Recently in Community Events Category

Photos By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

BEAUMONT - The price was right and the entertainment superb, and for that visitors streamed through the gates at Stewart Park for the 5 p.m. opening of the 91st annual Cherry Festival Thursday.

A line of festival-goers had already formed eager to climb aboard the carnival rides, play carnival games, or visit the 127 vendor booths offering a wide variety of food, and arts and crafts to peruse.

Headlining the evenings musical entertainment was Bonnie Pointer of The Pointer Sisters fame at 8 p.m. preceded by Rose Royce at 5. The main stage will be busy all four days with performances by such groups as Loverboy, The Basix, The Grass Roots, and America.

"We will have world renowned entertainment every night of the festival," said Jeannie Echols, a director with the Cherry Festival Board of Directors. "This is great free entertainment for just the price to get in."

The gate price?

Just $3 for adults. And for $15 children could ride all the rides in the carnival. Rachel Trusty bought her four kids the $15 wristbands and turned them lose on the rides.

"That's so cheap for all the rides," she said. "With four kids it would be hard to afford this without the ($15 special). This is good family fun."

Abandoned kittens nursed to good health

By Nicole Laffey
Executive Director
Yucaipa Animal Placement Society

YUCAIPA - Baby kittens were found by YAPS staff stuffed in a box at the front of the facility covered in ants and only about six days old.

We've been hand raised and bottle fed and received a lot of attention from the folks at YAPS. After eight weeks of TLC, we are looking for homes of our own.

We are very social, and get along well with other cats and dogs. We are young, so we like to play, so if you have a chance come play with us today!

YAPS
11937 13th Street
Yucaipa, Ca. 92399
Telephone (909) 790-1440
Email yaps@yaps.com
Website www.yaps.org

Harley needs a home

By Nicole Laffey
Executive Director
Yucaipa Animal Placement Society

YUCAIPA - Hi, I'm Harley a two year old Norfolk Terrier mix. I'm a real sweetheart, and the staff loves me. I hardly ever need a leash cause I'll stick by your side like glue. I like most other dogs, and kids too. At around 15 pounds, I won't take up too much room. I'd be a great addition to your family, please come visit me today!

YAPS
11937 13th Street
Yucaipa, Ca. 92399 Telephone
(909) 790-1440
Email yaps@yaps.com
Website yaps.org

YAPS Titus

By Nicole Laffey
Executive Director
Yucaipa Animal Placement Society

YUCAIPA - Hey there! My name is Titus! It broke the hearts of my former owners to give me up, but there was an illness in the family so I understood. I'm only about six months old, and I get along really well with everyone including kids and other dogs too.

In my former home I was allowed to sleep indoors. Perhaps you could find a spot in your heart and your home for me. Come on over and see me, I love visitors!

Nicole Laffey
Executive Director
Yucaipa Animal Placement Society
P.O. Box 199
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 790-1440

YUCAIPA - The question went something like this: "Harvey, it's Bob. I've got the day off and I'm heading to Huntington Beach for the Yucaipa playoff game. Wanna go along?"

I knew his answer before he uttered a word. And away we went 78 miles through stop and go traffic, and lots of nonstop talk - some important, some B.S., and some mixed with lots of good laughs.

About three-quarters the way there a spike of low blood sugar had me feeling a little light headed, so I handed the keys to Harvey and said "take us the rest of the way."

Now earlier Harvey said he had once lived near Huntington Beach so he knew the area pretty well. But not well enough to keep us from getting lost.

YUCAIPA - Whose the top dog in your family? Does fido lead you around on the leash? If so, you might want to join Kym Caldwell's basic dog obedience class that begins on June 13. Call Kym at (909) 795-9292 for more information.

To learn more about Caldwell's dog obedience expertise, read the article a wrote about her on March 29 on the link below.

