*Colton Courier 04/13/23

C O L T O N C O U R I E R WWe e eekkllyy

i e c n c o m

EXCLUSIVE OP-ED: The Word Yaamava' Is More Than Adver tising

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San Ber nardino County Fire

Launches The Large Animal Rescue Team

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By Manny Sandoval

The Colton Community Tee-ball League kicked off its opening ceremonies on April 3rd, celebrating the next generation of talented players and even honored a local legend

With ten enthusiastic teams p a r t i c i p a t i n g , c o m m u n i t y members gathered to cheer on the young athletes and mark the beginning of a new season

One of the highlights of the opening ceremonies was the dedication of a field to Fredrick L Venegas, a longtime supporte r o f t h e C o l t o n Te e - b a l l

League Venegas has been an integral part of the league for 39 years, dedicating his time and energy to ensure its continued success In recognition of his unwavering commitment, the league proudly named one of their fields the "Fredrick L Venegas Field "

In attendance at the ceremony

was Mayor Frank Navarro and Councilmember Dr G, both of whom expressed their excitement for the upcoming season and praised the dedication of the league's volunteers, coaches, and players Mayor Navarro emphasized the importance of community

I n l a n d E m p i r e I c o n D r E r n e s t F G a r c i a : A L e g a c y o f A d v o c a c y , E d u c a t i o n , a n d A r t s R e m e m b e r e d i n H i s P a s s i n g

By Manny Sandoval

Th e I n l a n d E m p i r e c o m m u n i t y m o u r n s the loss of Dr Ernest F Garcia, who passed away on April 6, 2023

A lifelong educator, advocate, and patron of the arts, Dr Garcia leaves behind an indelible legacy of service a n d i n s p i r a t i o n H i s l i f e ' s work touched countless lives, and his dedication to educat i o n a n d t h e a r t s w i l l b e remembered for generations to come

U n i f i e d S c h o o l D i s t r i c t ( R U S D ) , w h e r e h e i n t r oduced foreign language and G i f t e d A n d Ta l e n t e d Education (GATE) programs

H O W T O R E A C H U S H O W T O R E A C H U S

H O W T O R E A C H U S H O W T O R E A C H U S

I n l a n d E m p i r e C o m m u n i t y N e w s p a p e r s O f f i c e : ( 9 0 9 ) 3 8 1 - 9 8 9 8 E d i t o r i a l : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m A d v e r t i s i n g : s a l e s @ i e c n c o m L e g a l s : i e c n l e g a l s @ h o t m a i l c o m

I n l a n d E m p i r e C o m m u n i t y N e w s p a p e r s O f f i c e : ( 9 0 9 ) 3 8 1 - 9 8 9 8 E d i t o r i a l : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m A d v e r t i s i n g : s a l e s @ i e c n c o m L e g a l s : i e c n l e g a l s @ h o t m a i l c o m

Dr Garcia began his journey in education as a young b o y i n S o u t h C o l t o n a n d r e m a i n e d p a s s i o n a t e a b o u t l e a r n i n g a n d t e a c h i n g throughout his life He was a pioneering force in the Rialto

As the first Latino namesake in the Rialto Unified School District (Dr Ernest Garcia E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l ) , h i s influence is still felt today Syeda Jafri, Rialto Unified School District communication media services agent, said, “Dr Ernest Garcia spent a majority of his selfless life as an education and child advocate He never forgot his h u m b l e b e g i n n i n g i n C o l t o n ” S h e w e n t o n t o describe him as an "icon of a man" whose legacy of excellence will continue in the RUSD

photo ALEX SANCHEZ

City of Colton Councilmember Dr G giving players from each team a high-five ahead of the 2023 tee-ball season

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photo GARCIA CENTER

Dr Ernest Felix Garcia is survived by his wife Dr Dorothy "Dottie" Garcia

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Tee-ball

sports in fostering teamwork, discipline, and camaraderie among the youth, while Councilmember Dr G highlighted the role these activities play in building a strong and vibrant community

