainment industry came from managing the careers of her three successful sons who are all actors. Kwame Boateng (Everybody Hates Chris, The Plug), Kofi Siriboe (Queen Sugar, Girls Trip) Kwesi Boakye (Claws, Colony).

An African woman at the core, Koshie says “I created the Diaspora Dialogues movement and platform to mend the divide between Africans from the continent and African Descendents within the Diaspora. The Dialogues will ignite the long overdue conversations needed to create a better understanding of our different experiences but shared identity”.

2019 has been declared “The Year Of Return”, In commemoration and celebration of the resilience of the African people 400 years post transatlantic slavery. Ghana’s President Nana Akufo Addo has decreed an official welcome to African Americans to come back home to Africa.

This season, The Diaspora Dialogues will lend its important cultural voice, by coming into the community Live and curate conversations addressing our internal racism, identity crisis and cultural disconnect. The focus will be on “the journey to healing” and what the 21st century African Renaissance has the potential to look like for all its descendants.

Celebrity and influential who have shown support of the movement and have joined this important and powerful platform include Kofi Siriboe, Tiffany Haddish, Rosario Dawson, Isaiah Washington, Ryan Destiny, Estelle, Monique Coleman, Jodie Smith, Suede, Chike Okonkwo and many more.

Tickets for this event are available now at Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/koshie-mills-presents-the-diaspora-dialogues-live-tour-los-angeles-tickets-74738156839?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

By Reginald Young

The word is out. The San Bernardino Pastors United (SBPU) in association with community leaders and the faith based community, will have another Community Block party on Saturday October 26, 2019 from 12PM – 3PM  at Dr. Mildred Henry Elementary, located at 1250 W 14^th Street, San Bernardino.

The residences in San Bernardino are still being plagued with violence, crime and shootings in the City. The San Bernardino Pastors and community leaders take a stand together in solidarity and let the residence know with boldness, theme “Our God Will Provide” Gen 22: 11-14. The SBPU pastor’s demonstrate by showing love, helping thy neighbor, covering one another.  On this day, pastors, law enforcements, dignitaries, school officials all join together on one accord.  

We are expecting thousands to be in attendance, Come early. At the event, there will be free food, free groceries,  free gifts and prizes for the kids, free clothes and free health checks, job resources. The host church will be Victory Outreach Church, located at 990 W Mill Street, San Bernardino, CA 92410. Pastor Rick Alanis Senior will deliver a life changing message. Please register by phone, or go to our website www.sbpastorsunited.org to register.  

The SBPU is asking the community to join us, as we remain strong, through providing:  “Healing, Change, and Progress” to the City of San Bernardino, for more information call 909-353-7977 or contact the Victory Outreach Church 909-884-1921 email sbpastorsunited@gmail.com. Pass the Word! Like us on Facebook!  

SACRAMENTO, CA— Governor Newsom signed Assemblymember Chris Holden’s legislation, Assembly Bill 30, that ensures dual enrollment opportunities remain available to students. 

“With the rising cost of higher education that widens the achievement gap, we need to find more ways to make college more affordable and accessible,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden.

“Dual enrollment is a proven strategy that creates pathways to college and gives opportunities to students who might never have thought it would be possible to go to college.” 

Assembly Bill 30 extends the College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP), first established by Assemblymember Holden’s legislation in 2015, past its current expiration at the end of 2021, and ensures dual enrollment opportunities remain available to students who are not already college bound or are underrepresented in higher education. The new legislation also streamlines the process for developing CCAP agreements between community colleges and K-12 districts. 

Dual and concurrent enrollment provides high school students access to college-level coursework. In some cases, students earn both high school and college credit for the same course depending on approval from local school and community college governing boards. 

“Dual enrollment helps increase the number of college graduates, reduce time and money spent for college, and help close the achievement gap,” said Holden. “Today’s signature is a win for students and their families.” 

Seeking to implement effective regional as well as local approaches to combat California’s growing homeless crisis, San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales has joined eight other County Supervisors on the California State Association of Counties’ (CSAC) Homeless Action Team.

CSAC formed the working group in August, which also includes its First Vice President Lisa Bartlett and Immediate Past President Leticia Perez, to complementGovernor Gavin Newsom’s Statewide Homeless and Supportive Housing Advisory Task Force. Viewing homelessness from the county perspective, the Homeless Action Team will help to fill the gaps, ensuring the design and execution of a greater comprehensive strategy to address the economic, social, and health challenges California communities face.

“My colleagues on the Homeless Action Team and I are equally vested in reducing homelessness in our respective counties, as well as statewide,” said Supervisor Gonzales

“Now is the time for us to seek collaborative, comprehensive approaches that also will help us tackle the complex housing, economic, mental and physical health impacts we each face as we work to reduce our homeless populations. The Governor’s support and the recent funding allocations to address homelessness makes all of this possible,” said Gonzales.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who co-chairs Governor Newsom’s Statewide Homeless and Supportive Housing Advisory Task Force, also chairs CSAC’s Homeless Action Team. As the conduit between the Task Force and the Team, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas is ensuring that best practices, programs, and collaborative measures recommended by his fellow Supervisors will be put in place to effectually respond and threat the symptoms that trigger homelessness.

“I look forward to hearing from the other Supervisors as to what is working in other parts of the state, while also sharing our own successes,” said Supervisor Gonzales who is chair of San Bernardino County’s Interagency Council on Homelessness – a model partnership that addresses chronic homelessness.

“Homelessness does not respect jurisdictional boundaries; it is a tragedy that destroys everyone’s quality of life. It is critical that we work together to address this social ill,” she added.

