First joint Sanctioned International BBQ Competition 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— NORCO, CA— Professional barbeque chefs will vie for more than $10,000 in cash, prizes and international bragging rights at the 5th Annual Horse Town Brew n’ Que Festival, June 1, in Norco, CA. The barbeque cook-off is the first joint international barbeque competition sanctioned by the prestigious Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS). Norco’s winning professional team members will fly to Perth, Australia to compete in Brew n’ Que Australia, Norco’s sister cook-off, October 5, 2019. Australian barbeque team, the Rib Racks, will join over 60 teams participating in the Norco contest. The festival plays host to craft beer tastings from the southern California’s most prized brewers: live entertainment: on site classes: a kids cooking class and a kids barbeque competition. 

“We are very excited to join forces with the Norco barbeque contest”, notes Jason Linto, Australia’s organizer and president of BBQ Events Australia. “Norco’s facility is very unique and the festival represents everything that is all American.” Some the country’s best cooks will be there and we want to compete against the best. “I am thrilled to be involved with the Norco event,” he adds. 

Norco organizer, Debbie Yopp, sees the event as a means to exchange ideas and develop barbeque cooking skills. “The festival and the teams competing are barbeque ambassadors but they are also developing relationships,” says Yopp. “This is now an international arena that allows us to learn from each other.” 

Noted chefs Chris Ferrell, executive chef for Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que restaurant, Donna Fong, professional cook and barbeque instructor and television personality, “Bigg Dane” Florence will be on site overseeing a kids cooking class and kids barbeque competition. A vendor marketplace will include food and activities for adults and youth. Both craft beer and barbeque will be available to sample and attendees may cast a vote for their favorite craft beer or barbecue to determine the people’s choice awards. Additionally, a rare California Certified BBQ Judging (CBJ) class is also scheduled. 

Live entertainment includes: Country-Blues stylist, Wumbloozo; toe stomping, the Blue Henrys; local favorite, the Honeylickers and San Francisco Bay’s hot West Coast Caravan of All Stars who add to the festival’s flavor. Special guest artist Lucky Lloyd and the Blues Shockers will perform a special tribute to BB King both in Norco and Australia. 

Festival Hours: Saturday, June 1, 2019 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.: A Certified Table Captain’s and BBQ Judging Class will be held June 2. 2019. Tickets are now on sale and priced as follows: Advance tickets- General admission tickets, $12.00. BBQ Sampler tickets, $40.00, (includes 15 BBQ taste tickets). Beer Sampler Package, $40.00. Children 11 and under are free. For more information visit www.brewnquefestival.com or call (951) 444-1280. 

By Katherine Lewin

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— The mural first went viral when 3-year-old “Lovie” Hope Duncan was photographed by her grandmother extending her own brown left hand to touch the brown painted hand of Harriet Tubman.

The mural of Tubman is 14 feet high and 24 feet wide, showing her in a reddish-colored braided headwrap, layered clothing, an outstretched right hand and a brave, encouraging look on her face. The mural is located on the side of the Harriet Tubman Museum & Educational Center in Cambridge.

Tubman was a 19th-century abolitionist that courageously helped around 300 slaves to freedom starting when she was in her late 20s.

The striking mural, painted by FSU graduate Michael Rosato, was revealed in the same week as the White House decided that Tubman’s image, which was much anticipated, would not replace Andrew Jackson’s on the $20 bill. Jackson was a slave master and all-around racist. Tubman won’t be on the $20 bill until at least 2028.

“A sweet mural of hero/activist #HarrietTubman. She was a slave & she helped free slaves. Today Trump canceled Obama’s plan to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill in 2020. He claims it’s delayed for 8 more years. What he can’t stop is us posting her photo everywhere in response!”

On top of the mural, an artist has made a rubber stamp that anyone can order to replace Jackson’s face on the $20 bill as an act of “civil disobedience”. And they’re beautiful.

The artist of the stamp is 33-year-old Dano Wall. It had already sold out by May 24 and Wall’s goal is to put 5,000 stamps into circulation. The Tubman Stamp’s website also provides instructions on how to make your own stamp. The website says the stamp is legal and mentions The Stampede, an effort to stamp bills with messages “to protest big money in politics.”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino’s Westside Action Group (WAG) presented the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House with a $1,000.00 check.

“This, our third annual donation to the Ronald McDonald House, comes from WAG’s Frank Stallsworth Benevolent Fund. This donation is part of our effort to support those elements that give back to our community… And the I. E. Ronald McDonald House certainly fits that category.” Said Joe Mays, WAG Treasurer!

Since opening on September 11, 1996, the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House has served more than 18,000 families. The House supports up to 54 families each night. Room requests are sent from the social workers at the hospital. Requests are reviewed on a daily basis based on diagnosis and distance.

Each family is considered on a case by case basis based on room availability. A contribution of $12
per night is requested to stay at the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House. However, no family has ever been turned away due to inability to
pay. The House is able to support many families through the backing of local community partners.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO – A total of 65 recipients of scholarships from the four-county region representing Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) schools will be recognized during a ceremony on April 30 in San Bernardino.

