L T O N C O U R I E R WWe e eekkllyy
With the end of the s c h o o l y e a r f a s t a p p r o a c h i n g , Colton Joint Unified School
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IE’s Claremont Graduate Univer sity spotlighted through the eyes of a Latino Ph D Student
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San Ber nardino City Council in the hot seat over four Carousel Mall redevelopment violations
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D i s t r i c t ( C J U S D ) Superintendent Frank Miranda is focused on a strong end of the school year for students and families
“ S p r i n g b r e a k m a r k s t h e beginning of the final phase of the school year, but it is also an opportunity to reflect on our w o r k , a n d l o o k t o c r e a t e momentum that will prepare us for the FY 23-24 school year,”
s a i d D r F r a n k M i r a n d a , S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , C o l t o n J o i n t Unified School District
“This year has been a great year of accomplishment for our students Building on that, we are going to work to make the
end of our current school year a memorable one for students and families ”
This has been a year of great accomplishment at the District, with success in the classroom through accomplishments such as our students’ outstanding performance on CJUSD’s first district-wide reading challenge and success in sports with league championships by our C o l t o n H i g h S c h o o l v a r s i t y b o y s s o c c e r, G r a n d Te r r a c e H i g h S c h o o l s o f t b a l l a n d B l o o m i n g t o n H i g h S c h o o l ’s boys volleyball and varsity and junior varsity baseball teams
As the District enters the final months of the 22-23 school y e a r, d i s t r i c t a d m i n i s t r a t i o n and the Board of Education are focused on making the end of t h e y e a r o n e t h a t b u i l d s
CJUSD, cont next pg
o f A b a n d o n m e n t
By Manny SandovalOv e r 3 0 0 n o s t a l g i c community members gathered at the main e n t r a n c e o f t h e s h u t t e r e d
C a r o u s e l M a l l o n M o n d a y, April 24th, to commemorate the demolition of the severely dilapidated building, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a promising rebirth for downtown San Bernardino
At the Demolition Ceremony, San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran stated, "Many of us have w o n d e r f u l m e m o r i e s o f t h e Carousel Mall Unfortunately, over the years, activity slowed due to the changing economic environment, competition from a n e a r b y m a l l ( T h e I n l a n d Center), and the closure of the anchor stores On August 18th, 2 0 1 7 , t h e C a r o u s e l M a l l closed "
people that something better is on its way "
Echoing similar sentiments, Councilmember Fred Shorett, 4th Ward, shared his connection to the mall "This is a milestone There are a lot of memor i e s h e r e I r e m e m b e r Christmas Eve nights scrambling around here shopping for gifts, so my wife would have a gift to open on Christmas morning," he said Shorett also mentioned that his great-grandfather, a councilman in the town, opened his lumber company in 1926, and some of the lumber used in the mall's construction in 1927 came from his company
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 : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m L e g a l s : i e c n l e g a l s @ g m a i l c o m
C o u n c i l m e m b e r T h e o d o r e Sanchez, Ward 1, reminisced his memories of the mall, saying, "I grew up coming to this mall It was once a beautiful place and a beacon of commerce Finally, the city is taking assertive action to do something to give back to the people of San Bernardino Some people said this is in bad taste But, no, it takes a lot of power and a lot of will to be strong enough to tear this down and promise
Tran acknowledged the mall's subsequent decline, becoming a s a f e t y i s s u e r i f e w i t h t r e spassers and homelessness and plagued by a series of fires "We need to take immediate action," Tran declared "While this demolition symbolizes the end of an era that holds many fond memories, rest assured that the redevelopment of this property promises a rebirth of downtown San Bernardino "
The demolition process is set to commence in May and conc l u d e i n N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 3 Crews are currently working
CJUSD
momentum for the beginning of the FY 23-24 academic year
As the district continues work on the CJUSD Design Plan and its three pillars of professional learning, equity and professionalism, the focus is on its motto of “Keeping Students First Achievement, Equity, Well-
ness ”
“At CJUSD, we are focused on making sure that every single one of our students has the necessary foundational tools to one day make all of their dreams come true,” said Miranda “That’s what inspires me every single day that I come to work ”
Comic Con Revolution to Bring Together
Unpr ecedented Cast of Avatar : T he Last Airbender & Power R anger s, Massive 12K Per son Experience in the IE
By Manny SandovalThe Inland Empire’s premier family-friendly comic convention, Comic Con Revolution (CCR), is gearing up for an unprecedented, star-studded event at the Ontario Convention Center on May 20 and 21, 2023
The event promises a diverse, action-packed weekend featuring comic book legends, actors, wrestlers, voice actors, celebrities, cosplayers, writers, and more all in the Inland Empire’s backyard
“We wanted to build a familyfriendly show and bring the best of the industry to the Inland Empire So we settled upon the IE in 2017 after doing shows in Long Beach, Chicago, Florida, and New York It’s a way for fans to come out and express themselves, and it’s right in the heart of Southern California,” said Drew Seldin, co-founder, and co-owner of Comic Con Revolution