As the Colton Tee-ball League ushers in a new generation of talented players, the opening

ceremonies served as a reminder of the power of community engagement and the lasting impact of dedicated individuals like

Fredrick L Venegas

With the support of the city and its residents, these young athletes will undoubtedly continue to grow and develop their skills, forging lasting memories and friendships along the way

CITY TALK Recognizes Heinz Niemann f or 22 Year s of Ser vice

by Dr G (Dr Luis S González) community writer

On Thursday, April 6, Council Member Dr G (Dr Luis S González) presented the CITY TALK “Employee Spotlight” recognition award to Heinz Niemann, currently a Maintenance Level II in the Parks Department, which is a division of public works

In this position, Heinz is responsible for taking care of all landscaping at several city facilities, including the community parks, City Hall, the Public Library, Colton Area Museum, and the Police Department

For 22 years, Heinz has served our city and over that time has stuck to his two most important work values as stated, First, finish what you start, and second, do things the right way from the beginning ”

Born in Tacoma Park, Maryland, Heinz moved with his family to California, and then lived in several locations as well, including Europe, Venezuela, Colombia, Austria, before settling back in California Of interest was his specialty of growing and harvesting Haas avocados while in Colombia, including the introduction of the fruit to the country, which actually originated in California

If you drive by one of these facilities during the work week, you’ll probably see Heinz working diligently on the landscaping, and then meticulously completing the clean-up Heinz is a hard worker and is truly dedicated to doing a good job all the time No shortcuts with Heinz! Street and Parks Supervisor Fernando Ramirez commented, “Heinz is always on the job We are fortunate to have such a hardworking and dedicated employee ”

We are certainly proud to recognize all our employees in the City of Colton However, time and opportunity are limited, so an “Employee Spotlight” allows us to recognize the individual efforts of employees who really stand out for their dedication, hard work, and long-standing service to our various departments, and the community ” The CITY TALK “Employee spotlight” recognition award was established in 2020 to recognize these great efforts

Indeed our city has great employees who work hard and care about our city They do what needs to be done, and care about our city Thank you Mr Heinz Niemann for all your hard work, and congratulations on this CITY TALK “Employee Spotlight” recognition award

Garcia

Gloria Macias Harrison, Inland Empire Community News publisher emeritus, described Dr Garcia as “a true Mexican American renaissance man ” She highlighted his various roles as a mentor, teacher, artist, and futurist She also reminisced about the impact he had on her own life, saying, “He taught us what was important in the classroom and how we could engage our students It was probably the best training that I have ever received ”

Dr Garcia's educational career began with an associate’s degree from San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC), where he majored in Spanish His college career was interrupted by the Korean War, during which he served in the U S Air Force

After completing his service, he earned a bachelor ’s degree in Social Science from the University of California, Riverside, a master ’s degree in School Administration and Curriculum from the University of Redlands, and a doctorate in In-

structional Technology from the University of California, Los Angeles

Garcia went on to teach in Barstow Unified School District (where he became a vice principal at 26 years old), RUSD, and Redlands Unified School District, and eventually teaching at Cal State San Bernardino, and served as dean of the College of Education before retiring in 1990

Throughout his career, Dr Garcia held various positions in education, including teacher, administrator, and professor He served as a RUSD trustee and was inducted into SBVC's Hall of Fame in 1997

Jorge Oswald Heredia, Garcia Center for the Arts Executive Director, expressed the community's sadness and gratitude for Dr Garcia's contributions, saying, “We are saddened by the passing of our founder Ernie Garcia He was passionate about promoting the arts in San Bernardino, and we are forever indebted to his work ”

The San Bernardino Garcia Center for the Arts is named for Dr Ernest Garcia and his wife, Dr Dorothy "Dottie" Garcia