Click to here to read Yucaipa's Kym Caldwell trains the "top dogs"

BEAUMONT - The 91st annual Cherry Festival will be held June 4 - 7 at Stewart Park, located on Ninth and Orange streets. The festival features a carnival, free live music, arts and crafts for the kids, vendors offering their wares and a wide variety of foods and refreshments.

For more information call (951) 769-8524.

YUCAIPA - Come September, 36-year-old Jorge Carlos will celebrate his 22nd year driving a big rig. Hmmm, lets do a little math. If I'm right 36-22 comes out to 14.

"Your started driving a semi when you were 14 years old?"

Carlos just smiles and nods yes. As the story goes the young Jorge was riding along with his semi-driving uncle on a trip from Chino to Las Vegas when his uncle's legs went numb.

So Jorge's uncle ushered him into the driver's seat and said lets go. Barely able to see over the wheel with just enough leg to reach the pedals, young Jorge admits he was scared.

"I was afraid, this was a big machine, and I told my uncle that it bucks like a bronco," Carlos said. "My uncle said that he was giving me a birthday present and teaching me to drive. When my dad found out he was really mad at both of us. He said he was going to take my horses away if I ever drove again."

Press Release:

By Pamela Emenger
President/CEO
Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce
Phone: (909)790-1841
Fax: (909)363-7373

OAK GLEN - It's Time to Cut the Ribbon at The Orchard Events Center by Partners Pantry Catering.

When: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with Ribbon Cutting at 5:45 p.m.

What To Expect: Appetizers & Networking all evening long with adult beverages provided.

Where:
Orchard Events Center
38490 Oak Glen Rd.
Oak Glen, CA 92399
(909) 797-2629

For more information about the Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce, contact President and CEO, Pamela Emenger.

Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce
35139 Yucaipa Blvd.,
P.O. Box 45
Yucaipa, CA 92399
Phone: (909)790-1841
Fax: (909)363-7373
email: info@yucaipachamber.org
website: www.yucaipachamber.org

Site serves as a repository of information for those impacted by the economic downturn

Press Release:
From the Office of
Supervisor Neil Derry
County of San Bernardino, Third District
www.sbcounty.gov/derry

For more information, contact
Steve Hauer, Deputy Chief of Staff
(909) 387-4855

SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Supervisor Neil Derry recently added a section to his official Web site to include links to various programs and information for constituents who have been negatively impacted by the economic downturn. The Web site can be found at: http://www.sbcounty.gov/bosd3/

The "Other Assistance Programs" section includes information about assistance programs available at various utilities, job training and food banks. Additional
information about housing and shelter options are also available.

"The key to helping those in need is providing them with accurate information about available resources," Supervisor Derry stated.

The Web site will be updated to include programs and resources that are brought to the supervisor's attention. Supervisor Derry invites the public to share any information about programs that might be of use to our residents by calling his office at: (909) 387-4855.

News Release:
By Pamela Clarke
Administrative Director/Community Relations
(909) 446-0405

YUCAIPA - The following is a list of "FREE" upcoming events for the month of June at Wildwood Canyon Villa-Yucaipa. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Friday, June 12th at 2:00 p.m.
Musical Social Hour. Enjoy a social afternoon with residents, families and staff.
Entertainment-Refreshments-Door Prizes

Tuesday, June 9th at 11:30 a.m.
"Solutions for Seniors" Seminar with complimentary lunch. Presented by Chris Shumate, Attorney at Law. Topics to Include: Financial abuse of the elderly, fraudulent offers, annoying telemarketers and scams. Limited seating, please RSVP for lunch.

Wednesday, June 10th & June 24th, 3:00 p.m.
Grief Support Group hosted by Don Starkey, Chaplin with VNA Hospice of Inland Counties. Group meets every 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month. Refreshments available.

Saturday, June 20th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
5th Annual Father's Day Car Show. No Registration Fee. Open to all pre-1978 vehicles.
Trophies presented. BBQ Meal Deal-$3.00 Free popcorn & cotton candy. D.J. Music. Drawings for variety of prizes, opportunity raffle. Proceeds support local Senior Citizen charities.

