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Operation Phoenix Art Expo inked for Sunday

Sun, The (San Bernardino, CA)

May 17, 2007
Edition: News
Miranda White, Staff Writer
Section: News
Record Number: 5917800

Award-winning cartoon artist Phil Ortiz relates to the lives of inner-city kids and will
be painting a mural with them at the Operation Phoenix Art Expo in San Bernardino
along with Mayor Pat Morris.
"Being that I was brought up in the inner city I can relate to these problems," said
Ortiz, who has worked on the popular animated series, "The Simpsons."

"Kids grow up too fast and don't have time for leisure," he said. "We try to have the
children interact by helping paint murals with us. We'll have a lot of fun."

Operation Phoenix Headquarters in San Bernardino will be the site for the Operation
Phoenix Art Expo with Morris and distinguished artists like Ortiz from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
on May 20.

Sponsor Terrance Stone, president of the Young Visionaries Youth Leadership

Academy, expressed the concern he has and how this program can positively effect
children.

"We have a lot of kids in the community with a lot of talent with drawing and artistic
expression," Stone said. "We want them to express their talent in a positive manner and
channel it in a positive way. We want them to look more career minded than writing on
the walls in San Bernardino sporadically."

Four recognized artists will be there to draw the mural for the children to paint. Phil
Yeh, founder of Cartoonists Across America and the World, said this is more than just an
art show or a publicity stunt.

"We're trying to get more kids involved," Yeh said. "It starts in local communities. I
would love to make a difference because San Bernardino has a very high crime rate."

Other artists scheduled to be at the expo include Mark Bode and Matt Lorentz. Bode
has recently signed a deal with Zack Snyder, director of "The 300" and "Cobalt 60."
Lorentz has designed artwork for Tony Hawk, No Fear, and Crazy Shirts Clothing.

At the expo, youths will help paint a large storage container to be displayed
throughout the city. There will also be a comic strip contest and an art contest.

First place will receive $100, second place will receive $50, and third place will
receive $25. The top three works of art and the top three cartoon strips will appear in The
Sun.

There will be free food and live entertainment from "LAX" and "Chameleon." Cal
State San Bernardino will be offering free and low-cost art classes at the event.

Spots in the contests are limited, so call (909) 381-3055 for the art contest and (909)
383-6002 for the comic strip contest to get a registration packet.

(c) 2007 The Sun. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media
NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

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Local residents take a walk with their pets

Sun, The (San Bernardino, CA)

May 24, 2007
Edition: News
Miranda White, Special to The Sun
Section: News
Record Number: 5976256

Around 400 people participated in the San Bernardino Valley Humane Society's
annual "Walk for the Animals" on May 19 at the Arrowhead Credit Union Park.
Hundreds of unique dogs had plenty of exercise and fun while spending the day out
with their best friends.

The main event was laps around the baseball field. Dogs walked, ran, and rested up
in their owners' arms during the walk.
 Dogs dressed as hot dogs, peacocks, and horses competed for best dressed while
others competed for most unique, longest tail, largest dog, smallest dog, happiest, and
most whiskers.

Dogs slobbered while they chewed on their chocolate-dipped bones, tried on their
new USC sweaters and army jackets, and shopped for human-size dog furniture. Other
retailers sold jewelry, scrapbook kits, custom dog collars and leashes, soy candles, and
even one-day dog training.

Raffles were held all throughout the park that included vacations, gift baskets, and
other prizes. Pets sat and posed for photos and caricatures. Parrots and other zoo creatures
were shown as well.

Bonnie O'Connor, fund development consultant for the event, talked about the
importance of holding the dog walk.

"The money that is raised goes to our humane education program and our cruelty
investigation program," O'Connor said. "These events are vital to continuing those
programs because they are donation only."

For more information, call the Humane Society at (909) 386-1400.

