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Youth & Veterans
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H O W T O R E A C H U S H O W T O R E A C H U S
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By Manny SandovalIt has been a whirlwind journey from the streets of Rialto to the bright lights of international music for Bobby and IZ Avila, the Grammy-winning duo popularly known as The Avila Brothers
Their recent chart-topper 'Glu,' performed by Usher, added yet another feather to their already impressive catalog when it peaked at #1 on Billboard's Adult R&B Airplay Chart (and by the way, it's still at #1 for the second consecutive week) Yet, amid their global success, the brothers have always retained sight of their roots, regularly chan-
neling their hometown pride into uplifting the talent of the Inland Empire region "It's been a 38-year journey of hard work, r e s i l i e n c e , a n d u n w a v e r i n g l o v e f o r music," IZ Avila said, reflecting on their shared career "Our goal is, and always has been, to bring wins back home to the Inland Empire There's so much homegrown talent here, from Sammy Hagar and K e n n y L o g g i n s t o H i t B o y o u t o f Riverside "
The brothers' connection with Usher is long-standing, stemming from their time touring band members since 2009 and pro-
ducing his 2004 chart-topping Confessions album (yes, the one we all know of) Iz Avila reminisced about the genesis of 'Glu,' "Sean [Garret] took the initiative and felt it could be dope for Usher Usher sang the record, loved it, and wanted to drop it as a teaser on Valentine's Day "
Their success, however, is more expansive than producing chart-topping hits The duo's recent collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus and Snoop Dogg, 'Hard Working Man,' is a heartfelt tribute to the frontlines and celebrates veterans, featuring key shots from IE's South Colton and Nashville,
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P i z z a d i l l y ' s S p e c t a c u l a r S o i r e e : G - T e a m I g n i t e s F o u r t h o f J u l y F e s t i v i t i e s w i t h C o m m u n i t y P i z z a P a r t y
time filled with laughter " The event's positive vibes seemed contagious, particularly when four attendees regaled the crowd with their favorite "Dr G Story," each narrating tales that were as real as they were captivating and always ending on a positive note "It's wonderful to see how comfortable people are while sharing their stories," Julia Cardenas, a party helper, remarked with a beaming smile
By Dr. G (Dr. Luis S. González) community writer
I n l a n d E m p i r e C o m m u n i t y N e w s p a p e r s
H O W T O R E A C H U S H O W T O R E A C H U S
O f f i c e : ( 9 0 9 ) 3 8 1 - 9 8 9 8 E d i t o r i a l : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m A d v e r t i s i n g : s a l e s @ i e c n c o m
I n l a n d E m p i r e C o m m u n i t y N e w s p a p e r s O f f i c e : ( 9 0 9 ) 3 8 1 - 9 8 9 8
L e g a l s : i e c n l e g a l s @ h o t m a i l c o m
E d i t o r i a l : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m
A d v e r t i s i n g : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m
L e g a l s : i e c n l e g a l s @ g m a i l c o m
In the spirit of the upcoming Fourth of J u l y f e s t i v i t i e s , a d e l i g h t f u l p i z z a soiree was held last week, uniting friends and family for a joyous kickoff Attired in vibrant red, white, and blue hues, the G-Team, a dynamic volunteer group from Colton, momentarily pressed pause on their hectic schedules to indulge in delectable pizza, sip on refreshing beverages, and share memorable anecdotes The celebration culminated with the serving of a splendidly patriotic cake
The convivial atmosphere, which drew approximately 45 attendees, was enhanced b y t h e p r e s e n c e o f D r G P i z z a d i l l y Restaurant, located at 194 East Valley Blvd, which set the perfect stage for the event
Raymond Dorado, the owner, and his generous staff members, Gloria (his sister) and Denise (his niece) played the host with aplomb Yaneth Murillo, a mother of three, found the event delightful, "This was a fun gathering," she exclaimed Norma Gallardo, a seasoned member of the G-Team, echoed similar sentiments, "I was eagerly anticipating this It was an ideal prelude to the Fourth of July festivities," she observed, referencing the charming decorations and patriotic color scheme
Community stalwart Cynthia Velasquez, a longstanding supporter of Dr G and an integral part of the pizza party stated, "It's heartwarming to witness the positivity radiating from community members during such gatherings " Evelyn Lopez, another attendee, concurred, "We had a fabulous
This creative and convivial gathering perfectly embodied the spirit of the Fourth of July while fostering community spirit The G-Team, established in 2019, continues facilitating such positive community experiences Comprising individuals deeply committed to their community's welfare, t h e G - Te a m a p p r o a c h e s e v e r y p r o j e c t hands-on, often accompanied by prayers and words of encouragement The pizza party was a testament to their vision, demonstrating that sometimes, all it takes to make a difference is genuine care for others Kudos to the G-Team for their e n d u r i n g c o m m u n i t y o u t r e a c h , v o l u nteerism, and positive contributions to the community spirit
