SAN BERNARDINO, CA- This past weekend, Saturday, September 6, 22 young women competed for the honor of representing San Bernardino High School, Cardinal City and the City of San Bernardino. During the pageant, Miss Cardinal City contestants were ranked by a panel of judges in on-stage categories ranging from sportswear, evening gown and an on-stage question. Off-stage categories included grades, attendance and personal interviews.
According to pageant director and Bilingual School Outreach Worker Jamie Rios, two of the goals for Miss Cardinal City and related pageant Mr. Cardinal City are to develop students’ confidence and raise community awareness and pride in San Bernardino High and the city.
“San Bernardino High is the oldest public high school in the entire county,” she states. “It is also part of two cities. Many people don’t realize the high school itself is a chartered city, Cardinal City. With that kind of history and community significance, I felt we needed ambassadors, young people who could represent all these different and note-worthy aspects of San Bernardino High School.”
Sponsors that helped to make the pageant a success were Stater Bros. Markets, D’Arca Formal Wear, Angel’s Closet, Fairview Ford, The Way World Outreach, Marinello Schools of Beauty, San Bernardino Sun newspaper, San Bernardino High School Class of 1961, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hickey, Mrs. Pat Williams, First Ward Councilwoman Virginia Marquez, Mr. Jim Smith, Mr. Anyabwile Naazir, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Noble, Ms. Charlene Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Arellano, Mr. Richard Carlos, San Bernardino City Unified School District, and San Bernardino High School Associated Student Body (ASB).
Give Love Tour Honors Veterans with Free Family Festival
ONTARIO, CA- While millions of Americans will celebrate Veteran’s Day with parties, barbeques and a day of rest, the Marcus Heart Foundation will charge the communities of Southern California to “get up, remember, give thanks and to love a veteran!” The “Give Love Tour” 2013 is a three day star studded, celebrity filled, politically honored and community supported weekend from November 9th to 11th. The event will start at the Citizens Bank Arena, 4000 E. Ontario Center Parkway (Lot F) in Ontario, with the Free Family Fun Festival taking place on November 9 from 10 a.m. to p.m. The festival will include over 100 vendors, live performances, kid zones, a food drive, giveaways and more. All veterans who attend will be honored with a meal and special notes of love from the community on the “wall of love” and they will also receive special thanks from city, state and government officials.
The food drive is a city-wide call to the communities of Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties to bring non-perishable food to various business locations from now until the festival. Those who attend the festival are encouraged to bring their food items on the day as well. The donated food will be given to the families of deployed, wounded and fallen heroes, as well as Veterans in need. A list of locations to drop of food will be available at www.givelovetour.com.
The festivities will continue at the same location with a night of remembrance Mega Concert with R&B Songstress Ledisi. The Mega Concert is a charity fundraiser through Marcus Heart Foundation and a portion of the proceeds go towards various Veterans organizations servicing local areas. Doors to the concert will open at 7 p.m.
The finale concert will take place at the Valley View Casino in San Diego where Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, The Whispers, Howard Hewett and many others will be performing. The closing night performance concert is also a charity fundraiser sponsored by the Marcus Heart Foundation. Once again, portions of the proceeds will benefit area Veterans. Doors open at 7pm.
In between the festival and concerts is a Veterans Appreciation Motorcycle Run, which begins Saturday, November 9 in Los Angeles and will travel to the festival at Citizens Bank Arena. On Sunday, November 10, the riders will continue from Ontario to San Diego ending their salute at the Valley View Casino Center.
For more information on how to attend, volunteer opportunities and more visit www.givelovetour.com.
‘A Bug’s Light’ Teaches Electrical Safety to Students Across Southern California
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Last week, a superhero insect toured 10 under-served elementary schools across Southern California Edison’s (SCE) service area to teach students about electrical safety through a live theatre production of ‘A Bug’s Light.’ Among those elementary schools, Rio Vista Elementary School in San Bernardino was one of the schools where students received the treat of watching the production.
The production was produced by The National Theatre for Children (NTC), a production company that engages students in learning what they and their families can do to stay safe around electricity. Approximately 5,400 students seen the production during the week of September 16 to 20, as part of National Preparedness Month.
