By Lue Dowdy

Miss Teen Rialto Scholarship Pageant is WHAT IT DO! We are looking for Teen Contestants for the Miss Teen Rialto Scholarship Pageant. What an awesome way to keep our young girls active in a positive way. Below are all the details.

Competition Age Divisions are:

• Baby Miss Rialto ages 0-1 Online Contest ONLY (TBA)
• Little Miss Rialto ages 2-4
• Petite Miss Rialto ages 5-8
• Miss Pre-Teen Rialto ages 9-12
• Miss Teen Rialto ages 13-17

Our pageant judging is based upon each contestant’s participation in the following categories:

• Personal Interview
• Casual/Activewear Modeling
• Formal Evening Wear Modeling
• On-Stage Q&A Competition
• Talent Competition – ONLY Miss Teen Rialto ages 13-17

Judging criteria is based upon each participants ability to present poise, confidence and a pleasant, general atmosphere while performing.

Here are a few things to know about the Miss Teen Rialto Scholarship Pageant:

• This will be the Miss Teen Rialto Scholarship Pageant in the City of Rialto.
• Miss Teen Rialto is a scholarship pageant where cash prizes will be awarded to pageant winners in the competition.
• Each contestant’s journey begins with an invitation to attend an Information Session which will determine each young ladies’ eligibility for the current pageant competition.
• There is NO swimsuit competition in this pageant.

Never done a pageant before? No problem. All “accepted” contestants will attend a Pajama Camp and Workshop which will prepare them for the pageant.

Every young lady is encouraged to feel like a winner, no matter the outcome!

Whether you’re entering the pageant to meet new friends, gain more self-confidence, or enjoy a memorable experience, the Miss Teen Rialto Scholarship Pageant allows young women to grow in many different ways and appreciate the beautiful things on the inside of each of them. Best of luck to you and let your journey begin!

For more information, you can go to our website at www.missteenrialto.org. You can also email missteenrialtopageant@gmail.com or call (909) 200-7591, leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- There is only one week left of 2018, which means every gym is about to be packed for the first quarter of 2019. After the first quarter of the year people fall off and disregard any fitness resolution that they had on New Year’s Eve. However, we need to keep that adrenaline pumping.        

Female bodybuilder and fitness guru, Danielle Willis, is the true epitome of whatever you put your mind to can be achieve through persistence and consistentency. I was inspired Ms. Willis’ latest achievements in the fitness arena this past year that I had to chat with her. Her story is purposeful and inspiring to all, young and “seasoned”.

Listen to the interview below:

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Thank You Lord! As we stand on the brink of a New Year it is a good time to reflect on the year that is ending and look forward into the year that is soon to begin. A New Year filled with new possibilities and opportunities. Twelve new months, 52 new weeks, 365 new days, 8,760 new hours, 525,000 new minutes and 31,536,000 new seconds… every one of which is God’s gift to us. So as David encourages us in [Psalm 145] yes, we should take the time to look back on our lives and reflect on the goodness of God. We are encouraged to praise God for his greatness, his compassion, and his faithfulness; and to thank God for his many gifts throughout our lives. Because as Curtis Mayfield sang, [Diamond in the Back] “Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac, diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin’ the scene, with a gangsta lean, gangsta whitewalls, TV antennas in the back… you may not have a car at all, but remember brothers and sisters, you can still stand tall, just be thankful for what you got.” Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Look back on this past year, and trace the hand of God who provided you with everything you needed. Think about God’s powerful acts. Remember, meditate and consider all that God has done [Psalm 77:11-12]. Remember your redemption, and let your lips ring with words of Praise and Thanksgiving.

It is also a good time for you to take inventory of your walk with the Lord. You should take a very close look at where you are in your relationship with Him. You need to examine yourself and see where you have been, where you are and where the Lord wants you to be. The benefit of keeping God in mind is that it keeps our hearts grateful, appropriately humble, and delighted in our God for His goodness to us. Take some time to write out what God has done for you. Let it be an exercise in remembering His goodness and grace in your life! Because taking time to remember what God has done over a whole year is sweet for our souls.

As I reflect back, I think about a man who was separated from friends, unjustly accused, and brutally treated—the man was the Apostle Paul—a man who had learned the meaning of true thanksgiving, even in the midst of great adversity. Earlier, when he had been imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” [Ephesians 5:19-20].