Headlining the event is the first-ever reunion of the entire cast of the critically acclaimed animated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender This groundbreaking gathering has fans flying in from all over the world to witness this historic event In addition to the cast reunion, attendees can expect panel discussions, photo ops, and an unforgettable experience
“The panel will be packed out,” Seldin shared “We have people coming in from as far away as Australia, and it’s just inspiring to see someone that much of a fan of something ”
The event features a stellar lineup of first-time attendees, including Mercedes Varnado, better known as WWE superstar Sasha Banks and Koska Reeves from the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian; Scott Grimes and
J Lee from The Orville; and Sean Kanan, the bad boy of karate from Cobra Kai In addition, comic book royalty like John Romita Jr , Chris Claremont, Jim Starlin, Whilce Portacio, and Marv Wolfman will also attend
“We’ve carefully curated a guest list that not only celebrates the best of the industry but also provides a truly unforgettable experience for fans of all ages In addition, our family-friendly focus means everyone can enjoy this incredible event,” added Seldin
Comic Con Revolution’s commitment to a family-friendly environment is apparent in its ticketing policy, which allows up to two children aged 12 and under to attend for free with every adult ticket purchased “We pride ourselves on all being family men So it can be affordable for a family,” Seldin emphasized
The event also boasts appearances from Power Rangers stars Catherine Sutherland and Walter Jones and Carla Perez, who portrayed the villainous Rita Repulsa With such a diverse guest list, fans are sure to find something to suit their interests
As the excitement for Comic Con Revolution 2023 reaches a fever pitch, Seldin and his team are already looking ahead “We’re already planning for 2024 Our goal is to continue bringing the best of the industry to the Inland Empire while creating unforgettable experiences for our fans,” Seldin concluded
With an expected attendance of over 12,000 people, Comic Con Revolution 2023 is set to be an unforgettable experience for fans and guests alike For the latest information and to purchase tickets, click comicconrevolution com/ontario
Mall inside the building, cleaning out trash, debris, cables, and wiring The phased project will begin with demolishing the old Montgomery Wards building, followed by the old JC Penney Building, before destroying the main body of the structure
The Harris Building, which shut down in 1999 after opening
on November 7th, 1927, will not be demolished, as it is privately owned by El Corte Ingles S A , a retail company based in Madrid, Spain, and reports have stated that they do not wish to sell the property However, several entities in San Bernardino are actively trying to negotiate a sale
Mayor Tran envisioned a brighter future for the space, saying, "Today, we look ahead
This space will allow for new offices, commercial spaces, and affordable housing "
Although there was no explosion at the event, the council commemorated the start of the demolition by destroying an original Carousel Mall planter with a gold-plated sledgehammer, symbolizing the breaking of old barriers and the ushering in of new opportunities
City Council Recognizes J & F Auto Repair f or Year s of Successful Business
by Dr. G (Dr. Luis S González), Community Writer
At the recent Council Meeting April 18, Council Member Dr G (Dr Luis S González) presented the “Business Focus” Recognition Award to Mr Jose Guzman, owner of J & F Auto Repair This long-standing repair shop is located at 375 West F Street, and has been operating as a sole proprietorship for 22 years
This well-known establishment, is the final leg of a long career in auto mechanics Born and raised in Huntington Beach, Jose became a mechanic with the Goodyear Company When his efforts to purchase a home there failed due to discrimination, Jose decided to move to Riverside, and not only managed to acquire another job at Goodyear but was able to purchase his own home
In 2000, Jose purchased the current property on West F Street, which included the shop, abutting house, and storage He called his new business J & F Auto Repair, named after himself (J), and after his son, Fernando Since that time he has serviced hundreds of satisfied Colton customers His assistant, Gaylen Hernandez, comes in from time to time to help on larger repair jobs, and between the two, have developed a reputation of being able to fix just about any car problem one might have
We are so fortunate to have such a master mechanic in our community who enjoys working here, and serving the people Jose is looking to retire soon but until then, everyone is always welcome to stop by to say hi, or have some work done on your car He’ll give you a fair estimate of cost and
a good estimate of time it might take to complete the job His prices are reasonable and he works on the job until it’s finished
Mr Jose Guzman is to be congratulated not only for his successful business in Colton, but for his long and successful career as an auto mechanic He has survived the pandemic and has made meaningful efforts in providing input to the city for improvements in the area We truly hope that he will continue his successful business for as long as possible, but with retirement on the horizon, we also want to wish him well in his future endeavors The Council also recognizes him for his service to our residents, and making a valuable contribution to our local economy Congratulations to Mr Jose Guzman of J & F Auto for his successful business venture in Colton
April is Recognized as Community College Month
