*Rialto Record 06/08/23

R I A L T O R E C O R D

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R i a l t o ' s B l i n k F i t n e s s I n v i t e s C o m m u n i t y t o W o r k o u t w i t h P r i d e E v e n t a n d O f f e r s F r e e S u m m e r M e m b e r s h i p f o r T e a c h e r s

By Manny Sandoval

Blink Fitness, located at 1205-1209

W Foothill Blvd, is gearing up for a n e x c i t i n g f i t n e s s e v e n t , "Workout with Pride," on Saturday, June 10th, from 10 AM to 11 AM

The event, open to members and nonmembers, aims to promote inclusivity and support the LGBTQ+ community For each person attending the event, Blink Fitness w i l l d o n a t e o n e d o l l a r t o T h e O U T Foundation, a nonprofit organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in fitness and health

Led by a certified personal trainer, the Workout with Pride event promises participants a high-energy, fun-filled workout session Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in workout clothes, be prepared to sweat, and have a great time The session will include exercises designed to elevate the heart rate and cater to various fitness levels Each trainer will lead a different routine, ensuring a diverse and engaging experience

In addition to the Workout with Pride

event, Blink Fitness has also announced a special promotion for teachers Educators can activate a three-month gym membership at Blink Fitness for free by June 30th, 2023 This offer is an appreciation gesture for teachers' hard work and dedication To take advantage of this opportunity, teachers must visit the Rialto location and redeem their free membership, which will commence on the day of activation

Blink Fitness is known for its commitment to creating an inclusive and positive environment for all individuals The gym prides itself on the philosophy of "mood over muscle," emphasizing the importance of fostering a welcoming atmosphere rather than focusing solely on physical appearance Members can enjoy various equipm e n t , i n c l u d i n g f r e e w e i g h t s , w e i g h t machines, treadmills, and ellipticals, tailored to different fitness preferences

Furthermore, Blink Fitness offers in-person and online classes to cater to various needs and preferences During the COVID19 pandemic, the gym successfully transitioned to virtual classes and continues to provide this convenient option However, Blink Fitness also dramatically values its

in-gym personal training, distinguishing itself by ensuring all trainers are certified and providing reasonably priced packages They aim to dispel the misconception that personal training is unaffordable and make it accessible to everyone

Blink Fitness, owned by Equinox, has established a strong presence across multiple states, with ten locations in California and additional gyms in New York, New J e r s e y, Te x a s , Vi rg i n i a , F l o r i d a , a n d Philadelphia The gym's commitment to s u p p o r t i n g t h e L G B T Q + c o m m u n i t y extends beyond events like Workout with Pride Blink Fitness recently changed its Premiere Plan, now called the Green Plan For each new membership purchased under this plan, $10 will be donated to The Out Foundation, further contributing to their mission of inclusivity and support

"It's the gym for Every Body," said a repr e s e n t a t i v e f r o m B l i n k F i t n e s s T h e

Workout with Pride event embodies this sentiment, welcoming members and nonmembers to participate and enjoy a funfilled workout session with a personal trainer

PHOTO RUSD

Dr Cuauhtémoc Avila (left), RUSD Superintendent, extends his heartfelt congratulations to a graduate from Rialto High School’s Class of 2023

PHOTO RUSD Evelyn P Dominguez (left), RUSD Board of Education Member, extends her congratulations to a graduate from the Class of 2023 during Carter High School’s graduation ceremony on June 4

PHOTO RUSD

The Stars of Zupanic Virtual Academy shine brightly as they celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2023 with Joseph W Martinez (pictured right), Rialto Unified School District Board of Education Clerk

PHOTO RUSD

The Mustangs of Milor High School have charged forward and triumphantly achieved graduation! Edgar Montes (left), Rialto Unified School District Board of Education Member extends his congratulations to a graduate

PHOTO RUSD

The Eagles of Eisenhower High School, from the Class of 2023, are reaching new heights as they successfully complete their high school journey; with Nancy G O'Kelley (right), RUSD Board of Education Vice President

PHOTO RUSD

Stephanie E Lewis (right), RUSD Board of Education President congratulating a class of 2023 graduate from Lewis Adult School

SBVC’s Film Depar tment Announces Unique Collaboration with Orange Show Speed way Elevating Spor ts and News Br oadcasting Cour ses

By Manny Sandoval

San Bernardino Valley College's (SBVC) Department of Film, TV, and Media (FTVM) is thrilled to announce the availability of two new dynamic courses for the Fall 2023 semester: Sports Broadcasting (FTVM 134) and News Broadcasting (FTVM 133) These courses offer students an unparalleled opportunity to gain hands-on experience in broadcasting and media production

In Sports Broadcasting, students will write, produce, shoot, and edit broadcasts to air on television via San Bernardino Community College District's media organization, KVCR

Students will interview local athletes, write and produce feature material for broadcast, and highlight the contributions of minorities and women in sports In addition, as a unique collaboration, the program has partnered with the Orange Show Speedway, providing students with the unique opportunity to shoot short and long-form video content of the races and interview racecar drivers for social media and TV broadcasts

Lucas Cuny, Chair of FTVM, said, "These courses provide an exceptional opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience using stateof-the-art camera equipment like the Arri Amira As a result, our department is fully equipping students with the skills to thrive in the industry With access to cutting-edge technologies, including 6K camera systems, multiple track field audio, professional software like Pro-Tools and DaVinci Resolve, and a state-of-the-art Television and Radio Studio via KVCR, our students receive unparalleled training and exposure "

In News Broadcasting, students will learn the art of reporting, writing, and producing video stories for various formats, ranging from 30-second

social media pieces to four-minute BBC-style spots

Students will apply reporting techniques to the audio-visual medium, effectively telling news, feature, and investigative stories Throughout the course, students will explore ethical issues relevant to video journalism, master the art of interviewing for video, shoot sequences, and develop skills for writing in the short news format The combined efforts of the students will also culminate in a weekly news show to broadcast on KVCR

