COLTON COURIER WWe e ee
By Daphne Marquez
New local business, Buenos Dias Cafe invited the community to celebrate its grand opening along with a celebratory ribbon cutting presented by Colton‘s Chamber of Commerce and City Council.
The cafe, which was originally supposed to open its doors in November 2024, had to
delay its opening until August 29, 2025 due to permit and resource struggles for Coowners of the cafe, Susana Perez and Xochilt Retamoza.
Perez said, “It was really hard to open up because of permits. There was a previous business, and because it was closed down, they wouldn’t let us open up. The sinks, the walls, or just the edges had to be like a specific material, whether it was epoxy or tile. It was really hard to open up in this city and
By Manny Sandoval
Lwith the county and everything.”
Despite the challenges Buenos Dias Cafe has faced concerning permits, they have proven to have booming success within the community. One of the customers, Victoria Ruiz said, “Actually, I’ve been waiting for months for it to open. So it finally did, and we’ve been coming like three times a week since it opened. Their horchata latte and
ions Club members Soledad and Ed Morden are calling on community members to step forward as judges and mentors for the upcoming 2026 Lions Club Student Speaker Contest—an annual statewide competition that gives high school students a platform to address timely issues while competing for scholarships that can total up to $45,000.
“This year’s topic is ‘Youth Mental Health: Overcoming Barriers to Well-Being,’” said Lions Club Secretary Soledad Morden. “It’s a powerful opportunity for students to share their voices on an issue that affects their generation directly. They’ll not only strengthen their public speaking skills, but also gain confidence and critical thinking abilities that will serve them for life.”
The contest is open to Colton High School students in grades 9–12, with English teacher Lucy Leyva serving as the campus liaison. Participants will deliver a 5–10 minute speech on the designated topic.
Eight students will be selected for Colton’s local round, where the first-place winner receives $100 and each participant earns $25. Winners advance through additional levels— zone, region, district, and state—with scholarships increasing at each stage. The state champion earns a total of $45,000 in cumulative awards.
“We start small at the local level, but if a student continues advancing, it can lead all the way to a life-changing scholarship,” said Lions Club Board Member Ed Morden. “This isn’t just about winning money—it’s about developing leaders and giving our young people a voice.”
The club is currently recruiting four volunteer judges with experience in public speaking or education to evaluate contestants at the Colton round, which will be held in early 2026.
Judges must be independent of the Lions Club and available for one evening event, typically lasting two to three hours. Past judges have included local educators, college
Business (cont.)
- their chilaquiles are amazing.”
Colton’s Chamber of Commerce and City Council members were also in attendance to present the scissors for the ribbon cutting and to get a taste of what Buenos Dias Cafe was all about.
The Cafe itself is Latin inspired, the tiles, artwork, and bold colors bring together that Hispanic feel, which could give their Family owned cafe a closer connection to the majority-Hispanic community.
To add to the special occasion, Perez and Retamoza had pulled together a photobooth, jumper, a party clown, and raffles which
included TVs, speakers, and more. The first 50 people who ordered drinks were given it for free, and everything ordered after that was discounted for customers.
The Party Clown for the event and announcer for the raffles, Monse Pocaspecas said, “I like my job, I like it because I have a love of socializing with people, especially with kids, because I’ve been learning a lot from them. So yeah, that’s, that’s one of the main things that I love.”
Bueno Dias Café has officially now made its mark on the community, bringing breakfast, culture, and the connection of their family owned business to Colton. The cafe is located at 1462 N La Cadena Dr, Colton.
Speech Contest (cont.)
- counselors, and a San Bernardino County judge.
“It’s a community effort,” Soledad said. “We’re volun-
teers helping students grow, and we rely on our community to make it happen.”
Interested judges should contact Soledad Morden at (909) 820-7595 for more informa-
tion. Students wishing to participate should reach out to Ms. Leyva at Colton High School’s English Department for details on registration and deadlines.
Colton Honors Gomez Professional Services as Family Firm Marks 25 Years and New Downtown Office
By Dr.G (Dr. Luis S González), Community Writer
At the Oct. 21 council meeting, Council member Luis S. González presented Javier Gomez, owner of Gomez Professional Services, with a Business Focus recognition award for his successful business operation in the city of Colton. Located in the downtown mini-plaza near Stater Bros., the long-established company began in 2000 as Gomez Tax Service in the living room of the Gomez family home in Corona.