By Joseph Williams, SBCCD Board of TrusteesApril is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the essential contributions of community colleges in empowering communities, students, and families
Community colleges play a vital role in providing affordable and accessible education to millions of students across the United States, including in the Inland Empire, where I serve as a Board Clerk on the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees
In the Inland Empire, our 12 community colleges, such as San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College, serve a diverse population of students, including many low-income and first-generation college-goers These students only sometimes have support at home, but our community colleges create opportunities for their success
As someone who personally benefited from the San Bernardino Community College District, I know the transformative power of these institutions As a young student parent, I found teachers and mentors who believed in my potential and gave me the guidance I needed to succeed The community college experience built me up, and now I am dedicated to paying it forward
and helping other students achieve their dreams
One of our top priorities in the Inland Empire is increasing higher education attainment and equipping students with the skills and knowledge to enter goodpaying careers Initiatives like Middle College High School, a partnership between San Bernardino City Unified School District and San Bernardino Valley College, allow students to graduate with a high school diploma, college credits, and an Associate's Degree This innovative approach gives students a head start on their college education and sets them up for success as they pursue higher education or enter the job market
We take pride in the academic achievement of our diverse students For example, Crafton Hills College was recognized as an Equity Champion for Excellence in Transfer for Latino students by The Campaign for College Opportunity Increasingly, more of our Crafton students earn an Associate Degree for Transfer, providing them with a direct pathway to transfer to a University of California or California State University, ensuring they have a seamless path to continue their education and pursue their career goals However, college costs remain a significant barrier for many stu-
dents and their families Most of our students come from low-income backgrounds, so financial aid is crucial in making higher education accessible At the San Bernardino Community College District, nearly 8 out of 10 students pay $0 in tuition fees when they apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application In addition, we are proud to have implemented the Books+ program, which provides all students with free textbooks, e-books, and course materials This program has helped alleviate the financial burden on our students and ensured that they are ready to learn from day one of their classes
The impact of community colleges extends beyond individual students Community colleges also contribute to the economic development of our communities An educated workforce attracts businesses, stimulates economic growth, and helps build a strong and vibrant community By providing affordable and accessible education, community colleges help create a skilled workforce equipped to meet the demands of the job market, leading to higher wages and better job prospects for individuals and their families
In addition, these activities help build strong community bonds and foster a sense of civic pride and engagement, making local cities more vibrant and cohesive
American political activist Angela Davis shar es thoughts and experiences with CSUSB community
Community News
The Cal State San Bernardino and local community gathered in the Santos Manuel Student Union (SMSU) North and virtually on Zoom to listen to the thoughts and experiences of Angela Davis, American political activist, philosopher, academic and author
Topics during the April 17 event were wide ranging: feminism, intersectionality, social justice, environmentalism and racism were all discussed through a discussion moderated by Angie Otiniano Verissimo, CSUSB associate professor of health science and human ecology, and Alexandra Thambi, biology major and chair of the SMSU board of directors
“I like to construct feminism as broadly as possible But at the same time, I like to be specific I say this because there was a time I did not identify with feminism,” Davis said, noting that when she published a book called “Women, Race and Class,” people started referring to her as a feminist “I was writing about Black women, women of color And my response was, ‘I’m not a feminist I am a revolutionary Black woman ’”
Davis said she had initially associated feminism with middle-class women and white women
“But what I want to say to you this afternoon is that working class women, women of color from many different ethnic and national backgrounds have helped to shape feminism,” she said
The term most linked to feminism, she said, is intersectionality
“(That term) came largely from women of color, radical women of color and also working-class white women who wanted to think about feminism as connected to the transformation of our social, economic and political worlds,” she said “So, when I say I want to think broadly, I want to be very inclusive, but at the same time, I want to insist that the feminism that is most valuable is the feminism that is anti-racist And the feminism that is anti-capitalist And the feminism that is internationalist ”
“I tend not to want to pull one issue out and just say, ‘This is the most important,’” she clarified “Because I think feminism methodologies urge us to grasp, to apprehend relationships, relationalities That’s what intersectionality is about It’s about recognizing that one cannot fully understand what gender means without taking race into consideration One can’t understand race without taking gender into consideration ”