The couple lived in San Bernardino and remained active in their community

In July 2020, Dr Garcia retired as executive director from the Garcia Center for the Arts Reflecting on his time at the center, he said, “After five years, I have chosen to retire, and I want to say thank you to the community Although I am retiring from the Garcia Center, I am not going to stop creating I have three art projects waiting for me to tend to in my garage right now and the Garcia Center will also continue to flourish ”

As the community remembers Dr Ernest F Garcia, they celebrate a life dedicated to advocacy, education, and the arts His passion and achievements continue to inspire those whose lives he touched, and his legacy will live on for generations to come

Time f or Change Foundation Seeks to Combat Women and Childr en Homelessness by R aising $1 Million, Her e’s How You Can Help

By Manny Sandoval

Time for Change Foundation's 21st Annual Gala, "Unmasking the Future," is set to take place on April 14th from 6-9 PM at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Ontario

This star-studded masquerade event aims to raise $1 million to support the foundation's mission of empowering disenfranchised, low-income women and children, and building thriving communities through evidence-based programs and housing initiatives

Executive Director Vanessa Perez shared the organization's goals for this year's gala, stating, "Our fundraising goal is $1 million Every dollar raised impacts the women and children we serve We want to highlight the work of Time for Change Foundation and the women who have transformed their lives "

The event will also showcase upcoming initiatives at the foundation and recognize outstanding community members making a difference

The funds raised will be applied towards the operations of Time for Change Foundation’s Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit Center and its three types of housing programs; including emergency housing, permanent supportive housing, and affordable housing

Speaking about the theme of the gala, Perez explained, "Unmasking the future means revealing the potential and opportunities that lie ahead for the individuals and families we serve, as well as the communities we work in By addressing homelessness, we are unveiling a brighter future for everyone "

New attendees can expect an elegant Phantom of the Operainspired evening, complete with a red carpet entrance, beautifully decorated venue, cash bar, raffle opportunities, live music, a dueling piano session, and an awards ceremony

The Courageous Philanthropy Award will be presented to funders and foundations that have made significant contributions to combating homelessness

For those interested in purchasing gala program advertisements (which will help them reach the $1 million goal) the deadline is Monday, April 10th, by the end of the business day For more information, contact Perez at 909-886-2994

The Time for Change Foundation has already made a remarkable impact, assisting over 3,300 women and children in becoming self-sufficient and reuniting 320 children with their mothers from foster care The foundation's efforts are more crucial than ever, as recent data shows a 6 6 percent increase in homelessness from 2020 to 2022, with 3,333 persons identified as homeless

The upcoming gala presents an opportunity for the community to come together and make a real difference in the fight against homelessness

To learn more about Time for Change Foundation, visit timeforchangefoundation org

PHOTO Dr G Dr G, Council Member; Heinz Niemann, Maintenance Level II – Parks

By Laurena Bolden

T he Word Yaamava’ is Mor e T han Adver tising

Driving across Southern California, the signs and billboards that display different languages always catch my eye It is a unique part of living here in southern California that we as Californians openly share our diversity and uniqueness with one another Over the last year or so, a seemingly new language has appeared on signs visible to many drivers: Yaamava' It stands out as something hard to place in its origin I can picture drivers mouthing the word and saying, “what?”

The word Yaamava' represents so much more than the marketing of a resort and casino It means that despite all that has occurred throughout history, an Indigenous culture and language remain indelibly part of this region

The word, “Yaamava,” is far from new It is a Serrano word meaning the season

of spring and has been the name for the spring season for the Serrano since their creation Today, it is how much of the wider world recognizes us, the Yuhaaviatam Clan of Marra'yam (Serrano) or the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians whose ancestral lands encompass most of this region To us this word describes the season of rebirth and renewal for our people

Changing the name of our first and most prominent economic development, San Manuel Casino to Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, put our native language and our culture front and center While it may have challenged many with its unique spelling and meaning, our intent is clear: we want to share who we are

Like other nations and peoples, we have a distinct language, a connection to the land, and a culture that grew out of the local environment Culture is shared history, language, religion, and spirituality –a way of life Our Yuhaaviatam culture is

rooted in the native plants of Southern California, which provide the gifts of life

