: Dr Lucille Ridgill

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- LOS ANGELES, CA— To commemorate the first day of national hospice month, Compassion & Choices announced today it has appointed a leading expert in hospice and end-of-life care, Dr. Lucille Ridgill, to its board of directors. Dr. Ridgill also serves on Compassion and Choices’ African American Leadership Council and its Strategic Impact Committee.

The African American Leadership Council works to increase awareness of end-of-life care options in the African American community by engaging with diverse organizations and sharing experiences African Americans face at the end of life. Dr. Ridgill is an integral member of the team. She has attended a lobby day, represents Compassion & Choices at medical conferences and works to advance end-of-life care education on the national level. She also served on Compassion and Choices’ Strategic Impact Committee, which helped create an innovative strategic plan that will help guide the organization over the next 5 years.

Dr. Ridgill is a Site Medical Director at AltaMed, the nation’s largest network of community-based primary care clinics and senior care programs, overseeing clinical patient care. AltaMed is headquartered in Commerce, California.

Dr. Ridgill is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and is board certified in hospice and palliative medicine. She is also a visiting physician at VITAS Healthcare inCoastal Cities, California. Dr. Ridgill completed her residency at UCLA-Charles Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Creighton University and a medical degree from Creighton University Medical School, in Omaha, Nebraska.

“Dr. Ridgill is an amazing asset to Compassion & Choices who has generously given her time and lent her medical expertise to Compassion & Choices’ Strategic Impact Committee and African American Leadership Council,” said Kim Callinan, CEO of Compassion & Choices. “We look forward to Dr. Ridgill’s expanded role as a board member in advancing our mission of improving care and expanding options at the end of life.”

“The California End of Life Option Act has spurred conversations with terminally ill adults about all their end-of-life options, including hospice and palliative care, to minimize suffering and maximize quality of life” said Dr. Ridgill, “Compassion & Choices is instrumental in ensuring that people across the country are aware of their options at the end of life and able to access them.”

Medical aid in dying has been authorized in the District of Columbia and seven states: California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Montana, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Collectively, these eight jurisdictions represent nearly one out of five Americans (19%) and have 40 years of combined experience safely using this end-of-life care option. Between 80 and 90 percent of terminally ill adults who utilize medical aid in dying are enrolled in hospice, according to annual reports in California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

A 2016 Medscape online survey showed 7,500 doctors nationwide from 25 medical specialties support medical aid in dying by nearly a 2–1 margin (57% to 29%).

National and state polls show a majority of Americans across the ethnic, political and religious spectrum support medical aid in dying. This majority includes African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, conservatives, Democrats/Democratic-leaning independents, liberals, moderates, Republicans/Republican-leaning independents, Catholics, Christians, Protestants, people of other faiths, and people living with disabilities.

In Response to Recent Contract Negotiations Where County Offered a $0 Raise to Workers

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Last week, San Bernardino County Caregivers held an action outside of the County’s Caregiver Appreciation Event in response to their recent contract negotiations where the County Negotiator offered a $0 wage increase to the county’s 26,000 In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Providers.

“We declined the county’s invitation to their annual Caregiver Appreciation event because, as a caregiver, I don’t feel appreciated,” said 32-year-old Victoria Osorio, IHSS Provider in Yucaipa. “The county showed how much they appreciate us when they offered us $0 at the bargaining table. The $0 was not just an insult to me and my coworkers, but the seniors and people with disabilities who depend on us every day to help them get by. The county is lying to the community when they say they appreciate caregivers and the work we do.”

At a contract bargaining meeting on October 23, San Bernardino County Negotiator Bob Windle met with member leaders of SEIU 2015 and offered $0 wage increase and 0 benefits.

“The fight goes on,” said Miguel Benitez, Lead Organizer for SEIU 2015’s San Bernardino County chapter. “The demand for home care in our communities is on the rise and as long as these workers keep making minimum wage, the county won’t be prepared to meet that demand. Giving up is not an option.”

According to the CA State Plan on Aging, senior population (60+) in the county is expected to increase 107% to 550,488 in less than 12 years. However, IHSS providers haven’t received a wage increase in over 10 years.

The next meeting with the county is on December 12, 2018. On November 21, SEIU 2015 will also be hosting a Caring For San Bernardino Rally.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector Oscar Valdez announced today that the last day to file a claim for Unclaimed Property Tax Refunds in San Bernardino County is December 18, 2018 for refunds that were issued between March 27, 2007 and August 24, 2014. These refunds are due to a reduction in assessed value after property taxes have been paid. Taxpayers were previously mailed refund claim forms that were never returned to our office for processing or were mailed warrants that stale dated.