SBVC's FTVM Department offers a wide array of academic paths, including multiple 2-year degrees with transfer options and professional development certificates focused on specific areas of film and broadcast, such as production, postproduction, and audio

Students can use career development services through the Institute of Media Arts, including portfolio development, resume writing, networking skills, and local and regional internship opportunities

Graduates from the department have recently secured admission at esteemed four-year film and media institutions such as UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, CSUN, Cal State Long Beach, and Cal State Los Angeles

Enrollment for the Fall 2023 semester is now open, and prospective students are encouraged to seize this incredible opportunity to join the vibrant and innovative community of San Bernardino Valley College's Department of Film, TV, and Media For more information about the Sports Broadcasting (FTVM 134) and News Broadcasting (FTVM 133) courses and to enroll for the Fall 2023, visit SBVC's website at valleycollege edu

Westlake Awards Scholar ships to Local Rialto Students

Community News

Westlake has recognized and rewarded high-achieving college-bound students of our employees for over 27 years We received impressive applications and the competition was very high Westlake notified 106 students that they are recipients of the 2023-2024 Westlake Scholarship Program

This annual award of scholarships continues Westlake's ongoing support of the higher education endeavors for high school students of our employees Westlake will continue to provide aid for up to four years of undergraduate study provided that the student maintains high academic standards

Joel Gray, Westlake's Vice President of Human Resources stated in describing this year's applicants, “We believe this important tradition has a positive impact in our communities and our workplace The competition for these scholarships is consistently strong and the applicants are some of the most outstanding students in each of the communities in which we operate The average recipient has a GPA of 3 91 and ranks in the top 15% of their senior class Moreover, many of these scholars have made significant contributions through numerous volunteer and civic activities We congratulate the students and their parents for the significant accomplishments in the classroom and the com-

munities in which they live "

The following students from Rialto were awarded a Westlake Scholarship: Brandon Castillo from Rialto High School

Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day Headquartered in Houston, with operations in Asia, Europe and North America, we provide the building blocks for vital solutions from housing and construction, to packaging and healthcare, to automotive and consumer For more information, visit the Company's web site at www westlake com

School Administrator s Told to Obey the Law Over Native Student Regalia Community News

Two Cal State San Bernardino student teams representing the university’s School of Entrepreneurship took first place in their respective categories at the Sunstone CSU Startup Launch Competition, held May 4-5 at San Jose State University

State high school administrators don’t have to write on the blackboard 100 times, “I won’t break the law,” but the message delivered to them today is clear: obey the law

With high school graduation ceremonies underway across California, some Native American students are once again facing additional unnecessary burdens: convincing school and district administrators to follow the law and allow the wearing of tribal regalia at commencements to celebrate their culture during one of the most important accomplishments in their young lives

The message was delivered at a news briefing Wednesday after local cases of school districts seeking to set unnecessary conditions and limit or deny students the right to wear tribal regalia at their graduation observances

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, California Native American Legislative Caucus Chairperson James C Ramos (D-San Bernardino), tribal leaders and advocates reaffirmed the legal and constitutional right of tribal students to wear cultural items during their commencements

Ramos said, “In 2018, the state passed AB 1248, which stated in part, “A pupil may wear traditional tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance as an adornment at school graduation ceremonies Since then, students and families continue to face obstacles in exercising this right ”

He added that following continuing complaints and lawsuits, he successfully authored AB 945 in 2021 co-sponsored by the California Department of Education to require the department to form a task force of tribes and appointees from the governor ’s office, the state education department and tribes from around the state to work with schools to ensure the law is being followed and how best to set policies and practices around the issue

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said, “I was proud to co-sponsor AB 945 by Assembly Ramos; this legislation will help to develop policies that will address how to ensure our Native American students will be able to affirm their Native identity and connection to ancestry and culture by wearing traditional cultural adornments during graduation ceremonies

Tedde Simon (Diné), Indigenous justice advocate with the

ACLU Foundation of Northern California, said, “Every year, we see school administrators, teachers and staff attempting to stop Indigenous students from wearing tribal regalia at commencement, blatantly disregarding California law and the importance these items hold for Indigenous people We call on all schools in California to respect and honor students’ rights to wear tribal regalia during this monumental, once-in-a-lifetime celebration ”

Heather Hostler (Hupa), CILS executive director, stated, “It’s incredibly important that we arm Native students and their families with information about their rights under AB 1248 This country has a long history of atrocities against tribal people and sought to dismantle cultures and assimilate them Wearing tribal regalia at important milestones like commencements show that we are still here today, that we honor our ancestors who fought to preserve our culture before us and that we are committed to carrying on our traditions CILS is here to protect and advance your right to wear regalia proudly at graduation ”

In speaking to a reporter, former chairwoman of the Konkow Valley Band of Maidu Indians Jessica Lopez voiced her frustration after she had to argue with her local school district officials about wearing regalia Lopez spoke at today’s briefing Her son sought to wear a mortarboard beaded in a goose pattern with an eagle feather and ceremonial sash, but administrators pushed back and told Lopez not all mandatory pre-conditions had been met “The district says it’s open to reviewing the policy That’s not good enough Here we are having to tromp along the path of educating the educators They need to know that they are in violation [of the law] if they do not protect the rights of these students ”

Ramos, the first California Native American elected to the Legislature, observed, “High school graduations are times of great celebration in our tribal communities

Eagle feathers and other symbols of Native American significance are often presented by a proud community to the student as a way to recognize personal achievement It is a means for the tribe not only to honor the student but to share in and express pride in the graduate’s achievements ”

Information about this student right may be found on the California Indian Legal Services website at https://www calindian org/ and a tool kit is available on the ACLU of Northern C a l i f o r n i a at:https://www aclunc org/calif o r n i a - s t u d e n t s - h a v e - r i g h twear-tribal-regalia-graduation

4-0 Vote on Eight Af f ordable Condominium Units For Sale in Bloomington Ar ea on a 181 Multi-Famil y Condominium Complex Appr oved