On our reservation, we will celebrate these plants at our Yaamava' celebration at the end each spring

From the headwaters of the Santa Ana River near our reservation to the San Bernardino valleys and mountains, we begin the cycle again of harvesting plants for food, gathering grasses and reeds for basket weaving, and carefully picking the sources of our traditional medicine The ability to freely move across our 7 4-million-acre ancestral territory is the essential way of life that sustained us since our creation before the mission and reservation system attempted to end our culture

For more than 100 years, you would only hear the Serrano word for the spring season on reservations, until a level of successful economic development allowed us to begin to experience a sense of renewal and rebirth for our community This period of Yaamava' for our people is

a chance to establish ourselves on our own terms with the Serrano language and culture as our foundation

We are moving past that period of being historically identified with the mission system applied by outsiders whose idyllic imaginings of the period do not match our living history of destruction and pain We demonstrate our enduring connection to our culture by partnering with non-profits and local governments on projects that benefit communities and the environment within our ancestral territory

More than a fleeting advertisement, Yaamava’ reminds us that we remain Yuhaaviatam through all times and seasons

(Laurena Bolden is a member of the San Manuel Tribal Council, the Education Board, and a co-lead with the Culture Pillar of the tribal government )

r esearcher s awarded over $5 million in g rants fr om National Institutes of Health

IECN News

Loma Linda University researchers received over $5 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) The grants support two separate research teams’ projects: one team will study the effects of maternal electronic cigarette vaping on babies’ abnormal brain development from a molecular level, and the other team will investigate why immune responses to prostate cancer vary by race and explore the potential for a new targeted treatment

The NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) awarded a five-year U01 grant of $5 4 million to Charles Wang, MD, PhD, MPH, director and professor of the Center for Genomics at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and Daliao Xiao, DVM, PhD, a professor at the Lawrence D Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology at LLU School of Medicine, to commence the project, “Genomic and epigenomic mechanisms of maternal e-cigarette-induced abnormal brain development ” The renewable grant falls under the NIDA Animal Genomics Program & Consortium

Wang says the project's goal is to use cuttingedge genomic technologies, including single-cell sequencing and spatial genomics tools, to understand the mechanisms underlying maternal vaping-induced abnormal brain development in rats E-cigarettes are electronic nicotine delivery systems that have gained traction in the global market in the last decade and become more popular among pregnant women and adolescents

Ultimately, Wang says investigating the genomic and epigenomic changes caused by maternal ecigarette vaping will provide valuable new insights into the effects of e-cigarettes on early central nervous system development

“We hope our research findings will help explore promising molecular and cellular therapeutic targets for treating nicotine-induced brain damage,” he says

Wang and Xiao collaborated on a recent study that used single-cell sequencing technologies based on an animal model, discovering that mothers' e-cigarette use during pregnancy disrupted the ratio of different brain neurons in their unborn babies Wang says the effects of abnormal brain development in babies may persist after birth because maternal smoking reprogrammed the fetal

epigenome where brain cells store codes of chemical modifications to DNA

LLU’s Center for Genomics, which launched in 2014 with Wang as its founding director, has published several papers in high-impact journals leading up to the grant, says Wang, including: six papers in Nature Biotechnology, six papers in Genome Biology, and two papers in Nature Communications

"We are thrilled with how this funding lines up so well with our expertise,” Wang says “Receiving this grant marks a major milestone and speaks to the caliber of research we conduct through the cutting-edge technologies at our Center for Genomics and Center for Perinatal Biology ”

Another branch of the NIH, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), awarded $437,000 in funds to three principal investigators: Carlos A Casiano, PhD, associate director of LLU Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine (CHDMM), and Frankis Almaguel, PhD, MD, director of LLU Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Research Program, and Bhaskar Das, a professor at Long Island University

