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*Rialto Record 05/09/24

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W e e k l y RIALTO RECORD

Vol 22, NO. 35

May 09, 2024

Music Changing Lives Secures Proclamation for Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month, Advocates Fair Wages for Creatives By Manny Sandoval

I

n a significant step toward empowering artists and creatives, on April 24th, San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. declared April 2024 through 2029 as "Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month," recognizing the critical role of arts and culture in the Inland Empire and beyond, and honoring the efforts of Music Changing Lives (MCL) in promoting these endeavors.

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"We've recognized Music Changing Lives with a proclamation, declaring April 2024 through 2029 as Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month," said Baca Jr., underscoring MCL's role in nurturing the region's arts community and its contribution to society at large.

SB City Unified School District's Sierra High Named a 2024 Model Continuation High School Pg. 3

PHOTO BACA’S OFFICE

(Left to right) Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., MCL Programs Director Tia Youngblood, and MCL Founder Josiah Bruny at the San Bernardino County Government Chambers in San Bernardino.

Startling Truths of San Bernardino's Homeless: 'Dog is Kinder than Public,' SBVC Student Gathers Shocking Perspectives

MCL's founder, Josiah Bruny, emphasized the disparity between the arts sector's contribution to the economy and the compensation artists receive. "The arts represent more than 14 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and we only get 67 cents per capita back to the arts, which is like a slap in the face to artists and creatives," he explained. To address this, MCL aims to

make a million millionaires through the arts and creative fields by advocating for prevailing wages and encouraging fair pay for all artists and creatives. At MCL's 26th anniversary celebration, Bruny provided tangible examples of their efforts. The event's DJ, for instance, was paid $600, equating to $200 an hour, and the landscapers maintaining MCL's urban garden in San Bernardino are respectfully compensated at $20 an hour. The urban garden is also helping to combat the looming food desert in San Bernardino by offering fresh produce to the community, fostering sustainability alongside artistic and cultural growth. MCL's work encompasses several pillars, including health, wealth, fitness, selfactualization, and creating sustainability. "It's changing our neighborhoods and uplifting them. A kid getting a job like this, beautifying land at $20 an hour, is well worth his time," Bruny noted. The organization is also working on advocating for the installation of proper bike lanes and ample street MCL, cont. on next pg.

Prestige Film Fest at 3 Iron Brewery Contributes to Inland Empire Cinema Revival with Powerful Grief Stories

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PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL

Top TO Golf EventUS HOW REACH Recognizes Inland Empire Dedicated Community Red Cross Volunteers Newspapers in the Inland Empire Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: sales@iecn.com Pg. 8 Legals : iecnlegals@hotmail.com

HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com

Founders Chuck Cerda, Richard Spoors, and Joseph Ukleja on day two of the 2024 Prestige Film Festival in Colton.

By Manny Sandoval

T

he 3 Iron Brewery in Colton transformed into a cinematic haven this past weekend, hosting the annual Prestige Film Festival, marking a resurgence in the Inland Empire’s media arts scene. Organized by co-founders Chuck

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUAN MANUEL VILLEGAS

San Bernardino Valley College Film Student and Director of Beneath Her Sorrows Juan Manuel Villegas shortly after accepting Best Student Film.

Cerda, Richard Spoors, and Joseph Ukleja, the festival screened 60 films across diverse categories, fostering creativity, community, and conversation in equal measure. Films and Awards The festival recognized films in several

categories, including Best Short Film, Best Student Film, Best Actress, Best Actor, People's Choice Award, and Best Animated Short. This year's lineup resonated with attendees, particularly through two standout films that tackled themes of grief: "Marbles," directed by Kyle Hatley, and Film Fest, cont. on next pg.


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*Rialto Record 05/09/24 by IECN - Issuu