The students who represent schools and districts from Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino counties (RIMS) will be recognized during an event at the Professional Development Center building for the San Bernardino City Unified School District.

Among the honorees are 41 students from San Bernardino County high schools. Students being honored by their schools and districts include:

Apple Valley Unified: Kayla Spruill, Apple Valley High;

Chaffey Joint Union: Victoria Aispuro, Ontario High; Evelin Avila, Chaffey High; Ariana Hernandez, Colony High; and Steicy Melendez, Montclair High;

Colton Joint Unified: Filimon Fregoso, Grand Terrace High; Daisy Martinez, Colton High; and Mauricio Valtierra Munoz, Bloomington High;

Fontana Unified: Rogelio Aguilar Lopez, Giovanny Flores Ceniceros, Marlen Garcia, Andres Larios and Itzhary Tamayo, Fontana High; Andrea Rodriguez and Nelly Velasquez, Summit High;

Hesperia Unified: Marilin Ayon and Brian Mojica, Hesperia High; Daniel Black and Martha Marquez, Sultana High; Cheri Long and Laura Morales, Oak Hills High;

Redlands Unified: Matthew Meyer and Nicasio Romero, Redlands East Valley High; and Joshua Venegas, Citrus Valley High;

Rialto Unified: David Gonzalez, Carter High; Simranpreet Kaur, Eisenhower High; and Ashley Morales, Rialto High;

San Bernardino City Unified: Paloma Alvarez, Pacific High; Ryan Chung, San Gorgonio High; Sofia Dominguez, San Bernardino High; Andrew Hernandez, Margarito Moedano, Destiny Serrato and Wang-Meng Yang, Indian Springs High; Luisita Munoz, Arroyo Valley High; Daysi Ramirez, Cajon High; and Samantha Spencer, Middle College High;

Upland Unified: Inia Brooks, Upland High;

Victor Valley Union: Jacqueline Cortez, Victor Valley High; George Pineda, Cobalt Institute of Math and Science; and Amber Van De Walle, Silverado High.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Every year, the Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire hosts a youth business conference where youth from across Southern California engage in meaningful business workshops and activities, preparing and educating them on entrepreneurship. The purpose of the conference is to nurture ideas and expose youth to entrepreneurship. With guest speakers and entrepreneurs, youth are able to explore the field of business and gain insight on what it takes to “Turn Your Ideas Into Income.” We, the Black Chamber of Commerce IE, invite you to join us as we educate youth and encourage you to invite any youth who may interested in participating! 

Please click the link below to register or RSVP.

When
Monday, June 24, 2019 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM PDT

WhereSan Bernardino Valley College (B-100)
701 South Mount Vernon Ave.
San Bernardino, CA 92410

Register Now!

I can’t make it

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK–ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy (YVYLA) is pleased to announce receipt of a $15,000 grant from the Wells Fargo 2019 Grants Program.

Funds from this grant will be for our Workforce Training and Development Center located inside the CAPSBC facilities. As one of the nation’s leading logistics hubs, San Bernardino County is experiencing significant job growth as distribution centers and warehouses for such giants as Amazon, FedEx Ground, Toyota Motor Corporation and Lineage Logistics advertise hundreds of jobs each week. Many of these job opportunities are going unfilled due to the lack of trained and experienced workers.

Through collaboration with the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC), Board of State and Community Corrections and Wells Fargo, YVYLA’s Workforce Training and Development Center will help fill the local workforce skills gap by providing hands-on training and experience in supply chain logistics.

Participants in the Workforce Training and Development Program will learn the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost-effective flow and storage of raw materials, in-process inventory, production of finished goods and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of meeting customer requirements – also known as Logistics and Operations.

To support YVYLA’s Workforce Training and Development Program, CAPSBC is providing classroom and warehouse space to house the training center. 

Industry experts will provide on-site instruction at the training center located at the CAPSBC headquarters. Curriculum will include an in-depth study of global supply chain logistics, the logistics environment, material handling equipment, quality control principles, as well as safe material handling and equipment operation. Students will also participate in pre-employment workshops on work communications, resume writing, interviewing techniques, self-marketing, leadership and team building, and financial literacy.

“It is the purpose of YVYLA’s Workforce Training and Development Program to move the unemployed into well-paying jobs by preparing individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to become Certified Logistics Technicians,”says Stone. “With the help of our partners and funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation, we can improve the lives of many in San Bernardino County while improving the local economy as well,” he adds.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Henry Salazar was three years removed from high school when he began a two-year tour of duty in Vietnam. Within months he had survived one of the largest and most brutal military campaigns of the war, when Vietcong and North Vietnamese forces launched simultaneous attacks on American and South Vietnamese troops.

The Tet Offensive of January and February 1968 was a turning point in the war, and for the 21-year-old Salazar, a defining period in his life.

“It was a nightmare. I didn’t think it was going to end. They were pounding us. We were pounding them. I watched buddies getting killed, but what got me the most was seeing the displaced people – the innocent victims of war who lost their homes, lost their villages, lost everything,” Salazar said as hundreds of service veterans gathered Thursday to share their experiences with high school students as part of “Rancho Remembers.”