Community News

During May 23rd, 2023’s Board of Supervisors Meeting, a vote on eight affordable condominium units for sale in Bloomington area on a 181 multi-Family condominium complex project was approved As a public benefit of the project to the County, the Developer, AllEra Properties, LLC has offered to commit eight units of the 181unit Project as affordable housing to the public to purchase The units will enter a recordable restrictive covenant that ensures the

enforceability of the affordable housing restriction, for a period of 55 years from the date of the initial sale of each of the eight units

Diane Mendez, a member of the Bloomington Municipal Advisory Council said, “I am happy to hear that the Board of Supervisors approved the affordable housing units associated with the new Linden Street development in Bloomington A new housing development is needed in our area, and by setting aside units specifically for affordable housing is a community benefit that is both necessary and appreciated ”

American Expr ess Suppor ts Small and Independent Restaurants

“When housing becomes affordable, possibilities multiply and we as an entire community grow together To have a project like this in our County is rare and proves we are moving in the right direction We want to thank the developers on this project for offering to make 8 of the units affordable housing for the public to purchase, as this will assist those who have dreamt of owning a home come true This is truly a victory for our County as a whole,” said Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr

CIELO Fund Scholar ship Application Open

T hr ough June 30, 2023

Community News

The Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity, or CIELO Fund, was launched in 2022 at the Inland Empire Community Foundation with a mission of uplifting and investing in the region’s Latino community

Earlier this year, the CIELO Fund awarded grants to Latino led and Latino serving organizations throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties The CIELO Fund Leadership and Grantmaking Committee is proud to invest in the next generation of local leaders with the launch of the inaugural CIELO Fund Scholars Program to invest in Latino students attending Inland Empire colleges and universities, especially those intending to remain and work in the region upon completing their studies

Who is eligible to receive the scholarship?

The CIELO Fund Scholars Program aims to provide financial assistance in the form of scholarships to graduating high school students and current college students who are Latino This scholarship looks to support civic-minded students who want to give back to the region and

Ar ound the Wor ld with Two “Backing Small” Grant Pr og rams

Community News

American Express is continuing its powerful backing of the restaurant community by announcing funding and other resources to support the growth of small and independent restaurants through two grant programs: “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” in the U S and “Backing International Small Restaurants ” Including the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants described below, American Express will have provided funding for grants to over 100 global restaurants through these programs since their inception

who demonstrate motivation, perseverance and a sincere desire to put their education to work for the benefit of the Inland Empire and underserved communities

Recipients may receive a onetime scholarship award of $1,000 to $2,000 to an accredited fouryear public, two year community college or private institution of higher learning within the Inland Empire Priority will be given to those students who intend to work in the region upon graduation The scholarship awards are outright grant awards

No services will be required as a consequence of receiving the award Scholarship awards are for tuition, books, education fees, and/or living expenses All students are welcome to apply, regardless of immigration status

Scholarship Criteria and Procedures

Applicants will be selected based on the following:

Financial need

GPA of 3 0 or above

High school senior

Full time college/graduate student in Fall 2023

AB540 and Dreamers are welcome to apply

How are scholarship recipients selected?

Scholarship recipients are selected by a scholarship committee composed of educators and community members Applications are reviewed competitively

How to apply for the scholarship and submission instructions: Eligible students must complete: 1) the attached application form; 2) A letter of recommendation (from counselor and/or others not related to the applicant) that is knowledgeable about your academic capabilities, skills, community service and volunteerism activities; 3) an essay; 4) transcript (unofficial is acceptable); and 5) student aid report (SAR) Final award recipients must provide evidence of enrollment in the academic institution to which funds will be paid on behalf of the recipient

Application Deadline: June 30, 2023

Submit Completed Application

To: Denisha Shackelford

Inland Empire Community Foundation 3700 Sixth Street, Suite 200, Riverside, CA 92501 Or dshackelford@iegives org

For more information, contact Denisha Shackelford, Scholarship Manager at dshackelford@iegives org

Financial Aid Wor kshops Set f or June 21 and Jul y 12 at Cal State San Ber nardino

Community News

The Inland Empire nonprofit, Building Wealth Initiative I E (BWI), will host two summer workshops at California State University, San Bernardino that will assist local high school graduates and adults in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) application for Pell Grant and Cal Grant state and federal funding, to attend college

The workshops will take place on June 21 and July 12 at the Jack H Brown College of Business and Public Administration on the CSUSB campus Those wishing to attend must register in advance to reserve a seat and assistance from a trained advisor Register online at Cash for College Registration

“Every year millions of dollars in financial aid is being left unap-

plied for in inland Southern California, often due to the difficult application process,” said Roberta Albano, an executive board member for BWI and a professor at CSUSB “Our goal is to help more of our students receive that money and realize their dreams ”

Added Lacey Kendall, a professor at CSUSB and BWI board member, “The workshops will allow local students and families to work with California Student Aid Commission-trained bilingual assistants to complete the process in each one-evening workshop ”

Each workshop will allow 35 attendees to use a workstation where they can complete the application with guidance from the trained assistants The registration website includes all information and documents for students to bring with them

Building Wealth Initiative I E is an organization focused on helping Inland Empire residents, small business owners and nonprofits find greater success through free workshops, training sessions, business connections and grant opportunities

"BWI is a unique organization for Inland Empire residents who want to find greater success in their business and personal lives,” said Albano

BWI has partnered with Growing Inland Achievement and the California Student Aid Commission to make the workshops possible Growing Inland Achievement is a cross-sector network of education, government, non-profit, and business partners in the Inland Empire, collectively aimed at a shared vision of increasing educational attainment and economic success

thanks to American Express, these resilient businesses can continue to grow, thrive, and serve their communities ”

The 25 grantees were selected by the National Trust for Historic Preservation from a group of historic and culturally significant restaurants that operate in historic buildings or neighborhoods, who contribute to their neighborhood’s past and identity