Their study, “The role and theranostic potential of enolase in prostate cancer health disparities,” will investigate why the immune systems of men of African descent and men of European descent react differently against the glycolytic enzyme enolase, a protein found on the surface of prostate cancer cells In parallel, Casiano says the team will explore the role of enolase in theranostics, a growing practice that pairs imaging with therapy to molecularly target and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue

“This is the first grant the NCI has awarded to LLU to explore the application of theranostics,” Casiano says “We believe that leveraging the precision of theranostics care may increase health equity and accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge therapeutics to most at-risk groups ”

African American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than other men, get prostate cancer at a younger age, and tend to have more advanced disease when found, Casiano says They are also twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than other men

Visit iecn com to read the complete story

PHOTO LLU

Two teams of LLU researchers (from left: Dr Carlos Casiano, Dr Frankis Almaguel, Dr Daliao Xiao, Dr Charles Wang) will use their NIH grant funding to pursue their research projects

LLU

IECN News

After spending nearly 20 years as a stay-at-home mother, Diana Ellsworth put her nurturing skills to good use by pursuing her dream of a career in nursing

While attending San Bernardino Valley College’s Nursing School, Diana was accepted into a sponsorship program through Dignity Health - Community Hospital San Bernardino (CHSB) where she found her second home Upon graduation, she wholeheartedly accepted a position at CHSB for two years

“I was 52 when I finally became a nurse, and I’ve

been here 11 years now,” says Diana who is an RN in the Telemetry Department “I’ll stay here until I retire because I’m doing what I always wanted to do–helping people to get better ”

Outside of work, Diana enjoys sewing – a skill she learned from her grandmother and has turned it into an act of human kindness for staff and patients During the COVID-19 pandemic, Diana started making hats and face masks for co-workers out of scrubs that were no longer needed Many offered to pay her, but she refused

Soon, Diana’s kindness spread throughout the hospital, reaching children in Community Hospital’s Children’s Subacute Center Over the past years, she’s sewn comforting gifts for them, including blankets with

matching pillows for Christmas, and stuffed animal dogs during COVID-19

“Diana spent hours of her personal time sewing 80 stuffed animals and blankets for every single child in our Pediatric Subacute Center,” recalls June Collison, CHSB Hospital President “These stuffed animals brought the children joy and companionship during those times of isolation ”

“The kids live there, and if I can make something that can bring a smile to their faces and make them happy, that makes me feel good,” she says

Diana has touched many lives and has been described by her nursing peers as the “epitome of kindness and giving ”

Alumna’s Quest For Academic “Redemption” Leads to Intriguing Car eer in Cyber security

IECN News

When Chioma Nwagbala, MPA ’16, began Cal San Bernardino’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program with a concentration in cybersecurity in 2013, she dubbed it her “redemption degree ”

As an undergraduate at the University of California, Irvine in 2008, she imagined pursuing a career in medicine, but soon decided chemistry wasn’t her strength Thinking a career in law was a possibility, she began classes and then realized, “I liked criminology, but law was too dry ”

Ultimately, she earned a degree in Spanish with a minor in education, but concluded, “Teachers don’t get paid enough They do a fantastic job, but they don’t pay teachers enough

“I struggled a bit in my bachelor ’s degree program because I didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” she notes After graduating in 2012 with a 2 97 GPA, she went back home to Eastvale, living with her parents “Basically, for the next year, I was trying to figure out my life ”

When her parents proposed a graduate degree in cybersecurity, she was hesitant “How could they even suggest I work with computers?” she says with mock in-

dignation Then, with a laugh, “I guess sometimes your parents know better ” After being admitted to CSUSB’s MPA program, she immediately applied for a full scholarship offered through the Cybersecurity Center Unfortunately, “I didn't get [it] I didn’t have a 3 0 GPA I think that’s probably one of the most disappointing things I’d ever experienced I cried at the mailbox,” she recalled