 I tell you, there’s so much to be thankful for:  Spiritual things — if you didn’t have anything else but Jesus, you would have enough to praise God for all eternity. Simple things — you should be thankful for your families, health, food, and even a glass of water. Thank God for the simple things. Sorrowful things — you can even be thankful for the heartaches, the pains, and the sufferings, because as [Romans 8:28] says, “…All things work together for good…”

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good [1 Chronicles 16:34], and His love is eternal, and His faithfulness endures to all generation.” [Psalms 100:4-5].

Prayer

Lord, we praise you for your goodness and faithfulness in this past year. Help us to count our blessings and to be assured of your love. In Jesus, Amen.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-RIALTO, CA— Ephesians New Testament Church will host their Annual Year-End Winter Revival from Thursday, December 27 to Friday, December 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Special guest will be Evangelist, Dr. Andrew C. Turner, of Acts 2 Ministry, Gardena, California.

The revival will be held at Friendship Baptist Church located at 2180 W. Baseline Road in Rialto. For additional information, you may contact the church office at (909) 823-2310, Bishop Emory B. James, Sr. Pastor.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- When people think of the holidays, they often think of the red and green lights of Christmas; the blue and white colors of Hanukkah; the green, red, and black of Kwanzaa; or the yellow-gold light of a burning yule log or candles.

This holiday season, many in the community felt the holiday spirit when they saw red and blue—the lights on the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Police cars that delivered holiday food baskets, toys and more to families in need.

District Police officers launched Stuff-A-Bus earlier this month. So far, they have collected more than 1,500 unwrapped toys and books for underprivileged children, and the bus is expected to make a few more stops before the toy drive is complete. The goal is to make sure that as many children as possible have a gift to unwrap on Christmas morning. And, since the District Police officers are almost as competitive as they are generous, they decided it would be fun to see which SBCUSD school or department could stuff the most toys in the bus.

“Our team thought that if we could just stuff a bus with toys, we can have a significant impact on underprivileged kids in our community during this holiday season,” Sergeant John Guttierez said. “The joy from the participating students and staff from Pacific, San Gorgonio, San Bernardino, Cajon, and Indian Springs High Schools coupled with the District’s Maintenance & Operations (team) and Thinkwise Credit Union was unbelievable to see.”

As of December 17, San Gorgonio High School was in the lead, collecting more than 1,000 toys. Although, the real winners are the children.

Stuff-A-Bus is just one of many programs that District Police has launched this school year in order to reach out to and support the local community. Although each program has its own specific purpose, the overall theme has been about connecting with the adults and children in the SBCUSD community and showing them that District Police officers exist to keep children safe and help families succeed, not just to hold them accountable.

The community outreach began in August with National Night Out at Davidson Elementary School. Students, parents, and local residents were all invited to enjoy some free hamburgers cooked by officers while they learned about local resources that can help families stay safe and stable.

The department launched Coffee with a Cop back in October at Paakuma’ K-8 School as an opportunity for officers to meet with parents in a safe and open space where they can share a cup of coffee, courtesy of Starbucks, and conversation. District Police held six more Coffee with a Cop events in just under two months, meeting with 400 community members.

“We hope it’s a chance for people to learn more about what police officers, and especially District Police officers, do and also to understand that we’re people, just like they are, and we want our community to flourish,” Guttierez said.

Last month, officers used their black and white police cars not to transport criminals, but to deliver Thanksgiving meals, complete with frozen turkeys, directly to the homes of 52 needy families.

According to officers, it was among the highlights of their day. Corporal Jonathan Falcon personally delivered Thanksgiving dinner to a family of four in an older apartment complex plagued with crime, and although he was originally met with suspicion, by the time his good deed was done, the residents were grateful.

In the past six months, other initiatives have included the Pink Patch Project and No Shave November, both of which bring awareness to and raise funds for breast cancer support and research, and Shop with a Cop, which involved 15 District Police officers shopping with needy students for clothes and toys. Officers, along with students in the Police Explorersprogram, also supported the SBCUSD Craft Faire, which raises money for scholarships.

District Police Chief Joseph Paulino and Assistant Chief Stephen Donahue have supported the efforts of their officers to reach out to the community, and they have been equally pleased that the community has responded with so much support. In addition to Thinkwise Credit Union and Starbucks, Durham Bus Company, NBC4 News, the District Police Cadets, and the entire SBCUSD multimedia team in Communications/Community Relations have stepped up to offer their assistance.