“Backing small businesses is core to what we do at American Express These grant programs support the important cultural and historic independent restaurants within our communities,” said Madge Thomas, Head of Corporate Sustainability & President, American Express Foundation “Both ‘Backing Small’ grant programs help preserve these restaurants’ established legacies and celebrate the rich variety of cuisines they serve around the world We’re delighted to once again partner with both the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the IDA Foundation ”

Third Annual “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” Grant Program

For the third year in a row, and in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, American Express is also officially announcing the recipients of the "Backing Historic Small Restaurants” grant program in the U S These 25 recipients will each receive $40,000 in funding collectively $1 million in grant funding to help them improve the business’ physical space and support critical operating costs, with the goal of helping these restaurants make an even larger positive impact on their communities As part of the program, Resy, the American Express-owned restaurant technology platform, is offering complimentary use of ResyOS for one year to each grant recipient The Resy OS software helps restaurants operate more efficiently and improves hospitality

“This year ’s restaurants embody the unique stories of how local businesses empower communities, sustain cultural traditions, and extend family legacies,” said Katherine Malone-France, Chief Preservation Officer, National Trust for Historic Preservation

“Once again, we heard from small restaurants of all kinds from soda fountains and craft breweries to BBQ stops and specialty bakeries, and from all over the country, reaffirming that,

“Like many small restaurants, we have faced many challenges over the past few years,” said Dr Kristal Williams, Chief Operating Officer, and H Brandon Williams, Executive Chef of FishScale in Washington, D C

“We are honored to receive this year ’s Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant which will help us continue to preserve our business’ future and welcome in a new generation of customers ”

2023 “Backing Historic Small Restaurants”

Grantees:

Carlito's Soul Food Kitchen, Wheeling, WV Cozy Inn Restaurant, Janesville, WI

Crown Point Restaurant, Virginia City, NV

Delgadillo's Snow Cap, Seligman, AZ Far East Café, San Francisco, CA

FishScale, Washington, D C Flesor's Candy Kitchen, Tuscola, IL

Freighthouse Market & Café, Lyndonville, VT Gather55, Hartford, CT

Harold's Kitchen, Richmond, VA

Hatcha’s, Mora, NM

Jeff's Red Hot, Chicago, IL

Johnny's Victory Diner, Burrillville, RI

Kelly's Gingernut Pub, Cape Charles, VA

Mitla Café, San Bernardino, CA Mr Powdrell's Barbeque House, Albuquerque, NM

Pekin Noodle Parlor, Butte, MT

Pentagoet Inn & Pub, Castine, ME

Radius Brewing Company, Emporia, KS

SnoCap Drive-In, North Augusta, SC

Social Coffeehouse & Speakeasy, LLC, Leonardtown, MD

The Holly Hotel, Holly, MI

The Hungarian Pastry Shop, New York City, NY

The Treehouse, Cleveland, OH U Drop Inn Café, Shamrock, TX

To learn more about the 25 historic establishments receiving “Backing Historic Small Restaurant” grants this year, please visit www savingplaces org/historicrestaurants

estaba trabajando en construcción cuando sufrió una grave lesión Sin saber cuánto duraría su rehabilitación, su mayor preocupación era cómo iba a pagar las facturas y mantener una vivienda Todo cambió cuando un amigo de Antonio le contó sobre un servicio gratuito de asesoramiento sobre temas de vivienda Los asesores de este programa ofrecen asesoramiento y capacitación gratuitos sobre morosidad en temas hipotecarios, alquiler de una vivienda, preparación para la compra de una vivienda, hipotecas inversas e incluso medidas de prevención para no terminar sin un lugar donde vivir

La financiación de este servicio procede de los Presupuestos del Estado de California por medio del Acuerdo Hipotecario Nacional (National Mortgage Settlement, o NMS, por sus siglas en inglés) y está administrado por la Agencia de Financiamiento de la Vivienda de California (California Housing Finance Agency, o CalHFA, por sus siglas en inglés) Por medio de su Programa de Asesoramiento de Vivienda del NMS, CalHFA ya ha ayudado a más de 50,000 familias a encontrar asesores de vivienda certificados por el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano (HUD, por su sigla en inglés) en todo el estado, para recibir servicios de asesoramiento de vivienda gratuitos y confidenciales

Un asesor sobre temas de vivienda trabajó

con Antonio, respondiendo a sus preguntas sobre opciones bancarias y crediticias La sesión se centró en cómo podría alcanzar sus objetivos financieros incluso aunque no pudiera trabajar debido a la lesión Trabajaron en los aspectos básicos de la creación de crédito y revisaron el proceso bancario, ya que Antonio no tenía una cuenta bancaria El asesor de vivienda le ayudó a establecer un presupuesto general para administrar sus gastos y empezar a ahorrar para alcanzar sus objetivos financieros Además, el asesor sobre temas de vivienda le ayudó a inscribirse en un curso de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL, por sus siglas en inglés), porque el idioma era algo que Antonio quería mejorar También lo refirieron a un activista y defensor de derechos que le ayudó a presentar una solicitud de indemnización por accidente laboral

"Los californianos que trabajan duro y merecen participar en el ‘sueño americano’ no siempre tienen una ‘red de seguridad’ a la que recurrir en tiempos difíciles", dijo Tiena Johnson Hall, Directora Ejecutiva de la Agencia de Financiación de la Vivienda de California "Este programa ayuda a las personas a estabilizar su situación de vida al recibir asesoramiento y acceso a programas y recursos que de otro modo no conocerían"

Para encontrar un asesor, cualquier persona puede visitar el sitio web de CalHFA y buscar “NMS”, o ir directamente a la página

de asesoramiento en https://www calhfa ca gov/community/nms /resources htm Todas las sesiones son gratuitas, y los propietarios de viviendas pueden ponerse en contacto con una de estas organizaciones aunque no vivan en la misma zona geográfica, ya que el asesoramiento se puede hacer por teléfono o por videollamada