“We are working diligently to reunite taxpayers with their money,” stated Valdez. “We have expanded outreach efforts to help spread awareness of these unclaimed property tax refunds.”

State law allows for property tax refunds that remain unclaimed after four years to be transferred to the County’s general fund if ordered by the Board of Supervisors. The unclaimed refunds that have exceeded the four-year time limit will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on December 18, 2018 to obtain such approval.

Taxpayers have the ability to search for property tax refunds by the parcel number or property address and request a claim form at www.SBCounty.gov/ATC/Pirfnet or may contact the San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector at (909) 382-3090.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- In support of the commitment and dedication of the kindergarten teachers in the 47th Assembly District, the office of Assemblymember Reyes partnered with five elementary schools, parent teacher organizations, and local police and fire departments to bring a pumpkin patch to the schools.

Last year, Cooley Ranch Elementary was unable to send their Kindergarten students on their annual Fall Pumpkin Patch fieldtrip due to lack of funds.  Assemblymember Reyes’ office was contacted and they set up a pop-up pumpkin patch so the children did not miss out on the experience.

This year, in order to continue the tradition, the Assemblymember’s office hosted a pop-up pumpkin patch at five different schools: Cooley Ranch Elementary School in Colton, Kelley Elementary School in Rialto, Vermont Elementary School in Muscoy, Randall Pepper Elementary School in Fontana, and Bradley Elementary School in San Bernardino. Four to five classrooms from each school participated.

“This year, my team and I gave out over 800 pumpkins to preschoolers and kindergarteners in the 47^th District,” said Assemblymember Reyes. “My team and I are committed to serving the constituents of our District. I enjoy working with our School Districts as well as police and fire departments to provide this creative activity for our children.”

Assemblymember Reyes’ Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch provided each participating student with one pumpkin compliments of Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, San Bernardino Councilmember Benito Barrios, UFCW Local 1167, and Cal Poly Pomona.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Submissions are now open for the 8th Annual SBVC International Student Film Festival. All student filmmakers at SBVC and worldwide are invited to submit films at www.filmfreeway.com/iema.Categories include narrative and documentary short, animation, and experimental. The deadline to submit is March 31. Works in progress will be considered.

The Inland Empire Media Academy, housed at San Bernardino Valley College, has celebrated the region’s student filmmakers since 2011. The 8th annual film festival will open Thursday, April 25 with a gala, media expo, panel discussions on media topics, and a screening of Inland Empire filmmaker Nick Nevada’s feature film debut, “Say You Will.” The festival will continue Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27, with screenings of student films from San Bernardino, Serbia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and other regions that enter the festival. The festival will close with an awards luncheon on April 27. Prizes will include cash, filmmaker technology, and much more.

For more information, contact Festival Director Lucas Cuny at (909) 384-8546 or lcuny@valleycollege.edu.

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Being a Blessing is What it Do! What up IE and everybody! Deuteronomy 15:7 say’s, “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother.”

LUE Productions and its affiliates is reaching out to the community asking for donations to help feed the homeless located in the downtown San Bernardino area. This will be the 6th year that we’ve come together for such a needed and worthy cause.

We serve over 400 hot meals along with resources every Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We would like to thank everyone that has donated already. Thanks to our sponsors Youth Build Charter School of Inland Empire and to the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce.

This year headquarters will be set up at Youth Build. The address and more details are listed below.

If you have any questions we can be reached by text at (909) 567-1000. Please consider helping us meet our goal. Thank you in advance.

Items needed:

Blankets/Mash Potatoes/Stuffing/Deserts

Volunteers Needed:

Drivers/Cooks/Packers

• All drivers must have a valid driver’s license and insurance. LUE Productions and its affiliates is not liable for any accidents that may take place during the process of feeding.
• All drivers must carry first aid kit and gloves.
• All drivers must have one additional person with them if not more when delivery.