Throughout the year, the G-Team has been involved in numerous activities to foster a positive community environment T h e s e i n c l u d e c o m m u n i t y i n t e r a c t i o n , neighborhood meetings, trash clean-up projects, beautification initiatives, welfare visi t s , a s s i s t a n c
Tennessee
Their ambitions go beyond music The Avila Brothers are now turning their attention to fostering new talent "Our focus in this chapter is to start developing younger talent Artist development doesn't exist right now, and we're looking to craft a sound for them," Bobby Ross Avila said
A testament to this mission is their investment in Mikey, an upcoming California native Mexican artist introduced to them by Baby Bash They believe Mikey has the potential to be an inspiration for Latino youth "We feel brown kids can say, 'I wanna be like Mikey,'" Bobby added
Behind all their accomplishments is the unyielding support of their mother, Clara Avila "Our mom is not only our inspiration, and she is the example of how to live life, celebrate holidays, and connect with family," Iz said, attributing their success to her
The brothers are also acutely aware of the music industry's changing landscape "It's important for guys like us to keep our fingers on the pulse and build new strategies, new audiences," Iz said They are also champions for creators' rights in the industry "The game for creators is simple, ownership We are supposed to own what we create "
The Avila Brothers' story is a testament to their tenacity, un-
yielding love for music, and commitment to their roots As they continue to climb the ladder of success, they remain humble, attributing their success to hard work and dedication The brothers reflect on their upbringing in Rialto fondly "It was gritty, we didn't live in the best area, but it built our character," Bobby said
With their sights set on cultivating the next generation of artists and bringing more wins back to their home turf, The Avila Brothers are indeed the hometown heroes of the Inland Empire
"My brother and I have performed in front of tough crowds across the country, but growing up in this business and starting with tough crowds in the IE, in hindsight, really makes me appreciate the IE culture because it prepared us for this," Iz added
Still, the brothers continue to find comfort in the familiarity of their hometown Favorite local spots, like Amapola Rico Taco in San Bernardino and Nickelodeon Pizza in Colton (the chorizo and avocado pizza, specifically), serve as nostalgic reminders of their roots
The brothers, both graduates of Eisenhower High School, began their musical journey early on "Before we were even teenagers, our dad had a vision for us Bobby started playing keys at 4, and I started playing drums at 5," Iz recalled
The Avila Brothers credit their success to a host of mentors and influences, one of whom was
Cal State San Ber nardino Designated as
Community News
Jaymes Phelix, a family friend and a part of Andrae Crouch and the Disciples "He was the one who poured into our cup at an early age and allowed me to produce and be who I was," Bobby fondly remembers
Apart from their music, they attribute their cousin Richie (a Colton resident and photographer) with a passion for community service as a guiding light "The heart of Richie is amazing, and he rallies around community service like no other in my family; he keeps his heart open and is rooted deep in Colton; it's inspiring to us," Iz proudly stated
The brothers offer some sage advice to young, aspiring artists from their hometown and beyond "Love what you do Don't focus on prosperity or what may come financially You're going to be a lonesome cowboy, but through loneliness, it will build strength and character," Bobby advises
As they continue to create timeless music and nurture the talent of the future, The Avila Brothers remain beacons of perseverance and success, their journey a testament to their dedication and the rich talent that the Inland Empire has to offer
It is clear that, despite their global accolades, their hearts will always be with their home in the Inland Empire and #1 on the Billboard charts (without the backing of a record label)
ReWritten’s T hriving 5K Run f or Father less Youth in San Ber nardino Shar pens Community Enga gement, Runner s Endur e Homeless and DUI Driver
By Manny SandovalDowntown San Bernardino was
buzzing with both excitement and unexpected adversity last Sunday as nearly 100 runners braved drizzling rain for the second annual "Race for ReWritten," a charity 5K event designed to bring both funding and awareness to underserved and fatherless youth in the community
The nonprofit organization
