Lisa from Temecula remains disruptive (and divergent) in ‘SNL’ return

Lisa from Temecula is back. In her third appearance, Ego Nwodim’s pink-clad attorney who’s quick to pick a fight rocked “Saturday Night Live,” as well as a table at a sports bar, in last Saturday’s closing sketch. Thanks to readers Wendy Leung and Susan Winderman for alerting me. Lisa this time spilled the table’s pitchers of soda as she vigorously tried to obliterate a “grata-tooey” from the restaurant bill with her erasable pen. She also accused tablemate Josh Brolin of coming on to her and warned him that she’d eaten “32 habanero wings.” When the server tried to eject the party for disruption, Lisa claimed discrimination because tablemate Bowen Yang had a disability: He is “Negro-divergent.” Yang broke character by laughing uproariously. Yes, Lisa from Temecula was in a lather, and not just because she was scrubbing her hands at the table with soap she’d stolen from the women’s room. In the official YouTube upload of the sketch, most people who commented welcomed Lisa back with open arms, not that Lisa would embrace them back. “It has been too damn long,” one person said. The

5 ways to make your vegetable garden a pollinator destination

As the weather warms, anticipation grows in people eager to grow vegetable gardens. Gardening daydreams become a canvas of plump tomatoes, colorful dangling peppers, and sprawling squash vines covered in sunny blooms. The secret to making these bountiful dreams come true is simple: Create a welcoming space for pollinators in and around your vegetable garden. Once that neon welcome sign is turned on, your garden will burst with the activity of these winged workers. Their presence will sweeten the success of your garden by boosting pollination, yield, resistance to pests, and local biodiversity. While you might notice insects like flies, beetles and butterflies casually moving from flower to flower, bees are the ones doing most of the pollination work. The image of honeybees clasping at squash flowers might suggest a simple exchange in pollination services. The reality is that pollination can be complex and nuanced, depending on the flower to be pollinated. Honeybees, introduced to North America in the Colonial era, tend to steal the spotlight in pollinator discussions. Their generalist and nondiscriminatory pollination behavior benefits farmers and a wide range of crops, making them

New report reveals Inland Empire veterans struggle to find benefits and services

By Greg Archer | Contributing Columnist A new study released by Inland Empire Community Foundation reveals the challenges Inland Empire veterans face. The “IE State of Veterans Report” study was commissioned by the Friends of Veterans Fund at IECF and sheds light on what veterans in the Inland Empire face when seeking programs, resources, and organizations, and the call for a more inclusive and responsive system to their evolving needs. It also indicates the lack of awareness and access among the area’s veterans community is double that of Los Angeles County. “We wanted to create a report that would help and not sit on some shelves and collect dust,” said Brie Griset Smith, IECF’s senior vice president of charitable giving. “We wanted it to move this idea of putting veterans at the center forward. With the help of different community stakeholders, we held focus groups, did individual interviews, and really wrapped our arms around kind of the core components of this.” While many benefits and services are available to veterans and their families, finding them in the Inland Empire can be taxing if not intimidating.

Two area Army vets tour “Portraits of Courage” exhibit with President Bush at Nixon Library, including the portraits he painted of them

Alex Glenn-Camden, an Army infantryman injured in Afghanistan, stood next to President George Bush looking at a portrait the former president had painted of him. Though the Temecula resident has met “43” before at other openings of “Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors,” Glenn-Camden never before had the opportunity to view his portrait while standing one-on-one with Bush as he did Wednesday, March 13, at the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda. “In the beginning, you’re just kind of speechless,” he said of seeing his own image painted by a president. “It hits you that a president sat there for some time and painted you. It’s almost a little emotional. “To know he saw something in myself and then to sit there and take his time and paint is extremely humbling.” Veteran Alexander Glenn-Camden and President George W. Bush pose for a photo next to the painting of Glenn-Camden, lower left, during a tour of Bush’s paintings for the exhibit, “Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors” at the Richard Nixon Library & Museum

Dodgers Alumni Join Bloomington Little League Opening Ceremonies in Celebrating Kessler Park’s Revitalization

Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., Dodger Alumni Mickey Hatcher and Derrel Thomas, and Assembly Member Eloise Gomez Reyes marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighting community spirit and a commitment to recreation and youth development. It was a day of celebration in Bloomington as local families and little league teams gathered for the start of the Bloomington Little League’s new season.  The refurbished Kessler Park features newly installed modern lighting to brighten evening events, a decorative iron fence to enhance safety and security, and a revitalized snack bar. These improvements aim to enhance infrastructure and give the Bloomington community a sense of pride.  Supervisor Baca, Jr. stated, “The upgrades to Kessler Park represent our commitment to our families and our youth. By investing in our parks, we are investing in our future. San Bernardino County is laying the groundwork for a healthier, more vibrant community.”  The Fifth District also announced a generous $10,000 donation to the Bloomington Little League. This contribution will facilitate the league’s efforts in organizing sports programs, purchasing new equipment, and ensuring all children have the opportunity to engage in healthy physical

Film Student Juan Manuel Villegas to Premiere “Beneath Her Sorrows” at Colton’s Prestige Film Festival April 27th

The Prestige Film Festival, set to take place at 3 Iron Brewery in Colton on April 27 and 28, is proud to showcase “Beneath Her Sorrows,” a compelling film by San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) student Juan Manuel Villegas. The film, nominated for Best Student Film, delves into the profound impact of suicide on those left behind. “The inspiration for ‘Beneath Her Sorrows’ was wanting to touch base on the subject of suicide and how it can affect those closest to you,” Villegas explained. “The need to find an answer can eventually consume you with so much guilt to the point where you blame yourself for everything that went wrong.” Villegas promises a film that will subvert expectations. “Fellow attendees can expect something they think they know is coming their way but towards the end, will be taken in a whole other direction,” he said. The film was shot at a friend’s house in November 2022, adding a personal touch to the production. The young filmmaker also emphasized the importance of community support in the arts. “In order to grow as filmmakers, artists, and storytellers

Nicole Dumaguindin: Illuminating Colton’s Environmental Justice Through Theatre

In the heart of Southern California, artist Nicole Dumaguindin is weaving a tapestry of community engagement and storytelling. She is a Community Theatre Artist of Tagalog, Kapampangan, and Ibanag ancestry and is on a mission to amplify the voices of communities facing barriers to theatrical storytelling. Nicole’s work goes beyond the confines of formal theatre spaces in Colton, San Bernardino, and the broader Inland Empire. Her journey as an artist began in 2010 when she completed her first production as a dramaturg in UCR’s “Metamorphoses.” Since then, she has been tirelessly working on projects that blend theatre with community engagement. Her influences range from Agosto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed to Bertolt Brecht and Joseph Campbell’s TeAda Productions, all while drawing inspiration from her ancestral roots in the Philippines. Over the past three years, Nicole has undertaken projects that exemplify her commitment to community and creativity. One such project was her role as the Education Coordinator for PAIS-IE’s 2021 Fall Sessions. She orchestrated a platform that recruited instructors and students to explore intercultural traditions, contradictions, and human rights, culminating in a community celebration of International

Grand Terrace High School Awarded Distinguished School Status by the California Department of Education

CJUSD’s Grand Terrace High School is one of just 293 middle and high schools from throughout California selected for the prestigious 2024 California Distinguished Schools Program, recognizing the exceptional work of its students, staff and administation. “GTHS’s motto is Be G.R.E.A.T…. Graduate,” Principal Charles Neighbours said. “As our students and staff strive to be GREAT every day, it’s a fantastic accomplishment to be recognized as a California Distinguished School.” Schools were selected for the distinction by the California Department of Education by analyzing data reported through its 2023 Dashboard, with a focus on demonstrating excellence and growth in academic achievement and ensuring a positive school climate. “Being recognized as a distinguished school is an incredible honor that I feel is an accurate reflection of our academic excellence and school culture here at GTHS,” ASB President Alyssia Pelayo said. “Students on our campus are motivated to come to school everyday and look forward to participating in our student-led activities. ASB works hard to promote inclusivity on campus and make our school a place where everyone feels welcome.” GTHS earned the distinction in the category of closing