Thursday, June 25th, 7:00 p.m.
Alzheimer's Support Group. Discuss concerns about Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease with other families and receive support from our experienced staff and guest speakers. This group meets the last Thursday evening of every month. Refreshments available.

For more information contact:
Pam Clarke
Administrative Director/Community Relations
Wildwood Canyon Villa
33951 Colorado St.
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 446-0405
(909) 446-0485 fax
(909) 754-1067 cell
pclarke@ccliving.com

Courtesy Photo

News Release:
By Steve Moore

CABAZON - After a long school year, it's a well-deserved reward for students at Cabazon Elementary. And good, old-fashioned fun for the community.

Field Day, a hometown celebration held annually, takes place Thursday, June 11 in the park behind the James A. Venable Community Center, 50390 Carmen Ave. The festivities start at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.

Games played include "bucket brigades" where lines of youngsters pass water-filled buckets hand-to-hand, a potato sack race and a jump rope contest. Lunch will be served up by volunteers passing out barbecued hot dogs and pizza. Other treats include snow cones, caramel apples and popcorn.

Cabazon Elementary youngsters will receive a t-shirt adorned with a dinosaur --the school mascot.

For the grand finale, youngsters will be cooled off by a stream of water sprayed high into the air from a nearby fire truck.

"Field Day honors all our students at Cabazon Elementary School and says `Thank You' to the community for its very generous support during the year," said teacher and Field Day coordinator Johnny Baker. "It's a way for everyone in a small town to come together and celebrate at an old-fashioned picnic."

The special needs kids from the Yucaipa-Calimesa school district had fun playing games and sports during Spring Recreation Day 2009 at Yucaipa Regional Park recently.
Photos By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - She calls them, "my kids." Her rewards are hugs, high fives, and smiles - lots of smiles.

Gail Diliberto has taught physical education in the Yucaipa-Calimesa school district for 24 years. Nineteen years as a regular PE teacher and the past five years as the district's only adaptive PE teacher.

And it's the past five years that have given her the greatest satisfaction in her teaching career. Diliberto works with special needs kids, those who face physical and mental challenges.

In a typical day, Diliberto travels from school to school, kindergarten through 12th grades, meeting with her kids and guiding them through special physical education and mentally challenging activities to enhance their life skills. And at the same time provide a fun time for kids that would have a difficult time adapting in a regular PE class.

"My rewards are seeing the kids smile and having fun," Diliberto said. "I think of them as my kids. To see them accomplish something is so rewarding. The little things that we take for granted are so special to them."

News Release:

By Lori Valdepena
valdepena@yucaipa.org

June Craft Classes
The craft class on June 11th, at 9:00 a.m. will be instructed by Kathy Antill. She will be teaching how to make American Flag door hangers for the 4th of July. The craft class on June 25, at 9:00 a.m. will be instructed by Diann Bratton, and she will show how to create a beautiful card. The craft classes are free and all supplies will be furnished. Call the Senior Center to sign up.

News Release:

By Ken Corona, President
Yucaipa Little Theatre
(909) 790-1884 (theatre phone)

YUCAIPA - The Tony-Award winning Broadway musical Camelot, the story of a young king, his beautiful wife, and a love-struck knight, is currently showing at Yucaipa Little Theatre through June 14.

A favorite of late President John F. Kennedy and an indisputable hit on stage, Camelot is the timeless story about the rise and fall of a great kingdom. Arthur, King of England (played by Kevin Kahn), has gathered the best knights in the world at his famed round table. He finds a kind and loving wife, Queen Guenevere (Natalie Tavarez), and a best friend in Lancelot (Daren Prescott), his treasured knight.

When romance blossoms between Lancelot and Guenevere, the kingdom begins to crumble with a little help from the young, villainous Mordred (Cedric Wright), and Arthur finds his dreams shattered.