So began the “redemption” degree –her second chance to excel academically With renewed determination, as she launched her master ’s studies at CSUSB, she also began an associate degree in computer network administration and security management at Mt San Antonio College

“The master ’s degree program had five classes for the concentration,” she explains “I wanted more technical knowledge for when I started applying for jobs I was bouncing back and forth between two schools for three years It was a crazy time ”

In addition to the academic demands, graduate students were required to complete an internship, an extremely competitive process, she says “I think I put in hundreds of applications As God would have it, I ended up with three internships ”

In winter quarter of 2015, she landed an

internship at the CSU Chancellor ’s Office in Long Beach as a student assistant with information security, as well as an internship at the Jurupa Community Services District in information technology

In the summer of 2015, she began a coveted 10-week internship with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Chantilly, Virginia, working with the Cyber Division When the internship ended, she was immediately hired for a position with the DOJ in Los Angeles

“I’m definitely an overachiever,” she says, laughing “And it truly was my redemption degree By the time I graduated in 2016, I was in two honor societies, and I had a 3 69 GPA ”

After two years with the DOJ, she joined consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton as a government contractor, still working with the Justice Department but in security operations, and relocated to the Washington, D C metro area

After about a year-and-a-half on the DOJ contract, she joined another contract doing cyber- financial intelligence reporting with the Department of Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

While she enjoyed intelligence report-

ing, “I still wanted to get my hands dirty,” she says, and in January 2021, she joined what is now the Cyber Threat Management team at KPMG in Dallas, helping clients navigate cyber response and recovery as they build cyber resilience

Reflecting on her journey, she’s come full circle since beginning the MPA program

“Initially, I wanted to go into public service, which is why I pursued an MPA I worked for the community services district – local government Then I worked for the CSU, which is state government Then, for the DOJ – federal government From there, I went into federal contracting, and now I work in private industry Everything fit together in the end, but while it was happening, there were a lot of twists and turns,” she says, laughing Her advice for those considering a degree in cybersecurity?

“Things are always changing, so be ready to be a lifelong learner Ask questions – you’re not going to know everything all the time,” she says “I would encourage anybody, if you want to do it, just do it Find ways to get yourself trained up, find ways to get involved as far as networking goes I know sometimes it’s hard to just get your foot in the door, but it’s not impossible ”

PHOTO CHSB

Ellsworth also sewed stuffed animals for pediatric patients during COVID-19 to keep them company at the hospital

PHOTO CHSB

Diana Ellsworth sewed comforting gifts like blankets and pillows for the children living at Community Hospital of San Bernardino Children’s Subacute Center

Rep. Aguilar Announces $2.5 Million to Impr ove Water Conser vation and Dr ought Resiliency in the Inland Empir e IECN NEWS

Today, Rep Pete Aguilar announced $2,500,000 of federal funding he secured for the Santa Ana River Enhanced Stormwater Recharge Project This project will increase the amount of storm water from the Santa Ana River that can be captured and recharged from the Seven Oaks Dam The water captured by this project in the San Bernardino Basin will help approximately 400,000 residents With recent storms battering the Inland Empire, this project will play a key role in our region’s long-term drought resiliency and water-conservation efforts

“Protecting our water supply is one of the most important issues we face as a region, state and nation,” said Rep Pete Aguilar “With the latest surge of storms, California’s drought has been cut in half, but this is not a sustainable solution to our drought This project will benefit over 400,000 people in our region and play a key role in our long-term conservation and drought resiliency efforts ”

“San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District is excited to move forward with this critical water supply project as it demonstrates our commitment to collaboration, regional partnership, innovation, and perseverance in getting hard things done This proj-

ect is so unique because of its many integrated benefits; first and foremost it captures much-needed local stormwater during wet years for use during future dry years; it improves the long-term water quality of our groundwater; it supports and actually enhances endangered species habitat; and finally it serves as the foundation of our long-term climate resilience strategy for the upper Santa Ana River watershed,” said Heather Dyer, CEO/General Manager of the regional water agency which has been ensuring water supply to the area since 1954 “This is a generational investment in water infrastructure that will support the changing needs of our region’s population and environment for decades to come I’m honored to be part of it,” she added