El Programa de Asesoramiento sobre temas de Vivienda del NMS ayudó a Antonio a superar un momento difícil Tiempo más tarde, cuando volvió a ponerse en contacto con la persona que le asesoró, para ver cómo le iba, se alegró de haber abierto una cuenta bancaria, de estar mejorando su calificación crediticia y de haber empezado un curso de inglés (ESL) en un colegio comunitario Y lo que es más importante, Antonio logró mantenerse en su hogar y mantuvo su vivienda

Johnson Hall añadió: "El asesoramiento sobre temas de vivienda es un servicio crucial que reduce el número de personas sin hogar, se enfrenta a la inseguridad en temas de vivienda y reduce los obstáculos para llegar a ser propietario de una casa, todo lo cual puede encaminar a las personas hacia el bienestar financiero Espero que toda persona que tenga problemas (de vivienda) aproveche esta oportunidad de ayuda gratuita"

Community News

The San Bernardino County Fish & Game Commission, in collaboration with Regional Parks, the County Museum, and sponsorships by Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman and the Hesperia Recreation & Park District joins forces to bring its second annual Family Fish & Wildlife Festival to Prado Regional Park on Saturday, June 10 from 10 a m to 3 p m

The festival is a familyfriendly event that provides hands-on fishing workshops with fishing supplies provided, live demonstrations, animal exhibits, food booths, live music and more

For more information, visit parks sbcounty gov and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for event updates Park admission is $10 per vehicle Prado Regional Park is located at 16700 S Euclid Ave , Chino

For more information, contact Tammy Gann, Regional Parks Communications Officer at 909 387 2211 or email tammy gann@parks abcounty gov

San Bernardino County Regional Parks Department manages and maintains 10 parks throughout San Bernardino County, totaling to approximately 9,200 acres

Our Parks include: Big Morongo, Calico Ghost Town, Cucamonga-Guasti, Glen Helen, Lake Gregory, Moabi (located on the banks of the Colorado River), Mojave Narrows, Mojave River Forks, Prado and Yucaipa

Among the activities offered at our parks are fishing, camping, off-roading, annual and community events, swimming, hiking, biking and picnicking

Our amenities include sheltered group picnic facilities, swim complexes with waterslides, zero-depth water play parks and playgrounds Six of our parks offer scenic camping, from tent to large RV’s and dry to full hookups

R achel Tolber Named Chief of Police, Ef fective June 12

Community News

Redlands City Manager Charles Duggan has named Rachel Tolber the new Chief of Police for the Redlands Police Department Tolber ’s appointment will become effective Monday, June 12

Tolber was named interim chief following the March 1 announcement that Chief Chris Catren would retire due to disability as the result of a work-related back injury Catren’s retirement will become official on June 9

“Rachel Tolber continues to exceed expectations as interim police chief,” Duggan said, in announcing the appointment “I have closely watched her work since being appointed interim chief, and I am impressed by her leadership qualities, dedication to the City, excellent decision making and her communication skills Rachel possesses all of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to succeed as our next police chief ”

“I am truly humbled and honored to be selected to the lead the men and women of the RPD in our service of such an incredible community,” Tolber said “I’m very fortunate to be part of this community and look forward to continuing to provide public safety and building meaningful relationships with all of our community partners, while providing the highest level of service to the residents of Redlands ”

Tolber began her law enforcement career as a student intern with the Redlands Police Department in 1997, performing as a research assistant In 1998, the department hired her as a police officer

Prior to her appointment as interim chief, she served as a commander overseeing the Special Services Bureau She has served the department in a variety of positions, including field training officer, patrol officer and supervisor, detective, investigations supervisor, crisis negotiator, training manager and professional standards

During her tenure with RPD, she was instrumental in developing and implementing the Police and Corrections Team (PACT), a re-entry program for parolees She also spearheaded the department’s Citizen Volunteer Park Rangers program Tolber also served as an executive intern to the City Manager ’s office, where she helped lead

policy and strategic initiatives adopted and implemented by City executives She has received civic recognitions and honors for her leadership, work and service

Tolber earned her bachelor ’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Redlands in 1998 In 2006, she earned a master ’s degree in criminology, law and society from the University of California, Irvine Her research was focused on re-entry In 2011, she earned a master ’s degree in applied criminology from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom Her focus there was on restorative justice Most recently she completed the California POST Command College, a rigorous program focused on futures research and strategic foresight Her research in the program culminated in an article on data and policing, which was published in the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) Police Chief Magazine

Tolber ’s law enforcement background includes extensive collaboration and work with numerous local, state, federal and international policing agencies and community partners In addition, she worked with the department’s criminologist and other academic partners on various research projects and grants Her research interests include re-entry, restorative justice, technology and women in policing

She has been a board member of the Home Again Project, Gang Reduction Intervention Team, and Partners Against Violence She has been an executive fellow with the National Policing Institute (formerly known as the Police Foundation) and a member of the Society of Evidence-Based Policing and the International Association of Chiefs of Police She graduated from the National Institute of Justice's LEADS Scholar program in 2019 and continues to be active as an alumna Tolber is a member of the Redlands Sunrise Rotary and serves on the steering committee for Redlands Compact Club

Based on her interest and commitment to evidencebased policing, Tolber joined several other colleagues in founding the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing (ASEBP) The ASEBP mission is to advance policing by incorporating the best available evidence-based practices to ensure the least harmful, most effective, fairest, and safest strategies are employed to prevent crime, reduce harm and improve community wellness

Petitioner or Attorney:

CRISTINA ANN SONG

5950 VILLA DR, RANCHO

CUCAMONGA CA 91737 Superior Court of California County of San Bernardino, 247 West 3rd Street, San Bernardino CA 92415 Civil

Division PETITION OF: CRISTINA

ANN SONG, FOR CHANGE OF NAME ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case Number: CIV SB

2310213

TO ALL INTERESTED PER-

SONS: Petit oner: CRISTINA

ANN SONG has f led a petit on with th s court for a decree changing names as follows:

Present name: CRISTINA

ANN SONG to Proposed name: CRISTINA ANN RODRIGUEZ THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated be ow to show cause if any why the petition for change of name shou d not be granted Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written ob ection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted If no written ob ection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: 6/21/23 Time: 8:30