Turn In dates and location drops:

• Friday, November 16th (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. SB Youth Build Charter School 570 N F Street in San Bernardino, CA)
• Saturday, November 17th (4 pm to 6 pm location: Starbucks 1181 S Mount Vernon Ave, Colton)
• Sunday, November 18th (1pm to 3 pm location: Starbucks 1181 S Mount Vernon Ave, Colton)
• Turkey donations uncooked and thawed out needed– Sunday, November 18th (location: Starbucks 1181 S Mount Vernon Ave, Colton from 1pm to 3pm 4. Headquarters
• Day of: Tuesday, November 20 Location (SB Youth Build Charter School 570 N F St, San Bernardino, CA 92410) a. Set Up – 8am b. Start time – 10am c. Delivery time – noon d. Breakdown time – 3pm

Pastor Robert Cuencas, The Way Arrowhead Campus

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino Pastors United is having their first All Church Citywide Youth Unity Service. The Pastors are inviting the community to come out and support our Youth through music and good fellowship.

The event is billed as a gospel service; however, it has the impact of more like a Gospel Concert. They will be bringing together youth from various churches, uniting cultures and bringing together denominations to re-ignite their Passions to win more souls, cover our youth with compassion, love and a prophetic mandate for service; plus, spiritually revive the City of San Bernardino.

The theme is, “A Generation Giving Back, A Service of Thanksgiving to the Lord”.  One of the guest speakers will be Pastor Bryant Trujillo from The Way World Outreach Church Family, as well as Dr. Reginald Woods, Life Changing Ministry; Dr. Joshua Beckley and Ecclesia Christian Fellowship; Pastor Rick Alanis Jr. Victory Outreach Church, and many other churches. There will be performances by Rank, Hurt, Dejaye-Xperience, Wood Dr. and Roscoe, Gaime Ovr3, TRAXX, Chron Tatum, KINGDOMKIDZ, Ms Cardinal San Bernardino High School and several other upcoming artists.  The audience will pick the winner: First-Second-Third place trophies will be awarded.

The event is being hosted by Pastor Robert Cuencas, The Way Arrowhead Campus at 1001 N Arrowhead Ave St., San Bernardino on November 16, Friday at 6 p.m.

For more info call 909-909-884-1385 Office, or (909) 353-7977. Go to sbpastorsunited.org and to register or audition for future events. Light refreshments will be provided.  Thank you in advance for working together to Restore Our Youth.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) has been named the recipient of a Veterans Resource Center Grant from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. The grant provides just under $200,000 to enhance and expand services of the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) by allowing SBVC to purchase a new, ADA-friendly mobile cart, laptops and wireless access points, update the center’s front-line check-in area and replace worn flags, banners and emblems.

“The Veterans Resource Center at San Bernardino Valley College serves as a valuable resource and service hub for our student veterans and their families,” said SBVC President Diana Z. Rodriguez. “Being awarded this grant from the Chancellor’s Office will allow us to make necessary upgrades to our facility and better support our veterans as they strive for success.”

SVBC’s VRC opened in 2012 to support counseling, educational planning and transitional services to veterans and their dependents. The center was founded on the premise that challenges faced by veterans could be supported through a combination of student services, peer-to-peer networking and camaraderie through their transition to a nonmilitary lifestyle. Students utilizing the VRC receive academic and career advising, tutoring, peer advising and access to wellness and educational counseling.

An estimated 1.8 million veterans reside in California. As veterans return from their service, many look to their local community college as an affordable and accessible education option, and nearly 80,000 veterans and active duty service members enroll at California community colleges each year. The 2017-18 State Budget appropriated $5 million to be distributed by the Chancellor’s Office to applicants selected to participate in the Veterans Resource Center Grant Program. This one-time program provides grants to California community colleges to establish new or enhance existing on-campus Veterans Resource Centers.

For more information on the Veterans Resource Center at San Bernardino Valley College, visitwww.valleycollege.edu/vrc.

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Please do not let that be your portion. “Could’ve, would’ve, Should’ve!” I am writing to warn you against the very real danger of procrastination, meaning deciding later on to accept Christ as your Savior. In the Bible, Paul writes, For God says, “… Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” [2 Corinthians 6:2]. Don’t be like Lot. Lot lingered…When it was Time for Decisive Action. Lot lingered…When Heavenly Messengers Were Urging Him to Go. Lot lingered…When Judgment was Imminent. Stop Lingering.  Neither time, nor death, nor judgment linger. Decide for Christ before it is too late. For [Isaiah 55:6] says, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” Procrastination can cost you your soul in the end [2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2].

Listen, none of us can say with certainty, when it is our time.  In [James 4:14] the Scripture says, “…What is your life?  It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”  Again, in [Proverbs 27:1] “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Those two scriptures alone should motivate you to seek God.  I tell you, time is of essence. The time to act is now!