The annual event, at Rancho Cucamonga High School, is designed to help students understand U.S. military history beyond what they read in text books.

“It’s a wonderful program for our school, but also for our veterans, who love sharing their stories and the reaction they get from the students,” said Cary Willborn, Principal at Rancho Cucamonga High. “They’ve served our country with honor and dignity, and this is one small way of showing them how much we appreciate their service.”

Sanchez, who served as an Army paratrooper, said he’s felt that appreciation each of the six years he has attended the event. He was joined this year by veterans from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Cold War, Gulf War and War on Terror.

“It’s very special for me to be here,” he said. “We’re able to talk with (students) about the history of war and why we have a military, and how very, very fortunate we all are to live in this country.”

Mathew Holton, Superintendent of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, said ‘Rancho Remembers’ provides a rare opportunity for students to experience history from those who lived it.

“We’re so appreciative of the support of our veterans, who, from the very beginning, have been eager to participate and provide our students with lessons they’re not going to get anywhere else,” Holton said.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Ephesians New Testament Church extends an open invitation for you to attend the personal enrichment Worship Services June 13^th – 14^th, 2019 at 17220 Merrill Avenue in Fontana at  7:30 p.m.

The Speaker for each evening will be Dr. Rosie O’Neal of the Koinonia Christian Center, Greenville, North Carolina.

Dr. O’Neal is an acclaimed international speaker who is known for her down to earth approach to the Gospel. This promises to be an awesome worship experience, great music and a prophetic Word for this season.  For More Information contact the church at (909) 823-2310. Bishop Emory B. James, Pastor.

Los Angeles area residents owe nearly $51 billion in student loan debt, according to a recent study by Experian

Appropriations bill increases funding for federal student aid programs by $492 million  

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— Recently, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced that the Fiscal Year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Related Agencies Appropriations Bill contains her priorities to provide Inland Empire students with financial support to pursue higher education. A 2018 study by Experian found that California student debt has more than doubled over the last 10 years. The legislation increases funding for federal student financial assistance programs by $492 million for a total of $24.9 billion. Federal student financial assistance programs like grants do not need to be repaid, while work-study programs allow students to earn money to help pay for school.

“We cannot allow high costs and a crippling student loan crisis to keep the dream of a college education out of reach for Inland Empire students. Federal student financial assistance programs make it possible for low-income and first-generation students, not just a privileged few, to pay for college without being buried under debt that they’ll have to repay for the rest of their lives,” said Torres. “This increased funding will lessen the financial burden on students, allowing them to focus on their studies and preparing for a career.”

Specifically, the legislation increases:

• The maximum award for Pell Grants to $6,345, an increase of $150, to help keep pace with inflation.

• The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program by $188 million for a total of $1 billion. The President had proposed eliminating this program.

• Federal Work Study by $304 million for a total of $1.4 billion.

Torres has long been a strong supporter of federal student financial aid programs. She is a cosponsor of H.R.2084, Year-Round Pell Grant Restoration Act, which would make qualified students eligible to receive more than one Pell Grant in an award year.

Funds raised at May 19 event will help construct new outdoor space for the youth and adult patients served at the Behavioral Medicine Center

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA—- Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center hosted its third annual “Stand Up to Stigma” 5K on Sunday, aimed to increase awareness of the behavioral health treatment available for the local community.

The May 19 race brought together people of all ages to show their support for those dealing with mental health issues. The event drew more than 714 registrants, making it the largest year for the event.

Hundreds of community members, students, staff and mental health supporters lined up at the starting line — sending a message of hope and healing to the communities of the Inland Empire.

“Around the country, organizations like ours strive to raise awareness for and educate the public about mental illness and, in doing so, reduce and eliminate stigmas and other misconceptions about mental health,” said Edward Field, MBA, vice president and administrator of the Behavioral Medicine Center. “Thank you for joining us in our effort to engage our friends and neighbors and end the stigma around mental health.”

For the past 28 years, the Behavioral Medicine Center has supported and healed those suffering from mental health and substance use issues by compassionately treating the whole person and not only their illness. The center’s services and programs cover issues such as addictions, anxiety, eating disorders and depression, ranging from children to senior adults.

The event featured a surprise check presentation from local restaurant owner, George Sapp. Sapp said he is excited for the opportunity to support other businesses in the community — especially those businesses changing lives. “I am pleased to announce that one way we plan to stomp the stigma surrounding mental health — and at the same time collaborate with the BMC — is by pledging our support with a donation of $35,000,” he said.

The funds raised during the event will support the construction of a multipurpose outdoor therapeutic space for the youth and adult patients served at the BMC, a part of the Vision 2020 – The Campaign for a Whole Tomorrow.

May is national mental health month, a time when events like the 5K help spread the word that mental health is something everyone should be able to discuss openly. One in five adults and children experience a mental illness at some point in their lifetime. More than 16 million American adults live with major depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

For information about the range of services available at the Behavioral Medicine Center, go to llubmc.org.

Additional photos available here.