Arcadia’s First Avenue Middle School named 2024 California Distinguished School

Arcadia Unified School District’s First Avenue Middle School joins an exclusive list of 293 middle and high schools from across the state to earn recognition from the California Department of Education as a 2024 California Distinguished School.  “A campus beaming with community pride, halls bustling with innovative ideas, and classrooms filled with engaging teaching and learning are just a few of the things that make First Avenue such a special place and very deserving of this prestigious distinction,” Arcadia Unified Superintendent Dr. David Vannasdall said. In its press release announcing the 2024 California Distinguished School recipients, the California Department of Education explained that its process in selecting schools to be recognized in this year’s program included examining various school performance measures on specific state indicators that are identified in the California School Dashboard’s 2023 reports. Accordingly, schools chosen for this recognition were those that demonstrated excellence and growth in academic achievement and cultivated a positive school climate. “Being named a California Distinguished School is a tremendous honor and validates the commitment of our students and staff to continuous improvement,” First Avenue Principal Dr. Semeen Issa

San Gabriel Valley chambers collab on series for small businesses

San Gabriel Valley chambers of commerce are collaborating to bring a monthly webinar series to their members and businesses. The “Renewal and Resilience: Navigating the Future of Business in 2024” series begins on March 21 at noon. The series continues on the third Thursday of each month thereafter. There is no cost to join the webinar series and it is open to the public but attendance is limited. Pre-registration for each webinar in the series is required at tinyurl.com/2xfn2wah.  The first presentation on March 21 is by executive leadership coach John Burt. Burt will discuss the current economic landscape and how it impacts entrepreneurs, small business owners and managers. He will delve into the challenges and opportunities each will face in 2024.  “We are excited to be partnering with chambers of commerce in the SGV area to bring this program to our members and businesses. Working together, we developed this series of informational presentations on topics that are important for the businesses in our cities,” said Laurie Wheeler, President and chief executive officer of the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. “We hope these programs tailored

School library books with sexual, violent content targeted in Redlands

A community group complained Tuesday night, March 12, about sexual and violent content in several books on the library shelves of Redlands campuses, asking the school board to create a policy to protect children. They targeted titles include “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison; “Beyond Magenta,” by Susan Kuklin; “Sold,” by Patricia McCormick; “Lucky,” by Alice Sebold; and “Tricks,” by Ellen Hopkins. RELATED: Redlands school board to discuss possible book ban However, most who spoke at the meeting opposed any policy to limit or ban library books in the Redlands Unified School District. And school trustees and board members said they already have rules in place for parents to challenge books. Toni Morrison’s 1970 novel “The Bluest Eye,” was criticized by a community group in Redlands on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (File photo) “Beyond Magenta,” by Susan Kuklin, was criticized by a community group in Redlands on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (Courtesy photo) “Lucky,” by Alice Sebold, was criticized by a community group in Redlands on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. (Courtesy photo) “Sold,” by Patricia McCormick, was criticized by a community group in Redlands on

About half the cats taken in by Riverside County in 2023 died. So what’s being done?

Just 51% of cats that went into Riverside County-run animal shelters in 2023 made it out alive. It’s an unacceptable number to the county’s Department of Animal Services, which is taking a multi-pronged approach — including no longer taking in healthy stray adult cats — in hopes of saving 5,000 cats’ lives in 2024. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 12, voted 5-0 to approve the 5,000 Cat Challenge and the policy change on accepting mature felines that aren’t surrendered by owners. A veterinarian sterilizes a cat in the custody of Riverside County animal services. Officials are taking steps, including not accepting healthy, adult, free-roaming felines, to reduce the number of impounded cats who don’t survive. (Courtesy of Riverside County) “We hope with these efforts that we’ll be able to make this significant change in our department and save more cat lives in Riverside County,” Director of Animal Services Erin Gettis told supervisors. “Five thousand cats is a large number and we’re up for the task.” When it comes to cats, the department, which operates four shelters and serves large swaths of the county

Chaffey Joint Union school district supporting grieving students, staff

Chaffey Joint Union High School District is coping this week after a weekend of tragedy. The three students – siblings Elias and Sarah Cruz of Los Osos High School, and Feiloaki (Junior) Mateni from Rancho Cucamonga High School – died in two separate automobile crashes on March 8 and March 9. On March 9, the district learned that longtime teacher and football coach John Kusleika at Ontario High School died after a year-long battle with cancer. “We are heartbroken by the tragic deaths of three students and a teacher this past weekend,” Superintendent Mathew Holton said in a statement this week. “All were beloved members of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District family, and our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time.” The district is providing counseling resources as necessary on all three campuses and asked the community to keep students, staff and the family members of Elias, Sarah, Junior and John in their thoughts and prayers, Holton said in the March 11 statement. Elias and Sarah Cruz, 17 and 14, were killed Friday, March 8