ReWritten, led by CEO Frank Perez, has been on a mission for the last decade to provide mentoring, academic support, and scholarships for underserved youth The organization primarily focuses on fatherless children, representing 98 percent of its demographic The 5K event marks a significant fundraising opportunity to maintain and expand these crucial programs
"This event goes beyond the funding," Perez explained; his passion for his work is evident in his tone "We want to raise awareness about the issue of fatherless homes and also help breathe life back into downtown San Bernardino "
The runners embarked on their 3 1-mile journey from the front of the Enterprise Building, looping twice around a route that spanned 15 city blocks While last year's event faced a blistering heat of 98 degrees, this year's participants enjoyed the refreshing respite of a drizzle "Everyone was happy with the drizzle," Perez noted
faith As the head of a faithbased organization, he believes in the healing power of religion and hopes to pass this healing on to the children he mentors
Despite the event's challenges, the run's outcome was overwhelmingly positive A striking 70 percent of attendees were from outside San Bernardino, including a 79-year-old participant who traveled from Indio because ReWritten's cause inspired him
Other participants came from neighboring towns like Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Colton, and Rialto, highlighting the expanding influence of ReWritten's work Perez enthusiastically shared that this turnout is a testament to the growing support for ReWritten's cause and a sign that people are excited about their work for children with absent fathers
"We're called ReWritten because anyone growing up in a single-parent home has the odds stacked against them," Perez said "If you come alongside these young people, we can rewrite their future "
This year's Race for ReWritten signaled a triumph for the organization's mission and posed an important reminder about the pressing social issues San Bernardino still faces Amidst the trials and challenges, however, Perez's dedication remains unshaken In his vision, the children served by ReWritten and the city of San Bernardino share a common thread of resilience and potential
Tr ee Campus USA f or Sixth Consecutive Year
The Arbor Day Foundation has, for the sixth consecutive year, recognized Cal State San Bernardino in its Tree Campus USA program, citing the university’s dedication and work to effectively manage its trees on campus, and work with the local community as part of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint
Since 2008, the Tree Campus USA program has recognized college and university campuses that effectively manage campus trees, develop connectivity with the community beyond campus borders to foster healthy, urban forests, engage student population through service-learning opportunities centered on campus, and community forestry efforts
CSUSB joins more than 410 colleges from around the country who have met the program’s five standards and were recognized as a Tree Campus USA Tree Campus USA is only open to 2- to 4-year accredited colleges and universities
“We are thrilled to receive this designation for the sixth year in a row,” said Jennifer Sorenson, the university’s associate vice president of Facilities Planning and Management “It is a testament to our ongoing efforts to create a sustainable and beautiful campus environment for our students, faculty, and staff ”
CSUSB currently has about 3,789 trees planted throughout the campus The primary species of trees consists of sycamore, alder, pine and eucalyptus The trees are the responsibility of the university’s Facilities Planning and Management department, which is responsible for the maintenance and operations of campus buildings and
a
grounds as well as landscaping and turf
Facilities Planning and Management maintains the campus trees in a safe, healthy and attractive condition and promotes their sustained growth while enhancing the park-like setting of the university
To be considered for Tree Campus USA, the university had to meet five criteria:
Establishment of a campus tree advisory committee
Evidence of a campus tree care plan
Verification of the plan’s dedicated annual expenditures
Observing Arbor Day
Creating a service-learning project aimed at engaging the student body
A commitment to trees on the campus can significantly reduce the amount of energy a campus and community needs to generate
The planting and maintenance of trees on campus and in the community reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Green space gives students, faculty and staff a setting to relax with others or on their own
It involves students in service-learning project focusing on the planning, planting and maintenance of trees on campus encouraging their commitment to creating a more sustainable future for all
In a strong display of community support, Councilman Damon Alexander and San Bernardino City School Board Member Felicia Alexander were among the participants, contributing to the nearly 100 runners and 130 attendees