“In a state like California where every drop of water is precious, cooperative management is essential As a partner with San Bernardino Valley for more than five decades, Western Water is proud that our region is leading by example and working together,” said Western Water ’s Board President Mike Gardner “Local projects like the Enhanced Recharge Project are needed to capture and store more stormwater when we get it, so we can stretch our resources during longer, hotter and drier weather conditions ”

Gr owing Inland Achievement CEO, Dr. Car los Ayala, to Retir e After Bringing Mor e T han $20 Million to the Region

GIA serves both San Bernardino and Riverside Counties as a regional, crosssector network of education, government, nonprofit and business partners in the Inland Empire; collectively, they work towards a shared vision of educational and economic success

“It has been an honor to serve the students of the Inland Empire, says Dr Ayala “I have learned a great deal about the affordances and constraints our students, families, institutions and community-based organizations face when it comes to student success ”

Dr Ayala, age 62, has more than 25 years of service in public education During his tenure as CEO, Ayala is credited with working with the network's partners to establish GIA as a 501(c) (3), tax-exempt organization, more than

doubling the size of the organization and raising millions of dollars for Inland Empire education

Under his guidance and working with the network members, GIA was accepted as one of only six organizations in the U S chosen by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to participate in its Intermediaries for Scale program, also known as Higher Endeavor, bringing $10 million of support to the region for postsecondary transformation reforms

“I want to thank the GIA Board of Directors and employees for their commitment to the people and students of the Inland Empire,” Ayala said “I also wish to thank the vast array of people who are committed to changing the economy of the Inland Empire through education Their work is notable and I remain convinced that the path forward is at your doorstep engage collectively ”

The Board of Directors for GIA will oversee the process of choosing Dr Ayala’s successor

“As its first CEO, Carlos established the organization, including a set of processes to help us move forward,” said Dr Kim Wilcox, GIA Board Chair and Chancellor of UC Riverside “I’m personally grateful for his efforts ”

“Dr Ayala brought a deep knowledge of the education landscape, strong leadership, and a passion for positively impacting student lives to our organization,” said Ann Marie Sakrekoff, COO of Growing Inland Achievement “He is leaving GIA in a great position to succeed in our next chapter Under Dr Ayala’s leadership, GIA has become nationally recognized ”

GIA’s shared vision is that by 2035, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will be widely recognized for their educated workforce, thriving communities and vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all

Book Sale Pr oceeds to Fund Pr og rams at San Ber nardino City Libraries

IECN News

Books, Magazines, DVDs, Records and CDs are available for purchase at very low prices as part of the Friends of San Bernardino Public Library’s ongoing book sale at Feldheym Central Library, located at 555 West 6th Street in San Bernardino

Sale proceeds directly fund special events and activities for adults and kids at all four San Bernardino Libraries, including the popular Summer Reading Program, visits by Santa and Mrs Claus, year-round cultural and holiday themed art projects, and other special

events

“The Friends of SBPL book sale at Feldheym Library is a great way to add to your personal book, movie, or music collection while supporting important programming at the library,” said Library Director Ed Erjavek

For most items, the cost of a hardback book is only $1 00, while paperbacks are between $ 25 and $1 00 Most magazines and children’s books are $ 25, and DVDs, records, and CDs are $1 00

Selections available for purchase are updated weekly by the Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library and are based upon donations from

members of the community Individuals interested in donating materials to the Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library for the sale can do so at the front counter during normal business hours at all City libraries

Books in good condition, both hardback and paperback, for all ages are welcome DVDs, CDs, records, and magazines are also accepted SBPL is not able to pick up materials off site

For more information, call (909) 381-8201

PHOTO GIA

Dr Carlos Ayala speaking at GIA’s annual Toward a Shared Vision Summit

IECN News

President and CEO of Growing Inland Achievement (GIA), Dr Carlos Ayala, will retire in June 2023