‘Cotton and War Economics’ will be topic for Inland Empire Civil War Round Table program

The Inland Empire Civil War Round Table offers two programs in March, a discussion of “Cotton and War Economics” in a March 18 online presentation and an in-person program March 20 featuring Mike Reetz portraying Horace Porter, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s aide-de-camp. Gordon Gidlund, a board member of the Inland Empire Civil War Round Table, will present the March 18 program, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. In his talk, he will discuss the cotton embargo, the Red River Campaign and and the French banking house of Emilie Erlanger and Co. issuing 7% cotton bonds in 1863 to support the Confederacy, according to a news release. For the Zoom link to his March 18 presentation for the Inland Empire Civil War Round Table, go to inlandempirecwrt.org. The March 20 program will be at 2 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the A.K. Smiley Public Library, 125 W. Vine St., Redlands, and will also be available on Zoom, with the link at inlandempirecwrt.org. At that program, Mike Reetz of Menifee, a member the Inland Empire Civil War Round Table and docent at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine

Clarissa Cervantes takes 60-vote lead over Ronaldo Fierro in Inland Assembly race

Clarissa Cervantes is back in the lead over Ronaldo Fierro in the tight race for a November runoff spot in the 58th Assembly District. Results posted late Tuesday afternoon, March 12, by the California secretary of state show the Riverside city councilmember with a 60-vote lead over her council colleague. Election results from Monday night, March 11, had Fierro with a razor-thin lead of 10 votes. Cervantes had led by 48 votes going into Monday night. Related links Clarissa Cervantes leads Ronaldo Fierro by 48 votes in Inland Assembly race Why all the negative ads in Riverside-area state Assembly, Senate races? Three 58th Assembly District candidates answer questions Why voter turnout in California is so low this year The two Democrats are locked in a close race for second place in the 58th, which includes Jurupa Valley, Grand Terrace and parts of Riverside, Corona and Eastvale. Republican Leticia Castillo is in first and will advance to the Nov. 5 election to represent the district. Under California’s top-two primary system, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the general election.

Man dies, 2 police officers injured after crash in downtown Upland

One person was killed and two Upland police officers were injured after a crash in downtown Upland on Monday, March 11. The driver, Adam Ulrich 35 of Victorville, died at the scene and the two officers sustained minor burn injuries, Upland Police Chief Marcelo Blanco said. At around 1 a.m. March 11, an Upland police officer saw a car heading west on 9th Street, near Grove Avenue, and attempted to stop the vehicle when they saw it was missing its front license plate. The car sped off at 100 mph and the officer did not give chase but put out an alert to other officers in the area, Blanco said. The car was spotted again as it entered the downtown area. The driver lost control at the intersection of 9th Street and 3rd Avenue and crashed into a tree near the gazebo on 2nd Avenue. Soot and ash cover the bricks and burned tree near the gazebo in downtown Upland on Monday, March 11, 2024, after a crash that left one man dead and two Upland police officers injured. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Blanco said

Orange County leading a grim trend, cancer among younger people

Cancer isn’t just about age. Yes, it’s still true that older people are more likely than younger people to be diagnosed with cancer. Cells change more frequently, and in different ways, when you’re older. And decades of lifestyle choices and exposures can — and often do — result in some form of cancer. But according to new data from several health organizations, younger people are starting catch up, cancer-wise. Though the total number of cancer deaths in the United States has fallen by about 4 million a year since the early 1990s, the American Cancer Society recently reported that the rates of younger people diagnosed with cancer are starting to climb, led by a rise in colorectal and breast cancers. And that trend is playing out locally, particularly in Orange County. Over the past five years, youth-cancer rates have jumped in most big counties in California, with Orange County leading the Southern California region in that grim statistic, according to data from the National Cancer Institute. For people age 50 and younger, cancer is hitting more frequently in Orange County than it is in the