(c) 2007 The Sun. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media
NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

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California Nurses Association set up Web site for support of bill

Sun, The (San Bernardino, CA)

May 31, 2007
Edition: News
Miranda White, Special to The Sun
Section: News
Record Number: 6028365

Inland Empire nurses crowded around a bus waiting to sign up on May 15 at St.
Bernardine Medical Center in their fight for the disappearance of medical insurance
companies in California.
 Lois Sanders, registered nurse for St. Mary Medical Center of Apple Valley, came up
with one possible solution on what to do if the California Nurses Association does not
win their fight.

"Don't ever get sick," Sanders said.

The California Nurses Association is fighting to pass bill SB 840, known as the
Guaranteed Healthcare or Single Payer system. Tom Dunne, labor representative for the
California Nurses Association, explains this system.

"California state government would pay everyone's medical insurance through

payroll taxes," Dunne said. "This is not Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan. He put out a
plan that would criminalize people for not purchasing insurance."

This plan, in which details were revealed on Feb. 15, will require every California
resident to have health insurance. People who do not could have lower tax refunds, and
most businesses would pay it off their payroll to help people who cannot afford it.

The California Nurses Association set up www.GuaranteedHealthcare.org for people

to write and call the state legislator to support SB 840, talk about stories of health
insurance problems, and sign up to receive e-mail alerts and get updates.

"Voters can participate by going to the Web site, writing and calling the state senators
and state assembly," Dunn said. "We'll hold rally's over the summer and into the fall."

(c) 2007 The Sun. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media
NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

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Artists paint historic building before it is torn down

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)

June 7, 2007
Edition: Local
Section: Local
Record Number: 6087385
 By Miranda White
Special to The Daily Bulletin

Downtown Riverside was warm and hazy May 26 as the Plein Air Artists of
Riverside sat down in their red hats to start recording the existence of the Stalder
Building on Mission Inn Avenue before it is torn down.

"We chose this because many buildings are going to be changed," said PAAR
member Geeta Pattamaik of Riverside. "We want to record this time just like people in
the past. What's important is being aware of what's going on around you. Sitting down
and paying attention to detail is really important."

The artists chose "plein air" for their name because it is the French phrase for
painting out in the open, and according to founder Ada M. Passaro, it sounds so much
better than English.

The PAAR gathered on a corner in the Raincross District and used watercolors,
pencils, pastels, oil paints, and more to capture the details of the area.

They are hoping to raise awareness before the city of Riverside makes a decision to
destroy the building. An Environmental Impact Report, a part of the Fox Plaza project, is
developing to determine the historical importance of the Stalder Building. The demolition
has not been considered by the city yet, according to Austin Carter, Riverside's public
information officer. After they are destroyed, stores, offices, living spaces, cultural and
tourist spots will be built in their place.

The painters hoped to draw attention by wearing their red hats at the paint site and
showing people that the building will soon be demolished. The artists talked to anyone
who approached and asked about the project. They paint to make a statement, not just for
beauty.

Recently, the Stalder Building looked like the remains of a ghost town in the middle
of a busy city. The ground was covered with cracked and stained tiles, and dead flower
beds lined the outside of the windows. Windows were painted with the word "closing."
The empty antique shops were covered in spider webs, but the treasures are there. The
historical building is colorful with unique architecture that is found throughout the city,
especially in its downtown area near the Mission Inn.

PAAR, which is referred to as Riverside's mighty little jewel by its members, is more
of a community of friends than anything else. There are about 50 members in the
association.

"Normally painting is solitary, but this isn't," said Luz M. Perez, secretary of the
PAAR. "It has helped me as an artist to loosen up. In the studio, I am very tight."

Passaro founded the organization two years ago and picks out the locations to paint in
all over Southern California. All of the members agree that the places they go are
spectacular.

"We wanted to paint but we didn't want to do it alone," Passaro said. "We inspire
each other. Plein art groups are springing up everywhere. I just went to one with 70
people in it. Our group travels to places like the Botanical Gardens, Laguna Beach, San
Juan Capistrano, Riverside, Redlands and others. We also take an excursion every year to
Morrow Bay."