Edison International, parent company of SCE, donated $25,000 to NTC to produce the play to educate children in schools in Southern California, which included Compton, Alhambra, Santa Ana, Moreno Valley, San Bernardino and Oxnard.
“Safety is our number one priority and we want children, as well as adults, to know how to safe around electricity,” said Janet Clayton, senior vice president, Corporate Communications for Edison International and Southern California Edison. “When we saw how well students and teachers reacted to ‘A Bug’s Light!” last year, we were excited to bring it back again to continue educating children about electrical safety in a way that makes learning fun.”
For more information about SCE, follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SCE and Facebook, www.Facebook.com/SCE. (Photo by Naomi Bonman).
Film Makers Discuss Projects and Casting on ETB Radio
Film Makers Mitchell McDowell and Erik Jones will return to the “Empire Talks Back radio program this Sunday September 22nd… They will discuss their casting call for “BUCK WILD”, a movie that they plan to film in the IE. The Casting Call is scheduled for Saturday September 28th at 577 N. “D” Street, in San Bernardino. Empire Talks Back airs on Sunday Mornings at 10:00 on KCAA 1050-AM Radio… ETB is streamed live, audio and video, via www.kcaaradio.com. The toll free call-in line is 888-909-1050.
LUE PRODUCTIONS HONORS PHOTOGRAPHER FREDDIE WASHINGTON
This week I am highlighting Freddie Washington, photographer extraordinaire. Some may not realize that photography is an art and hard work. I can’t stand it when I see a photo of myself and I look a hot mess because the photographer didn’t care or fully understand that photography is more than just pointing and clicking a camera.
Currently working with Nikon Pro staff, I first met Mr. Washington at an event in the Inland Empire where he was taking photos of artists performing. I noticed how professional and serious he was about his craft, due to the sweat pouring down his face and the expensive equipment used. Once finished, I approached Mr. Washington and asked if he could do some work for our production company, LUE Productions. I was so impressed with the finished product that I knew at that moment he had to be a part of our LUE Productions team. Mr. Washington is now our full-time photographer. Some of his photos have already appeared in the Westside Story Newspaper. When I go out on location on behalf of the paper, Mr. Washington is with me.
Photography is the result of combining several technical discoveries. His ability to choose a subject and compose it effectively is amazing. He’s worked with several models, venues and organizations throughout the Inland Empire and surrounding cities. When you’re in need of a professional photographer for your next photo shoot or special event, please contact FWPhotography at 714-833-3196 or email fw4photo@yahoo.com .You can also look his work up on Facebook under FWPhotography. He provides Quality work at affordable rates. Mention this article and receive a discount. Remember photographs can say a thousand words. Until next week! (By Lue Dowdy) Photo of Sunrise taken in Loreto, BCS Mexico
Bridging the Gap Between Africans and African American 2013 Empowerment Conference
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA- Dr. Kodjoe and Akosuah Sumney would like to invite the community to attend the annual Mission African 2000 Inc., ‘Bridging The Gap’ Empowerment Conference and Banquet on Saturday, September 21 at 10 a.m. Come out and be empowered with vision for building support and humanitarian relief for the people in Ghana, West Africa. There will be African music, African attire and an African empowerment experience with testimonies and witnesses from Global Dominion for Christ. Special guests include Dr. J Gueste, Pastor C. Campbell, Dr. Reginald Woods, Mrs. V. Cunningham, Bishop Philip Powell and the Mission Africa global partners. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call 951-500-2609 or 909-238-6891. The conference will be held at City of Rancho Cucamonga Central Park, 11200 Baseline Road in Rancho Cucamonga.
The Queen Latifah Show Announces All-Star Premiere Week Line-Up
CULVER CITY, CA –- Sony Pictures Television is proud to announce an All-Star line-up for the debut of The Queen Latifah Show, the new multi-topic, daytime talk-variety show hosted by global entertainment icon, Queen Latifah, premiering Monday, September 16. Among the celebrity guests who will appear during the first week of the show are Oscar-nominee and Golden Globe-winner, John Travolta; Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy Award-Winner, Jamie Foxx; Oscar nominee and Golden Globe-winner, Sharon Stone; Oscar-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal and Oscar & Golden Globe nominated actor, Grammy Award-winning musician and executive producer of The Queen Latifah Show, Will Smith.
