*Colton Courier 03/07/24

C O L T O

I E C N . c o m

C O U R I E R WWe e eekkllyy

By Manny Sandoval

Film enthusiasts and cinephiles are in for a treat as the Prestige Film Festival returns for its third year, promising an even more impressive lineup of cinematic gems This year, the festival will unfold at the 3 Iron Brewery in Colton on April 27 and 28, showcasing over 50 films from a diverse array of genres and countries After two successful years in Banning, the

festival has found a new home closer to its roots in the San Bernardino and Highland area "We wanted to bring the festival closer to our community and make it more accessible to local filmmakers and audiences," said Chuck Cerda, President of the Prestige Film Festival

The festival kicks off on April 27 with a ceremony at 5 PM, where filmmakers and actors will be honored in categories such as Best Animated Short Film, People's Choice Award, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Short

One of the highlights of this year's festival is its commitment to accessibility "We've decided to offer free entry to everyone this year, thanks to the generous support of 3 I r o n B r e w e r y, " C e r d a e x p l a i n e d " T h i s allows us to lower the barriers for filmmakers and audiences alike, making the festival

The streaking Colton girls softball dominated Bloomington High school 13-3 on Thursday, Feb 29, adding another victory to the season This is their fifth consecutive victory

The girls shut down the Bruins all game,

with starter Jasmine De La Rosa holding them to a total of three runs on seven hits She struck out four and only surrendered one walk in a complete game

Colton’s powerful offensive attack was led by freshman Andrea Varela, who went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and two RBI Important contributions were made by Valerie Varela (2-for-4, RBI, double),

Jocelyn Ornelas (2-for-3, RBI), and Stephanie De La Cruz (1-for-2, 2 RBI, two walks, one hit-by-pitch)

After a scoreless first inning, Colton’s bats woke up and put in runs in every inning the rest of the way They did most of their damage in the third, fourth, and

Film, and Best Student Film

The evening will also feature live music, adding to the celebratory atmosphere

Josie Ramos, Pepper Bough Staff Writer

Rialto Resident Joins Orange County Renewable Energ y Organization

IE Veterans Str uggle to Find Existing Benefits and Ser vices Across Vast Region Pg 4

Pg. 3

PHOTO ELIJAH GOODMAN Jasmine De La Rosa was an intimidating presence against Bloomington in Colton’s 13-3 defeat over the Bruins She pitched a complete game with 4 strikeouts

San Ber nardino County’s Sherif f ’s Depar tment Enhances Law Enforcement in Muscoy Pg 5

PHOTO PRESTIGE FILM FEST

(Left to right) Richard Morales, Corey Hamilton, and founder Chuck Cerda at Colton’s 3 Iron Brewery, where Cerda frequents as a participant on comedy night

PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Juan Manuel Villegas accepting a Grand Jury Honorary Mention at SBVC’s 2023 Wolverine Con Film Festival, and is currently nominated for Best Student Film in the 2024 Prestige Film Festival for Beneath Her Sorrows

Prestige Film Fest

a truly inclusive event "

The Prestige Film Festival has gained international recognition for its dedication to diversity in cinema With participants from over 40 countries, including Iran, Italy, China, and Brazil, the festival has become a global platform for showcasing unique stories and perspectives "Our mission is to celebrate diversity in film, and we're proud to have received a state award from Fiona Ma for our efforts in our first year," Cerda added

Among the films to be screened is "Marbles" by Kyle Hatley, a poignant exploration of grief and strange abilities, nominated for Best Short Film and the People's Choice Award Another notable entry is "The Old Man in the Rocking Chair" by Eric Yoder, a suspenseful tale featuring Niko El Santo, whose performance has earned him a nomination for Best Actor

The festival also provides a platform for emerging talent, with a focus on student filmmakers

"Beneath Her Sorrows" by San Bernardino Valley College film student Juan Manuel Villegas is nominated for Best Student Film The film delves into the impact of death on those closest to the deceased, showcasing Villegas' storytelling prowess

As the Prestige Film Festival continues to evolve, Cerda reflects on its origins "My friends and I started making short films with a VHS camcorder back in 2000 The idea for the festival came from a desire to create a space where filmmakers like my friend Raul Marrero could share their work without the high costs and barriers of traditional film festivals," he said

With its diverse lineup, commitment to accessibility, and celebration of cinematic storytelling, the Third Annual Prestige Film Festival is set to be a highlight in Colton's cultural calendar

For more information and updates on the festival schedule, visit the Prestige Film Festival's website and Instagram page