Such a hobby has been called addicting by many PAAR members and the traveling is
just another bonus.

"There are opportunities - you get to go out to different places you may not know
about," Pattamaik said. "I get inspired by the paintings."

The cost for being in the group is $155 a year. Twenty dollars takes care of the annual
fee for the group and the rest gives you a membership to the Riverside Art Museum.
Members are responsible for their own travel costs.

(c) 2007 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the
permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

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Two-steppin' under blue skies

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)

June 14, 2007
Edition: Local
Miranda White, Special to the Bulletin
Section: Local
Record Number: 6139091
 This weekend, families from across Southern California flocked to the Rick
Thompson Arena at Agate Park for the 31st annual Jurupa PRCA Rodeo.
And after the ridin', ropin' and wrestlin', the sounds of "Sweet Home Alabama,"
"Mustang Sally" and "Born on the Bayou" called the crowd to the vendor area for the
after-hours entertainment.

West Coast Strayz provided live music for dancing beneath white lights strung over
the dance floor. And when their feet started aching, dancers took a seat and chatted on
nearby haybales surrounding large wooden spools fashioned as tables.

Vendors stayed open, offering everything from barbecue and cotton candy to cowboy
hats and belt buckles. And the carnival drew children and adults alike to its bright lights
and rides.

"Rodeo is about family and community," said Dennis Kleyh, a Marine stationed at
Camp Pendleton. "No matter who they are, it's good they're out here."

Kleyh sang along with the band, while sitting on one of the tables in his cowboy hat
and boots.

"I like what the West Coast (Strayz) plays," Kleyh said. "I'm having a good time. It's a
successful deal.

"I had such a good time last year, I figured I might as well come back. Last night, it
was packed. They had standing room only."

Elena Rodriquez of Riverside seemed never to leave the dance floor in her pink,
leopard-print top and heels. When asked what she enjoyed most, she said, "Everything -
the environment, the dancing. I like the music."

Sondra Hobson, 15, of Riverside volunteered at the rodeo with her fellow Future
Farmers of America, and said the best part of the rodeo is the feeling of community.

"We helped out with security. About 15 of us are working in the FFA group," Hobson
said. "You know people in your neighborhoods, and you can all just hang out."

A pair of teenage girls started the electric slide and fellow dancers stepped to the
floor and joined in. It didn't really matter, though, if you could dance or not, Hobson said.

"I personally do not know how to dance that well, but it is fun," Hobson said.

Larry Riddle, chairman of the event, said this was a good year for the Jurupa Rodeo.

"I think it's nice to have an event where everyone can get together and have a good
time," Riddle said. "You see people you haven't seen in years. My friend saw someone
who she hadn't seen since high school."

Cheyenne Campbell, 11, has been attending the rodeo with her family for five years
and won the title of Little Miss Jurupa Rodeo in 2004. She said the benefits of attending
as a child have been numerous.

"It helps kids come in, and you meet new people," Cheyenne said. "It gives back to
the community by raising money.

And Cheyenne's favorite event?

"The bull-riding was my favorite, because they were holding on for dear life and it
was kind of fun to watch," she said, smiling.

Campbell's mother, Lisa, said this year's rodeo was particularly enjoyable because the
after-hours dance was open to the whole family.

"Most rodeo dances are for 21 or older. "(At the Jurupa rodeo dance) you're able to
have the kids with you.

"The whole thing was good this year."

(c) 2007 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the
permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

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Balloon launch kicks off festival

Sun, The (San Bernardino, CA)

June 16, 2007
Edition: News
Miranda White, Staff Writer
Section: News
Record Number: 6155659

Photo Gallery: Hot Air Balloons at Huck Finn

VICTORVILLE - Colorful hot-air balloons filled the skies Friday to start off a
rollicking weekend of country and bluegrass music at the Huck Finn Jubilee.