Yucaipa Little Theatre staged Camelot nearly a decade ago. According to the director, Ken Corona, "There has been a lot of interest from members and supporters to see it again, and we're excited to have this opportunity to finally bring it back."

Albert R. Gonzales of Calimesa was one of the thousands of soldiers who fought in the bloody invasion of the beaches of Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Photos By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

"June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which 'we will accept nothing less than full victory.' More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day's end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high - more than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded - but more than 100,000 soldiers began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler."

By Diana Sholley / Staff Writer

CALIMESA - On June 6,1944, thousands of young men crammed into the bellies of ships and planes and waited to meet their destiny on the beaches of Normandy.

Among exploding bombs, machine-gun fire and torpedo blasts, many brave men pushed on through a sea turned red with the blood of soldiers while others parachuted into Normandy.

Saturday marks the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Sharing his story from that day is Albert R. Gonzales, 85, from Calimesa.

On a barge on the waters off Omaha Beach, 400 soldiers, including Pfc. Albert R. Gonzales, received their D-Day instructions from the ship's captain.

"He said, 'When that door opens, go out running,'" Gonzales recalled. "We jumped out and into the water that was up to here," he said, motioning to his chest. "We held our guns over our heads and went for the beach."

Huntington Beach Oilers' Sean Guite tries to escape the tag of Yucaipa's Matt Davidson during a run down between third base and home.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - Check out the photos of the Yucaipa Thunderbirds and Huntington Beach Oilers CIF playoff baseball game on Friday.

Click Here For Photo Gallery

By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

HUNTINGTON BEACH - The 2009 Thunderbirds baseball team shattered school records, won the Citrus Belt League Championship, won the prestigious Millington, Tennessee and Chino tournament championships, and attained lofty state and national rankings.

But the one prize they had their eyes firmly fixed on all season long - a California Interscholastic Federation Championship - will forever remain an unrequited dream. The Huntington Beach Oilers made sure of that by defeating the Thunderbirds, 10-2, on Friday in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division II Playoffs.

Yucaipa simply did not play its "A" game by committing five errors that helped pave the way to victory for the 18-12 Oilers, who finished third in the Sea View League with an 8-7 record and entered the playoffs as a wild card team.

Meanwhile, the Thunderbirds, one of the finest teams in coach Jeff Stout's 33 years, finish 27-3 and as the Citrus Belt League Champions with a 13-1 record.

"We were ready, but for whatever reason we didn't make the plays," Stout said. "Five errors aren't going to win you too many ball games. Errors have been kind of a nemesis with us all year long, but we've been able to make up for it with our bats."

YUCAIPA - Recover and nurture your creativity through this 12 week workshop based on Julia Cameron's million selling book, "The Artist's Way."

Led by children's book writer, Diane Adams, author of Zoom!, and I Can Do It Myself!, and illustrator of A Home for Salty, this course will nurture your creativity and help you regain a sense of hope and excitement about your writing .

Yucaipa finished its run in the CIF Southern Section Division II Playoffs with a 6-2 loss to visiting Vista Murrieta on Thursday. The Lady Thunderbirds finish their season with a 23-9 overall record, and as the second place team in the Citrus Belt League with a 11-3 record.
Photos By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

J.P. Hoornstra, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/29/2009 12:17:25 AM PDT

YUCAIPA - The best season for softball that anyone seems to remember at Yucaipa High could have been over after one at-bat Thursday.

Vista Murrieta's leadoff batter, Alexis Villamor, wasted no time introducing herself to Thunderbirds pitcher Jessica English by sending a pitch over the right-field fence.

Unfazed, English settled down and kept her team in the game until the end - longer than expected, but not long enough - in an error-plagued 6-2 loss to the Broncos.

"I know my team can score runs," English said. "I thought we were going to come back and score five runs in the seventh inning."