But the event wasn't without its challenges The route brought attendees face-to-face with some of San Bernardino's ongoing problems Participants ran past homeless individuals, with reported incidents of harassment and visible signs of squalor along the path
Most shockingly, an intoxicated driver attempted to charge through the event barricades but was swiftly intercepted by San Bernardino police officers present
In light of the difficulties, Perez remains optimistic and deeply committed to his cause As a person who grew up without a father, he understands many of these children's struggles "I want to let these kids know there is a God and a father that loves them It's tough to have clarity and perspective if you're struggling with brokenness It's difficult to do anything with your life," he shared, adding that he has seen ReWritten youth overcome these odds, graduating from college, buying homes, and pursuing successful careers Perez is not only driven by his own experiences but also by his
The event's threefold aim - to raise funds, raise awareness, and rejuvenate downtown San Bernardino - was met with enthusiasm from the community Despite the hurdles, the spirit of camaraderie and shared commitment to the cause persisted, mirroring ReWritten's mission to transform adversity into opportunity
"Just as we work to shift the trajectory of the lives of these young people, we also aim to help shift the trajectory of downtown," Perez explained "It requires everyone doing their part and coming into the trenches to make a difference "
The experiences and stories shared at the event will continue to inspire and foster community engagement, shedding light on ReWritten's tireless efforts in reshaping the lives of the children they serve and the very fabric of their community
For those who want to support ReWritten and its mission, more information is available on its website, Rewritten org, or their Instagram, @rewrittenofficial While the road ahead might be challenging, Perez's leadership and the growing support for ReWritten hint at a hopeful future for the city of San Bernardino and the young people it nurtures, promising that, with collective effort and dedication, their stories can indeed be rewritten for the better
Community News
Behind-the-scenes work carried out by County leadership in partnership with the community is about to blossom into a series of equity-driven public initiatives designed to ensure minority communities can share in the well-being and prosperity promised to all county residents by the Countywide Vision
“There is enough room for everybody to succeed,” Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr said during a June 22 update provided to more than 100 Black community leaders on the County’s equity efforts
These efforts, inspired by action taken by the Board of Supervisors three years ago declaring racism as a public health crisis, resulted in the creation of a Countywide Vision Equity Element Group made up of 16 Black community organizations and the inclusion of equity as a guiding force within other vision element groups addressing public safety, education, wellness, housing, jobs and the economy, the environment, infrastructure, and water
“We have an opportunity in this space unlike any other,” said County Chief Executive Officer Leonard X Hernandez “I believe in this county the best things can grow We are poised right now as an organization to push forward in a bold way, to push forward in a new way, and to push forward in a sustainable way to do things we’ve never done before ”
County Assistant Executive Officer Diana Alexander, who heads the County’s equity efforts, said groundwork carried out by the Equity Element Group and the County will soon result in:
Workshops to teach minority-run businesses and community organizations how to effectively compete for County contracts.
Building capacity within community organizations with the assistance of skilled young people supported by County funding
Establishment of a County Equity Office led by a County Equity Officer.
Prioritization of investments in minority communities
An Equity Cohort program within the County to ensure County departments think in terms of equity as they provide services to residents and businesses
Contracting with a Black-owned communications firm to ensure minority communities are aware of the Equity Element Group and County’s efforts and has the opportunity to participate in programs and decision-making
“We’ve been doing things behind the scenes and now we’re bringing it out,” Alexander said “Please believe me when I say you will see change ”
The County’s declaration of racism as a public health crisis, the addition of equity as a Countywide Vision element and
the creation of the Equity Element Group came in the wake of the May 25, 2020, murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by a Minneapolis police officer, which is why efforts have initially focused on the Black community
Alexander said the lessons learned and successes will be applied to eventually address the equity needs of all minority communities of color, gender, age, and disabilities