“I cannot think of a more talented and fun group of people to share the stage with in celebration of the launch of my new show,” said Queen Latifah. “I am honored to have the support of so many long-time friends and colleagues as I begin this journey, and I look forward to sharing this experience with all of them and with the many new friends I will make along the way.”
In addition to her celebrity guests, Queen Latifah will kick off her premiere season with chart-topping musical guests and surprise performances, some great comedy and everyday heroes who are changing lives in their local communities.
The Queen Latifah Show is a daytime talk-variety series that showcases Queen Latifah’s extraordinary range of talents as a global entertainment icon. Corin Nelson serves as Executive Producer. The show is produced by Flavor Unit, Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television and is cleared on major station groups around the country, including the CBS Television Stations.
Cal OES Director Issues Statement in Remembrance of 9/11 Anniversary
A statement by Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and top Homeland Security Advisor to Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.:
“Today is a reminder that it is our duty to honor and pay tribute to all those we lost and whose lives were forever changed on this day just 12 years ago. Our thoughts and prayers will always be with the families and loved ones of the nearly 3,000 people that perished in the appalling acts of terrorism on 9/11. During one of our nation’s darkest moments, we also witnessed countless acts of heroism, bravery and human kindness as the nation worked to recover and rebuild. Since then, thousands of Americans have also sacrificed their lives fighting terrorism and maintaining our cherished freedoms at home and abroad. To all of them, we are forever grateful for their sacrifice.
Today, I call upon all Californians to pay tribute to all these American heroes, by learning more about disaster preparedness and taking steps to be ready for all emergencies. Just a few simple steps to put together a basic disaster kit and talk to your family to create an emergency plan could make all the difference in the world when disaster strikes. Not only will you be joining the millions of Americans who now stand more resilient after 9/11, but you’ll also send a strong message of hope and inspiration for the next generation of heroes.”
For more information about emergency preparedness, visit www.caloes.ca.gov or www.ready.gov.
CSUSB African American Students on the Rise
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- On Saturday, September 7, the California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) and Student African American Sisterhood (SAAS) chapters convened their second annual retreat for incoming and continuing students. SAAS and SAAB are a part of national organizations which offer an evidenced based model for student retention and success. This year the retreat opened with Chief Jimmie Brown and remarks from Dr. Mildred Henry, Professor Emeritus, who shared her story, facts about African American History and called for students to persist and succeed in college and beyond. During breakout sessions, students, faculty and staff facilitated workshops which allowed students to explore the meanings of sisterhood and brotherhood, understand campus data, discuss “who we are”, and prepare to be successful students at CSUSB. This event kicked off a year of powerful programming that will be facilitated collaboratively by students, faculty and staff. In addition, SAAS and SAAB also plan to be more visible on campus and in the community as the school year goes on by engaging in community service and serving as accountability partners to their peers to ensure that as their sister ad brother’s keeper they shall and will rise together.
First Annual African American Family Reunion a Success
MORENO VALLEY, CA- Over five hundred Moreno Valley residents and approximately 50 vendors attended the First Annual African American Family Reunion event in Celebration Park hosted by the African American Caucus, Region 13. The purpose of the event was to impact, educate and empower the community with available resources. The NAACP, Tuskegee Airmen, Riverside Mental Health, Salvation Army, Riverside County Sheriff Department and many other vendors encouraged the community to get out and vote, and participate in education and legislative events. State Senator Richard Roth opened the event with praises for the group’s leaders who spear headed the day’s events and reminded everyone that it was also the week we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. Speech, “I have a Dream.” 61st District Assemblyman Jose Medina was on hand to greet the participants and also thanked all constituents for coming out. Jesus Holguin spoke to the group on the outstanding 2012 school year the district had experienced and Dr. Fleming praised the school district for the over 3 million dollars in scholarships that was received by the 2012 senior class. She also identified the district as an International Baccalaureate (IB) district and spoke to the community regarding the Dual Immersion language program. The California Democratic Party African American Caucus Chair, Darren Parker, also attended the event. It was a day full of food, family and fun for all ages.