First Fridays at the JRoom

Host Cizzle C

Host Cizzle C

Every first Friday at 8: 30 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m. Mature adults only in upscale attire. Cost is $15 to get in. The JRoom is located at 1445 Spruce Street in Riverside 92507.  The show and event is held inside the elegant B&D Dance Center. For more information call (909) 953-4350 or (951) 220-5631.

Countdown to This Year’s Headdress Ball Has Begun

Headdrees ModelSAN BERNARDINO, CA- Rehearsals for the Assistance League of San Bernardino’s 53RD Annual Signature Headdress Ball are in full swing and coming to the final weeks of practice for the 10 headdress models and the volunteer dancers that will be performing with them. The National Orange Show will play host to this year’s Headdress Ball on Saturday, April 12. There will be a matinee performance at 10 a.m. that will include lunch and the presentation of the headdresses.  The cost to attend the matinee is $75 per person.   The evening gala celebration will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by the Signature Club.  Tickets for the evening black-tie performance are $150 per person.  The tables seat 10 for the evening dinner performance. This year’s headdress models will include Assistance League members: Lillian Vasquez-Wisegarver (Colton), Nancy Gutierrez (Rancho Cucamonga), Margaret Ortiz (San Bernardino), and Marsha Scott (Redlands).  Representing Les Confreres, an auxiliary organization of the Assistance League are Louise Hummel (San Bernardino) and Danielle Hilder (LakeArrowhead). Special guest models that will be representing community interests include: Tammy Martin-Ryles (San Bernardino) representing Inland Empire Black Chamber of Commerce; Geri Jure (San Bernardino) representing Friends of Assistance League; Maria Saenz (San Bernardino) representing San Bernardino Sinfonia Mexicana; and Mary Ann Quiggle (San Bernardino) representing the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce.

All proceeds from the matinee and the evening performances will go to benefit the children of San Bernardino through the support and funding of the Dr. Earl R. Crane Children’s Dental Health Center and Operation School Bell, a program that provides clothing for needy children. To purchase tickets contact Bobbi Simenton at (909) 862-0732 or you may send your reservations to 3344 Parkside Drive, San Bernardino, CA  92404.  Make checks payable to the Assistance League of San Bernardino.  Tickets and donations to Assistance League are available online at http://headdressball2014.eventbrite.com.

Wells Fargo and First Generation Films Launch “Go College!” Initiative in Los Angeles

Youth attendees shared educational aspirations during the Wells Fargo and First Generation Films Go College! red carpet community screening of the award-winning documentary, First Generation at LA Live in Los Angeles.

Youth attendees shared educational aspirations during the Wells Fargo and First Generation Films Go College! red carpet community screening of the award-winning documentary, First Generation at LA Live in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES, CA- Wells Fargo Education Financial Services and First Generation Films recently  kicked-off the “Go College!” tour, a national education initiative launching in Los Angeles with screenings of the award-winning documentary First Generation at six Los Angeles Unified School District high schools and culminated with a red-carpet screening at L.A. Live. Go College! Los Angeles was the first of 70 film screenings and a 10-city tour bringing together filmmakers, educators, subject matter experts, civic and community leaders for panel discussions to encourage a national conversation on how students and parents can make attending college a reality.

Filmed over the course of three years, the First Generation documentary is narrated by two-time Golden Globe Award nominee Blair Underwood and explores the problem of college access faced by first generation and low income students. The documentary profiles the journey of four students attempting to break the cycle of poverty and bring hope to their communities as they pursue their college dreams.

The Go College! tour features free screenings for students and educators at local high schools and other locations in select cities. At each screening attendees will have the opportunity to engage the filmmaking team of Adam and Jaye Fenderson, cast members, Wells Fargo private student lending experts and local educational leaders in a dialogue focused on how to make attending college a reality. Free information packets on college application processes, scholarship opportunities, tips to estimate college costs, and how to capitalize on various funding sources to pay for college will be provided at all screenings.