Davis said that if she was compelled to choose one issue, it would be the environment, noting the need to rescue the earth from “the onslaught of the billionaire capitalists who see profit as more important than saving the plants and saving the animals,” which includes humans
“If we can’t save the earth, then none of the work we are doing around justice for workers, justice for women, and gender nonconforming people, justice for trans people, none of that will matter,” she said “So, let’s keep that in mind I always like to talk about the environmental movement and environmental justice as ground zero of social justice If we can’t achieve that, then none of our progress in other areas will ultimately be significant ”
Davis said her motivation stems from her family, including her mother and her mother ’s best friend, and the many people she has connected with over the years
“I know a lot of people who have devoted their entire lives to struggles to make life more livable for all of us,” she said “So, I guess am motivated by that And the fact is I don’t know how to be any different I wouldn’t know how to live if I weren’t also attempting to help make the planet a better place ”
Students, faculty and members from the community, including Ben Reynoso, councilmember for the city of San Bernardino, participated in the question-and-answer session, which introduced a wide variety of topics of discussion, including afro-pessimism, voting and the Palestinian struggle
Following the discussion, a book signing with Davis was held in the SMSU South Fourplex
This was Davis’ second visit to CSUSB She last spoke on campus in February 2010 at an event hosted by the Women’s Resource Center, which was attended by more than 700 students and guests
Through her activism and scholarship over many decades, Davis has been deeply involved in movements for social justice around the world Her work as an educator – both at the university level and in the larger public sphere – has always emphasized the importance of building communities of struggle for economic, racial and gender justice
Davis’ teaching career has taken her to
San Francisco State University, Mills College and UC Berkeley She also has taught at UCLA, Vassar, Syracuse University, the Claremont Colleges and Stanford University Most recently she spent 15 years at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she is now Distinguished Professor Emerita of History of Consciousness – an interdisciplinary Ph D program – and of Feminist Studies
Davis is the author of 10 books and has lectured throughout the United States as well as in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and South America In recent years, a persistent theme of her work has been the range of social problems associated with incarceration and the generalized criminalization of those communities that are most affected by poverty and racial discrimination
She draws upon her own experiences in the early ’70s as a person who spent 18 months in jail and on trial (she was acquitted by a jury), after being placed on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted List ” She also has conducted extensive research on numerous issues related to race, gender and imprisonment
Like many educators, Davis is especially concerned with the general tendency to devote more resources and attention to the prison system than to educational institutions Having helped to popularize the notion of a “prison industrial complex,” she now urges her audiences to think seriously about the future possibility of a world without prisons and to help forge a 21st century abolitionist movement
Making Hope Happen Foundation to Celebrate Local Her oes with the HOPE & K ar nig Awards
Community News
On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Making Hope Happen Foundation will be hosting its annual gala at the Sterling Natural Resource Center
They are throwing a party and honoring those who make their work possible with the HOPE Awards and the Karnig Award This year ’s gala theme is Mardi Gras and includes Cajun and Creole gourmet food, a hosted bar, awards, live music, magicians, Cirque du Soleil style acrobats, networking, opportunity to bid on student art, and a guarantee that your participation will make hope happen Experience it all in a unique, state of the art facility with amazing ponds, gardens, and lawns
“We are looking forward to a great event designed to
bring people together to celebrate, network, and support the important work of the Making Hope Happen Foundation ” says Niki Dettman, executive director “We also want to recognize and honor the organizations and individuals who make San Bernardino stronger ”
This year’s HOPE and Karnig Awardees are:
Hero for Hope Award: Alexander Mattison, San Bernardino High School Alum & Minnesota Viking
Opportunity Makers Award: Inland Empire Community Foundation
Patron Award: Marilyn Karnig
Empowering Hope Award: Tomorrow’s Talent
Karnig Award: Latashia Kelly, Director of Child Development for the San Bernardino City Unified School District
“We are so grateful for the contributions each of our awardees has made to grow a vibrant San Bernardino We all have a role, and, together, we are working to uplift our city’s children, families, adults, businesses, neighborhoods and communities”, says Karen Suarez, Director of Uplift San Bernardino, a collective impact initiative for which the Making Hope Happen Foundation is the backbone, “and this work is so important for our future ”
Tickets are on sale now and sponsorships are still available For more information, please visit www makinghope org, email Gerzon Cesena at gerzon cesena@makinghope org or call (909) 245-1454