That has sparked District Police to do even more. In January 2019, officers will be participating in the Battle of the Badge Blood Drive and launching the Chief’s Read Across the District campaign, which involves law enforcement officers from multiple agencies coming together to read books to students. “District Police is an agency that is on the move,” Guttierez said. “We’re taking community engagement to a new level and using it as a catalyst for hope.”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- MIRA LOMA, CA—- Santa came to town early this year to make a magical stop at Troth Elementary School in Mira Loma.  Santa and his elves from the Christmas in the Classroom and HRBC Insurance delivered toys on Tuesday, December 18, to the nearly 900 students who attend the underprivileged elementary school.

During this magical visit, the elves served cookies and milk to all the students while they listened to an inspiring message about pursuing their dreams and the meaning of Christmas from their Principal, Ilsa A. Crocker, Maria Vasquez, Founder of Christmas in the Classroom and Henry Romero, CEO of HRBC Insurance. Followed by a countdown for students to open their gifts together.  The multi-purpose room where the festivities were held was filled with a huge buzz of excitement, lots of giggles and countless smiles.

“HRBC Insurance looks forward to supporting the Christmas in the Classroom agency and Troth Elementary School every year. Giving back is a big part of our culture, and we love to see the big eyes and cheerful smiles of the students when they receive their gifts,” stated Mr. Romero, of HRBC Insurance.

Troth Elementary School was adopted by the Christmas in the Classroom organization and its sponsor HRBC Insurance nearly a decade ago because it’s identified as a Title 1 school, which means that students are at-risk of academic failure and living at or near poverty.   Sadly, for some students, the gifts they receive from the Christmas in the Classroom Foundation will be the only presents they receive this Christmas.

Christmas in the Classroom was founded in 2004 by Maria Vazquez when her daughter, an elementary school teacher, told her the heartbreaking news that the majority in her class did not celebrate Christmas because their families could not afford to. Maria was emotionally compelled to bring the joy of Christmas to these under privileged school children by providing them gifts.

For more information or to become a sponsor for the Christmas in the Classroom please visit them on the web at www.christmasintheclassroom.com or call 909-374-4307.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- LOS ANGELES, CA— The Board of Directors of Metrolink today named Stephanie Wiggins Metrolink’s Chief Executive Officer. Wiggins is currently the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). 

“Stephanie has held high-level positions at three of the five-member agencies that comprise Metrolink. She is well known as a leader who finds solutions from a regional perspective. Stephanie is the right person to lead Metrolink now and going forward,” said Metrolink Board Chair Andrew Kotyuk. “Stephanie’s extensive experience in transportation and infrastructure development will be essential as Metrolink brings its service to more people in the coming years.” 

Wiggins was responsible for overseeing the Metro departments of Vendor/Contract Management, Congestion Reduction, Human Capital & Development, Management and Audit Services, and Systems Security & Law Enforcement. “I am pleased to accept the unique challenge of leading Metrolink at this important time,” Wiggins said. “Metrolink is a nationally-recognized leader in safety with the installation of Positive Train Control and I will continue the commitment to safety. As a mobility provider that reduces congestion and air pollution in the Southern California region, I look forward to having a laser focus on enhancing the customer experience for current and future riders.”

Wiggins will lead a 261 employee-strong regional commuter railroad that covers 2.8 million train miles per year and 400 million passenger miles per year.

The Agency is embarked on the Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) Program, a $10 billion plan to improve rail safety and service in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Metrolink received a total of $875 million in grants from the state and is moving to secure additional funding for this program.   

As part of Wiggins’ more than 24 years of experience, she oversaw Metro ExpressLanes, commuter rail, rideshare, rail capital programs, served as Regional Programs Director for the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), and was Administrative Analyst for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). Metro, RCTC and SBCTA are three of the five county transportation agencies that govern Metrolink.

Wiggins is a member of the Board of the American Public Transportation Association and is the founding president of the Inland Empire Chapter of WTS. She is the recipient of many awards including the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) 2018 Women Who Move the Nation Award.

Interim co-Chief Executive Officers Don Del Rio and Ronnie Campbell will remain as General Counsel and Chief Financial Officer respectively.

Wiggins replaces Art Leahy who announced his retirement on Oct. 12 after 48 years in transportation. Wiggins earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Whittier College and a Master of Business Administration from USC.

For more information about Metrolink, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com

By Lou Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Making Moves in the rap game is What It Do! Rapper Young Miller Da Don is making sure that that world knows about his music and his movement.

When on social Media, I see this artist consistently networking, performing and promoting; all important ingredients when it comes to staying relevant in the music industry. Though the original No Limit soldiers are no longer on the front lines, the second generation of troops are still holding down the fort.