Go College! next tour stops include Las Vegas, Phoenix, Oakland and Washington DC in Spring 2014. In Fall 2014, the campaign will visit the cities of Atlanta, Miami, Minneapolis, Houston, and Dallas. For tour information, please visit www.FirstGenerationFilm.com/gocollege.

Super Freestyle Explosion Comes to the Inland Empire!

Stevie B

Stevie B

ONTARIO, CA- Super Freestyle Explosion is back!  This annual live music event featuring classic artists and infectious dance hits comes to the Inland Empire for one night only this summer with a Friday, June 27 show at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. Super Freestyle Explosion 2014 includes platinum stars Stevie BLisa LisaDebbie DebExpose, Stacey Q, Connie, Nu Shooz, Trinere  and Pretty Poison.  Fans can expect a night full of both chart-topping Hi-NRG hits and smooth ballads like, Stevie B’s “Spring Love” and “Because I Love You,” Lisa Lisa’s “Lost In Emotion,” and “I Wonder If I Take You Home,” Debbie Deb’s “Lookout Weekend,” Expose’s “Seasons Change,”  Nu Shooz’ “I Can’t Wait” and much more. Super Freestyle Explosion tickets will go on sale Friday, April 4 at 10 a.m. and will be available online at www.AXS.com and www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (888) 929-7849 and at the Citizens Business Bank Arena Box Office during normal business hours.

Congressional Candidate Danny Tillman Opens Campaign Headquarters

Brian (left), land lord of the office suites, welcomes in Renea Wickman (right) into the office building on behalf of Danny Tillman. Reginald Young (center) is a stronger supporter of Tillman and is helping to move the campaign forward.

Brian (left), land lord of the office suites, welcomes in Renea Wickman (right) into the office building on behalf of Danny Tillman. Reginald Young (center) is a stronger supporter of Tillman and is helping to move the campaign forward.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Danny Tillman and his team will be having a grand opening of his campaign headquarters on Sunday, April 6 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 577 North ‘D’ Street, Suites 103 & 104 in San Bernardino. An additional open house will be on Monday, April 7 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The office will be open Monday thru Friday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“We are so thankful for the community members who made this happen, without your support and donations we could not have done it,” Renea Wickman stated.

Danny Tillman is a Democratic Candidate for U.S. Congress running in California’s 31st District Open-Seat. He is also a San Bernardino Board of Education Member and is known for getting people involved to fight injustices. Mr. Tillman will be a progressive voice and a Congressman who will work hard to create family wage paying jobs and educational opportunities for the people of the Inland Empire. The District 31st District includes the cities of San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Upland, Fontana Rialto, Colton, Loma Linda and Grand Terrace.       Donations of cash, reams of white paper, envelopes, stamps and office supplies will be greatly appreciated. For more information visit Danny Tillman for Congress at www.dannytillmanforcongress.com or call (909) 567-0222 or (909) 800-0318. Also be sure to follow Danny Tillman’s campaign on Twitter @Tillman4House and Facebook at DannyTillmanForCongress.

Women’s Resurrection Ministry Makes History with International Humanitarian Efforts

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- During a 2013 mission trip to West Africa, local non-profit, Women’s Resurrection Ministry (WRM), helped bring electricity to a remote village in Ghana for the first time. Having rallied with government and city officials for over 17 years to bring power to poor communities in West Africa, WRM founder Cassandra Walker was excited to finally see their persistence pay off. In addition to expanding access to electricity in remote villages in Ghana, proceeds from the fundraising breakfast will benefit additional humanitarian efforts such as feeding programs for children and elderly, church planting and transportation in the village.

The 19th Annual Women’s Resurrection Breakfast, will be held Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Hilton Hotel, 285 E. Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino. Registration begins at 8am. Advanced tickets are $30 for single admission, or two for $55 through March 17th. Groups may reserve a table of 10 for $250. Program features guest speaker, Evangelist Marie “Mom” Brewington, Dr. Reginald Woods of Life Changing Ministries, and gospel singer Leon Hawley. Enjoy special performances, experiences and stories from missionary travelers and learn how the local community can become involved in international humanitarian projects.