Community Celebrates Dr. G's 68th Bir thday with Hear twar ming Pizza Par ty

By Christina Perris, Community Submission

Afestive crowd gathered at Pizzadilly Restaurant last week to celebrate the 68th birthday of Dr G, a beloved local figure The celebration kicked off at 6 p m with vibrant table decorations, balloons, and banners, setting the stage for an evening of camaraderie and laughter

June Hughes, a regular at Dr G's CITY TALK meetings, described the event as "an awesome gathering " Rachel Ngo, another attendee, highlighted the simplicity of the plan:

"plenty of pizza, lots of positive conversation, and delicious chocolate cake "

The highlight of the evening was the storytelling session, where Linda Hanson, Rachel Ngo, and Lisa Roo shared amusing and heartfelt anecdotes about Dr G "The Dr G stories grabbed everyone's attention," said Norma Gallardo, a long-time supporter and one of the event's organizers

The party began with a patriotic touch as Gallardo's son, Brandon, led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Dr G playing the national anthem on his trumpet The gathering was

more than just a birthday celebration; it was an opportunity for friends to enjoy each other's company, good food, and positive vibes without any agenda

Yaneth Murillo, who brought her children to the celebration, emphasized the positive atmosphere "They had a great time and liked to take pictures with Dr G," she said

The pizza, prepared by Pizzadilly's new owners, Sherwin and Denise, was a hit among the approximately 50 guests

Read more at IECN com

CHS Softball fifth when they combined for 11 of their 13

With this win, Colton is now 62, winners of five straight, and headed into a favorable match on Friday, Mar 1 against Silverado High Game time 3 p m

Rialto's Avila Br other s Br eak Glass Ceiling

as Fir st Mexican Americans to Musicall y Pr oduce Super Bowl Halftime Show

By Manny Sandoval

In an extraordinary feat of musical and cultural significance, Rialto natives IZ Avila and Bobby Ross Avila, known collectively as The Avila Brothers, have etched their names in the records of Super Bowl history

Their collaboration with global superstar Usher for the halftime show of Super Bowl LVIII not only captivated millions of viewers but also marked the event as the most-watched televised telecast in history, with a staggering 202 4 million viewers tuning in This monumental achievement has made them the first Mexican Americans to musically produce a Super Bowl halftime show, a milestone that resonates deeply with their heritage and the diverse community of the Inland Empire

For IZ Avila, this accomplishment is a testament to the power of dreams and perseverance "Growing up in Rialto and embarking on a 30-year journey to the Super Bowl, my brother and I always knew that no box was big enough for us," he shared "This is a great testament to those in the Inland Empire with dreams and aspirations that may seem unrealistic to others We are living proof that dreams and belief in yourself can lead to extraordinary achievements "

Reflecting on the day of the Super Bowl, the brothers described it as surreal "Riding to the venue with our mom and dad, I put my hand on my dad's leg and got emotional as I reflected on the journey," said IZ "It was a moment to take in and enjoy "

When the Grammy award-winning brothers first received the news that they would be producing the halftime show, their thoughts immediately turned to their family and mentors "I called my brother, my mom, and industry legends like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis," said Bobby "The excitement was overwhelming, especially for our parents It was a proud moment for all of us "

IZ added, "The calls and texts were great, but what would have been greater was to reach out to folks no longer here This achievement was in honor of our brother Aaron Spears, who passed away last October Lighting him high during the performance was emotional for my brother and I Audiences may have noticed an empty drum set on stage, which was there to honor Aaron ”

Musically directing and producing a halftime show involves a myriad of responsibilities, from managing budgets and schedules to coordinating with various de-

partments "It all starts with music," explained IZ "We spent over a month figuring out the setlist and tweaking it until the very last moment It's an intense process to ensure the performance is as great as possible The setlist changed a couple of times, and that process was never-ending until February 9th "

Bobby shared insights into the rehearsal process, highlighting Usher's dedication to perfection "We were getting our call sheets at 1 or 2 in the morning, and a lot of what was going on was spontaneous Usher loves to rehearse and make sure he's perfected at the highest level The whole week leading up to the Super Bowl was based on preparation Watching the stage come together and timing everything out was incredible It felt like a perfect performance Our bar was Michael Jackson and Prince "

With Usher's extensive catalog of music, selecting songs for the performance was a collaborative effort "The transition from 'Turn Down for What' was the setup for 'Yeah'; as we were coming out of the ballads section of the performance As a way to honor women, we put in the song 'Bad Girl,' which we produced as part of the Confessions album, and H E R came out to perform will i am brought out 'OMG ' Everything was intentional," said IZ

