Kaiser Permanente announced that it has presented the City of San Bernardino with a $20,000 grant that will fund free swim lessons, open the Mill Street Pool for the duration of the summer, and extend the hours of other public pools in the city. The Mill Street Pool has been closed to date this season due to the City’s budget constraints and without the grant, would have remained closed all summer.

“Having access to swimming pools is a fun and vital service for kids who reside in San Bernardino during the hot summer months,” said Greg Christian, Executive Director, Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the City of San Bernardino to bring kids the positive benefits of learning to swim and having a safe and healthy place to go this summer.”

Kaiser Permanente has a mission to support aquatic facilities and fund swim programs that help increase physical activity, diminish the risk of chronic disease, and build strong bodies. Assisting the City of San Bernardino by providing this grant falls right in line with our mission.  “Part of Kaiser Permanente’s thrive message is to encourage children to be more active. The more active they become, the healthier they will be,” said Dr. David Quam, Area Medical Director for Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center.  “This grant is a great example of what can be done through the power of community partnerships.”

The Mill Street Pool is now officially open! For more information, please contact the City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation & Community Services main office at 909-384-5233.

By Jehrid Mosley --

Many people have heard of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, but this years show offers much more than your usual circus act would. 

This year’s show Zing Zang Zoom features the only black clown or performer for Ringling Sean Davis or “Surly” in the show. This is Sean’s second year as a clown for Barnum and Bailey though he has had previous experience as a clown since 1995.

Sean stars as one of the Heavies, a group of clowns in the show that back up Mr. Gravity whose character tries to bring all the high wire acts down. The Heavies model themselves after the three stooges.

This is quite ironic because Davis main influence as a clown is the character Curly from the three stooges. The show will be going on from the 29^th of July to the second of August in the Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

The show will start at 7:30 pm from the 29^th to the 31^st. The shows will be going on at 11:30 am, 3:30 pm, and 7:30 pm on the 1^st and 2^nd. You can call (213) 480-3232 to reserve your seats or go on ringling.com to buy tickets which range from $15 to $90.

This year’s show is very different than any other show as well because in the complete history of Ringling this is the first time they are using illusions and magic in a show.

If you are deciding to take a trip to the circus expect to see something along the lines of disappearing elephants this time.

Sean Davis truly loves putting smiles on people faces and wants any young aspiring performer to never let go of their dream and always keep a smile in your heart when you are performing.

By the advice that this clown at heart gives, you can tell his not just clowning around.

Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) announced he has received notice from the White House that the 43^rd Congressional District will receive $48.8 million in funding for municipal bonds from H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was passed by Congress and enacted into law this February. Initial funding numbers were released by the White House this past June, but Congressional offices were only recently notified of an updated funding amount for Congressional Districts. This updated funding announcement totals $48.8 million for the 43^rd Congressional District.

“The proper funding to support municipal bonds is absolutely essential to the economic recovery efforts in the Inland Empire,” said Rep. Baca.
 “I am thrilled to receive the wonderful news from the White House that our area will receive over $48 million in bonding funds. In the midst of too many crippling state budget cuts, this money will be used to fund vital construction, transportation, and small business development projects that have the potential to create new, homegrown jobs and get our local economic engine moving again in Southern California.”

The Economic Recovery Package enacted this February has already begun to have a positive impact in the Inland Empire. San Bernardino County has received approval for $49.1 million in federal recovery funds to widen the I-215 freeway, a construction project that is expected to create 8,000 jobs. In addition the County has received approval for $9 million in Department of Housing and Urban Development grants to create new low and moderate income housing and prevent homelessness.

The $48.8 million in municipal bonding funds to the 43^rd Congressional District is broken down as follows:

·        $17.6 million to the City of San Bernardino;

·        $17.7 million to the City of Ontario; and

·        $13.5 million to the City of Fontana.

“I thank President Obama for his aggressive action to right our economy, and applaud the White House for their leadership in getting this necessary funding out to our local communities in an expedient manner,” concluded Rep. Baca.
 “With our national recession and our current state fiscal crisis, it is a moral imperative that we act to right our economy, create more jobs, and help working families survive these trying times.

I am confident this funding for additional municipal bonds will help us achieve these goals.”

Two million more black voters cast a ballot in the 2008 election than in 2004; and, young black voters had the highest increase in turnout among all groups, a U.S.  Census Bureau report released today revealed.

“We knew black youth influenced the outcome of the election and will do so for years to come,” said Melanie L. Campbell, executive director and CEO of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. “Today’s Census report backs up our findings.” Although voter turnout among some groups decreased or remained the same in 2008, according to the Census tables, overall 18 to 24 yearold turnout saw a two percent increase over 2004, reaching 49 percent.  However, 18- to 24-year-old black voters turned out at 55 percent, an eight percent increase from 2004.  “We knew our work made a difference,’” said William Kelllibrew, national coordinator of Black Youth Vote! (BYV!), the young adult division of The National Coalition.

“This report is confirmation of the success of Black Youth Vote! Since The National Coalition started the young adult division our work has helped to inspire a new commitment to service and civic engagement among 18-24 year-olds.”

The National Coalition’s BYV!  worked in twelve states registering new voters, educating voters on their rights at the polls, and urging them to VOTE FIRST.