Raised in the ranks of one of Hip-Hop’s most powerful clans, Douglas Michael Miller (a.k.a. Young Miller Da Don) is now taking the family business to higher heights. The 27-year-old Cousin of Master P, Young Miller says that growing up with the No Limit Records CEO (Master P) taught him how to survive and be a winner in the entertainment business.

After being robbed at gunpoint in his hometown, his mother decided New Orleans wasn’t the place for him. Leaving the Calliope Projects at age 12, Don went to live with his uncle Master P, who’s also his mentor. Master P showed Don the ropes which gave him an awareness about the ins and outs of the industry. It was a difficult adjustment for Don due to the language barrier and new school, but he survived.

Having penned his own poetry and rhymes since age 10, Young Miller reunited in L.A. with his cousins, including Master P’s son ‘Lil Romeo’; under P’s tutelage, they formed a rap group called ‘ Rich Boyz’.

Independently releasing their only LP, “Young Ballers”—“The Hood Been Good to Us”, in 2005 the group toured briefly and even appeared on 106 & Park. Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina hit that same year and halted promotional plans for the group. With the band now disbanded, Young Miller is determined to make his mark as a solo MC. Don – “I will succeed by keeping my family morals and values first.” Catch my reviews of talented artists like Don Miller right here. Until Next week L’z!

By Billy Gee

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- Well, music fans, we’ve just lost another music icon.  On Thursday the 13th of December, the voice of Ms. Nancy Wilson – undisputedly, one of the most mellifluous voices most of us have ever heard – was silenced by her transition from this life, just as the Moon made its transit through Pisces, the sign under which she was born.

I must say, Nancy’s demise was personal for me.  Her sultry voice was so much an integral part of me – so much a part of the musical landscape of my life – that I honestly can’t recall the first time I heard her singing.  I think it might’ve happened around 1962 as a result of my listening to her debut album (‘Remember those?), Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley.  Hearing her sultry voice would cause my pubescent hormones to run wild!  I often would feel as though she was singing to me!  I must’ve dreamed about her dozens of times, growing up in Atlanta and just beginning to learn how to play the piano, myself.  Her recordings of masterpieces like “Guess Who I Saw Today,” “The Grass Is Greener,” “How Glad I Am,” and “When I Look In Your Eyes,” quickly became firmly embedded in my teenage heart, mind, and soul, where they remain until this very day.

Somewhere around my senior year in high school I was fortunate enough to hear Nancy in a live concert at the old Atlanta Municipal Auditorium (where thousands of Atlanta youngsters marched to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” at their high school commencement exercise).  Some things you experience in life you never forget, and that was one such occasion for this enthusiastic listener.  Providing instrumental accompaniment to Nancy’s impeccable vocal stylings was trombonist Si Zentner’s big band, so for all of an hour-and-a-half or so yours truly was as close to heaven as he’d ever been.  What stands out in my mind most about that evening is the fact that throughout the entire performance my heart was beating faster than the top speed of the ’67 Chevy Camaro I was pushing back then could run.  I couldn’t have been more excited if Nancy had been sitting in my lap, nibbling on my ear and unbuttoning my shirt!

With that somewhat graphic description of my reaction to an incredibly talented female song stylist, I give you “the Fancy Miss Nancy!” 

Nancy Wilson Biography – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Wilson_(jazz_singer)

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Oh, I know I’m right about it because [John 12:43] says, “For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”

Listen, “If you seek the approval of any man, you cannot please God!” [Galatians 1:10]. As Christians, our chief concern should be to gain God’s approval. We should not seek the approval of men, even of our family and friends, but of God Himself.  I tell you, the same misplaced desire for approval is why Jeremiah rebuked Israel: “Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water” [Jeremiah 2:12–13]. Craving human approval is a cistern that cannot hold water. Why chase the approval of man?  There is a tyranny and bondage in living for man’s approval.  “Instead of living in bondage, craving the approval of everyone around us, the Bible calls us to live for the approval of God.

I tell you, we need to be like Jesus – he got his validation from God – he pressed on despite the lack of approval from others.  Besides, the Scriptures call us again and again not to live for the expectations of man, but for the satisfaction of God. Tell me, can anything compare to having the smile of God’s approval? Having God’s approval is the only thing worth living for. Let’s be motivated by seeking approval – but not the approval of men or the approval of our culture – but the approval of God. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. [1 Thessalonians 2:4].

May we intentionally seek God, his will and his pleasure above all others, and may God continually minister his truths to us – Amen.

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”  [Colossians 1:9-10]