The Avila Brothers also shared their experiences working with Lil Jon and other industry icons "Lil Jon is very passionate and knows how to serve the crowd It's been a great collaboration, and our batting average seems to be very good together," said Bobby

When asked about their first Super Bowl halftime show memory, both brothers cited Michael Jackson's iconic performance "It's always going to be Michael and Prince for us," said IZ "We put that pressure on our shoulders to at least be in the conversation with what they showcased "

After their historic Super Bowl achievement, The Avila Brothers are focused on utilizing this moment to tell their story and highlight their contributions to music and culture "We're focused on our documentary (which has already begun shooting) and life story at the moment, riding this wave until it reaches the shoreline," said Bobby

The brothers credit their success to the unwavering support of their family and mentors "Our mom and dad, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and our cousins have been our superheroes They've paved the way for us and have been a constant source of support," said IZ

Read more at IECN com

Community News

Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) announced the hiring of its newest team member, Nataly Morales Sandoval, adding to the organization’s roster of experience in community engagement and clean energy programs

As energy programs analyst, Nataly will focus on expanding energy program offerings including customer rebates, incentives and savings tools, which currently include OCPA’s Residential Product Marketplace, OhmConnect, and community grant programs

“As a not-for-profit community energy provider, OCPA is required to reinvest revenue back into the communities we serve to support long-term sustainability,” said Interim CEO Joe Mosca “Nataly’s experience educating and empowering communities to learn more about energy-efficient programs is integral to our organization’s growth and creating awareness of the benefits we offer our customers ”

A seasoned professional with a background in environmental justice, Nataly has made impactful contributions in her role as a community engagement manager at Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator where she led 10 com-

munity benefit pilots introducing energy-efficient technologies to environmentally underserved communities Nataly holds a master ’s degree in public policy with an emphasis on urban planning from the University of California, Riverside

OCPA serves more than 200,000 residential customers and 31,000 commercial customers who are actively participating in the community energy movement in the cities of Buena Park, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, and Irvine

For more information about OCPA’s Energy Programs, visit h t t p s : / / w w w o c p o w e r o r g / e nergy-programs/

Community News

Spectrum announced Great Harvest Community Center has received a $35,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant in support of their Closing the Digital Divide Task Force program In 2023, Spectrum is awarding $1 1 million total to 46 nonprofit organizations through Spectrum Digital Education, which supports broadband technology programs, education and training in unserved and underserved communities throughout the company’s service area

The $35,000 grant is the fourth Spectrum Digital Education Grant awarded to Great Harvest Community Center, bringing Spectrum’s total support for the organization to $95,000 over the past four years

Great Harvest Community Center is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide

growth through digital literacy, broadband adoptions and resource distribution while cultivating leadership skills and empowering tomorrow’s global leaders and entrepreneurs They will use the grant to provide laptops for their digital literacy programs Their purpose is to make computer learning fun for everyone, realizing that fear and anxiety are obstacles that prevent many from digital learning

“Once again, Great Harvest Community Center Community Center would like to thank Charter Communications for presenting us with a Spectrum Digital Education grant,” said Great Harvest Community Center Co-Founders Greg Walker and Mickey Yates “Through this funding opportunity, we have been able to donate laptops to the San Bernardino County School System and San Bernardino Valley College CalWORKs program This has enabled 550 households to receive free digital literacy

training and have a full computing device, coupled with their Affordable Connectivity Program broadband connection ”

Walker and Yates added “We like to view it as helping individuals that have been typing in lowercase, locate the SHIFT button on their keyboard They are using the exact same letters, but now their words are more impactful, with the capital letter emphasis Giving individuals a full computing device, free training and an affordable broadband connection is like pressing the SHIFT key, because now they can use the correct tools Charter Communications has enabled Great Harvest Community Center to make a SHIFT in the education and careers of so many disadvantaged individuals ”

Spectrum’s Commitment: $9 Million and Counting

Great Harvest Community Center is

one of 46 nonprofit organizations across 14 states that Spectrum is supporting through the 2023 Spectrum Digital Education grants Since the program’s 2017 launch, Spectrum has committed more than $9 million total to the initiative and has awarded 261 grants to 143 unique partners As of September 2023, Spectrum Digital Education has helped to fund more than 30,000 digital education classes, distribute over 13,000 devices including laptops and support the creation of 157 tech labs

“The importance of expanding access to essential broadband technologies, education and training is profound in our increasingly digital world,” said Rahman Khan, Group Vice President of Community Impact, Charter “Through the 2023 Spectrum Digital Education grant program, Charter is partnering with valued nonprofits that share our commitment to create better opportunities for the communities we serve ”