Coroner, sheriff’s will be kept together, Riverside County board decides

Riverside County supervisors Tuesday, March 12, agreed to keep the Sheriff’s Department and coroner’s office under one roof while supporting measures intended to ease concerns of families whose loved ones have died in jails or through deputies’ use of force. The 5-0 vote rebuffed requests, including advice from a former supervisor, to separate the offices to solve what critics maintain is a conflict of interest when it comes to the coroner investigating in-custody and use-of-force deaths. Sheriff Chad Bianco opposed splitting the offices. And a report from the county executive office, which handles county government’s daily affairs, said a split would create more problems than it would solve. “I’m not certain that the separation that was requested … at this point in time gives us a better result than the refinements and efforts and changes in policies that are being recommended today,” Supervisor Chuck Washington said. Supervisor Kevin Jeffries, who with Supervisor V. Manuel Perez suggested a feasibility study on splitting the two offices, noted that many jail inmate deaths are drug-related, with Washington lamenting what he called the near-impossible tasks of stopping drugs from

The Social Lites Annual Beautillion is Set for March 30

The Social Lites, Inc. will award scholarships to deserving Black high school senior young men at its Beautillion Knights event on March 30 at Cal State San Bernardino. The Inland Empire nonprofit has provided scholarships for 54 years to young men going on to college or technical school. The 2024 Beautillion Knights are Ali Dphrepaulezz of Etiwanda High School; Daniel Rivera of Cajon High School; Destyn Maurice of Flabob Airport Preparatory Academy in Moreno Valley; Frank Cox III of Summit High School; Solomon Moore of Citrus Valley High School, Syncere Brackett of Centennial High School in Eastvale, Darvion McGee, The PAL Charter Academy in San Bernardino.  “College-bound 11th and 12th-grade students who are enrolled in the Beautillion Knights program participate in a five-month extracurricular program. During that time, they gain practical knowledge and experience that grounds them with lifelong foundations that benefit their academic and career success,” said Social Lites spokesperson Marlene Davis. Subjects include leadership development, life skills, and health education. Mentor-tutors work with young men to develop their talents and skills, exposing them to real-world experiences that give them insights into how to solve

Leading American Rabbi to Speak at CSUSB Mar. 26

Rabbi Elliot J. Cosgrove, one of America’s leading rabbis, will be the guest speaker at the 7th Annual Rabbi Hillel Cohn Endowed Lecture on the Contemporary Jewish Experience on Tuesday, March 26th at 6:00 pm at California State University, San Bernardino. Rabbi Cosgrove will speak on “What It Means To Be A Jew Today.”  Rabbi Cosgrove is acknowledged as one the major voices of American Judaism and among the top leaders of Conservative Judaism. He is the senior rabbi of the Park Avenue Synagogue in New York City and is a key participant in interfaith activities nationally.  Ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1999, Rabbi Cosgrove earned his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago Divinity School. He is the author of 15 collections of selected sermons and the editor of Jewish Theology in Our Time. The weekly services of Park Avenue Synagogue are watched throughout the world.  The annual lecture on the Contemporary Jewish Experience was established in 2017 in honor of Rabbi Hillel Cohn who has been a prominent religious leader in the Inland Empire since 1963. He currently serves as rabbi emeritus of Congregation Emanu El in Redlands.  The lecture

Fontana Unified Celebrates District Teacher of the Year for Dedication to Supporting Her Students, Colleagues

Surrounded by cheering students, Chaparral Academy of Technology teacher Alexandra Cruz was surprised when Fontana Unified School District administrators and colleagues came into her classroom carrying a bouquet of flowers and a sign to announce she had been named the 2023-24 District Teacher of the Year on Feb. 20. Cruz was recognized as the FUSD Teacher of the Year, out of the District’s 45 schools, for her dedication to supporting both her students and colleagues, along with her engaging classroom lessons and how she has embraced new technology in the classroom. “I was completely shocked and honored by the classroom announcement,” said Cruz, who has taught at Chaparral Academy for six years and currently teaches a combination fourth-and-fifth grade class. “It was very powerful and moving to see my students’ reactions. I always tell them how proud I am of them, so to see them proud of me made me realize that this class is a family and we really care about each other.” The recognition continues a surreal 2023-24 school year for Cruz, who was also selected the Computers, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math