PHOTO REP AGUILAR

Rep Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations

San Ber nardino County Fir e: Her oes in Helmets as Agency Launches Large Animal Rescue Team and Immediatel y Saves 47 Livestock

By Manny Sandoval

San Bernardino County has taken a significant step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of its animal population by launching the Large Animal Rescue Team, a specialized division dedicated to rescuing animals in need during natural disasters The team is based out of Fire Station 305 in Hesperia, California, which also houses an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) unit

Natural disasters in California, such as wildfires and earthquakes, have been increasing in frequency and intensity over recent years According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, over 4 million acres were burned in 2020 alone These disasters often leave countless animals, both wild and domestic, in need of rescue

"The new equipment and trailer are vital for rescuing large animals where conventional fire & rescue tools are unable to assist," says Battalion Chief Mike McClintock "Specialized tools, harnesses, and equipment will allow firefighters to safely rescue horses, cows, or other large livestock " The team has a 400pound realistic horse prop to facilitate training, ensuring they are prepared for real-life rescue scenarios

The Large Animal Rescue Team's jurisdiction extends throughout San Bernardino County, and it can also be activated in neighboring areas

In March, the team was activated in the community of Muscoy (suburb of San Bernardino), where they rescued 17 large animals stuck in deep mud In addition to the large animals, crews rescued 30 medium-sized animals

The team works in close collaboration with the USAR unit, which is trained to respond to a wide range of emergency situations "Urban Search and Rescue teams respond to events such as earthquakes and other incidents that cause widespread damage to a variety of structures and entrap up to hundreds or thousands of people," explains McClintock

The USAR team has recently been deployed for two weeks during the unprecedented storms in local mountains, providing structural triage, shoring, and rescue operations in affected areas

Chief McClintock emphasizes the importance of inter-agency cooperation and training: "USAR personnel this week have been providing in-service training to area crews to familiarize our firefighters with the new equipment "

As natural disasters continue to be a significant concern for Californians, the Large Animal Rescue Team's presence provides an essential safety net for the animal population, ensuring that countless lives are saved in the face of adversity

Their devotion to their mission is a heartwarming reminder of the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and the importance of community in times of crisis

Calif or nia Restaurant Foundation’s Resilience Fund Retur ns With Larger Grants and Expanded Priorities

IECN News

The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit focused on investing in and empowering California restaurants and their workforce, has proudly partnered with the state’s energy companies to bring back the third consecutive Restaurants Care® Resilience Fund This year ’s fund totals $2 1 million, making it the largest Resilience Fund program to date, allowing CRF to increase grants to $5,000

Due to the generosity of SoCalGas, the PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation) and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), CRF expects to help more than 360 independent

restaurant owners across California build more resilient businesses for the long-term Resilience Fund applications will be open from April 15, 2023 to May 7, 2023 and can be found at

www restaurantscare org/resilience Grants will be available to all California-based restaurant owners located in the utility companies’ service areas that have less than five units and less than $3 million in revenue Priority will be given to restaurants who have yet to receive a grant; however, previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply

While last year ’s Resilience Fund grants could be used on retention bonuses and equipment

upgrades, this year ’s $5,000 grants can be applied to technology adoption, equipment upgrades, employee onboarding and retention, or unforeseen hardships The expanded priorities reflect the Resilience Fund’s commitment to providing California’s vibrant restaurant community with the financial support needed to build stronger, more resilient businesses that will continue to feed and contribute to their local communities for many years to come

For more info about the California Restaurant Foundation, Restaurants Care, or the Resilience Fund, please visit www restaurantscare org

PHOTO SB COUNTY FIRE

San Bernardino County Firefighter Jerkins learning how to harness a horse

PHOTO SB COUNTY FIRE

The Large Animal Rescue Team learning how to save large and medium sized wild and domestic animals with specialized tools, harnesses, and equipment in March 2023