You know when Paul reasoned with Felix “of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” [Acts 24:25.] So far as the Bible records and early history go, Felix never called for Paul. Felix is suffering the torments of Hell, not because he wanted to go there, but because he waited for “a convenient season.” I want you to know that the Bible says that when it comes to some things, we should never delay. Delay in making a response. This is the most dangerous type of procrastination. Life is short, and we do not know what will happen tomorrow [James 4:13-14]. The Bible urges us to get right with God today. Jesus could return at any time; we do not know when [Luke 12:40]. But Jesus illustrated the importance of being prepared for His coming in [Matthew 25:1-13]. In this parable, ten virgins await the arrival of the bridegroom and the commencement of the wedding feast. Five of the virgins were prepared for his arrival; five did not attempt to prepare until it was too late, and they were left behind. Jesus calls the unprepared virgins “foolish.” I tell you in the matter of our spiritual life, we dare not procrastinate.

Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. Behold, I am coming quickly…

For the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still, he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” [Revelation 22]

Jesus told the Sardians to do five things to overcome. “Wake up!” Jesus says. “Wake up! Be alert! Open your eyes wide! Slap yourself awake!” If you are to survive you must get out today. Tomorrow may be too late. Wake up and do it now! Jesus says and strengthen the things which remain which were about to die. Remember what you have received and determine to keep it! Repent while there is still time to overcome. If you do not, Jesus says, “If therefore you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you. “Now is the Appointed Time!” He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. [Revelation 22:20-21]

New Trilingual Immersion Program Teaches Students English, Spanish, and Vietnamese

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) offers K–12 students the option to attend a school other than their home school to take advantage of one of the many specialized educational programs offered at select schools. SBCUSD will mail application forms to families in December. The deadline to apply is January 18, 2019, before 4 p.m.

The Dual Language Immersion Program promotes bilingualism and biliteracy in English and Spanish for native Spanish speakers and native English speakers. Students receive academic instruction in English for part of the school day and Spanish for the remainder of the school day. The idea is that all students will be exposed to their native language and a second language in an academic setting. Bonnie Oehl Elementary School offers the 90/10 model, with instruction in Spanish for 90 percent of the day and English for 10 percent starting in kindergarten, with English instructional time increasing by 10 percent at each grade level. Arrowview Middle School and San Bernardino High School (SBHS) offer follow-up programs for students who successfully complete the elementary Dual Language Immersion Program or who can demonstrate they are fluent and literate in English and Spanish. Students in the Arrowview and SBHS programs take half their classes in each language.

The new Trilingual Immersion Program will be offered at Belvedere Elementary School. The trilingual program is similar to the Dual Language Immersion Program, with 80 percent of instruction in Spanish and 10 percent in English starting in kindergarten. Students will also have Vietnamese-language instruction for 10 percent of the day. As students progress through the program, English-language instruction will increase by 10 percent each school year, with Vietnamese-language instruction remaining consistent at 10 percent each year. Parents who are interested in the Trilingual Immersion Program must attend an informational meeting prior to their children entering the program.

Rio Vista Elementary School offers SANKOFA: Students Acquiring New Knowledge Optimizing Future Accomplishments. This research-based program uses culturally relevant teaching methods that resonate with culturally diverse learners. SANKOFA students are taught the same Common Core State Standards as all students, but in a way that allows African-American students to better connect to the material.

Kimbark and North Verdemont Elementary Schools offer environmental education programs that include hands-on activities in the school gardens and field trips that integrate nature and science into all aspects of the curriculum.

North Park Elementary School offers a Full-Day Kindergarten Program with a focus on developing the total child, academically, physically and socially. Students do not begin attending for a full day until the third week of school.

Students interested in the arts can apply to the Fine Arts Magnet Program at Anton or Palm Avenue Elementary Schoolsor the Creative & Performing Arts Magnet Program at Salinas Elementary School.

For a full list of all Magnet Programs, consult the 2019–2020 Options brochure or contact SBCUSD Enrollment and Placement Services at (909) 889-7576.

Students must be currently enrolled or pre-enrolled in an SBCUSD school and meet specific program requirements to be accepted into a Magnet Program. All qualifying students will be selected for Magnet Program participation based on a random, unbiased drawing on January 28, 2019.

SBCUSD provides transportation for students in most Magnet Programs, but parents should check with Enrollment and Placement Services at (909) 889-7576 for more information. Magnet Program applications must be completed and returned to Enrollment and Placement Services, 781A W. 2nd Street in San Bernardino, before 4 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019. Applications dropped off at a school site will not be considered.