PHOTO SPECTRUM

Pictured (L-R): Sandra Cuellar Charter Communications Director Government Affairs; Mickey Yates Great Harvest Community Center Co-Founder; and Greg Walker Great Harvest Community Center Co-Founder

PHOTO OCPA Nataly Morales Sandoval is an energy program analyst for OCPA

IE Veterans Str uggle to Find Existing Benefits and Ser vices Acr oss Vast Region, According to New Repor t

Community News

Today, the Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) announced the release of a new study examining the existing benefits and services available for military veterans and their families in the Inland Empire

The study, titled the "IE State of Veterans Report," and commissioned by the Friends of Veterans Fund at IECF, sheds light on the challenges IE veterans face when seeking programs, resources, and organizations and the call for a more inclusive and responsive system to their evolving needs

While many benefits and services are available to veterans and their families, finding them in the Inland Empire can be daunting, and this highlights the need for our community to take a proactive role in supporting those who served

Over several months, the study involved extensive research, surveys, and interviews with veterans, service providers, and stakeholders across the Inland Empire The findings reveal crucial insights into the current state of veteran support services, identifying gaps, successes, and areas for improvement, and propose short- and long-term solutions toward enhancing the lives of veterans within the Inland Empire community

Key highlights from the study include:

• When combined, the veteran population percentage in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties nearly doubles that of Los Angeles County

• The IE is home to a diverse population of veterans who have unique needs and challenges

• IE veterans are less aware of where and how to access the benefits and services

they earned

• The population of women Veterans has seen remarkable growth, increasing by over 30%

• Staff turnover is a big issue with work focused on veterans because of compassion fatigue

“This report comes at a crucial juncture in our ongoing efforts to care for our Veterans,” said Rep Mark Takano (D-Riverside) “With countless heroes returning from deployments around the world and making the Inland Empire their home, we must remain vigilant in addressing their needs ”

Added Mayor of Riverside Patricia Lock Dawson, “In partnership with our neighboring cities in the Inland Empire, we recognize the importance of a united effort in addressing the challenges our Veterans face and enhancing the benefits and services available to them ”

Key Recommendations

Consistent themes emerged during this study, which align with established bestpractices seen in neighboring counties are summarized below:

• Awareness – Veteran awareness of where and how to access the benefits and services they earned Community awareness of challenges and opportunities of our Veterans and their families

• Access – Providing wrap-around services through a public-private partnership and multi-solvers, relying on a “no wrong door” policy for benefits and services

• Engagement – Create a movement of community support to embrace our Veterans so they have a better sense of belonging, which in turn strengthens our civic muscle

Read more at IECN com

Time f or Change Foundation to Honor NFL Star Bobby Wa gner with Philanthr opist of the Year Award

Community News

Time for Change Foundation’s (TFCF) 22nd Anniversary Awards Gala will honor outstanding individuals and organizations that go above and beyond for our communities and continue to make a difference in the lives of others

Bobby Wagner, a football player of the NFL, will be honored with the Philanthropist of the Year Award for his outstanding dedication as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor Born in Los Angeles and raised in Ontario, CA, Bobby Wagner was drafted 47th overall in the 2012 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks Quickly excelling on the field, Bobby won a Super Bowl in 2013, and throughout his career, has earned nine Pro-Bowl selections, six First-Team All-Pros, four- Second Team All-Pros, a 2010 NFL All-Decade Team, the Seattle Seahawks Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee (2x) and the Art Rooney Sportsmanship award He currently leads all active players in total tackles

Bobby’s passion to promote

stroke education and assist stroke patients has led to a partnership with the American Heart & Stroke Association, as well as the creation of the Phenia Mae Fund in partnership with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Cedar Sinai, and Kaiser Permanente Additionally, Bobby has worked closely with several organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club of King County, Time for Change Foundation and HBCUs, to advocate for health and wellness, education, and child development

“We appreciate the heart behind Bobby’s giving which is why we chose to honor him at this year ’s gala,” said Vanessa Perez, Executive Director, “his support to his local community is helping single mothers provide a stable home for their children, that’s priceless!”