Featuring Mark Twain's most popular character, the renowned festival has returned
for its 31st season. Families can white-wash fences, make rafts and climb a greased pole -
and that's in addition to more than 30 hours of live music on the main stage.

"We've been coming here for many years," said BJ Maus of Fallbrook. "We wouldn't
miss it. It's one of the biggest and the best festivals in Southern California."

The jubilee will be all weekend at Mojave Narrows Regional Park in Victorville. The
weekend will feature musician Roy Clark - best known for hosting the long-running
television series "Hee Haw" - on Sunday at 6 p.m. on the main stage along with other
musical artists throughout the festival.

Chairs, motorhomes, and vendors fill the large, shady park along with people from all
around relaxing to the music.

"My best friend has a family band, so they have been coming out here to play for five
years," said Brittney Thompson of Glendale, Ariz. "I honestly like watching the people
they have on the main stage. They also have a wide variety of vendors so, since I am not
here with my family, I like to buy my parents stuff."

Fairgoers can peruse shops with guitars, banjos, clothing, a necklace coin press, a
gold-panning station, barbed-wire home accents, jewelry, leather goods, food frames and
an assortment of toys including wooden toy guns.

Other vendors have all sorts of country cooking, including lemonade, gourmet jerky,
sweet white corn, baked potatoes, ribs and kettle corn.
 Games and contests will be held throughout the weekend. The festivities include the
Blind Bogie Fish Derby, the state arm-wrestling championships, the Route 66 Classic Car
Show, the Great Western Cow Chip Throwing Championships and the Russell Bros.
Circus.

The games include the egg toss, the horseshoe pitch, the greased-pole climb, river-
raft building, nickels in the haystack, Huck Finn look-a-like, Tom Sawyer's Fence
Painting Championship and others.

"Aside from the talent on the stages, my favorite part is the jamming around the
campfires that go on all day long," Maus said. "The kids climbing the grease pole is what
I'm looking forward to the most. And of course I would love to see Roy Clark."

Tickets for camping and weekend admission are $75 for adults and $20 for kids ages
6 to 11. Daily tickets are $15 today and $20 on Sunday for adults and $5 all weekend for
kids 6 to 11. Kids under 6 are free.

For more information, call (951) 341-8080. Festival schedule

The Huck Finn Jubilee will feature country and bluegrass music through Sunday.
Admission for adults is $15 today and $20 on Sunday. Admission is $5 for children 6 to
11. Children under 6 get in free.

Today

7 a.m. - Hot-air balloon rides

8 a.m. - Blind Bogie Fish Derby

9 a.m. - Arm-wrestling championship

9:30 a.m. - "Lighthouse"

10 a.m. - Egg toss, car show, Banjo-mania

10:20 a.m. - Eric Uglam and Sons

11 a.m. - Climb the greased pole

Noon - Circus, bluegrass playoffs, arm wrestling

1 p.m. - River-raft building, fiddle/mandolin workshop

2 p.m. - Horseshoe pitch

3 p.m. - Nickels in a haystack

4 p.m. - Huck Finn look-a-like

5 p.m. - Liar's contest

6 p.m. - Line-dance workshop, weigh-in for fish derby

7 p.m. - Hay ride

8 p.m. - Line dancing, hot-air balloon glow

Sunday

7 a.m. - Hot-air balloon ride

8 a.m. - Chapel service

10 a.m. - Egg toss, car show

11 a.m. - Climb the greased pole

 11:30 a.m. - Musket-loading demonstration

1 p.m. - River-raft-building contest, songwriting

1:10 p.m. - Circus

2 p.m. - Nickels in a haystack, tomahawk throwing

3 p.m. - Fence-painting contest

4 p.m. - Treasure hunt

4:30 p.m. - Gold panning

6 p.m. - Roy Clark

(c) 2007 The Sun. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media
NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

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Annual KFRG blood drive held at San Antonio Community Hospital

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)

June 21, 2007
Edition: Local
Miranda White, Special to the Bulletin
Section: Local
Record Number: 6194608

San Antonio Community Hospital wants the community to know that giving blood
means giving life - especially as we head into summer.
"I know there's a shortage of type-O blood, and there tends to be blood shortages
heading into the summer," said Bev Offspring, lab manager at San Antonio Community
Hospital. "People don't take the time to donate and more blood is used, usually due to
accidents."