Gomez and his late wife, Florence, launched the business to support their growing family. After three years in Corona and one year in Riverside, they found a building in Rialto, where they operated from 2005-14, growing their business and incorporating in 2010 as Gomez Professional Services.
Over time, they concluded they needed more space and found a corner office in Colton, at La Cadena and E Street, where they operated from 2015-25. “We found Colton to be the right place for our business,” Gomez said. “We liked the hometown atmosphere and saw great potential for growing our client base.”
As a result, the Gomezes developed new connections, expanded services and established
themselves as part of the downtown business community. The company offers estate planning, tax preparation, notary services, divorce and passport assistance.
In 2025, they reached another milestone by moving into a new office near Stater Bros., establishing an even greater presence in Colton. The office includes additional floor space, more rooms, a reception area with a formal waiting room and a kitchen.
The business suffered a loss with the recent passing of Florence Gomez, a mother, wife of 30 years and business partner.
The family legacy remains strong, and many of Florence’s policies, organizational procedures and improvements are still in effect. Their son, Christopher, has worked in the business for three years and has become an integral part of the operation. Gomez’s daughter-in-law, Ashley, recently joined and is building local business connections. Ashley’s sister, Melissa (“Meli”), has also assisted for three years.
Gomez and his staff are recognized for their success as a local paralegal services business. This year marks their 25th anniversary. The company cites customer service and reputation as central to its contribution to the community and local economy.
November CalFresh Benefits Uncertain Amid Federal Shutdown; County Urges Residents to Stay Informed
Community News
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, CalFresh benefits may not be available in November. Funding is currently secured through October 2025. At this time, CalWORKs and Medi-Cal benefits are not expected to be impacted. However, if the federal shutdown continues, delays may occur.
San Bernardino County’s Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) is actively preparing to assist residents and keep the community informed throughout this uncertain period.
If benefits will not be available, affected participants will receive a formal notification later this month. Receiving this notification does not mean a case is closed or that eligibility has ended. Participants are encouraged to continue meeting all mandatory reporting requirements, including submitting SAR 7 Eligibility Status Reports and completing renewals on time to ensure benefits can continue promptly when funding resumes.
The Transitional Assistance Department is working closely with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to ensure San Bernardino County residents receive timely and accurate information. The department is also preparing to assist
customers who may have questions and will provide updates through county websites, social media and local offices as new information becomes available.
“The Transitional Assistance Department understands how essential CalFresh benefits are for families and individuals across San Bernardino County,” said Director James LoCurto. “We remain committed to providing clear, up-to-date information and assisting our residents throughout this period of uncertainty.”
Stay informed by:
Checking official updates on the San Bernardino County TAD website at
https://wp.sbcounty.gov/tad/.
Following San Bernardino County and TAD social media pages for real-time updates.
Contacting the local TAD office with any questions or concerns about benefits or eligibility.
For information and community resources, please visit the TAD website at wp.sbcounty.gov/tad. If you have questions, TAD staff is here to help. Customers can call the Customer Service Center at 877-410-8829 or visit their local Transitional Assistance Department office.
Millions of Californians to Lose Food Assistance as Trump and Republican Shutdown Continues
Community News
Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson, Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on Human Services, issued a strong statement today condemning the Trump and Republican-led federal government shutdown that is forecasted to cut off federal SNAP (CalFresh) benefits beginning November 1.
If the shutdown continues past October
31, over 5.5 million Californians, including parents, children, seniors, and lowwage workers will lose access to essential food assistance. This federal failure threatens billions in benefits that help families afford groceries and feed their loved ones as the holidays approach.
“This is a moral failure,” said Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson. “Trump and the Republicans are holding working families hostage by shutting down the government and cutting off the
food lifeline for millions. California will continue to stand up for our communities, but we cannot backfill billions of dollars stolen from our communities by the Trump Administration.”
Governor Newsom will fast-track $80 million in state funding to food banks and deploy the California National Guard in a support capacity to meet increased demand. However, the state emphasizes that these efforts cannot replace the scale of federal funding lost under this Republi-
can shutdown.
“This is not a drill. Trump’s government shutdown is literally taking food away from our kids,” said Speaker Robert Rivas. “But when Republicans fail to lead, Assembly Democrats, including Dr. Corey Jackson, will do everything in our power to help parents and seniors pay for groceries and celebrate the holidays, because it’s our job to fight for programs that put food on the table.”