Dept: S23

The address of the court is: same as noted above (To appear remote y check in advance of the hearing for information about how to do so on the court s website To find your court’s website go to www courts ca gov/findmy-court htm ) A copy of this Order to Show

Cause must be published at least once each week for four successive weeks before the date set for hearing on the petition in a newspaper of general circulation printed in this county: El Chicano

Date: BRIAN S MCCARVILLE

Judge of the Superior Court Published El Chicano 5/25 6/1 6/8 6/15/23 E-8537

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: AMIR HOOSHANG RAHEBI CASE NO

PROSB2201454

To all heirs beneficiaries creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate or both of AMIR HOOSHANG RAHEBI A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by FARID RAHEBI in the Superior Court of Californ a, County of SAN BERNARDINO

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that FARID RAHEBI be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval Before taking certain very important actions however the personal

BERNARDINO CA 92415-

0212

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections w th the court before the hearing

Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent you must file your c aim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court If you are a person interested in the estate you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250 A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk Attorney for Petitioner

MATTHEW SHEASBYSBN 197617

advances, under the terms of the Deed of Trust interest thereon fees charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the t me of the in tial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonab y est mated to be set forth below The amount may be greater on the day of sa e

BENEFICIARY MAY ELECT TO BID LESS THAN THE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE Trustor(s): HEROD G

MCCLANAHAN AND SHIRLEY D MCCLANAHAN HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT

NOTICE TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auction pursuant to Sect on 2924m of the Ca ifornia Civil Code If you are an el gible tenant buyer, you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction If you are an eligib e bidder you may be able to purchase the property if you exceed the ast and highest bid placed at the trustee auction There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase First 48 hours after the date of the trustee sa e you can call 855 238-5118 or visit this internet website http://www qualityoan com us ng the file number assigned to th s forec osure by the Trustee: CA-22915161-AB to find the date on which the trustee s sale was held the amount of the last and highest bid and the address of the trustee Second you must send a written notice of ntent to place a bid so that the trustee receives t no more than 15 days after the trustee s sale Th rd, you must submit a b d so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee s sale If you think you may qualfy as an elig ble tenant buyer or "eligib e bidder," you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional mmed ately for advice regarding this potential right to purchase NOTICE TO

PROSPECTIVE OWNER-

If you are the highest bidder at the auction you are or may be respons ble for paying off a l iens senior to the ien be ng auctioned off before you can receive c ear tit e to the property You are encouraged to invest gate the existence, pr ority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder s office or a title insurance company either of which may charge you a fee for this nformation If you consu t either of these resources, you should be aware that the same ender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on th s notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee benefic ary trustee or a court pursuant to Section 2924g of the Ca ifornia Civil Code The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public as a courtesy to those not present at the sale If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed and if applicable the rescheduled time and date for the sa e of this property, you may call 855 238-5118 for information regarding the trustee s sa e or visit th s internet website h t t p : / / w w w q u a l t y l o a n c o m using the file number assigned to this forec osure by the Trustee: CA-22-915161-AB Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in t me to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected n the telephone information or on the internet website The best way to verify postponement nformation is to attend the scheduled sa e

OCCUPANT: Any prospective owner-occupant as defined in Section 2924m of the California Civil Code who is the last and highest bidder at the trustee s sale sha l provide the required affidavit or dec aration of eligibility to the auctioneer at the trustee s sale or shall have it delivered to QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION by 5 p m on the next business day fol owng the trustee s sale at the address set forth in the below signature block The unders gned Trustee disclaims any iability for any incorrectness of the property address or other common designation if any shown herein If no street address or other common desgnation is shown direct ons to the location of the property may be obtained by send ng a written request to the beneficiary with n 10 days of the date of first publicat on of th s Notice of Sale If the sale is set aside for any reason including f the Trustee is unab e to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shal be ent tled on y to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee This sha l be the Purchaser s sole and exc us ve remedy The purchaser shal have no further recourse against the Trustor the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary's Agent or the Beneficiary s Attorney If you have previous y been d scharged through bankruptcy you may have been re eased of personal liabi ity for this loan n which case this letter is

YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER A public auction sale to the highest b dder for cash cashier s check drawn on a state or national bank check drawn by state or federal credit un on or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, or savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 to the Financial Code and authorized to do bus ness n this state w ll be held by duly appointed trustee The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty expressed or imp ied regarding title possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust, with interest and late charges thereon as provided in the note(s) advances under the terms of the Deed of Trust, interest thereon, fees charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale) reasonably estimated to be set forth below The amount may be greater on the day of sa e

http://www qualityloan com using the file number assigned to this foreclosure by the Trustee: CA-15654991-CL Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in t me to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the internet website The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale NOTICE

Avenue Chino CA 91710 Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $201 584 66 The purported property address is: 823 N DRIFTWOOD AVE RIALTO CA 92376 Assessor s Parcel No : 0128-711-51-0-000 NOTICE TO POTENTIAL

BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property l en you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction You will be bidding on a lien not on the property itself Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically ent tle you to free and clear ownership of the property You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a unior l en If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for pay ng off all iens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding l ens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder s office or a title insurance company either of which may charge you a fee for this information If you consult either of these resources you should be aware that the same lender may ho d more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property NOTICE TO

PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee or a court pursuant to Section 2924g of the California C vil Code The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made ava lable to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 800-280-2832 for information regarding the trustee's sale or visit this internet webs te