Radio station KFRG 95.1 joined the Upland hospital June 7 in the Aita Auditorium as
part of the 8th annual K-Frog Blood Drive. The event was held June 7-9 at locations
throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including San Bernardino, Riverside,
Ontario and Chino Hills.

"About eight years ago, I called (KFRG) to see if they wanted to participate in the
Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, and (the K-FROG blood drive)
spread," Offspring said. "It was started with San Antonio."

Around 400 donors from across the Inland Empire came to give blood. There was
even a mobile blood donation vehicle on premises for those who needed to get through
the process quickly in order to return to work.

"We have about 700 (donors) sometimes," said Janie Borne, spokeswoman for the
hospital. "We get a lot of support from the volunteers. We couldn't do it without the
volunteers."

After giving blood, donors needed to restore their blood sugar and replenish their
fluids, so they sat down at a large table to eat cookies and drink juice for 15 minutes.

"My goal is 10 gallons of blood," said Connie Harris, an employee of the hospital
who also donates blood regularly. "I've been (working) here 24 years, and I am up to nine
gallons. When I started working here is when I started giving blood."

The hospital makes donors feel like they are a part of a community during these types
of events, Offspring said.

"It is a great community event," said blood donor Nola Cheely. "It is one of those
feel-good things. What better place than to do it here at the hospital?"

Hospital employees play a special part in the drive by giving blood themselves.

"I try to recruit all new employees to give back to the community and in the
surrounding communities as well," said Gilbert Esparza, billing supervisor for the
hospital. "I'm going to continue giving until I can't give anymore. I just like to give back
to the community. I just give blood to save a life."
 Before giving blood, donors registered outside. They underwent a miniature physical,
which consisted of taking their temperature, blood pressure and hemoglobin levels. If
they passed, they went on to donate.

From 3 to 7 p.m., K-FROG radio personalities Hoppy and Toady broadcasted live
from 3 to 7 p.m. at the blood drive.

"We appreciate K-Frog because they really help us get the word out over the
airwaves," Offspring said.

All of the donors received a K-Frog T-shirt and other gifts for their participation in
the event.

For information on future blood drives, call (909) 920-4705.

(c) 2007 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the
permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

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Young thespians bring 'Grease' to the stage

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)

June 21, 2007
Edition: Local
Miranda White, Special to the Bulletin
Section: Local
Record Number: 6194557

The newly formed Inland Youth Performers are bringing estranged lovebirds Danny
and Sandy back together again in their performance of the hit musical "Grease," and the
group is developing quite a fan base.
"Their talent seems to be better than the adults," said Cory Whitfield, producer of the
show and chairman of the board for the Fontana Mummers.

Performances, which began June 15, are scheduled to continue Fridays, Saturdays
and Sundays through July 1 at the Fontana Mummers Community Theater.
 Whitfield said the show has drawn a diverse crowd and the show hasn't disappointed.
"It's been a good house this last weekend (June 15, 16 and 17)," Whitfield said. "It's
probably the best house all year. The cast is extremely talented."

Annie Curasi, student director and choreographer, had two months to put the show
together. She said she's been enjoying every moment.

"I love all of the kids," said Curasi, who attends Chaffey Community College. "I've
been doing theater since I was 5, and I love seeing all of the actors grow. I love helping
them too. They are like a little family on and off the stage."

The Inland Youth Performers represent a new direction for the Fontana Mummers,
which used to have the youths as part of the main Mummers theater group. Whitfield
said it was time to give the young performers "their own identity."

Whitfield said he encourages the community to come out and see "Grease," a classic
musical set in 1959 at the fictional Rydell High.