RIVERSIDE, CA— Susan G. Komen Inland Empire’s annual signature fundraising event is set for Sunday, Oct. 13 in Murrieta where supporters will walk and raise money for breast cancer treatment, patient advocacy and groundbreaking research as part of the rebranded new MORE THAN PINK Walk™.

The community event at Murrieta’s Town Square Park will honor breast cancer patients who are no longer living and will celebrate the survivors.  Seventy-five percent of the net proceeds stay here in Riverside and San Bernardino counties to fund local programs to support mothers, sisters, neighbors and friends as they battle breast cancer right here in our community. The remaining 25 percent will fund groundbreaking research.

The organization announced in May the rebranding of the event, previously known as the Race for the Cure, with a renewed focus on community and the value participants bring to Susan G. Komen’s overall mission.

The inspiring family-friendly event demonstrates how the fundraising efforts of every participant fuel lifesaving research, critical patient care, needed community programs and public policy advocacy in a personal and powerful way. 

“By participating in the Susan G. Komen Inland Empire More Than Pink Walk™, you can help ensure that our vision to end breast cancer becomes a reality, as we strive to support those affected by breast

Cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow’s cures,” said Dr. Sandra Finestone, board president for Komen Inland Empire.  

The event will open at 6:30 a.m. Opening ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. with the Walk starting at 8:30 a.m.  Survivors and those living with Metastatic Breast Cancer will kick off the opening ceremony by leading the way through the “Pathway of Hope” where all participants will cheer them on.  Also new this year will be guest speakers Kara Adams, a survivor and author, and Metastatic Breast Cancer survivor Patti Martinez.  The emcee for the event will be one of Komen Inland Empire’s founders, Joan Sparkman. 

“Together we have the power to transform lives, one step at a time,” said Joan Sparkman, Founding Member of Komen Inland Empire.

The MORE THAN PINK Walk^TM sponsors show their commitment to our community by supporting our volunteers, survivors and those living with breast cancer, as well as everyone who has joined together to raise funds as part of this important event. 

This year’s sponsors include: Bank of America, the City of Murrieta, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Abbott, Arrowhead Water, BMW of Murrieta, The Valley News, The Camp Transformation Centers and more.

Susan G. Komen Inland Empire has a goal to raise $300,000 at this year’s MORE THAN PINK Walk™.  Reaching our fundraising goal means more research, care and action against breast cancer for our loved ones, our community and future generations.  Organizations interested in sponsoring the Walk are encouraged to contact the affiliate office to learn more about opportunities.

Register and begin fundraising TODAY at www.komenie.org. For more information you can call 951-676-7465.  Follow the Susan G. Komen Inland Empire on Facebook Susan G. Komen Inland Empire and or Twitter.

Volunteers also are needed and are encouraged to sign up online: https://events.com/r/en_US/registration/2019-more-than-pink-inland-empire-walk-murrieta-october-762428

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— RIVERSIDE,CA— At its Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 20, 2019, the Riverside African American Historical Society, Inc. (RAAHS) will honor several individuals who have impacted the development of the African American community in the Inland Empire. 

The following Unsung Heroes will be honored:  Daniel Hantman, Humanitarian; Karen Y. Johnson, Education; Dwight Jones, Religion; and Harold Ross, Community; all have made a positive difference in the lives of others and have not received nor sought recognition for their service. 

The RAAHS salute these individuals who advocate for and promote a strong visible presence in the community to hold fast to the moral standards of our heritage.

The Annual Meeting will be held at the Marriott Riverside, 3400 Market Street, Downtown Riverside, beginning at 2:30 p.m.  Donation $60 per person, payable in advance.  RSVP for the luncheon by contacting (951)684-1072 or emailing mompops8@aol.com.  Visit our website at: raahsinc.org

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SACRAMENTO, CA— Recently, Assemblymember Chris Holden joined Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing ceremony for legislation aimed at improving California’s wildfire prevention, mitigation and response efforts. As chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy, Holden had a significant role in developing a comprehensive legislative package this year to address the threat of wildfires and the resulting impact on communities and ratepayers.

“It’s been a privilege and a great responsibility to work with Governor Newsom and my colleagues in the Legislature to find the right response to the devastating wildfires that have ravaged our state,” said Holden. “Our work is not done yet but we’re in a much better place this year than we were only a year ago.”

The bills signed by Governor Newsom today included Holden’s Assembly Bill 1513 which refined provisions of legislation signed earlier this year to prevent and respond to fires caused by electric utility infrastructure.  The Governor also signed several bills for which Holden played a key role in crafting as Chair of the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee.  The bills will result in the refinement of programs impacting the deenergization of electric lines (Public Safety Power Shutoffs) to prevent ignition of fires during extreme weather events and enhance vegetation management to prevent fire ignition by electric lines.  The full list of bills signed by Governor Newsom can be found here.

Climate change has created a new wildfire reality for California. The state’s fire season is now almost year round. More than 25 million acres of California wildlands are classified as under very high or extreme fire threat with approximately 25 percent of the state’s population – 11 million people – living in those high-risk areas.  At the same time the state is experiencing an increase in weather patterns with high wind and temperature coupled with low humidity.  The events, along with deficiencies in utility vegetation management practices, have caused the ignition of several fires as a result of contact between the electric lines and vegetation.

“Our goal in the last year has remained constant – protect ratepayers and wildfire victims, improve the safety of electric infrastructure, and ensure that we have fiscally stable electric utilities to serve customers,” said Holden.

Holden’s legislation was a follow up bill to Assembly Bill 1054 signed earlier this summer, that increased safety requirements for utilities and protected customers and taxpayers from wholly bearing the costs of devastating wildfires.