TO TENANT: You may have a right to purchase this property after the trustee auct on pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code If you are an "el gible tenant buyer, you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction If you are an eligible bidder, you may be ab e to purchase the property if you exceed the last and highest bid placed at the trustee auction There are three steps to exercising this right of purchase First, 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale you can call 800-280-2832 or visit this internet webs te http://www qualityloan com using the file number assigned to this foreclosure by the Trustee: CA-15654991-CL to find the date on which the trustee's sale was held, the amount of the last and highest b d and the address of the trustee Second you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 15 days after the trustee s sale Third, you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee s sale If you think you may qualify as an "el gible tenant buyer or eligible bidder, you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potent al right to purchase NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE OWNER-OCCUPANT: Any prospective owner-occupant as defined in Section 2924m of the California Civil Code who is the last and highest bidder at the trustee's sale shall provide the required affidavit or declaration of eligib lity to the auctioneer at the trustee's sale or shall have it delivered to QUALITY LOAN SERVICE CORPORATION by 5 p m on the next business day fol ow ng the trustee s sale at the address set forth in the below signature block The unders gned Trustee d sclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the property address or other common designation, if any, shown herein If no street address or other common designat on is shown directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale If the sale is set aside for any reason including if the Trustee is unable to convey title the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee This sha l be the Purchaser's sole and exclusive remedy The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor the Trustee the Beneficiary the Beneficiary s Agent, or the Beneficiary s Attorney If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy you may have been released of personal liab lity for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exer-

sale date has been postponed and f applicable the rescheduled t me and date for the sale of this property, you may call (855) 976-3916 or visit th s Internet Web site https://tracker auction com/sb1079, us ng the f le number assigned to th s case S 477-1164 Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immed ate y be ref ected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web s te The best way to verify postponement informat on is to attend the scheduled sale For sales conducted after January 1 2021: NOTICE TO

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

RICARDO LEYVA

BANDA CASE NO

PROSB2300677

To a heirs benef ciaries cred tors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherw se be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of RICARDO LEYVA BANDA

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by NANCY BANDA in the Superior Court of California County of SAN BERNARDINO

or imp ied regarding title, possession, or encumbrances to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust with interest and ate charges thereon as provided in the note(s) advances under the terms of the Deed of Trust, nterest thereon, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee for the total amount (at the time of the initia publ cation of the Notice of Sa e) reasonably estimated to be set forth below The amount may be greater on the day of sale Trustor: JUVENTINO MONTEON AND LAURA P MONTEON HUSBAND AND WIFE AS JOINT TENANTS Duly

Appointed Trustee: PROBER AND RAPHAEL ALC

Recorded 4/7/2006 as Instrument No 2006-0239103 in book N/A, page N/A of Off c al Records in the office of the Recorder of San Bernardino County, California, Date of Sale: 7/11/2023 at 9:00 AM Place of Sa e: Chino Munic pal Court 13260 Central Avenue Chino CA 91710, North West Entrance n the Courtyard Amount of unpaid balance and other charges: $175,908 75 Street Address or other common designation of real property: 430 WEST EASTON STREET RIALTO California 92376 A P N : 0127-012-19-0-000 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designat on if any shown above If no street address or other common designation is shown, directions to the location of the property may be obtained by sending a written request to the beneficiary within 10 days of the date of first publication of this Notice of Sale NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are consider ng bidding on this property l en you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction You will be bidding on a lien not on the property itse f Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automat ca y ent tle you to free and c ear ownership of the property You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior l en If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for pay ng off all l ens senior to the lien being auctioned off before you can receive c ear title to the property You are encouraged to investigate the existence priority and size of outstanding l ens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder s office or a title insurance company either of which may charge you a fee for th s informat on If you consult either of these resources you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property NOTICE

TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on th s notice of sale may be postponed one or more t mes by the mortgagee benefic ary trustee or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public as a courtesy to those not present at the sale If you wish to learn whether your

TENANT: You may have a right to purchase th s property after the trustee auction pursuant to Section 2924m of the California Civil Code If you are an el gible tenant buyer you can purchase the property if you match the last and highest bid p aced at the trustee auction If you are an e igible bidder " you may be ab e to purchase the property f you exceed the last and h ghest bid placed at the trustee auction There are three steps to exercising th s right of purchase First 48 hours after the date of the trustee sale, you can call (855) 976-3916 or visit this nternet webs te https://tracker auct on com/sb 1079 using the file number assigned to th s case S 4771164 to f nd the date on which the trustee s sale was held the amount of the ast and h ghest bid and the address of the trustee Second you must send a written notice of intent to place a bid so that the trustee rece ves it no more than 15 days after the trustee s sale Third you must submit a bid so that the trustee receives it no more than 45 days after the trustee s sale If you think you may qual fy as an e igible tenant buyer or eligib e bidder you should consider contacting an attorney or appropriate real estate professional immediately for advice regarding this potent al right to pur-

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that NANCY BANDA be appointed as personal representative to adm nster the estate of the decedent

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Adm nistration of Estates Act

(This authority will allow the persona representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval Before taking certain very mportant actions however the personal representative w ll be required to give notice to nterested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action ) The independent adm nistration authority w ll be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the pet tion and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority

A HEARING on the petition will be held n this court as follows:

06/29/23 at 9:00AM in Dept

S37 located at 247 W THIRD STREET, SAN BERNARDINO CA 92415

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hear ng and state your object ons or f le written objections with the court before the hearing Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent cred tor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the persona representative appointed by the court w thin the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative as def ned in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code or (2) 60 days from the date of ma ling or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code Other California statutes and egal authority may affect your rights as a cred tor You may want to consult w th an attorney knowledgeab e in California law YOU MAY EXAMINE the f le kept by the court If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Spec al Notice (form DE-154) of the filng of an inventory and appra sal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section

Walmar t's Live Better U Pr og ram Pr opels Colton Employee's Car eer to New Heights, Eliminating Cost and Time Bar rier s

By Manny Sandoval

Robert Gay, an Assistant General Manager at the Walmart Distribution Center in Colton, is celebrating a significant milestone in his career thanks to the company-wide Live Better U Program

In collaboration with Guild Education, the initiative provides salaried and hourly employees with opportunities to pursue higher education at no cost beginning on day one, with continuous part-time or full-time employment Gay's journey with the program allowed him to attain a bachelor's degree, opening doors for professional growth and personal development