"This is our last show of the season," Whitfield said. "All of the cast and members
are under 21."

"Grease seems to draw people," he added.

FYI:

"Grease" presented by the Inland Youth Performers, the youth theater group of the
Fontana Mummers

WHERE: Fontana

Mummers Community Theater, 8443 Nuevo Ave., Fontana

WHEN: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays through July 1
 COST: $10 general admission; $8 for students and seniors; $5 tickets for children,
ages 12 and younger

Tickets may be bought at the door or in advance

INFORMATION: (909) 822-4052

(c) 2007 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the
permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

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Program aims to keep teen drivers safe

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)

June 28, 2007
Edition: Local
Miranda White, Correspondent
Section: Local
Record Number: 6250665

More than a few teenagers may be saved from fatal traffic collisions because of a
program that the Corona Police Department held to talk about speeding, driving under the
influence, seat belts and street racing.
All of these are common factors in fatal teen collisions.

"The purpose of this program is to show teenagers that they have responsibilities,"
said Bryan Wilson, traffic investigator for the department.

"They need to know the consequences they can face if they make poor decisions.
There's a reality with driving."

The Drive4Life Teen Driver Safety Program was held from 8 a.m. to noon on June 9
at the Corporation Yard Training Room.

Sue Bennett, mother of a Corona teen in the class, knew the dangers of driving and
had a special reason for taking her son to the class.
 "I wanted him to see the videos and graphic stuff," Bennett said. "He likes speed. I
needed to tone him down a little."

Craig Bennett knew his mother's intentions and thought taking the class was the right
thing to do.

"She knows I'm into street racing," Craig Bennett said. "She wanted me to see the
consequences of driving fast. She wanted me to know what could happen."

Wilson had personal reasons for holding this program for the teens and their parents.
In the past two years he has seen about 14 deaths from traffic collisions.

"I'm really tired of going to scenes and seeing young drivers who are dead and don't
have to be dead," Wilson said. "Sometimes there are eternal consequences to bad choices.
If you decide to go out and have fun for one night, it could cost your parents everything
they have worked their entire lives for."

The effects of drugs and alcohol were shown to the teens. They put on DUI goggles
to simulate what it would be like to be intoxicated at various levels. They took field
sobriety tests, and they failed badly.

"You can't be a good drunk," Wilson said. "You can't practice that."

Teens were given proof that speed kills. Charts showed two major drops in motor
vehicle deaths took place when seat belt laws were enacted and when the speed limit was
lowered due to the oil crisis.

"The safe speed for putting makeup on or reading a magazine while driving is zero
miles per hour," Wilson said. "Anything above that is speeding. The end result dictates
legality."

A video was shown of a man who decided not to wear a seat belt and ended up flying
through his rear window.

"Some of you may say you'll just hold on during a collision," Wilson said. "It doesn't
work."
 Street racing usually occurs when drivers try to test who's the fastest or how long it
takes to go a certain distance. The class was encouraged to take their racing to the drag
strip where it is more safe.

"Police officers watch illegal races, videotape them, and then come knocking at your
door," Wilson said. "If you are there and someone dies, you get charged for murder."

The teens also were given rules on being a passenger in a friend's vehicle. They were
informed on what to do if they did not feel safe.

"Tell them you're getting carsick and you're going to throw up," Wilson said. "They'll
pull over. They don't want you to throw up in their car."

Guest speaker Don Kindred spoke about his son, Danny, who died six years and
seven months ago in a motorcycle accident. Kindred's speech brought both the teens and
their parents to tears. He explained how the accident was so bad that the motorcycle was
shredded into 500 pieces after hitting a tree.

"All through his life Danny felt the need to challenge himself and everything around
him," Kindred said. "Each and every single person in this room has been given three gifts
by God. These are life itself, a talent, and the ability to choose. Danny made a choice. He
chose to drink and he chose to drive."

About 400 teen drivers and their parents have gone through this program. The next
one is scheduled for August.

(c) 2007 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the
permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.