To register for the Women’s Resurrection Breakfast, or make a donation to the organization, please visit www.womensresurrectionministry.org, or call 909-965-7878 or (909) 547-5572.

Join the Fight Against Cancer: Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Revlon Run/Walk for Women Announces 2014 Hosts

Halle Berry is one of the host of the event

Halle Berry is one of the host of the event

LOS ANGELES, CA- Revlon, The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) and Lilly Tartikoff are proud to announce the 21st annual EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women.  Revlon Brand Ambassador Emma Stone will host the 2014 event in New York on Saturday, May 3 and Revlon Brand Ambassador Halle Berry, along with Christina Applegate will host in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 10.

Stone will be returning for her third year to host the New York Run/Walk, while Berry is celebrating her eighth year participating in the EIF Revlon Run/Walk, and hosting the Los Angeles event with Christina Applegate.  The Run/Walk was launched in Los Angeles in 1994 through the combined efforts of Lilly Tartikoff, Ronald O. Perelman, Chairman of Revlon, Inc., and EIF with a second event in New York City added shortly after. To date, nearly one million people have participated in the EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women and the Run/Walks have distributed more than $70 million to support women’s cancer research, counseling and outreach programs.

The Los Angeles race will take place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at Exposition Park. Early registration is encouraged and can be done by visiting http://www.revlonrunwalk.org or by calling the event hotline at (855) 434-3779. Registration is also available on site the day of the event.

JOY HARVEST WORLD OUTREACH CHURCH ADOPTS SECOND SCHOOL IN 2014

2014 SanG adoption53

Joy Harvest World Outreach Church adopted San Gorgonio High School on April 1. The adoption and ceremony were part of the Adopt-a-School program sponsored by the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce and the San Bernardino City Unified School District. The program encourages partnerships between community organizations and District schools. San Gorgonio High is the second school to be adopted by Joy Harvest World Outreach Church this year. In February, Joy Harvest adopted Emmerton Elementary School, which is located just down the street from San Gorgonio High. Church members have committed to mentoring San Gorgonio students and helping them connect to the greater community. The April 1 ceremony was a joint adoption by Joy Harvest World Outreach Church and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

NEW TASK FORCE FOCUSES ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS IN SAN BERNARDINO CITY SCHOOLS

A new task force made up of parents, educators, and community leaders has begun focusing on ways to boost the academic success of the San Bernardino City Unified’s nearly 8,000 African-American students.

Among the first goals of the Task Force for African American Student Achievement is surveying parents about the District’s parent and community engagement practices. The task force, headed by the Rev. Samuel Casey of Communities Organized for Prophetic Engagement (COPE), hopes to establish more community engagement opportunities that will help parents and guardians work with the District as it strives to increase the number of African-American high school graduates who are ready to succeed in college and careers.

Formed late last year, the task force represents a spectrum of grassroots community organizations, among them the Westside Action Group, Young Visionaries, BLU Educational Foundation, the San Bernardino chapter of the NAACP, Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino, Youth Action Project, Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches, and the Black Voice Foundation. The task force’s mission is to ensure that the District’s Targeted Instructional Improvement Plan, known as TIIP, is implemented for the benefit of African-American students.

“We have a responsibility to hold the District accountable but also to work alongside the District,” Casey said. “Effective collaboration is essential to real change.”

This summer, the Task Force for African American Student Achievement will host a Parent Learning Institute to educate mothers, fathers, and guardians, so they can become better advocates for children. The institute will also focus on empowering parents and caregivers to participate in the decision-making process at the school, District, and community level.

Task force members will have a booth at the April 5 Day of King Celebration at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, located at 1250 Medical Center Drive in San Bernardino. The parent survey will be available during the event.

Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden, who has long supported authentic parent engagement, welcomes the task force’s help.

“We have already begun a productive dialogue that I believe will be beneficial to the task force, the District, and, most importantly, our students,” Marsden said. “Educating students and ensuring their future success is the work of our entire community.”

For more information about the work of the new task force, please call COPE at (909) 915-1776.