EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 62, NO. 10
February 06, 2025
San Bernardino’s Lunar Fest Draws 1,000+ Attendees, Residents Celebrate Growing Cultural Diversity
IECN.com
San Bernardino Animal Services Assists Victims Locate Animals in Wake of the Palisades Fire Pg. 5
‘Little Teeth, Big Responsibility’ Combats Childhood Tooth Decay in SB County
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
A diverse crowd watches in awe as a jianshu martial artist performs a sword-fighting demonstration at San Bernardino’s Lunar Fest, showcasing the rich traditions of Chinese martial arts.
A jianshu martial artist skillfully wields a jian sword during a live demonstration at San Bernardino’s Lunar Fest, captivating the crowd with precise and fluid movements.
The Cortez family joins Mayor Helen Tran in front of the stage at Lunar Fest, moments after enjoying their favorite performance of the day—a mesmerizing violinist who combined music with dance.
By Manny Sandoval
ing attendees of all ages and backgrounds.
M
Mayor Helen Tran, dressed in a silk ao dai—a traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year gown—praised the festival as a reflection of San Bernardino’s unity and cultural embrace.
look around, you see people from all walks of life coming together to learn, understand, and celebrate. That is about the community, and this is San Bernardino. We are one community, and this is beautiful.”
ore than 1,000 people gathered at Court Street Square on Saturday for San Bernardino’s 2nd Annual Lunar Fest, a celebration of Lunar New Year that highlighted the city’s growing cultural diversity. Hosted by the city’s Parks & Recreation Department, the event featured live performances, food vendors, and traditional festivities, draw-
“The fact that we are embracing cultural celebrations and our diversity in this community is what matters,” Tran said. “If you
With the event outgrowing its current location, Tran hinted at a potential move to Lunar Fest cont. on next pg.
President Trump's Funding Freeze Threatens Inland Empire Seniors, Congressman Aguilar Fights to Keep Food on Their Tables
Pg. 5
San Bernardino County Inland Empire Community Firefighters Rescue Newspapers Child and Dog from Office: (909) 381-9898 Burning Home Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: sales@iecn.com Legals : iecnlegals@hotmail.com Pg. 8
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL San Bernardino Senior Sharon McFaddon, a homebound recipient of Family Service Association’s Meals on Wheels service is one of thousands of IE seniors at risk of going hungry.
HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals: iecnlegals@gmail.com
By Manny Sandoval
T
housands of seniors in the Inland Empire face a dire food crisis as President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze threatens to halt critical meal services. With nearly 2,500 seniors living on a set income in San Bernardino County relying on meal programs, the freeze could
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Living on a fixed income, Dolores Hayes, a senior at Magnolia Senior Apartments, says that with the cost of living and grocery prices continuing to rise in 2025, she was left with only $50 after budgeting for January—yet she still needed to buy groceries.
force deliveries to stop, waitlists to skyrocket, and vulnerable seniors to go hungry. On Friday, January 31st, Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) joined the Family Service Association at the Fontana George White Senior Center to pack and distribute meals, underscoring the urgency of the crisis. The congressman met with staff and volunteers
before traveling to The Magnolia Senior Apartments in San Bernardino, where eight seniors received five essential meals, including milk. Dolores Hayes, a senior at Magnolia Senior Apartments, told Aguilar that after budgeting for the month of January, she was Rep Aguilar cont. next pg.