Reflecting on his decision to join Walmart, Gay expressed that the Live Better U program played a pivotal role in enhancing the appeal of the job offer "When I started, there were only a few colleges and programs offered, and now it's expanded to cybersecurity, analytics, and more," Gay stated The program's comprehensive offerings include both Bachelor's degrees, high school and college prep programs, and professional certificate programs like HVAC

would have amounted to tens of thousands of dollars The timing was ideal, and Walmart's unwavering support provided Gay with the opportunity to invest in his future

Gay now mentors his colleagues, who often approach him with inquiries about the program while on the floor "The school part gives them a link," Gay explained "They're not afraid to come up and talk to me about school and discuss their career paths " Having experienced firsthand the transformative power of education, Gay firmly believes that schooling was the crucial element that enabled him to reach his current position and level the playing field against candidates with similar experience but higher education qualifications

Reflecting on his experience, the Colton resident expressed his gratitude for Walmart's investment in its employees "When I think about how much money they put out to thousands of employees, it's incredible," Gay remarked The Live Better U program empowers individuals uncertain about their post-high school plans to join Walmart and embark on their higher education journeys

Juneteenth ‘Celebration of Fr eedom’ Stomp the Yard Edition, Bringing Community Together at San Ber nardino Valley College

Community News

In commemoration of Juneteenth, the San Bernardino Juneteenth Committee is hosting its second annual Juneteenth Celebration: A Celebration of Freedom; Stomp the Yard Edition,” on Saturday, June 17, at the San Bernardino Valley College Dozens of community organizations are hosting a ‘Celebration of Freedom’ June 17 at San Bernardino Valley College, located at 701 N Mt Vernon Ave San Bernardino, CA 92410, from 10 am until 3 pm

Founded by Edwin Johnson, (Committee President) and Co-founded by Lue Dowdy (Operations Director), the Celebration of Freedom Committee hopes to raise awareness about the Juneteenth holiday – celebrated nationwide every year on June 19 to acknowledge the emancipation of African Americans, to provide an understanding of the Black community’s past struggles and triumphs that continue to bring hope today

Opening the day will be a libation ceremony led by Reverend Bronica Martindale and a song selection by Marla Matime

Further, performing live during the festivities will be Yaddida Page, Amore the Songstress, The Bromatics, D D C and more! There will also be an awards ceremony recognizing fathers within the community that has displayed excellence, leadership, and integrity

Additionally, there will be an educational seminar facilitated by Natasha McPherson, UCR History

Professor and Ms Tanya Humphrey, Chair of the Black Women’s Leadership Forum, with keynote Speaker Dina Walker, founder of BLU Educational Foundation

The day will be hosted DJ Muda with Co-host Jae Chanel The Celebration of Freedom is proudly sponsored by: Health Net, Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC), First 5 San Bernardino, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), San Bernardino Valley College, Chase Bank, The City of San Bernardino, Empire Talks Back, The Competitive Edge, YouthBuild Inland Empire, Westside Story Newspaper, and Lue Productions Community Umbrella Services

The San Bernardino Juneteenth Committee has been a community effort by the following organizations; C H O R D S, Sista’s Making a Difference, Young Visionaries, Lue Productions, San Bernardino Valley College, Inland Congregations United for Change, Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce -Inland Cities East Chapter, First 5 San Bernardino, Off The Chain Alliance, San Bernardino Pacesetters, 123 Mobile Training, San Bernardino (CA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, The Conquerors Insurance Advocates for Families SoCal Trash Army, Bryce Hudson, The MAR M Agency, DGK, Empowering Girls Network, Dream Nycce, Jae Chanel Productions

The Celebration of Freedom is an educational experience for all, regardless of race, age, and ethnic and cultural differences

Gay joined Walmart in December 2018 as the QA Systems Operations Manager, responsible for quality assurance and managing the technical aspects of the facility He was already equipped with an associate's degree, so he pursued a bachelor's degree in supply chain transportation and logistics management at Bellevue University He opted for an online program that utilized video conferences and online chat platforms

The journey was not without its challenges, as Gay explained the intensity of the accelerated program Each class lasted six weeks, demanding 15-20 hours of weekly commitment However, Gay's dedication paid off as he consistently made the Dean's List throughout the 18-month program The unexpected arrival of the pandemic proved to be a blessing in disguise, providing Gay with the opportunity to concentrate fully on his studies during a time when outside distractions were limited

"The program works through summer and holidays," Gay noted "I had the same professor and classmates throughout, which created a fantastic sense of continuity " This fostered an environment conducive to learning and allowed for deeper connections among students Gay successfully graduated on October 31, 2020, and only four months later, on May 2, 2021, he secured a promotion to his current position as Assistant General Manager

The partnership between Walmart and Guild Education offers employees access to several reputable universities, eliminating financial barriers that often deter individuals from pursuing higher education For Gay, the program eliminated his excuses by providing online courses and covering the cost, which he estimates

Aspiring employees eager to learn more about the program must consult Walmart's internal website and connect with a counselor through Guild Education These counselors guide employees through the process, assisting with credit transfers and course enrollment and providing regular check-ins to ensure a seamless educational experience

Walmart's Live Better U program stands as a shining example of the company's commitment to its workforce, offering jobs and opportunities for continuous growth and development With thousands of employees benefiting from the program, Walmart's investment in their education demonstrates a dedication to creating a skilled and empowered workforce

As Robert Gay's inspiring story exemplifies, Walmart's Live Better U program has the power to transform lives By removing financial barriers, providing access to reputable universities, and offering support and flexibility, the program enables employees to pursue higher education and unlock new career opportunities Through education, Walmart empowers its workforce and demonstrates its commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of continuous learning

As Walmart continues to invest in its employees' education, stories like Robert Gay's remind us that professional growth and success are within reach with determination and support The Live Better U program stands as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking to elevate their careers, broaden their horizons, and create a brighter future for themselves and their families

PHOTO WALMART

Robert Gay (left) and Walmart US President and CEO John Furner (right), standing in front of Gay’s dedicated banner as he is the program’s first ever graduate