Other Award Honorees include:

Dawn Downs at Symbiosis with the Businesswoman of the Year Award, Laurena Bolden at San Manuel Band of Mission Indians with the Community Champion Award, Dr Rita (Faridah) Ali from We 2 Matter with

the Humanitarian Award, Rev George Lamb at F A C C T with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Kellie Todd Griffin at CA Black Women's Collective with the Michelle Obama Courage Award, Pastor Craig Hadley from Paradox Church with the Nancy Varner Angel Award, and Rialto ROTC with the Ramos Family Spirit of Compassion Award

Time for Change Foundation’s 22nd Anniversary Awards Gala will be held on Friday, April 19th, 2024, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Ontario, California at 6:00 p m PST To support the work of Time for Change Foundation, you can become a sponsor, purchase an ad in the event program book, or purchase a Gala ticket

To register for the event or to become a sponsor and increase your business’s visibility in the community, please visit our website at www TimeForChangeFoundation org, or contact Florence White at (909) 886-2994 or by email at f w h ite@timef o r ch an g ef o u n d ation org

PHOTO IECF

IECF Board Chair Nefertiti Long, IECF CEO Michelle Decker, SB City Councilman Damon Alexander and IECF Board Member Paulette Brown Hinds

PHOTO COURTESY OF TFC

NFL Football Player Bobby Wagner is being honored by TFC Foundation on

PHOTO IECF

Justin McEwen, Military Veteran and Representative for Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program

San Ber nardino County’s Sherif f ’s Depar tment Enhances Law Enf orcement in Muscoy f or Added Safety and Security, Championed by Super visor Joe Baca, Jr.

City of San Ber nardino Names Andr ea Russell as Dir ector of Human Resources and Risk Mana gement

Community News

The City of San Bernardino has announced that Andrea E Russell has joined its leadership team as its new Human Resources and Risk Management Director

“Andrea Russell has demonstrated her diverse and distinguished human resources experience in her time with the City,” said City Manager Charles Montoya “Her background in recruitment will play an important role as San Bernardino continues to strategically hire additional staff ”

Russell joined San Bernardino in June 2023 as a Supervising Human Resources Analyst and has been serving as the Interim Human Resources and Risk Management Director since January Prior to joining the City, Russell was a Human Resources Advisor to multiple public sector agencies in the areas of recruitment and candidate selection, applicant tracking systems administration, and employee classification and compensation

“I am honored to serve the City of San Bernardino as Director of Human Resources and

Risk Management,” said Russell “This is an exciting time for the City, and I look forward to contributing to its success ”

Prior to consulting, Russell spent over 20 years in human resources for local government agencies, including with the County of San Bernardino and cities of Covina, Riverside, and Henderson (Nevada) While at the County, she led their classification and compensation process; overhauled the recruitment processes from requisition to hire; implemented innovative off-site hiring events; and worked with union representatives

Russell holds a bachelor ’s degree in business administration from Nevada State University, and a master ’s degree in human resources management from Capella University

The Human Resources and Risk Management Director is responsible for the planning, organization, direction, implementation of San Bernardino’s City-wide human resources and risk management programs This includes recruitment, employment, classification, compensation, employee relations, training and development, performance evaluation, benefits, and workers' compensation for the City’s 879 employees

Community News

In a move to bolster safety and security in the unincorporated areas of the Fifth District, Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr , celebrates the announcement of additional law enforcement personnel to unincorporated communities within the Fifth Supervisoral District

These four additional deputies will be strategically placed at Central Station in San Bernardino, focusing on areas identified as priority zones for crime prevention and proactive policing efforts in the unincorporated communities of San Bernardino, and Colton Two deputies will be assigned to targeted patrol duties, concentrating their efforts in the community of Muscoy

Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr , shared, “In addition to the deputies we’ve already placed in our unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Rosena Ranch, we’re further reinforcing our commitment to safety by adding more deputies in our district ” Supervisor Baca, Jr, further emphasized “Additional

deputies in Muscoy means we are really stepping up for our underserved neighborhoods, especially where it’s needed most It’s about making sure everyone, no matter where they live, feels safe and looked after ”

Implementing additional law enforcement resources in these areas highlights the Supervisor ’s responsive and proactive approach to community safety The decision to enhance law enforcement comes in response to community feedback

“This is not just about increasing law enforcement numbers; it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of our residents,” Supervisor Baca, Jr added “We are committed to creating a safe environment where families can thrive, businesses can grow, and communities can flourish Together, we are making our district a safer place for everyone ”

Residents can expect an increased police presence in the coming weeks, along with continued efforts to engage the community in these safety initiatives

SB County 5th District Commissioner & Real Estate Br oker Alber t Calder on Recognized f or Community Contributions

PHOTO OFFICE OF SUPERVISOR BACA

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s leadership standing with Supervisor Joe Baca Jr

PHOTO CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO

Andrea Russell (pictured) replaces Suzie Soren, who was promoted to Deputy City Manager in January

Inland Empire Community Newspapers

PHOTO SB COUNTY

Supervisor Joe Baca Jr (left) recognizing Rialto Resident Albert Calderon (right) for his contributions to the lives of people living in the County’s 5th district