First District Awards Scholarships at High Desert's 'State of Education'

On behalf of our office, District Director Kimberly Mesen was pleased to award three deserving high school students with $500 scholarships during the Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce's “State of Education” event on April 5.

First District awards went to Samantha Grantham of Granite Hills High School, Kaitlyn Hatcher of Academy for Academic Excellence, and Ashlee Melo of Oak Hills High School. A total of 15 students were honored with scholarships during the ceremony.

Held at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center, the event included an update from San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre, who shared many of the High Desert's educational successes over the past year. 

Some highlights:

• The Oak Hills High School Mock Trial Team won the County championships in 2022 and 2023.
• Lewis Center Academy for Academic Excellence was honored for its Space Force JROTC and GAVRT Astronomy Partnership with NASA/JPL.
• Excelsior High School was praised for its STEM and digital learning programs. Its Cybersecurity Pathway offers students in-demand training on computer/technologies, server and network security, cyber security and threat analysis.
• Helendale’s Excel Academy Charter School received this year’s Distinguished School Award.
• Sterling Ware, Paraeducator at Oak Hills High School, was named Teacher for Tomorrow.
• Victor Valley Union High School District's Family Engagement Program won a Golden Bell Award.
• Mountain-Desert Career Pathways continues to bridge the gap between high school CTE programs and employment opportunities in the High Desert.

Congratulations to all of the scholarship winners and First District schools on your achievements!

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Advocating For Human Trafficking Prevention

On Tuesday, Supervisor Dawn Rowe and I met with the San Bernardino-Riverside Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to discuss the important issue of human trafficking in our region.

Since 1959, the sorority has advocated for the Black community through programs addressing economic and educational development, international/political awareness, and physical/mental health.

Thank you to Delta Sigma Theta for taking the time to meet with us. It was a pleasure to connect with you and learn more about your organization, and your passion for helping our most vulnerable youth.

Hanna's Nursery & Landscaping Celebrates Grand Opening

Policy Advisor Christopher Porter joined the community in celebration of the Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting & grand opening for Hanna's Nursery & Landscaping.

Located in Victorville, the business offers a wide range of services for outdoor spaces. This includes drought-tolerant desert landscaping, pavers, turf, concrete, and design elements such as fire pits, water features and pergolas.

Congratulations!

DiNapoli's Firehouse Named February's Small Business of the Month

District Director Kimberly Mesen was pleased to present a Certificate of Recognition to DiNapoli's Firehouse in celebration of its designation as the 34th Assembly District's February Small Business of the Month.

This family-owned Italian eatery, located in Apple Valley, has been serving High Desert residents for more than 25 years. Congratulations!

Children's Network Hosts Fentanyl Symposium at Victorville IEHP Center

Last week, the IEHP Victorville Community Resource Center teamed up with First 5 San Bernardino and the San Bernardino County Children's Network for a symposium addressing the fentanyl crisis in our state.

California now ranks No. 1 in the nation for fentanyl-related deaths according to a new report using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more information, support and resources — including free Fentanyl test-strips and life-saving Naloxone (Narcan) — contact the Inland Empire Harm Reduction Agency at 951-446-0983 or email info@ieharmreduction.org

The agency also offers free overdose response training to people in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. 

Wrightwood Resident Eddie Limbaga to Compete on Veterans Team USA in Italy

Congratulations to Eddie Limbaga of Wrightwood, will be representing Team USA in the Veterans Division of the World Inline Hockey Championships in Brunico, Italy.

"It is an honor to represent our country in our quest for the Gold Medal," said Limbaga.

The games will take place between May 28-June 5. Learn more here.

High Desert Keepers Hosting Spaghetti Fundraiser in Phelan Tonight

High Desert Keepers is hosting a spaghetti fundraiser dinner tonight to go toward cleanup efforts in the region. The fundraiser will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Serrano High School Cafeteria in Phelan. 

Cost is $15 adults, and $10 for kids 12 and under.

For more information, please call (760) 792-7399 or email team@highdesertkeepers.org

High Desert Association of Realtors to Host Fair Housing Day on April 20

The High Desert Association of Realtors will host a Fair Housing Day from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 20. The event will include booths, speakers, resources and a Continental breakfast.

Speakers will include:

• Inland Fair Housing & Mediation Board - Learn more about fair housing services, landlord/tenant and mobile home mediation, housing counseling, alternative dispute resolution, and senior services.
• San Bernardino County Sheriff Department - Deputies will be discussing "Crime Prevention for Residential Housing 2023 and Beyond."
• NPHS Inc. - Learn about programs and services that create intergenerational wealth for underserved communities. This includes efforts to close the racial wealth gap and create neighborhoods where all families have the opportunity to achieve housing and economic security. Some programs offer up to $100,000 in down payment assistance.
• City of Victorville, Homelessness Solutions Task Force - Learn what the city of Victorville is doing to address the homelessness and at-risk population and the development of the Wellness Center Campus.

This event is free to the public. The HDAOR is located at 11890 Hesperia Rd. Hesperia. For more information, please call 760-244-8841 or visit hdaor.com

IEHP Community Resource Center Hosting Free CPR Class Today

The IEHP Community Resource Center-Victorville will offer its free monthly CPR class today. The Spanish class takes place between 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and the English class takes place between 1:30-4:30 p.m.

There are only 30 spots available for each class. Registration begins 1 hour before each class, filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The center is at 12353 Mariposa Rd Ste C2 & C3 Victorville.

For a complete schedule of free classes, click here.

HD America's Job Center Hosting Hiring Event at Adelanto Stadium

High Desert America's Job Center of California is hosting a Hiring Event with City of Adelanto and EDD on Thursday, April 27. The event will take place from 10 am. until 1 p.m. at Adelanto Stadium, located at 12000 Stadium Way, Adelanto.

Job seekers are encouraged to dress to impress and bring plenty of resumes. Local businesses are hiring in a variety of industries. To register, go to Adelanto2023.eventbrite.com or call 800-451-5627.

BLM's Desert District Hosting Field Tour of Stoddard Valley OHVA on Friday

BLM's California Desert District will host a field tour on Friday, April 14, to visit Stoddard Valley Off-highway Vehicle Area, the Desert Discovery Center, and Sawtooth Campground.

Members of the public are welcome on the field tour, but must provide their own transportation, meals, and water. To attend the field tour, please contact Kate Miyamoto at kmiyamoto@blm.gov.

Divas3 to Perform at Victor Valley College Family Concert Series on April 16

The Las Vegas-based pop vocal trio Divas3 will perform at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 16, part of the Newton T. Bass Family Concert Series at the Victor Valley College Performing Arts Center in Victorville.

The Las Vegas-based band performs harmony arrangements from such pop artists as Whitney Houston, Cher, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin and more.

The VVC Performing Arts Center is located at 18422 Bear Valley Road in Victorville. Tickets are $35; $5 for 17 and under.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 760-961-0486, or visit vvcca.org.

Oro Grande Roundup Planned This Weekend on National Trails Highway

Enjoy a classic car show, live music, costume contests and local artisans during the annual Oro Grande Roundup on Saturday, April 15. All proceeds from the event will go toward revitalization of the town’s post office. Live music will include the High D Boys and DJ Kev Dog.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. near Cross Eyed Cow Pizza at 19242 National Trails Hwy., Oro Grande. For more information, go to crosseyedcowpizza.com